Tag: Raekwon Davis

Colts DT Raekwon Davis leaves mark on run game vs. Bears

Contributing to the Colts’ success against the Bears rushing offense was a strong performance from DT Raekwon Davis.

The Indianapolis Colts signed defensive tackle Raekwon Davis during free agency to bolster their run defense depth. This past Sunday, without DeForest Buckner, Davis played an important role in limiting the Bears’ run game.

If you look at the stat sheet, at least according to PFF, you’ll see just two tackles for Davis. However, those were two important tackles.

One came during the Colts’ eventual goal line stand. Davis used a swim move to beat Bears right tackle Darnell Wright and then helped make the tackle on the ball carrier Khalil Herbert.

The second came with the Bears just across midfield and facing a first-and-10. Chicago tried running an end-around to receiver DJ Moore, but Davis sniffed it out and make the tackle about six yards behind the line of scrimmage.

But going beyond the numbers, Davis is a player whose impact isn’t always going to show up on the stat sheet. At 6-7 – 335 pounds, Davis can command quite a bit of attention from the offensive line. When he’s eating up space or taking on double-teams, he frees up opportunities for others.

Out of all defensive tackles in Week 3, Davis finished with the ninth-best PFF run defense grade and had an average depth of tackle at two-yards behind the line of scrimmage.

Overall, the Colts’ run defense had a much needed bounce-back performance against the Bears, allowing just 63 rushing yards on 28 carries.

Davis would also play a season-high 38 snaps in this contest including several next to Grover Stewart during more obvious running situations.

I imagine that this was the kind of impact GM Chris Ballard envisioned when signing Davis, and it will be paramount for the Colts’ defense that he continues to play at this level. Upcoming is a big test against a run-heavy Pittsburgh Steelers offense.

Colts DT Raekwon Davis will have to play important role in stabilizing run defense

Without DeForest Buckner, Raekwon Davis will have to play a key role in help stabilize the Colts porous run defense.

The Indianapolis Colts signed defensive tackle Raekwon Davis in free agency to bolster their run defense depth. Now without DeForest Buckner, Davis’ role needs to expand.

In his first two games with the Colts, Davis played 48 total snaps, 18 of which came in Week 1 and then 30 in Week 2. While Davis did end up out-snapping Taven Bryan, it was Bryan who got the start over him with DeForest Buckner on a snap count against Green Bay before exiting with an ankle injury.

Percentage-wise, Davis played 23 percent of the Colts defensive snaps in Week 1 and 43 percent in Week 2. Perhaps after missing most of training camp, the Colts were easing Davis back in, but now, without Buckner, his workload will likely have to increase.

During Davis’ previous two seasons in Miami, his overall snap count was in the 50 percent range of the Dolphins’ total defensive snaps. Moving forward, it feels like that should be the floor for Davis in terms of playing time.

When on the field, Davis has recorded just two tackles and a run-stop–there’s certainly more help he can provide. But his impact isn’t always going to show up on the stat sheet either.

Listed at 6-7 – 335 pounds, Davis will be tasked at times with eating up space and taking on double-teams, which hopefully opens up opportunities for others to make plays.

When it comes to stopping the run, Davis should be ahead of Taven Bryan and Adetomiwa Adebawore, two undersized defensive tackles, who, ideally, are utilized as pass rushers.

At such a heavily rotated position, there are going to be snaps where Bryan and Adebawore are asked to defend the run, but Gus Bradley can try to minimize those opportunities.

The Colts are very high on the depth of their defensive line and want to rely on a hockey-like line rotation up front. However, the run defense has been gashed for two games and the defensive front is now dealing with injuries.

As much as possible, you need your best players on the field, particularly now, and as mentioned, Davis was brought in to help improve the run defense depth, so with that depth being tested, he needs more snaps and needs to make an impact.

Colts’ defensive front gets big boost with return of Raekwon Davis

The Colts’ defensive front received a big boost on Tuesday with the return of Raekwon Davis to the practice field.

The Colts already stout defensive front got a big boost during Tuesday’s joint practice with the Cincinnati Bengals with Raekwon Davis back on the field.

“It feel great, man,” said Davis after practice. “Just to be back in this environment with the boys. Just to be back out there working with them. It was a tough one today. I’m a little rusty but I’ll get there.”

