Jets may have unlocked a former first-round reclamation project on defense

The New York Jets have managed to find quite a few proverbial diamonds in the rough on defense in recent years, and linebacker Jamin Davis is looking to stake his claim as the next to join that list.

The former Washington Commanders first-round pick is competing for the starting weakside linebacker job alongside Quincy Williams and Jamien Sherwood this summer. It's a role that will likely be used more than most Jets fans are expecting.

Davis appears to be the odds-on favorite for the job after the team's 30-10 blowout preseason win over the Green Bay Packers on Saturday. Not only did Davis receive all his reps with the first-team defense, but he impressed as one of the Jets' most notable standouts from the game.

After flaming out in less than four full years with the Commanders, Davis is finally being given an opportunity to play in his natural position, and the results this summer have been encouraging.

Jamin Davis could be the Jets' latest diamond in the rough

The 19th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Davis took over as Washington's starting MIKE linebacker halfway through his rookie season, and that's the role that then-head coach Ron Rivera and defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio confined him to early in his career.

Davis predictably struggled, posting a lowly 46.8 Pro Football Focus grade as a rookie. The Kentucky product did fare better when allowed to play more of a weakside linebacker role in his second and third seasons, but by the time 2024 came around, the new Commanders coaching staff had different plans for him.

New head coach Dan Quinn became enamored with Davis' athletic upside, and made the controversial decision to move him to defensive end that summer. At 6-foot-4, 234 pounds, Davis was never going to hold up as a traditional 4-3 end, and that became abundantly clear.

Washington released him after just five games, and following brief stints with the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings, the Jets claimed him off waivers in late December. It was one of the only moves made by interim general manager Phil Savage.

Davis now finds himself competing with the likes of Marcelino McCrary-Ball, rookie Francisco Maugioa, and Zaire Barnes for the third linebacker job. McCrary-Ball seemed like the early favorite, but Saturday's game changed that narrative.

Davis finished as the Jets’ highest-graded defender per PFF (83.6), logging a sack and a run stop with no missed tackles and zero targets in coverage. More importantly, he was the only linebacker — along with Williams and Sherwood — to work with the starting defense.

The Jets clearly view Davis as the frontrunner for the job, and his performance on Saturday likely only strengthened his case. There's a strong possibility that Davis plays a sizable role on the Jets' defense in 2025, especially given how frequently Aaron Glenn used three linebackers in Detroit.

The Jets' approach to the linebacker position in recent years has been the blueprint that every NFL team should look to replicate. Their three projected starters in 2025 consist of two waiver-wire pickups and a fifth-round converted safety. And yet, they still have one of the best linebacker rooms in football.

With Williams set to hit free agency at the end of the season, there's every chance Davis could push for an even larger role in 2026 if he impresses this year. The opportunity will be there. Now, it's just about making the most of it and fulfilling his potential.

More NY Jets news and analysis: