As the Jets get close to training camp, I am going to examine the roster and give you my top 25 players. Each weekday, we will reveal another person on the list, leading right into camp. I am not including rookies on this list because I do not feel it is possible to fully evaluate them before they play a game.
No. 15: Demario Davis
Last year’s ranking: 13
Position: Inside linebacker
Age: 25
How acquired: Selected in the third round of the 2012 Draft
Years left on contract: 2
2014 salary cap figure: $764,490
Looking back at 2013: Davis became a starter last season and had an up-and-down year. He did not quite have the impact the Jets expected he would in pass coverage. He was an upgrade from Bart Scott, but still struggled.
Pro Football Focus ranked Davis as the 49th inside linebacker out of 55 that qualified. Quarterbacks completed 80 percent of the passes thrown his way and had a 98.0 quarterback rating against him.
Davis also missed a lot of tackles. PFF has him down for seven missed tackles, tied for fifth most among inside linebackers.
On the plus side, Davis made the play of the year for the Jets when he ran down Vincent Jackson to prevent a touchdown in the opening game against the Buccaneers.
Outlook for 2014: Despite some of his struggles last year, I think Davis is going to greatly improve this year. Davis has a ton of athleticism and is well-respected in the locker room as one of the team’s leaders in only his third year.
The thing to remember with Davis is he came from tiny Arkansas State. Life in the NFL was a big adjustment. He played mostly special teams as a rookie, so last year was his first crack at major playing time.
Rex Ryan likes to move Davis around. He lines up on the outside and rushes the passer sometimes. I think Ryan will do more of that this season and use Davis on blitzes as the Jets try to create more pressure to compensate for a weakened secondary.
This could be a breakout season for Davis, who Ryan feels is destined for stardom.