Is there still hope for Ashtyn Davis with the NY Jets?

NY Jets' safety Ashtyn Davis was clearly the winner of OTAs back in June, but much of his sparkle has since faded in recent weeks.

Davis looked like a reborn defensive back when he recorded a few impressive interceptions in OTAs, and heading into 2022, the hope is that Davis can make a more consistent impact in the secondary.

The 2020 third-rounder was drafted as a rawer talent who needed to refine some of his rough edges, and two years later, New York still isn't satisfied with his on-field play. Davis finished his second season with a 60.7 overall Pro Football Focus grade, which hardly screams starting-caliber potential.

In 2021, Davis recorded 62 tackles, three passes defended, and two interceptions in 13 games, a massive improvement from his rookie year production, though he did suffer a foot injury that caused him to miss much of his first NFL season.

NY Jets safety Ashtyn Davis is facing an uphill battle to earn a role

With a clean bill of health in Year 3, can Davis turn into the reliable member of the defensive backfield that New York needs?

Currently, Davis will likely compete with Lamarcus Joyner for snaps alongside offseason acquisition Jordan Whitehead. Davis also faces competition from fellow young talents like Jason Pinnock and Elijah Riley, each of whom could also develop into surprising gems at the safety position.

New York's safety unit offers plenty of intrigue this season and there's a chance Davis could be fighting for a roster spot, much less a starting role, by the end of the summer.

He struggled all of last season on run defense in particular and must work on his instincts and improve his coverage to become more than just a backup safety.

As with any young and unproven player, there is still hope for Davis to jumpstart his Jets career, but the clock is ticking.

Keep an eye on how Ashtyn Davis fares in training camp this week.