Jets make first surprise cut with projected defensive starter

The New York Jets have begun the process of trimming their roster down to 53 players, parting ways with over a dozen players already at the time of writing. On Sunday, the team announced seven more cuts, including one notably surprising name.

Among the latest batch of Jets roster cuts is linebacker Jamin Davis, who was reportedly in line to start as the WILL linebacker alongside Quincy Williams and Jamien Sherwood.

The Jets also waived the likes of quarterback Adrian Martinez, tight end Zack Kuntz, and a few other roster hopefuls, but Davis was by far the most surprising.

Davis entered the summer competing for the third linebacker job in the Jets' defense, and given how much run he received with the first-team unit in the preseason, the expectation was that he was the favorite. Evidently, that wasn't the case.

What the Jamin Davis release means for the Jets

A first-round pick of the Washington Commanders in the 2021 NFL Draft, Davis struggled mightily when asked to play MIKE linebacker early in his career. Washington would eventually move him to outside linebacker and eventually defensive end under Dan Quinn.

Davis wouldn't even make it to the end of his rookie contract in Washington, as he was released last October after the move to defensive end didn't prove fruitful. He bounced around with the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings before latching on with the Jets in late December.

The Jets claimed Davis off waivers ahead of their final game of the season, marking one of the lone moves made by interim general manager Phil Savage. The team re-signed him the following March.

Davis was competing with the likes of Marcelino McCrary-Ball, Zaire Barnes, and others for a depth spot in the Jets' linebacker room this summer, and appeared to have the edge over McCrary-Ball for the third linebacker job.

However, perhaps the writing was on the wall when Davis played 17 snaps in Friday's preseason finale while McCrary-Ball was not asked to suit up. Davis' release likely means the latter has the inside track to the WILL linebacker job unless the Jets make an outside addition.

It's also good news for guys like Barnes and undrafted rookie Ja'Markis Weston, who are both firmly on the roster bubble. The Jets gave Weston $200,000 in guarantees this spring, and the former Florida standout has impressed on special teams this summer.

Linebacker suddenly feels like a position the Jets could target on the waiver wire later this week, especially if they're uncertain about their internal options. Davis is a vested veteran and will not be subject to waivers, so it's possible the Jets will be able to bring him back, too.

Davis was a fun reclamation project who appeared to be carving out a role in Aaron Glenn's defense. Instead, he becomes the first surprise cut made by the Jets regime.

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