Tag: Michael Davis

Chargers projected to receive 3 compensatory picks in 2025 NFL draft

The Chargers are projected to have three additional Day 3 picks.

In the 2025 NFL draft, the Chargers will likely have three extra picks, according to Over The Cap.

Compensatory picks are awarded to teams who lose out on significant players in free agency and are awarded to those teams the next year.

The pick given to teams is calculated on a formula that includes a number of qualifiers, including the average per year (APY) of a contract signed, the percentage of snaps a player plays, and their awards and accolades for their performance, such as the AP All-Pro list or PFWA’s list.

Over The Cap projects Los Angeles to receive a fifth-round pick for linebacker Kenneth Murray (Titans), a sixth-rounder for tight end Gerald Everett (Bears), and a seventh-round selection for cornerback Michael Davis (Commanders).

The NFL will announce the finalized compensatory picks closer to the draft.

Michael Davis believes Commanders defensive staff can ‘elevate’ his game

MIchael Davis has been around, but believes his best is yet to come under this staff.

Despite entering his eighth season, cornerback Michael Davis believes he still has his best football ahead of him. When the 29-year-old was asked what enticed him to join the Commanders after seven seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, he mentioned how Washington’s defensive staff have developed cornerbacks in the past.

Specifically head coach Dan Quinn, defensive coordinator Joe Whitt, and defensive passing game coordinator Jason Simmons.

“I know that I have an extra level to reach, and I thought that with them being teamed up with them, I could reach that level,” Davis said.

Under Quinn and Whitt’s tutelage in Dallas, cornerback Daron Bland broke the NFL single-season record for pick-sixes with five, and cornerback Trevon Diggs led the NFL in interceptions in 2021 after an up-and-down rookie season. Davis said he could see that extra level being brought out of him because of the coach’s persistence in putting him in “uncomfortable situations.”

“So, every day I practice, they are like Michael, like we want you to go press, like you got to consistently go out and perfect your craft, keep pressing,” Davis said. “No matter the situation… in my head, it might feel like I don’t wanna go press, but in the back of my mind, it’s like if I go up and press and challenge myself, it’ll make me better”

Davis was reliable for the Chargers starting nearly every game since signing a three-year $25.2 million extension in 2021. However, he fell out of the team’s plans after a shaky season and head coaching turnover with the hiring of Jim Harbaugh.

Davis’ presence has been out of the limelight since signing a one-year $3.2 million contract in March. But with 2023 first-round pick Emmanuel Forbes Jr. still adapting to physical receivers, Davis could be the starter opposite Benjamin St-Juste in week 1. It’s just a matter of which cornerback can find a foothold within Whitt’s and Quinn’s scheme first.

“All I can do is control what I can control,” Davis said. “I mean, all I can do is focus on myself and let everything else play out.”

Report: Commanders had interest in free-agent CB Steven Nelson this offseason

Does this mean the Commanders are still looking for cornerback help?

Cornerback Steven Nelson is retiring from the NFL after nine seasons, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 in Houston.

Nelson spent the past two seasons with the Houston Texans and played a key role in their worst-to-first turnaround last season. Nelson, 31, played so well that multiple teams had interest in signing him this offseason.

Wilson said the Texans, Raiders, Commanders, Giants, Rams, and Dolphins all showed interest in Nelson this offseason. Perhaps Nelson was tired of waiting and didn’t want to spend any more time waiting on a contract offer or dealing with the grind of another training camp.

Nelson said he’s proud of his football legacy.

“Retirement, after thinking it over and having some talks with my family, I think it’s time for me to take a step back and spend more time with my family,” Nelson said in a telephone interview. “We’re expecting a newborn this coming month, and I wanted to devote all of my time and energy to that and various business ventures off the field. I’m extremely proud of what I was able to do in the game of football.”

