Jets fans are sleeping on one of team's most underrated players

What’s that? Another edition of the 2026 Jets Camp Countdown? Why yes, it is. And today, we continue our tour through the Jets running back room with the Joplin Juggernaut, the Jackrabbit Jackknife, the human embodiment of a 2019 Honda Accord himself, Isaiah Davis.

Over the next few months, The Jet Press will continue breaking down a different Jets player every single day until training camp begins in July, alongside our ongoing video series over on TikTok and YouTube. And after discussing Braelon Allen in yesterday’s installment, we stay in the Jets’ running back room for a player who may quietly be climbing the depth chart.

This also comes at a fitting time, as just last week, the Jets handed Breece Hall a three-year contract extension, officially solidifying him as a centerpiece of the offense moving forward. But behind Hall, the RB2 conversation is a lot more interesting than many fans realize.

And honestly, man, Isaiah Davis probably deserves to be at the forefront of that conversation.

1. Where Isaiah Davis stands entering Jets training camp
2. Revisiting Isaiah Davis’ underrated start with the Jets
3. What would make 2026 a success for Isaiah Davis
4. Recent 2026 Camp Countdown Breakdowns

Where Isaiah Davis stands entering Jets training camp

There is already a legitimate argument that Davis is the second-best running back on the Jets roster. That's not necessarily meant as a knock on Allen, whose physical upside remains tantalizing. Allen is bigger, more explosive, and absolutely still has the higher ceiling long-term.

But when it comes to down-to-down consistency and overall reliability, Davis has quietly built a very strong case for himself entering Year 3. For starters, the Jets clearly trust him.

They trust him in pass protection. They trust him as a pass catcher. They trust him on special teams. And perhaps most importantly, they trust him not to make mistakes.

Davis has carved out a role as the kind of dependable, well-rounded player coaches tend to love. He may not have the home-run speed of Hall or the physical freak traits of Allen, but his overall game is functional in a way that fits naturally into an NFL offense.

His role is also easier to define than someone like Allen. When Davis is on the field, you know what you are getting. Reliable pass protection. Solid vision. Competent receiving ability. Positive yardage. Special teams value. There is very little mystery to his game, and that's a good thing!

In fact, it's probably the reason he continues earning opportunities.

Revisiting Isaiah Davis’ underrated start with the Jets

Davis’ production through his first two NFL seasons has quietly been extremely solid. Davis has rushed for 410 yards and two touchdowns on 73 career carries, averaging an impressive 5.6 yards per carry.

He's averaged at least 5.5 yards per carry in each of his first two seasons while also emerging as a legitimate receiving option out of the backfield last year. Davis hauled in 21 catches for 186 yards in 2025, with much of that production coming late in the season.

He's also never fumbled the football in the NFL, and he has dropped just two passes in his career. That's pretty important for a player whose role revolves around the whole concept of reliability.

Of course, some context is also important here. Davis’ efficiency numbers are helped somewhat by his usage. He hasn't been asked to grind out early-down carries at the volume someone like Hall handles, and third-down/change-of-pace backs often see inflated yards-per-carry numbers because of the situations they are placed in.

Still, productive football is productive football. The Jets have consistently found ways to get Davis on the field because he contributes in multiple phases.

He played 61 percent of special teams snaps as a rookie in 2024 and followed that up with 55 percent last season. He's also seen time as a kick returner, though the Jets probably have more dynamic options at this stage.

More than anything, Davis just looks like a player coaches enjoy having around. He's an NFL player.

What would make 2026 a success for Isaiah Davis

The Jets obviously aren't asking Davis to become a starting-caliber RB1. Davis isn't going to run a 4.30 40-yard dash. He's not going to wow people with insane athletic traits. He's not the kind of player fans create highlight edits for on TikTok.

What he can become, however, is an extremely valuable NFL role player. And those guys tend to stick around for a long time.

A successful 2026 season for Davis would probably be something along the lines of solidifying himself as a true part of the Jets’ offensive rotation.

Whether that comes as the true RB2, a designated third-down option, a core special teamer with offensive value, or whatever else, the key is continuing to prove that his reliability translates over larger workloads.

Can he maintain his efficiency with more touches? Can he continue earning trust on passing downs? Can he remain the reliable, mistake-free player the Jets clearly view him as?

If the answer to those questions is yes, Davis is going to have a long NFL career.

Fans will always gravitate toward the biggest or the fastest backs. Isaiah Davis is neither. He's just a damn good football player.

Recent 2026 Camp Countdown Breakdowns

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