Corey Davis is having a great season for the Titans before free agency

If he keeps this up, Corey Davis is going to be paid well by someone this offseason. 

How a player begins his career in the NFL won’t always define them. Granted, it’s tough to bounce back after struggling to live up to expectations, but several stars broke out for prime deals in contract seasons.

Corey Davis is showing the Tennessee Titans why he was worth the No. 5 pick in 2017 despite two years of mediocre play.

Against the Detroit Lions, Davis showed off his footwork and speed in zone coverage. Ryan Tannehill waited for his man to grab the edge before hauling a dart in his direction.

A good throw from Tannehill gave Davis the cushion, but his footwork is what helped the Titans extend their lead. Watch Davis’ feet against Lions’ Duron Harmon not once but twice.

https://twitter.com/espn/status/1340726187795091456

Harmon will need a new pair of ankles while Davis tacked on a career-long 75-yard score to give Tennessee a 14-7 advantage.

Davis is showing why he should be paid

The Titans offense has been predicated around short passes from Tannehill and burst plays from Derrick Henry. It’s why the fifth-year running back leads the NFL in rushing yards (1,532) and is on pace to grab over 2,000 on the year.

Part of the reason for Mike Vrabel’s high tempo run game is due to the lack of pass-catchers. A.J. Brown emerged as the team’s new No.1 following three struggling seasons with Davis taking the top spot. The team declined his fifth-year option earlier this offseason, meaning he could be playing on the league minimum elsewhere in 2021.

Instead, the 2020 season has proven his status as one of the league’s rising stars at the position. Entering Sunday, Davis had collected 56 catches for 835 yards and four touchdowns. Before the second quarter, he can add another reception and score to his star-studded season.

Entering the year, Davis wasn’t sure if he’d be given a starting role. Now, he’s going to be asking for more than a hometown discount come negation period.