A third-round pick by the Chiefs in the 2015 NFL draft, Nelson spent four seasons in Kansas City, two with the Pittsburgh Steelers, one with the Philadelphia Eagles and the final two years with the Texans.

“Coming from a small town without a lot of resources, having to go to junior college, making it out of there to go to Oregon State, which was across the country from my family, going through a lot of trials and tribulations to get to where I am today and to be able to persevere and make it this far. I’m extremely proud of my legacy and my career.”

Nelson played in every game for Houston last season and has only missed five games over the past six seasons.

Does Washington’s interest in Nelson mean the team isn’t done looking for cornerback help? Had the Commanders signed Nelson, he would’ve immediately jumped to the front of the line as a contender to start. Washington signed multiple veteran cornerbacks this offseason, with Michael Davis expected to start opposite Benjamin St-Juste. The Commanders hope 2023 first-round pick Emmanuel Forbes is helped by the new coaching staff and emerges in 2024.

Cornerback Michael Davis honored to be part of Commanders

Michael Davis could be one of Washington’s starting corners this season.

Cornerback Michael Davis spent seven seasons with the Chargers, so why would he leave the West Coast and come all the way to Ashburn?

That was Bryan Colbert Jr’s opening question to Davis on “Command Center” Friday.

“It’s just the opportunity,” expressed Davis. Everything is through God, so I know that God put me in this for a reason. I think it was my time to leave Cali. It was my time to be on the East Coast, for me to be here with you guys, the Commanders.”

Why did Davis want to play for Dan Quinn?

“He’s a leader. He’s what you want in a head coach. He’s super energetic. He’s genuine. You don’t want a leader that’s fake. I feel like DQ’s a real dog. I am honored to be a part of his team. I am honored for him to coach me.”

There will be new coaching relationships on the defense as well. “I am excited to go work with Joe Whitt. I know he can develop corners. I know I am eight years in but I know that I have an extra level to go to. I know that he is able to tap into that potential for me. I know I can skyrocket by game with him.”

While playing college ball at BYU, Davis was undrafted, yet he has made it for seven NFL seasons. Coming to Washington, Davis said he feels again undrafted. “I know I am going to have to prove myself again, prove I am still that dog.”

It was good to hear Davis express that he does not feel entitled. He stated, “Nothing is given to me; everything has to be earned.”

Davis also said that having been raised by his mother; he feels he owes her a lot and that she instilled many traits in him.

The former Charger corner said he realizes he has had some good spurts, but he’s also been up and down and certainly realizes he needs to become more consistent.

Former Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore a ‘logical fit’ for Commanders

Should the Commanders sign cornerback Stephon Gilmore?

It’s no secret the Washington Commanders have question marks at cornerback. Will Emmanuel Forbes blossom under the new coaching staff? Can this staff help Benjamin St-Juste reverse his 2023 fortunes?

The Commanders better hope both players can give them something in 2024. Washington allowed its best cornerback, Kendall Fuller, to walk in free agency. Considering Fuller’s age and injury history, general manager Adam Peters made a wise decision.

However, the Commanders didn’t sign a starting-level cornerback outside of Michael Davis. The 29-year-old Davis spent the past seven seasons with the Chargers, where he appeared in 107 games with 74 starts. Davis isn’t a shutdown cornerback, but he is a good, dependable veteran. Outside of Davis, the Commanders added other veterans for depth, who will compete for a roster spot.

Washington selected Michigan cornerback Mike Sainristil in the second round of the NFL draft. Sainristil is strictly a slot cornerback, meaning the Commanders could still use another veteran insurance policy on the outside.

There’s a perfect candidate available who has played for head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.

Gilmore will be 34 in September, but last season, he proved he can still play. A two-time first-team All-Pro, five-time Pro Bowler, and former NFL Defensive MVP, Gilmore started all 17 games for the Cowboys last season under Quinn and Whitt. Gilmore recorded 68 tackles, two interceptions, and 13 passes defended.

