USAT: Washington Wire audio clip

USAT: Washington Wire

Jan 28, 2022

Two weeks ago, we began preliminary discussions concerning who were the most disappointing Washington players in 2021. Today, we continue the countdown of the top five. - No. 3 Jamin Davis (LB) - Much excitement accompanied Washington’s first-round choice in the 2021 NFL draft. A major weakness in 2020 had been inside linebacker play. Thus, adding a player as early as the first round to a defense already possessing Jonathan Allen, Chase Young and Daron Payne was cause for happiness. - The other side of the coin was the concern raised by the choice of linebacker Jamin Davis. Yes, Washington brass spoke of Davis’ great speed and overall athleticism. Yet, if all this were so true, why had Davis only started one year for Kentucky, who has not won an SEC championship since Bear Bryant was in Lexington, back in the 1950s? - Seeing Davis had only been a one-year starter at Kentucky and had limited experience in pass coverage, why had his draft stock soared in the last month prior to the draft? Had Washington gotten caught up in the fast ascendancy up the 2021 draft ladder of the Wildcat linebacker and reached, selecting Davis too soon at 19th overall? - When the 2021 season began, Davis struggled at middle linebacker to gain consistency. In addition, Davis was graded at only a 44.5 PFF season grade (60 is average on the PFF scale). Washington coaches certainly provided Davis playing time but as their frustration grew, suddenly in Week 17 at home against the Eagles, Davis was in on only 13 defensive snaps (21%). - Davis played in 16 games, starting eight, defended one pass, had one QB sack,  48 solo tackles, 28 assisted tackles, three tackles for a loss and two QB Hits. In his last game, Davis had been switched from the middle to an outside linebacker position, playing 35 defensive snaps (58%). - Disappointing numbers for a first-round draft choice, and some will probably ask, “Why is Jamin Davis ranked only the third most disappointing player of 2021?” Well, for one thing, it was only his first year. Secondly, they already switched his position, believing he will play better on the outside in the future. Thirdly, we have two more players that were clearly bigger disappointments. - The fact that coaches late in the year turned to David Mayo over Davis for the middle linebacker position is disturbing for anyone attempting to be a realist. - Let me be clear, Washington Wire is not suggesting nor implying that Jamin Davis is a bust. It is much too early for such a declaration. I am certainly hopeful Davis will find more success on the outside in future seasons. Here is hopefully a glimpse of what we will see more often in the future when he is in more open space. - - Jamin Davis making his presence known #WashingtonFootball @jamindavis25 pic.twitter.com/AqiChdNfO6 - — NBC Sports Washington (@NBCSWashington) September 26, 2021 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Email - - - - - Sign up - - - - - - - - Like this article? - Sign up for the Washington Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning - - - - An error has occured - - - Please re-enter your email address. - - - - - - Thanks for signing up! - - - You'll now receive the top Washington Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

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