This was Davis’ first practice of training camp after he was initially placed on the non-football illness list with high blood pressure.

“It’s great thing they caught that,” added Davis. “It was a hassle just to get back, but I’m back, trying to work my way up, trying to work my way back in shape. Stay in the playbook. Just do everything I can do.”

In an offseason where continuity was the theme for the Colts, Davis was their big outside free agent addition, signing a two-year deal worth $14 million.

The addition of Davis will boost the Colts’ interior depth, specifically against the run, an area the second unit struggled with last season when Grover Stewart wasn’t on the field.

During the Colts first six games of 2023–with Stewart–they surrendered just 3.7 yards per carry. However, over the next six games–without Stewart–the Colts gave up 4.9 yards per rush.

Perhaps within a defensive front that is loaded with pass rushing talent, the run game is where Davis’ biggest impact can come. But with that said, there is potentially some untapped pass rush upside that the Colts can unlock as well in Gus Bradley’s one-gap, attack style scheme.

“It’s a great opportunity, you know, to come out here, just before even the season comes just to work on that technique,” said Davis. “I mean, them guys got me better. The reps I had today, it was fun. Just working my way back.”

From the sounds of it, Davis is hopeful to be on the field with the other Colts starters for their preseason finale with the Bengals.

It’s no secret that GM Chris Ballard wants a defensive front that runs eight players deep. To accomplish this, he’s invested heavily into the position group this offseason.

Success defensively for the Colts will start in the trenches and can provide the secondary, which has its share of question marks, with some needed help.

A quick push is the best way to way to wreck any offensive play. Slowing the run on early downs puts the offense behind the sticks and in obvious passing situations, while we all know how important pressuring the quarterback is.

“We going to dominate,” said Davis of the defensive front. “It ain’t no what we can do, we’re going to dominate. We’re going to for sure dominate.”

Colts remove DT Raekwon Davis from non-football illness list

The Colts removed DT Raekwon Davis from the non-football illness list. Here is what you need to know.

On Monday afternoon, the Indianapolis Colts announced that they removed defensive tackle Raekwon Davis from the non-football illness list, making him eligible to return to practice.

Davis is yet to see the practice field during training camp, having been placed on the non-football illness with high blood pressure.

Davis signed a two-year, $14 million free agent deal to join the Colts this offseason after spending his career in Miami.

The addition of Davis will hopefully help bolster the Colts’ run defense depth, an area they struggled with in 2023 when Grover Stewart wasn’t on the field.

However, in joining the Colts, there is also some untapped potential as a pass rusher that the team hopes to unlock in Gus Bradley’s attack-heavy defensive front.

“Playing with Buckner and Grove, I feel like it’s a great fit for me,” Davis said this offseason via the Indy Star.

It’s a quick turnaround for the Colts following their preseason game with Arizona as they have a joint practice in Cincinnati on Tuesday and then the preseason game on Thursday.

I imagine there will likely be a ramp up period for Davis, so he may only participate in individual drills on Tuesday and may not play on Thursday.

When asked about Davis’ availability for the regular season last week, head coach Shane Steichen was optimistic about him being ready.

“I hope not,” Steichen said when asked if Davis could miss time during the regular season. “He’s progressing well, so hopefully he’ll be out there sooner rather than later.”

In addition to removing Davis from the NFI list, the Colts made a few other roster moves, including placing Ryan Coll on IR and waiving/injured Josh Sills. They would also sign center Mike Panasiuk as well as linebacker Mike Smith Jr.

Colts’ HC Shane Steichen with update on DT Raekwon Davis

After Wednesday’s practice, Colts’ head coach Shane Steichen provided a brief update on defensive tackle Raekwon Davis.

Colts’ defensive tackle Raekwon Davis remains on the non-football illness with high blood pressure. Following Wednesday’s joint practice with the Arizona Cardinals, head coach Shane Steichen provided a brief update.

“I hope not,” Steichen said when asked if Davis could miss time during the regular season. “He’s progressing well, so hopefully he’ll be out there sooner rather than later.”

Davis was placed on the NFI list prior to training camp beginning and is yet to practice.

The Colts signed Davis during free agency to a two-year $14 million contract to bolster their defensive tackle depth. The Colts’ run defense would struggle last season when Grover Stewart wasn’t on the field.

