Marcus Davenport

Marcus Davenport (born September 4, 1996) is an American football defensive end for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at UTSA and was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Early years
Davenport attended John Paul Stevens High School in San Antonio, Texas, where he played high school football. Barely recruited out of high school, he chose to play college football at University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) over UNLV. Davenport graduated from UTSA in 2017.

College career
Davenport played at UTSA from 2014 to 2017. As a senior in 2017, he was the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year after recording 55 tackles and 8.5 sacks. During his career, he had 185 tackles and 21.5 sacks.

New Orleans Saints
Davenport was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round (14th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft. He was the second defensive end to be selected that year, behind only Bradley Chubb. The pick used to select Davenport was acquired from the Green Bay Packers. On May 10, 2018, Davenport signed his rookie contract with the Saints, worth $13.7 million. On June 11, 2018, it was reported that Davenport injured his thumb and that it would require surgery. In Week 3, against the Atlanta Falcons, Davenport recorded his first career sack in the victory. In Week 8, against the Minnesota Vikings, he recorded a two-sack performance in the victory.

In a Week 2 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams in 2019, Davenport sacked Jared Goff as the Saints lost 27–9. In a Week 5 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Davenport sacked Jameis Winston twice in the 31–24 win. In week 13 against the Falcons on Thanksgiving Day, Davenport sacked Matt Ryan twice, one of which was a strip sack that was recovered by teammate Vonn Bell, in the 26–18 win. On December 11, 2019, Davenport was placed on injured reserve with a foot injury. He finished the season with 31 tackles, six sacks, and three forced fumbles through 13 starts.

In Week 7 against the Carolina Panthers in 2020, Davenport recorded his first sack of the season on former Saints' teammate Teddy Bridgewater during the 27–24 win.

The Saints exercised the fifth-year option on Davenport's contract on April 29, 2021. The option guarantees a salary of $9.5 million for the 2022 season. He was placed on injured reserve on September 17, 2021, with a shoulder injury. He was activated on October 25.

On June 15, 2022, Davenport announced he had undergone five total offseason surgeries: two on his shoulder and three on his left hand. One of the hand surgeries was to address a pinkie finger issue that had plagued him since college and involved a partial amputation of the finger.

Minnesota Vikings
On March 15, 2023, Davenport signed a one-year, $13 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings. The team has listed Davenport as an outside linebacker. He suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 6 and was placed on injured reserve on October 16, 2023.

Detroit Lions
On March 13, 2024, Davenport signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Lions. The deal has a maximum value of $10.5 million, and includes a $6.5 million base salary.