Demario Davis
refer to caption
Davis with the Saints in 2021
No. 56 – New Orleans Saints
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1989-01-11) January 11, 1989
Collins, Mississippi, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:248 lb (112 kg)
Career information
High school:Brandon
(Brandon, Mississippi)
College:Arkansas State (2007–2011)
NFL Draft:2012 / Round: 3 / Pick: 77
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 18, 2023
Total tackles:1,257
Sacks:42.5
Forced fumbles:4
Fumble recoveries:8
Interceptions:3
Pass deflections:51
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Demario Davis (born January 11, 1989)[1] is an American football linebacker for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL).[2] He was drafted by the New York Jets in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He played college football at Arkansas State. Davis has also played for the Cleveland Browns.

Early years and college career

Davis' mother gave birth to him when she was 16, and his father was a career enlisted soldier in the US Army and combat veteran. Davis attended Brandon High School in Brandon, Mississippi, where he was a three-sport athlete in football, basketball, and track. In football, he played mostly wide receiver as sophomore and junior, helping lead the team to its 14th playoff appearance in the last 16 years with a 7–5 record. As a senior, he recorded 81 tackles, six interceptions and one sack, while also receiving over 30 passes for 386 receiving yards with four scores. He was also a starter on the Brandon basketball team and competed as a high jumper with the varsity track & field team. He was named to the Clarion Ledger All-Metro team in football.[3]

Davis played college football for the Arkansas State Red Wolves. He recorded a team-leading 80 tackles as a sophomore and earned various all-conference honors in his junior and senior years.[4]

Professional career

Pre-draft

Davis attended the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana and completed all of the combine and positional drills. On March 27, 2012, he attended Arkansas State's pro day and chose to perform the 40-yard dash (4.52s), 20-yard dash (2.72s), 10-yard dash (1.63s), vertical jump (38.5"), and positional drills. At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Davis was projected to be a third round pick by the majority of NFL draft experts and scouts. He was ranked as the ninth best outside linebacker prospect in the draft by DraftScout.com.[5]

External videos
video icon Demario Davis' NFL Combine Workout
Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
6 ft 2 in
(1.88 m)		 235 lb
(107 kg)		 32 in
(0.81 m)		 9 in
(0.23 m)		4.52 s1.63 s2.72 s4.28 s7.19 s38.5 in
(0.98 m)		10 ft 4 in
(3.15 m)		32 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Arkansas' State's Pro Day[6][7]

New York Jets

2012

The New York Jets selected Davis in the third round (77th overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft.[8] Davis was the tenth linebacker drafted in 2012.[9] On May 31, 2012, the Jets signed Davis to a four-year, $2.81 million contract with a signing bonus of $618,000.[10][11]

External videos
video icon Draft Room Phone Call to Demario Davis

Throughout training camp, Davis competed against veteran Bart Scott for the job as the starting weakside linebacker.[12] Head coach Rex Ryan named Davis the third-string backup weakside linebacker to start the regular season, behind Bart Scott and Josh Mauga.[13][14]

He made his professional regular season debut in the Jets' season-opening 48–28 victory against the Buffalo Bills.[15] On September 23, 2012, Davis made his first career tackle during a one-yard punt return by Marcus Thigpen in the first quarter of a 23–20 overtime victory at the Miami Dolphins in Week 3.[16] In Week 6, Davis was promoted to the Jets' primary backup weakside linebacker role after Josh Mauga was placed on injured reserve after tearing a pectoral muscle the previous week.[17] On October 21, 2012, Davis earned his first career start in place of Bart Scott and recorded a season-high seven combined tackles during a 29–26 loss at the New England Patriots in Week 7.[15] He remained as the starting weakside linebacker for the next two games (Weeks 8–10) as Bart Scott recovered from a toe injury he sustained in Week 7.[18] He finished his rookie season in 2012 with 36 combined tackles (31 solo) and a fumble recovery in 16 games and three starts.[19] He registered 15 of his tackles while playing on special teams.[20]

