Tag: Jarrad Davis

Former Gator faces crucial contract year with New York Jets

Davis signed a one-year “prove it” contract with the New York Jets after his play stagnated in four seasons with Detroit.

Former Florida linebacker Jarrad Davis hasn’t lived up to the first-round selection he received back in 2017 from the Detroit Lions. He showed some nice progress in his first two years, starting 14 games and totaling 96 tackles, a pick and a fumble recovery as a rookie. In 2018, he started all 16 games and registered a career-best 100 tackles.

But an injury ended his season after 11 games in 2019, and in 2020, he started just four of the 14 games he appeared in. He also totaled a career-low 46 tackles.

With recurring injury concerns and not enough production, Detroit decided to let him walk after his rookie contract expired. He signed a one-year, $7 million contract with the New York Jets this offseason, where he’ll hope for a career resurgence with defensive guru Robert Saleh.

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Davis certainly has a lot to prove in 2021, but the Jets could reward the former 21st overall pick with a nice extension if he has a productive season.  According to CBS Sports’ Jordan Dajani, Davis is an underrated player who could be due for a payday this season.

We considered safety Marcus Maye for this spot, but he’s not very underrated if he’s receiving the franchise tag. So, let’s go in a different direction and reach a bit. Davis struggled mightily last year with the Detroit Lions. However, he’s a young player with potential, and maybe defensive mastermind Robert Saleh can get him on the right track. Additionally, Davis won’t be the Jets’ middle linebacker, so this position change might also help him — along with the leadership of new teammate C.J. Mosley. Davis signed a one-year contract worth $7 million, and he could become an intriguing prospect next offseason if this change of scenery works well for him.

The Jets have had issues in past years keeping good players around. Safety Jamal Adams already left for Seattle, and with his former counterpart in Maye playing under the franchise tag in 2021 with no extension in sight, it seems he’ll be playing elsewhere after the season, too.

If Davis is productive, New York likely couldn’t afford to whiff on a long-term deal with another defensive player. With the Lions, he showed glimpses of the dominance he displayed while with the Gators but couldn’t do it consistently. He’ll hope the grass is greener in the Meadowlands.

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4 Jets poised for bounce-back seasons in 2021

A handful of Jets who disappointed in 2020 could revert to form under New York’s new coaching staff.

The 2020 season was a down year for almost everyone associated with the Jets.

With a losing streak that lasted from September to December and the turmoil that surrounded Adam Gase’s final year as head coach, One Jets Drive was a place not many wanted to be last season. That is no longer the case with Robert Saleh in town. New York once again has hope for the future as its new head coach embarks on his first season with the team. That hope goes beyond the fanbase, as some players on the Jets were in need of a fresh start more than others.

Between free agent signings who desperately needed a change of scenery and holdovers from last year’s team, New York features multiple players poised to bounce back from disappointing 2020 campaigns. There is no guarantee Saleh can work his magic on every player currently residing in Florham Park, but these four have the best chance of returning to form under his watch.

AFC East news: All things Jets free agency for Bills fans to know

New York Jets free agency news for Buffalo Bills fans.

While the Buffalo Bills haven’t been the busiest of teams in free agency, the same can’t be said about the rest of the AFC East.

The Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, and certainly New England Patriots have made their fair share of moves through the first wave of the NFL’s 2021 free agency period.

Now, onto the Jets. Bills Wire will get you all caught up on the moves recently made in the Big Apple now. Here’s a quick rundown of the recent moves made by the Jets in free agency:

AFC East news: All things Jets free agency for Bills fans to know

New York Jets free agency news for Buffalo Bills fans.

While the Buffalo Bills haven’t been the busiest of teams in free agency, the same can’t be said about the rest of the AFC East.

The Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, and certainly New England Patriots have made their fair share of moves through the first wave of the NFL’s 2021 free agency period.

Now, onto the Jets. Bills Wire will get you all caught up on the moves recently made in the Big Apple now. Here’s a quick rundown of the recent moves made by the Jets in free agency:

Joe Douglas banking on former first-round picks in 2021 free agency

The Jets signed three players – Corey Davis, Jarrad Davis and Sheldon Rankins – who haven’t fully lived up to their potential yet.

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.

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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Jets have considered re-signing Patrick Onwuasor

The Jets are looking at bringing back linebacker Patrick Onwuasor despite him barely playing in 2020.

Patrick Onwuasor played just eight total snaps for the Jets in 2020, but New York is still interested in bringing him back for another season, according to The Athletic’s Connor Hughes.

Onwuasor spent most of last season on injured reserve after the Jets signed him to a one-year, $2 million deal last offseason. A non-contact knee injury in training camp sidelined the linebacker until mid-November and a hamstring injury in Week 11 knocked him out for the rest of the season. Onwuasor didn’t play a single defensive snap.

Bringing Onwuasor back would continue to add insurance to a linebacker group decimated by injuries last year. The Jets already added Jarrad Davis in free agency to shore up the position and Onwuasor would fortify the group behind presumed starter C.J. Mosley.

