The Green Bay Packers are taking a flier on linebacker Jamin Davis, a former first-round pick of the Washington Commanders, in an attempt to bolster their practice squad. According to Packers Wire, the team announced the signing yesterday. In a corresponding move, the Packers released linebacker Chris Russell Jr. from their practice squad, as they pivot towards players with potential for development within their defensive ranks.
Davis, who is 25, was regarded as one of the most athletic linebackers in his draft class, boasting impressive metrics such as a 42-inch vertical leap and a 4.48-second 40-yard dash. Despite these attributes, his tenure with the Commanders was marred with challenges. As FOX6Now reported, after his playing time dipped under a new managerial regime in Washington, he was eventually released last Tuesday, October 22. He produced 104 tackles in his most productive season with the Commanders in 2022 and had three sacks in both the 2022 and 2023 seasons. The former Kentucky standout made 36 starts for the Commanders but saw a dwindling on-field presence this season.
While his career thus far hasn't lived up to the high expectations set for a first-rounder, the Packers are apparently set on repositioning Davis back to his original role at linebacker, hinting at a resurrection of the talent that once made him a sought-after draft pick. This decision is outlined by Yardbarker, noting that Davis is unlikely to see immediate playtime but will instead focus on developing his skills behind the existing lineup of Green Bay veterans.
Green Bay's additional depth comes in the form of a player with elite testing marks and significant NFL experience, albeit in a career has that had yet to fully take off. "He'll get a chance," Packers Wire remarks on Davis's new opportunity with the Packers.
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