Four years after selecting him in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the Washington Commanders have decided to release linebacker/edge defender Jamin Davis. After a slow rookie year, Davis established himself as a key part of Washington’s 2022 defense, starting all 16 games while recording three sacks, 104 tackles, nine tackles-for-loss, and five quarterback hits. He followed it up with a similar season in 2023 that ended prematurely thanks to a shoulder injury. In 13 games, he recorded three sacks, 89 tackles, eight tackles-for-loss, and three quarterback hits.
Unfortunately for everyone involved, things took a turn for the worse after that. Davis wasn’t a fit for first-year head coach Dan Quinn’s scheme and the two reckless driving charges certainly didn’t help his standing with the organization. Relegated to backup work, Jamin Davis recorded just 13 tackles and one tackle-for-loss before his eventual release. While he may have worn out his welcome in Washington, the former first-round pick could find a home with a linebacker-needy team like the Carolina Panthers or Baltimore Ravens.
#Commanders released former first-round LB Jamin Davis. pic.twitter.com/bGi8sF1NhR
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 22, 2024
Panthers, Ravens Could Target Jamin Davis After Release
The Carolina Panthers won’t compete for anything in 2024, but that shouldn’t stop them from targeting Jamin Davis after his release. First-year head coach Dave Canales and General Manager Dan Morgan inherited a severely flawed roster and knew he couldn’t fix every hole in one offseason. With that in mind, the two prioritized the offense, rebuilding the offensive line while adding receivers Diontae Johnson and first-round pick Xavier Worthy. These big-name additions came at the expense of the defense, as former Raven Jadeveon Clowney was the only notable addition.
As expected, Carolina’s defense is one of the worst units in the league, as they lack the talent to match up with high-level talent. Jamin Davis won’t singlehandedly fix the entire unit, but he could be a building block for the defense. His first-round talent is still there, and he had several strong seasons as a traditional linebacker. With no proven options on the depth chart, the Panthers could bring him in and see if they can find a diamond in the rough as they enter yet another rebuilding phase.
Reinforcing the Defense
The Baltimore Ravens erased their abysmal 0-2 start to the season and currently sit atop the AFC North with a 5-2 record. While this team has one of the most talented rosters in football, they owe their five-game winning streak to the unstoppable combination of MVP frontrunner Lamar Jackson and Offensive Player of the Year favorite Derrick Henry. The defense has not played up to its usual standard, as the team misses having Patrick Queen complement star linebacker Roquan Smith. Jamin Davis might not be as good as Smith, but he could complete this linebacker room after his release.
2023 third-round pick Trenton Simpson has done his best to replace Queen, but the Clemson product hasn’t played as well in an expanded role. Perhaps he can improve with time, but a contending team like the Ravens can’t risk a Super Bowl in the name of one player getting marginally better. Signing Jamin Davis after his release would allow Simpson to return to a specialized role, which should bring out the best in both Davis and Simpson. With a three-headed monster at linebacker, all the Ravens need to do is trade for an edge defender to fix their defense.
Main Photo: Sam Navarro – USA Today Sports