Teams are clearly staying away from Gilmore due to his age. However, proven veterans like Gilmore often do not sign with a team until training camp or after Week 1, so he could remain an available option or them.

Bleacher Report recently named Gilmore as a “logical fit” for Washington. We agree.

The Washington Commanders would be wise to give him a call as well. They lost Kendall Fuller in free agency, and Gilmore has experience with new head coach Dan Quinn.

Gilmore to Washington makes sense. The Commanders have signed numerous veterans to short-term deals who have connections to the new coaching staff. Why not give Gilmore a call?

Even if Forbes and St-Juste look to be progressing this summer, Gilmore would be a worthy addition to the 2024 roster.

Brian Baldinger is a big fan of Commanders CB Mike Sainristil

Baldy is a big fan of Mike Sainristil.

Everyone loves Washington Commanders rookie cornerback Mike Sainristil. On draft night, legendary former Alabama coach Nick Saban said he loved Sainristil, calling him the best “pound-for-pound player” in the draft.

Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy was giving Sainristil love before anyone else.

When the Commanders chose Sainristil at No. 50 overall last month, they earned unanimous praise for the pick. When Washington coach Dan Quinn went to Michigan’s pro day and spent time with Sainristil, he knew he had to have him.

Former NFL player and current analyst Brian Baldinger also happens to be a big Sainristil fan.

“I thought he was the best slot corner in this draft of the guys that played that as their position in college,” Baldinger said in an appearance on the “Sports Junkies” on 106.7 The Fan via Lou DiPietro of Audacy.

“I thought he was a really talented player on a great team who covered a lot of ground, did what you had to do in coverage or blitzing. Just a good, aggressive tackler and a guy you can plug and play.”

Baldinger also said Sainristil was one of the draft’s better picks in a good draft.

As an analyst, Baldy saw plenty of Washington last season. Even if he didn’t call Commanders’ games, he watched film of every team, every week, and he realized what Washington fans knew all too well: The secondary stunk.

Baldinger believes Sainristil and veteran free agent Michael Davis will improve the 2024 secondary.

“Michael Davis has had good moments with the Chargers, and this was the worst secondary in football, so Sainristil and Davis are definitely upgrades,” Baldinger said. “When your safeties don’t tackle well and blow coverages, you give up full-on touchdowns, and that’s what happened last year.”

The Commanders didn’t make any big moves at cornerback this offseason outside of drafting Sainristil, who will play the slot. Davis was one of multiple free-agent cornerbacks Washington signed and the one most likely to impact the depth chart. Early reports from OTAs have Davis ahead of last year’s first-round pick, Emmanuel Forbes.

Washington is counting on the new additions to help the NFL’s worst defense, but more importantly, it believes that coaching will make a bigger difference.

Commanders sign former Chargers cornerback Michael Davis

Michael Davis spent his first seven NFL seasons with the Chargers.

Heading into the weekend, the Washington Commanders had signed 14 outside free agents but had to address two critical positions: Cornerback and offensive tackle.

On Sunday, the Commanders signed former Dolphins first-round pick Noah Igbinoghene to a one-year deal. Igbinoghene spent last season with Dan Quinn and the Cowboys. While he’s considered a depth signing, there’s hope that the 24-year-old can still fulfill his potential.

On Monday, Washington general manager Adam Peters continued adding to the cornerback room, signing former Chargers cornerback Michael Davis to a one-year deal.

Davis, 29, is entering his eighth NFL season in 2024, having spent the first seven years with the Chargers. An undrafted free agent out of BYU in 2017, Davis has appeared in 107 career games with 74 starts. The 6-foot-2 cornerback has 349 career tackles, 69 passes defended and eight interceptions.

The signings of Igbinoghene and Davis do not prevent the Commanders from addressing the position in the draft but does give Washington some veteran depth with Kendall Fuller gone. The Commanders’ top two cornerbacks are currently 2021 third-round pick Benjamin St-Juste and 2023 first-round pick Emmanuel Forbes.

