Commanders draft pick suffers brutal career twist as dream unravels

Adam Peters made his feelings about the draft picks from previous regimes abundantly clear upon taking the general manager job. There aren't many left on the Washington Commanders' roster after a purge of epic proportions, and not many are catching on elsewhere.

Another fine example of this arrived with a former first-round pick, who was cut loose once again despite showing signs of promise over the summer.

In a somewhat surprising development, the New York Jets released Jamin Davis as part of their final cuts before the deadline. The linebacker applied himself well throughout training camp and flashed promise during the preseason, but it wasn't enough to get an extended stay at MetLife Stadium under new head coach Aaron Glenn.

Jamin Davis has gone into career freefall after Commanders departure

Davis was released by the Commanders early in the 2024 campaign. They had no use for him at the defensive second level after the arrivals of Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu, who both earned second-team All-Pro honors. Once his transition to an edge rusher didn't go well, Peters was left with a simple decision.

Spells on the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings followed, but Davis didn't stick. Going to the Jets represented another good opportunity. And there were signs that not only would the Kentucky product make the roster, but he was in line for a possible starting gig as positivity surged.

As has been the case throughout most of Davis' career, this momentum came screeching to an abrupt halt. He's now seeking alternative employment once again, and it remains to be seen whether another offer will arrive.

Rivera thought Davis could be the answer to Washington's prayers at the linebacker spot, taking the prospect over offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw in 2021. He was tasked with responsibilities that didn't maximize his athletic attributes effectively enough. The supporting cast around the player wasn't exactly stellar. He was set up to fail, and Peters wasn't going to waste any time after those in power deemed him a lost cause.

It'll be an anxious few days ahead for Davis. There's a chance he gets another roster opportunity somewhere, but the more likely scenario is landing on a practice squad at this stage of the process.

That's a far cry from the expectations typically associated with a first-round pick entering only their fifth season. Davis faces a significant fight to turn the tide, and there might not be many chances remaining to sustain his NFL career.

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