Onwuasor tallied 234 tackles, 9.5 sacks and five forced fumbles in four years with the Baltimore Ravens. He would be a solid fit in Robert Saleh and Jeff Ulbrich’s defense considering his skills as an off-ball linebacker who can play in coverage.

Jets have considered re-signing Patrick Onwuasor

The Jets are looking at bringing back linebacker Patrick Onwuasor despite him barely playing in 2020.

Patrick Onwuasor played just eight total snaps for the Jets in 2020, but New York is still interested in bringing him back for another season, according to The Athletic’s Connor Hughes.

Onwuasor spent most of last season on injured reserve after the Jets signed him to a one-year, $2 million deal last offseason. A non-contact knee injury in training camp sidelined the linebacker until mid-November and a hamstring injury in Week 11 knocked him out for the rest of the season. Onwuasor didn’t play a single defensive snap.

Bringing Onwuasor back would continue to add insurance to a linebacker group decimated by injuries last year. The Jets already added Jarrad Davis in free agency to shore up the position and Onwuasor would fortify the group behind presumed starter C.J. Mosley.

Onwuasor tallied 234 tackles, 9.5 sacks and five forced fumbles in four years with the Baltimore Ravens. He would be a solid fit in Robert Saleh and Jeff Ulbrich’s defense considering his skills as an off-ball linebacker who can play in coverage.

Jets to sign WR Corey Davis to 3-year deal

Corey Davis will give the Jets a solid outside receiver to add to their arsenal for whomever the quarterback is in 2021.

The Jets have a new starting wide receiver.

New York agreed to a three-year, $37.5 million deal with former Titans wideout Corey Davis, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The pact includes $27 million in guaranteed money. This deal won’t become official until March 17 at 4 p.m. ET.

Davis, the fifth overall pick in the 2017 draft, should immediately take over as the Jets’ outside receiver alongside Denzel Mims. Then there’s Jamison Crowder in the slot. Davis underperformed in his first three seasons with the Titans before playing well in 2020. He finished the season with 65 receptions for 984 yards and five touchdowns – all career-highs.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that the Jets were interested in bringing back Breshad Perriman earlier Monday, but it is unclear if this deal with Davis will preclude them from re-signing Perriman. What it does mean, though, is the Jets’ starting quarterback in 2021 will have at least three solid receivers at his disposal.

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Instant analysis of Jets agreeing to terms with LB Jarrad Davis

The Jets got an experienced depth piece for their defense without breaking the bank.

The Jets’ first strike in free agency wasn’t a big splash, but it could pay dividends for Gang Green’s defense.

New York agreed to a one-year deal with former Lions linebacker Jarrad Davis. The deal is worth up to $7 million.

Davis, the 21st overall pick in 2017, hasn’t looked great over the past two years in Detroit but is still a sensational talent. He looked out of place in Matt Patricia’s defense in 2019 and 2020 after tallying eight sacks, 196 combined tackles, 14 quarterback hits and eight defended passes during his first two years in the league. This past season, Davis only played in 29 percent of the Lions’ defensive snap and started just four games with half a sack and 46 combined tackles.

Right now, it looks like Davis would back-up C.J. Mosley at middle linebacker unless the Jets trade Mosley after fielding trade offers. Davis, who is much more of a pass-rush middle linebacker than a coverage or run-stopping one, could also move to the outside in a 4-3 scheme. Either way, it makes more sense to use Davis situationally in Robert Saleh and Jeff Ulbrich’s 4-3 defense, which thrives off quicker players at the second level.

The deal is an inexpensive dart throw by Joe Douglas to see if his defensive staff can resurrect a former first-round pick. If it works out, the Jets have a great depth piece in the middle of their defense. At worst, though, Davis provides some experience behind Mosley, something the Jets sorely lacked the past two years when Mosley was on the shelf.

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Ex-Lions LB Jarrad Davis to sign with Jets

The Jets are adding former Lions linebacker Jarrad Davis on a one-year deal.

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The Jets have made their first move of free agency.

New York is in agreement with former Lions linebacker Jarrad Davis, according to multiple reports. Davis will sign a one-year deal worth $7 million.

As NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport mentioned, teams felt Davis wasn’t properly utilized in Detroit. The former first-round pick will now get a chance to prove himself as a 4-3 linebacker in Robert Saleh’s defensive scheme.

Davis fell out of favor in Detroit this past season. He made only four starts, playing in just 29% of the Lions’ defensive snaps. Davis’ best season came in 2018, prior to former Lions head coach Matt Patricia’s arrival in Detroit. The former first-round pick recorded 100 total tackles, six sacks, five pass breakups and 10 quarterback hits in 16 starts.

For his career, Davis has 10.5 sacks, 305 combined tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 23 quarterback hits and seven forced fumbles.

Davis’ deal with New York can’t become official until the new league year begins on March 17 at 4 p.m. ET.

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