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New York Jets: Demario Davis must be re-signed in 2018

By Michael Pallas

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) /
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There’s one pending free agent that the New York Jets must re-sign this offseason, linebacker Demario Davis.

Some players just develop more slowly than others. That may be the case for current New York Jets pending free agent Demario Davis. In his first five seasons in the league, he was an average player, but he broke out in 2017.

Davis set career highs in total tackles, solo tackles, sacks, and tackles for loss. Pro Football Focus Edge graded him as the eighth best linebacker in the NFL in 2017, and it was the first time they gave him a grade over 80. In fact he was one of only ten linebackers to garner a grade over 85.

There’s one problem. ESPN’s Rich Cimini is reporting that the Jets and Davis are far apart on negotiations. According to Cimini:

"The Jets could be in the market for a new middle linebacker. Demario Davis, a pending free agent, is seeking $8-10 million a year…The Jets see him in the $3-4 million range, so we’re talking about a considerable gap."

The Jets need to find a good middle ground and re-sign him before he can start negotiating with other teams on March 12. He was one of the top linebackers last season, but he hasn’t been consistent enough to warrant top linebacker money. Somewhere in the middle ($5-$7 million) should suffice.

The Jets defense will suffer a great drop off against the run with out Davis. Also, the combination of the edge rusher the Jets should draft at No. 6 overall and Davis would make a ferocious combo in pass rush when the Jets decide to blitz.

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The right combination of cornerbacks, edge rusher and Davis could create a Legion of Boom east and make the Jets a tough team to contend with, no matter who the quarterback end up being. The run stopping ability and ability to get to the quarterback from the inside makes Davis a priority to re-sign in 2018, hands down.

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