7 former NY Jets draft picks fighting for a roster spot this summer

2. Ashtyn Davis, S, NY Jets

When the Jets drafted former Cal standout Ashtyn Davis in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft, they hoped they were landing a high-upside super athlete who, with a little development, could become a future cornerstone of their defense.

Trading away Jamal Adams seemed to open up a door for Davis, and now with Adams and Marcus Maye both gone, most would have assumed that the former third-round pick would be penciled in as a starter.

Instead, he finds himself fighting more for a roster spot than a starting job.

Davis struggled as a rookie playing 10 games before suffering a foot injury that required surgery. That very foot injury actually caused him to miss the beginning of his second NFL season as he wasn't activated from the IR until October.

Even after a slew of injuries to the Jets' safeties, Davis failed to establish himself as someone the team could rely on as a starter. He struggled again finishing with a Pro Football Focus grade of 60.7 that ranked 57th among all safeties.

In particular, his abysmal 43.1 run-defense grade ranked 85th out of just 88 qualified safeties. Davis has flashed his athleticism at times, but his overall lack of instincts and polish continues to hold him back.

He's still the same raw, underdeveloped athlete the Jets drafted over two years ago. That being said, he's still projected to be one of the team's top backup safeties, but he's not guaranteed anything.

2021 fifth-round pick Jason Pinnock impressed after moving to safety last season. Veteran Will Parks more than held his own down the stretch. And even waiver claim Elijah Riley looked the part of an NFL-caliber player.

Davis will be fighting to make the team this summer, and it won't be an easy battle.