The Green Bay Packers signed linebacker Jamin Davis, a first-round pick of the Washington Commanders in 2021, to the team’s practice squad on Tuesday. The corresponding roster move was releasing linebacker Chris Russell Jr.
Davis, 25, was the 19th overall pick in the 2021 draft. He played in 50 games for the Commanders, producing 282 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks, six pass breakups, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one interception. He started 36 games over his first three seasons but was released after five games in 2024.
New Commanders coach Dan Quinn attempted to convert Davis to edge rusher, but the experiment didn’t last long. The Commanders released him on Oct. 22. He cleared waivers and was a free agent.
Davis produced one pressure and seven stops over 86 snaps at defensive end this season.
The Packers announced Davis as a linebacker, suggesting he’s headed back to his original position in Green Bay. He’ll get to work behind athletic linebackers such as Quay Walker and Edgerrin Cooper while learning a new defense under position coach Anthony Campanile and defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.
Davis has played almost 2,300 total snaps on defense but has limited experience on special teams (49 snaps). He produced 82 stops and 21 pressures and missed only 13 tackles between the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
While slightly undersized at 234 pounds, Davis posted elite testing marks in the vertical leap (42″), broad jump (11-0), 40-yard dash (4.48 seconds) and 10-yard split (1.53 seconds). His Relative Athletic Score was 9.93 out of 10.0, making him one of the most athletic linebackers ever and helping fuel his rise up draft boards.
Can the Packers develop Davis — an elite athlete with legitimate NFL experience — into a capable option at linebacker in a new scheme? He’ll get a chance.