The addition of Davis is supposed to provide a boost in that part of the game, although in Gus Bradley’s attacking scheme, there is possibly some untapped potential for Davis as a pass rusher as well.

“Playing with Buckner and Grove, I feel like it’s a great fit for me,” Davis said this offseason via the Indy Star.

In Davis’ absence, Taven Bryan and Adetomiwa Adebawore have seen more opportunities. SI’s Albert Breer would call Bryan a “camp surprise,” while Adebawore is perhaps the team’s most improved defensive tackle, as Bradley put it recently. However, both are known more for their pass rush abilities than run defense.

Next week is the final week of practices before the Colts’ preseason finale with Cincinnati on August 22nd.

If Davis needs additional time to ramp up or is still not ready to return, he can begin the season the NFI list, which will force him to miss at least the first four games. If that’s the case, Davis won’t count towards the Colts’ initial 53-man roster.

Colts’ DT Raekwon Davis placed on NFI list to begin training camp

Colts’ defensive tackle Raekwon Davis has been placed on the NFI list to begin training camp. Here is what you need to know.

With Colts players reporting for training camp on Wednesday, the team announced that defensive tackle Raekwon Davis was placed on the non-football illness list.

What specifically has Davis on the NFI list or how long he will be out isn’t known, but once healthy, he can be activated and back on the practice field.

Update: Following Thursday’s practice, Shane Steichen would tell reporters that Davis has high blood pressure and will be back on the practice field once that is regulated.

Davis was one of the Colts’ two big outside free agent additions this offseason, signing a two-year $14 million deal.

Davis will immediately slot in as the third member of the Colts’ defensive tackle rotation and will be tasked with bolstering the run defense behind Grover Stewart. With Stewart on the field for the first six games of 2023, the Colts allowed only 3.7 yards per rush. However, over the next six without him, they gave up 4.9 yards per carry, according to ESPN.

With that said, it’s not as if Davis was signed to only be a run-stuffer. The Colts’ believe there is a new level of pass rush production that he can unlock in Gus Bradley’s attacking defensive front.

“I’m just trying to experience new things,” Davis said via the Indy Star. “Since coming out of ‘Bama, I’ve been playing the same technique, two-gapping, and to experience a different technique, being with those two guys (DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart), is going to be great.”

In addition to Davis going on the NFI list, the Colts also placed Chris Lammons on the PUP list. For more on Lammons, click here.

The good news is that only Davis and Lammons have designations. When meeting with reporters, GM Chris Ballard mentioned that JuJu Brents had an ankle clean up following offseason programs, but that he should be cleared soon.

Genard Avery is “getting close.” Braden Smith will get worked back slowly, and Ashton Dulin is “good to go,” although he may be limited to start.

Colts’ training camp roster preview: DT Raekwon Davis

Up next in our Colts’ training camp roster preview is DT Raekwon Davis. Here is a look back at Davis’ 2023 season and what’s ahead in 2024.

Veterans and rookies for the Indianapolis Colts will report for training camp on July 24th, with the first practice taking place on July 25th.

Between now and then I will be previewing the Colts’ 91-man roster with a look back at each player’s 2023 season, along with what’s ahead for 2024.

I’ll be going through the Colts’ roster alphabetically, so up next is defensive tackle Raekwon Davis. To stay up to date with our other previews, be sure to head over to Colts Wire.

2023 Season Review

Davis spent his first four NFL seasons with the Miami Dolphins, who drafted him in the second round of the 2020 draft out of Alabama.

Davis has been a key member of the Dolphins’ defensive line rotation since entering the NFL. Last season specifically, Davis totaled 28 tackles, two of which were for a loss, six quarterback hits, and half a sack.

Production-wise, Davis’ numbers aren’t going to leap off the stat sheet, but in part, that’s a product of what he was being asked to do.

In the Dolphins’ two-gap scheme, the interior defenders take a read-and-react approach, responsible for identifying which of their two gaps is most vulnerable. And as these defenders take on blockers and eat up space, it is the linebackers and edge defenders often freed up to make plays.

“I’m just trying to experience new things,” Davis said via the Indy Star. “Since coming out of ‘Bama, I’ve been playing the same technique, two-gapping, and to experience a different technique, being with those two guys (DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart), is going to be great.”

