The Washington Football Team’s biggest weakness on defense in 2020 was at linebacker. The team had some talent at the position in Cole Holcomb and a steady veteran in Jon Bostic, but there was a huge need to add a speedy playmaker in the middle.
That led Washington to Jamin Davis of Kentucky.
Former NFL player Brian Baldinger, who is one of the top analysts in the game for the NFL Network and FOX Sports, is a huge fan of Davis, saying he reminds him of a former All-Pro linebacker.
“Jamin Davis, a guy that was just rising up all the draft boards because he was just a one-year breakout player for Kentucky, he reminds me a lot of Thomas Davis, who played for Ron Rivera in Carolina for a long time,” Baldinger said.
Thomas Davis actually spent last season with Washington in the final season of a brilliant 16-year career. During his prime years in Carolina, he was one of the best coverage linebackers in all of the NFL. One difference between Jamin Davis and Thomas Davis is the rookie is expected to play in the middle for Washington’s defense.
However, he can play anywhere, and that’s another reason Baldinger loves Jamin Davis.
They are building a beast on defense in Washington right now. And I think Jamin Davis is just a great fit with all of the skills that he has. When you watch him, I mean, there’s not a Kentucky you turned on where you didn’t see Jamin Davis get to the ball. I mean, wherever the play ended, Jamin Davis was right there. Slipping blocks, in all phases of the games. He lines up all over the place. He lined up out of the slot; he can cover; here, he is blitzing off the edge. We are talking about a 4.47 40, very, very fast. All linebackers today have got to be able to cover. You watch him right here; really a nice job of carrying the inside receiver and breaking on the cut right there. Just a feel for the passing game. You want to be a three-down, every-down linebacker; I think he can bring that to Washington. They’ve got a fearsome front four.
While Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys is the more-talked about rookie linebacker, Jamin Davis is going to a defense ranked No. 2 in total defense in 2020. He could have a huge season playing behind Washington’s loaded defensive line.
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