Joe Douglas prides himself on his ability to evaluate talent. It’s why he refuses to overspend in free agency and why he prioritizes the draft above all else.
But this offseason, Douglas took a very obvious approach with the majority of the top players he signed. He bet on potential and scheme fit more than past production. Three of the top five players Douglas signed this spring were former first-round picks: wide receiver Corey Davis (No. 5 pick in 2017), inside linebacker Jarrad Davis (No. 21 in 2017) and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (No. 16 in 2016).
All three are talented players, but none have lived up to their lofty draft expectations for a variety of reasons. However, all flashed ability at various stages of their career that drew the eye of Douglas and the Jets.
The Titans drafted Corey Davis to be their No. 1 wideout, but a hamstring injury plagued his rookie season. He caught just 34 balls for 375 yards and no touchdowns in 11 games. Davis rebounded over the next three years and averaged 57.5 receptions, 825.3 yards and 3.7 touchdowns per year, but he never turned into the true No. 1 receiving threat the Titans wanted him to become.
Douglas doesn’t need Davis to be the next Julio Jones, though. He needs Davis to be a phenomenal possession receiver on the outside in Mike LaFleur’s offense, as well as someone who can block and complement Denzel Mims and Jamison Crowder.
As for the other Davis, Douglas signed him because of his speed at linebacker. He’s a disruptive player who fell out of favor in Detroit after his sophomore season when the Lions switched to Matt Patricia’s defense. Davis won’t be tasked with taking over for C.J. Mosley in the middle of the defense – unless, of course, the Jets trade Mosely – but he will be a good role player who can pressure the quarterback and defend the run.
Jarrad Davis came in HOT 😤 @J_Davis_40 @Lions pic.twitter.com/ZKyi60VEG3
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) September 20, 2020
Rankins might have been the most interesting signing by Douglas so far this offseason. The former Saint has 17.5 career sacks, but only three in the past two seasons. Rankins looked great at times in New Orleans, but his injury history and liability against the run turned him into a role player more recently. He hasn’t produced much since 2018 thanks to Achilles and knee injuries and was forced to miss four games in 2020.
Douglas, however, saw an intriguing opportunity to fully fortify Robert Saleh and Jeff Ulbrich’s pass rush. Rankins will play alongside Quinnen Williams, John Franklin-Myers and Carl Lawson on the defensive line, with Foley Fatukasi rotating in for running situations.
Douglas spent $60 million between the two Davis’s and Rankins. That’s a lot of money, but if any or all three live up to the potential they were drafted for, then Douglas paid bargain prices for first-round talent. It’s a risk worth taking considering the amount of money other teams dolled out for players coming off career years, too.
If Douglas is truly the adept talent evaluator he believes – and Saleh and his coaching staff are capable of developing and fostering talent – then these moves may have been the Jets’ smartest moves of the offseason.
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