This is going to be a very important season in the career of Eagles defensive tackle Jordan Davis. In the 2022 NFL draft, the Birds moved up to the 13th spot in the first round and selected the big Georgia Bulldog.
He was amazing at the NFL Scouting Combine last year at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The 6’6” 340 pound defensive lineman ran a startlingly fast 4.78 in the forty-yard dash, then he showed tremendously athleticism, quickness, ability to change of directions and body control in the field drills.
It was rare to see an athlete, so big, move so fast. The young gargantuan was so outstanding that he left many of the coaches and scouts at the Combine saying, this young man stood out as a special, one of a kind player. He made an impact and Eagles General Manager Howie Roseman and his staff took notice. The Birds, who believe in drafting offensive and defensive linemen in the first round, couldn’t resist making a trade to move up and draft the youngster.
Last season in his rookie year, Davis did show us that he can take on a double team block and not give ground, which is a key job of a nose guard or defensive tackle. He was also able to beat a one-on-one block at times and make a play versus a running play.
The young Bird played in only eight regular season games in his rookie season because of a high ankle sprain. He recorded a total of 18 tackles, 8 solo tackles and 10 assists with zero sacks.
Unfortunately, he hasn’t shown us that he can be a factor as a pass rusher. In his first NFL season, Davis basically stood at the line of scrimmage on pass plays. He was totally ineffective in that role.
He also hasn’t shown us that he can overpower centers and guards and push them back into the face of the quarterback on pass plays. The big defensive tackle needs to play lower so that he has better leverage versus offensive linemen. The talented defensive tackle is definitely strong enough to push offensive linemen back into the face of passers, but he’s got to do a better job of bending his knees and his torso in order to get the job done.
Davis will also need to develop better stamina, so that he’s able to play more snaps. In his rookie year, he seemed to only be able to play two or at the most three snaps in a row, then he was off the field. It seemed that the young behemoth was looking to the sideline after every other play and expecting to head to the bench.
We have heard that he has a good work ethic, but we need to see it. Davis should be working feverishly this off season to get in better shape because I think his rookie season was a disappointment. I know making the jump from college to the NFL is quite a difference, but this young man has special talent and we need to see it in the 2023 season.
I think he needs to drop his weight down from 340 to 320 or maybe even 310 pounds. With the absence of defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, he signed with the 49ers, and veteran Fletcher Cox a year older, the Birds need Davis to step up with a much improved season.
Eagles defensive line coach Tracy Rocker will need to help Davis step up his game because has amazing potential. The young man has the arm length that drives offensive linemen crazy. If he can learn to use his hands properly, he will have success getting to the quarterback. Rocker and his defensive line will have their work cut out for them this season because they’ll be following an outstanding Birds defensive line that totaled 70 sacks in the 2022 season. Rocker would love to see Davis grow as a pass rusher and help this year’s defensive line have a special year of their own. We will all have our eyes on #90 during the upcoming NFL season.