2024 Season Preview

In an offseason where continuity was the major theme for the Colts as they invested the majority of their salary cap resources into retaining their own, the addition of Davis was their big outside addition–signing him to a two-year deal worth $14 million. He will immediately slide into that third spot in the rotation behind DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart.

Davis played over half his snaps last season lined up in the A-gap, and the obvious help that he can provide this Colts’ defensive tackle position is in the run game, where the team needs improved play when Grover Stewart isn’t on the field.

Relying heavily on Taven Bryan and Eric Johnson in 2023, during the Colts’ first six games of the season with Stewart, they allowed 3.7 yards per carry and 2.24 yards after contact. But without Stewart for the next six games, they surrendered 4.9 yards per rush and 3.14 yards after contact, according to ESPN.

However, it’s not as if Davis is only in Indianapolis to help out against the run. The Colts believe there is a new level of pass-rush production that Davis can unlock playing in Gus Bradley’s defense, where the job of the front is to get off the ball as quickly as possible and into the backfield.

“Playing with Buckner and Grove, I feel like it’s a great fit for me,” Davis said.

GM Chris Ballard believes in building a defensive line rotation that runs eight or nine players deep and operates similarly to the line changes that we see in hockey, and Davis will be a key member of this group–one that should be one of the more disruptive units in football.

“We’re a D line that rotates,” said Dayo Odeyingbo via ESPN. “You look around the league and you look at the good D lines, they pretty much all rotate a lot. They have a lot of depth. So, that’s something that helps you be fresh and be ready to play a full 17-game season.

“As far as the sharing goes, I feel like we’re kind of used to it and it’s not really about counting reps. It’s more about making the reps count.”

Opportunity for Colts’ DL Raekwon Davis to unlock new level of production

Colts’ defensive tackle Raekwon Davis will bolster the depth of that unit and have the opportunity to unlock a new level of production.

The addition of defensive tackle Raekwon Davis will provide a needed boost to the Indianapolis Colts’ run-defense depth, but in Gus Bradley’s system, there’s the potential for Davis to unlock a new level of production.

Overall, the Colts defense ranked 10th in yards per rush allowed last season at 4.1 yards per carry. However, their level of success was very much dependent upon whether or not Grover Stewart was on the field.

With Stewart for the first six games of the season, the Colts allowed only 3.7 yards per rush and 2.24 yards after contact, according to ESPN. However, without Stewart over the next six games, the Colts allowed 4.9 yards per rush and 3.14 yards after contact.

Although PFF’s grades are not the be-all-end-all, Taven Bryan would rank 116th out of 146 eligible defensive tackles in run defense grade, while Eric Johnson finished 146th.

Davis, who was a key member of the Miami Dolphins defensive front, playing 500-plus snaps each of the last two seasons, will immediately be the third member of the Colts’ defensive tackle rotation behind Stewart and DeForest Buckner and will be tasked with providing stability to the run defense unit when Stewart isn’t on the field.

“Playing with Buckner and Grove, I feel like it’s a great fit for me,” Davis said via the Indy Star.

However, it’s also not as if Davis was solely brought in to only be a run-stuffer for the Colts. In Bradley’s attacking front, the opportunity for more pass rush production will be there as well.

Davis is coming from a Dolphins’ defense where he was responsible for two-gaps and asked to take on double-teams to help free up others to make plays. This two-gap system often comes with a read-and-react approach, where the defender has to identify which of the two gaps they are responsible for is the most vulnerable.

According to PFF, Davis never finished with more than one sack in a season and had a career-high 24 pressures last season.

But under Bradley, the job of the defensive front is to get off the ball as quickly as possible and into the backfield to disrupt the play.

“I’m just trying to experience new things,” Davis said. “Since coming out of ‘Bama, I’ve been playing the same technique, two-gapping, and to experience a different technique, being with those two guys, is going to be great.”

GM Chris Ballard believes that building a strong defense begins in the trenches, and signing Davis to a two-year, $14 million contract this offseason was just one of a few examples of that.

The Colts would also re-sign Grover Stewart and Tyquan Lewis, extend DeForest Buckner, draft Laiatu Latu in the first round, and pick up Kwity Paye’s fifth-year option for the 2025 season.

