Insights into how new Packers linebacker Jamin Davis played for the Commanders and why he earned another chance
Jamin Davis was the 32nd prospect on the 2021 consensus big board. So while it was a surprise when Washington took him with the 19th overall pick, especially ahead of Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, it was a surprise. But it's not like Davis wasn't a really good prospect. The athletic profile, which enticed the old Commanders leadership […]
Jamin Davis was the 32nd prospect on the 2021 consensus big board. So while it was a surprise when Washington took him with the 19th overall pick, especially ahead of Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, it was a surprise. But it's not like Davis wasn't a really good prospect.
The athletic profile, which enticed the old Commanders leadership to take him, is the big reason why the Packers gave him a second chance, signing him to the practice squad on Tuesday.
As you can see in the image of this article, with former Packers tight end Robert Tonyan beating him, coverage was Davis’ main weakness. Basically, though, Green Bay thinks that Jamin Davis has a higher chance of developing under linebackers coach/run game coordinator Anthony Campanile and defensive assistant Sean Duggan, who was the co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach under Jeff Hafley at Boston College.
Davis scored 9.93 on the Relative Athletic Score, including elite explosion and speed grades.
This is how NFL Network's draft analyst Lance Zierlein described him before the draft:
"Lightly experienced, but ascending inside linebacker prospect with excellent blend of size, length and pursuit talent. Davis plays with his pads squared to the line of scrimmage, operating with quick, lateral scrapes and a nose for finding the ball-carrier. He needs to improve his technique in taking on blocks and constricting run lanes. His vision, focus and field awareness are innate strengths that all play a part in his ability to play past blockers with his eyes and pursue with consistent fluidity to the direction of the running play. He can cover big tight ends. He also plays with anticipation and an above-average catch radius to make quarterbacks pay for taking him lightly in zone. Davis could use more seasoning before he's ready for full-time snaps but he should become a starter."
To understand what went wrong with Jamin Davis in Washington, we talked to Evan Winter, A to Z Sports Co-Managing Editor and Commanders writer.
Why did Jamin Davis get moved from linebacker to edge?
He became a first-round draft pick based on his ability as an off-ball linebacker, but that didn't stop Dan Quinn and Adam Peters from signing both Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner in order to help control the second level of the defense. Those moves, along with drafting Jordan Magee, left little opportunity for Jamin Davis at his original spot.
Why didn't it work and he got released?
Quinn and co. moved Davis to the edge of the defensive line and it took him awhile to get accustomed to his new role. He did record a sack in the preseason, but clearly didn't show enough to warrant a viable role when the snaps matter in the regular season. How the Packers utilize him will be key moving forward. Either way, Davis "disappointed" at both positions, so I wouldn't expect much from this move, in an overall sense. The Packers' acquisition of Jamin Davis should be looked at as an experiment, more than anything.
Packers sign former first-round pick defender as a reclamation project
Jamin Davis was a first-round pick by the Commanders in 2019
