NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

New York Jets: 2018 Offseason predictions, 7-round mock draft, Vol. 2.0

By Michael Pallas

FLORHAM PARK, NJ - JANUARY 21: New York Jets Owner Woody Johnson (C) poses with new General Manager Mike Maccagnan (L) and new Head Coach Todd Bowles after they were introduced to the media during a press conference on January 21, 2015 in Florham Park, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz /Getty Images)
FLORHAM PARK, NJ - JANUARY 21: New York Jets Owner Woody Johnson (C) poses with new General Manager Mike Maccagnan (L) and new Head Coach Todd Bowles after they were introduced to the media during a press conference on January 21, 2015 in Florham Park, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz /Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 26
Next
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 02: Inside linebacker Demario Davis #56 of the New York Jets runs the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the fourth quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium on November 2, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 02: Inside linebacker Demario Davis #56 of the New York Jets runs the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the fourth quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium on November 2, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Re-Sign: Demario Davis

The Jets must make Demario Davis’s re-signing one of their top priorities in 2018. fans and the media didn’t like the way they handled the David Harris release, partially due to the timing. But, according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, Todd Bowles said that they couldn’t come to an agreement on a salary reduction.

"They were talking about a pay reduction, and they didn’t come to an agreement — we didn’t come to an agreement, and it eventually led to this."

The timing was peculiar, but it had to be done. They did find a suitable replacement for the tackling machine, though, Demario Davis. Despite nothing in his career showing that he had this in him, he performed well in 2017, and earned a contract for 2018 and beyond.

After toiling around with the Jets and Browns and struggling, he proved he is a late bloomer. It could be a case of a defense that finally fits his skills, or just a case of someone who is a late bloomer. No matter the case, he deserves a contract.

Pro Football Focus gave him a final grade of 87.3 in 2017, which ranked him eighth among all linebackers. In addition Pro Football Focus Elite ranked him in the top 20 in four of their major categories for inside linebackers: run stop percentage, pass rush productivity, tackling efficiency and coverage. He’s proven to be a viable replacement for Harris long-term, and should be the linchpin for the defense for a long time.

Home/New York Jets