With the help of Davis, as both a run defender and pass rusher, adding to the Colts’ hockey-like rotation in the trenches, this should certainly be one of the more disruptive fronts in football. On PFF’s offseason rankings, the Colts’ defensive front came in at No. 7 on their list.

“We’re a D line that rotates,” said Dayo Odeyingbo via ESPN. “You look around the league and you look at the good D lines, they pretty much all rotate a lot. They have a lot of depth. So, that’s something that helps you be fresh and be ready to play a full 17-game season.

“As far as the sharing goes, I feel like we’re kind of used to it and it’s not really about counting reps. It’s more about making the reps count.”

99 days until Alabama football kicks off the 2024 season

We are just 99 days away from the start of Alabama football’s 2024 season!

In 99 days, Kalen DeBoer will usher in a new era of Alabama Crimson Tide football, replacing the legendary [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] as head coach in Tuscaloosa.

Coach DeBoer and the Crimson Tide will take on the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers on Aug. 31 to kick off the 2024 college football season inside Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Here at Roll Tide Wire, we will be counting down the days until Alabama football takes the field.

Today, with 99 days remaining, we take a look at one of Alabama’s most memorable players to wear No. 99, [autotag]Raekwon Davis[/autotag].

Davis had a very productive career for the Tide from 2016 to 2019, accumulating 19.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks. Davis would go on to be drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft. Davis will be entering his first season with the Indianapolis Colts in 2024.

Raekwon Davis’s Photo Gallery

Chris Grier needs to find another 2nd round gem in the 2024 NFL draft

Dolphins general manager Chris Grier has found some stars in the second round. He needs to pull that off again on Friday.

The Miami Dolphins are set to pick with the No. 21 selection in Round 1 and the No. 55 selection in Round 2 of the 2024 NFL draft. With a first-round pick for the first time since 2021, finding an impact player on the first day is paramount for general manager Chris Grier. But to keep the team on track, the second-rounder also needs to be a hit.

Grier’s last two draft classes have only produced one immediate contributor out of the eight selected players. The 2022 class has not materialized well thus far, as Channing Tindall, Erik Ezukanma, and Cameron Goode have hardly seen the field for Miami.

Only 2022 seventh-round pick Skylar Thompson has made much of an impact when he performed adequate backup duties for Tua Tagovailoa and nearly pulled off a miracle road upset in the playoffs against the Buffalo Bills.

The true gem of the last two years is running back De’Von Achane, a third-round grand slam in last year’s draft. He was taken 33 picks after cornerback Cam Smith, who played the fewest rookie snaps of all the 2023 second-rounders.

That lackluster drafting means the pressure is on for Grier this week. Especially since, at the moment, the Dolphins are set for a painful wait from No. 55 to No. 158 without any picks.

Miami’s third-round pick was forfeited (along with a 2023 first-round pick) due to tampering with Tom Brady and Sean Payton. Their fourth-round pick is belongs to the Denver Broncos as part of the package from the 2022 in-season trade for edge rusher Bradley Chubb.

Grier’s first ever second round pick was cornerback Xavien Howard at No. 38 overall. Howard played eight seasons for the Dolphins, earning four Pro Bowl nods and 2020 All-Pro honors, before getting cut this offseason to save cap space.

The general manager didn’t follow up that home run in fantastic fashion, though. Grier selecting linebacker Raekwon McMillan and tigth end Mike Gesicki in the second rounds of the 2017 and 2018 drafts, respectively. McMillan was eventually traded to the Raiders for peanuts, and Gesicki walked in free agency in 2023 after getting franchise-tagged in 2022.

Two other recently departed free agents, Raekwon Davis and Brandon Jones, were selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft.

In 2021, Grier made an excellent selection on Day 2 of that year’s draft. Oregon safety Jevon Holland was picked No. 36 overall and is currently in contract extension talks with the Dolphins after three stellar seasons. His second pick in the second round that year, offensive lineman Liam Eichenberg at 42nd overall, hasn’t looked as promising.

Whatever Grier decides to do on Friday will be predicated on his choice in the first round. Yet, with plenty of value at positions of need, several players projected in the 45-65 range could be viewed as excellent selections at No. 55 for the Dolphins. And Grier can’t afford to miss.

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