CB Michael Davis could provide under the radar free agent help for Packers

Could the Packers see CB Michael Davis as an option in free agency?

Michael Davis, the former Los Angeles Chargers cornerback and now free agent, could provide an under the radar option for the Green Bay Packers, who have to address their cornerback depth this offseason.

Brad Spielberger of PFF recently named the Packers as a potential landing spot in free agency for Davis.

“Davis’ longtime cornerbacks coach with the Chargers, Derrick Ansley, was added to the Packers’ coaching staff this offseason,” wrote Spielberger. “With injuries and depth questions at cornerback, Davis provides insurance.”

Derrick Ansley, the new Packers defensive pass game coordinator, spent three seasons with Davis, coaching the defensive backs in Los Angeles during the 2021 and 2022 seasons and was the teams’ defensive coordinator in 2023.

Davis has spent his entire career with the Chargers after going undrafted in 2017 out of BYU. Davis is a boundary cornerback and has proven to be quite durable, playing at least 73 percent of the Chargers defensive snaps in each of the last four years.

His best stretch of football came during the 2021 and 2022 seasons, when Davis allowed a completion rate of only 53 percent on 160 combined targets. He would also hold opponents to 11.9 yards per catch while coming away with 20 pass breakups and two interceptions.

More recently in 2023, Davis surrendered a completion rate of 65.6 percent at a modest 12.9 yards per catch with seven pass breakups and an interception. Davis’ missed tackle rate jumped to 14.3 percent this past season as well, but for much of his career he has shown to be capable in that regard as well.

Adding Davis won’t break the bank by any means for the Packers either, with Spotrac projecting that he will earn a two-year deal worth $4.6 million, or $2.3 million per year.

As Spielberger mentioned, the addition of Davis would purely be for depth at the cornerback position—a veteran that the Packers could lean on if they were in a pinch and someone who could play valuable snaps if needed.

If the Packers go into the regular season with Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes, and Carrington Valentine as their top three cornerbacks, they should be in good shape. But with that said, there is some unknown around what the team can expect from Stokes, who has played in only two games defensively since Week 9 of the 2022 season.

Beyond those three, only Zyon Gilbert and Anthony Johnson are currently on the roster at that position.

More specifically than just cornerback depth, what the Packers need is someone to man the slot. Unless Jeff Hafley plans to play Alexander there much more in 2024 – which there are zero indications of that happening – Green Bay doesn’t have a slot cornerback option on the roster at the moment.

Along with potentially dipping their toes in free agency, the Packers adding to the cornerback position early on in the draft feels like a near must that will happen as well.

Predicting the fate of all the Chargers’ pending free agents in 2024

Here are predictions for what the Chargers might do with each player in their 2024 free agent class.

As free agency approaches, the Chargers are projected to be $44 million over the salary cap.

General manager Joe Hortiz will have some decisions to make regarding their internal pending free agents.

Ahead of the free agency frenzy, here are my predictions for what Los Angeles might do with each player in their 2024 free agent class.

10 CBs the Colts should target in free agency

Taking a look at free-agent CB options for the Colts.

There is some potential in the cornerback group for the Indianapolis Colts but it’s the same old offseason story of a position group with promise that should add a veteran in case they don’t live up to the billing.

General manager Chris Ballard has taken his chances in this scenario in the past and it hasn’t always worked out for him. If he wants to stabilize the group, then a top-tier corner should be pursued heavily.

If he can’t land one, then a veteran to push the younger corners has to be considered. Ballard also has to keep an eye on nickel corners if he doesn’t re-sign Kenny Moore II and could use one for depth even if he is back for the 2024 season.

We should note that we understand a handful of these players won’t even hit the market, but we’re working under the hypothetical scenario that they become available, regardless of how slim the chances are.

If Chris Ballard decides to add to the position group via free agency, here are 10 players that the front office should target: