Michael Davis

Career StatsC

Year	Team	GP	INT	PD	Tkl
Career		133	8	70	366
2025		11	0	0	4
2024		15	0	1	14
2023		17

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Earning a C Contract Value Index, Michael Davis's 1-year pact reflects how New Orleans valued the cornerback depth market heading into 2026. At $1.255M AAV, this deal sits squarely in the replacement-level range for a veteran cornerback — a price point that acknowledges his nine years of NFL experience and career accumulation of eight interceptions and 70 passes defended, but makes no pretense about his current role. However, his 2025 season production of 4 tackles across 11 games tells the real story: Davis is functioning as insurance-level depth rather than a contributor expected to meaningfully impact the secondary. The one-year structure is perfectly aligned with his profile — a low-cost, low-risk audition that the Saints can walk away from without cap penalty if he underperforms or if younger options emerge during the season. New Orleans' recent addition of multiple cornerbacks to its roster confirms that Davis is penciled in as the third or fourth option in a secondary rebuild, a positioning that makes the modest salary fair value for a professional veteran who brings locker-room credibility without carrying any expectation of on-field production. The CVI grade reflects exactly that calculus: competent roster management at a position where veteran depth remains necessary, but no illusion that Davis will anchor anything beyond a reserve role.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the C band — a quick read on where Michael's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Michael Davis is a nine-year veteran cornerback for the New Orleans Saints navigating the twilight of his career. The 31-year-old has appeared in 133 games across his tenure, establishing himself as a reliable if unspectacular depth option in the secondary. His current performance grade of C reflects a player whose best years are behind him, though his extensive resume suggests deeper context than recent season-to-season decline. Davis's tackle production this season stands at 0.36 per game, significantly below the NFL average of 2.31 and nowhere near elite thresholds of 5.20 per game. This metric signals limited defensive impact and reduced snaps or effectiveness in run support—a concerning trend for a cornerback in his early thirties competing for playing time. His coverage metrics and overall contribution appear to have eroded, particularly after dropping from a C+ grade in 2023 to an F in both 2024 and 2025. The sharp deterioration over the past two seasons suggests Davis is likely functioning as a reserve or special-teams contributor rather than a starting-caliber defender. At this stage, his value hinges on veteran presence, locker-room leadership, and situational availability rather than on-field production. Unless a dramatic reversal materializes, Davis appears headed toward a role as a journeyman backup or potential free-agent candidate seeking a fresh start elsewhere after the 2025 season.

How Michael Compares at the Position

Michael Davis ranks 131st of 272 graded cornerbacks by performance. That slots Michael between Alijah Huzzie (C) just ahead and Jayden Price (C) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Michael Davis enters 2026 as a respected veteran cornerback with nine seasons of NFL experience, positioning him as a reliable depth option and locker-room presence rather than a marquee starter. Media coverage reflects his role accurately—highlighting his recruitment by multiple teams and contract retention by New Orleans, which signals organizational confidence in his continued utility. Fan perception remains stable and appreciative, particularly among BYU alumni who celebrate his sustained professional career, though he lacks the accolades or statistical profile to generate mainstream excitement. At $1.3M annually, Davis represents efficient roster construction for a team seeking experienced secondary depth, and recent headlines suggest no controversy or performance concerns. Overall perception is solidly positive within the context of his role: a dependable veteran whose value lies in consistency and professionalism rather than star-level production.