2013

Davis entered training camp slated as a starting inside linebacker after the Jets' new defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman switched from a base 4–3 defense to a base 3–4 defense.[20] Head coach Rex Ryan named Davis and David Harris the starting inside linebackers to begin the regular season in 2013.[21]

He started in the Jets' season-opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and recorded eight combined tackles in their 18–17 victory.[22] On September 22, 2013, Davis collected six combined tackles and made his first career sack during a 27–20 win against the Bills in Week 3.[22] He sacked quarterback E. J. Manuel for a three-yard loss in the third quarter.[23] On November 3, 2013, Davis made four tackles, deflected a pass, and made his first career interception during a 26–20 win against the New Orleans Saints in Week 9.[22] He intercepted a pass thrown by quarterback Drew Brees that was originally intended for Benjamin Watson and was tackled for no gain in the first quarter.[24] In Week 13, he collected a season-high ten combined tackles (six solo) in the Jets' 23–3 loss to the Dolphins.[22] He finished the season with 107 combined tackles (63 solo), a pass deflection, a sack, and an interception in 16 games and 16 starts.[19]

2014

Head coach Rex Ryan retained Davis and David Harris as the starting inside linebackers to begin the 2014 season, along with outside linebackers Calvin Pace and Quinton Coples.[25] On September 14, 2014, Davis recorded six combined tackles and sacked quarterback Aaron Rodgers twice in the Jets' 31–24 loss at the Green Bay Packers in Week 2.[26] In Week 10, he collected a season-high 12 combined tackles (11 solo) and broke up a pass during a 20–13 victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers. It was his fourth game with over ten combined tackles in 2014.[27] He finished his third season with 116 combined tackles (79 solo), five pass deflections, and 3.5 sacks in 16 games and 16 starts.[19] On December 30, 2014, New York Jets' owner Woody Johnson fired general manager John Idzik and head coach Rex Ryan after the Jets finished with a 4–12 record in 2014.[28]

2015

Head coach Todd Bowles chose to retain the Jets' starting linebackers and officially named Davis, Harris, Coples, and Pace the starters to begin the regular season.[29] In Week 3, he collected a season-high 13 combined tackles (six solo) in the Jets' 24–17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. The following week, Davis made a season-high two pass deflections and a tackle during a 27–14 win at the Dolphins in Week 4.[30] Davis finished the 2015 season with 90 combined tackles (57 solo), two pass deflections, and two sacks in 16 games and 16 starts.[19] Although the Jets finished second in the AFC East with a 10–6 record they did not qualify for the playoffs. He earned the 15th highest overall grade among 60 qualifying inside linebackers by Pro Football Focus.[31]

Cleveland Browns

Davis with the Browns in 2016

Davis became an unrestricted free agent after the 2015 season and reportedly received interest with multiple teams, including the Cleveland Browns.[32]

On March 16, 2016, the Cleveland Browns signed Davis to a two-year, $8 million contract that includes $4.10 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $2 million.[33][34] Head coach Hue Jackson named Davis and Christian Kirksey the starting inside linebackers to begin the regular season, along with outside linebackers Nate Orchard and Emmanuel Ogbah.[35]

He made his Cleveland Browns' regular season debut in their season-opener at the Eagles and recorded seven combined tackles in their 29–10 loss.[36] In Week 10, Davis recorded three combined tackles and sacked quarterback Joe Flacco during a 28–7 loss at the Baltimore Ravens.[36] On December 18, 2016, Davis collected a season-high tying ten combined tackles (eight solo) in the Browns' 33–13 loss at the Bills in Week 15.[36] He finished his only season with the Cleveland Browns with 99 combined tackles (59 solo), two pass deflections, and two sacks in 16 games and 16 starts.[19]

New York Jets (second stint)

On June 1, 2017, the Browns traded Davis to the Jets in exchange for Calvin Pryor.[37] Davis became expendable after Browns' defensive coordinator Gregg Williams switched to a base 4–3 defense that required a single middle linebacker. They also acquired Jamie Collins from the New England Patriots and had Christian Kirksey and Joe Schobert develop into viable starters.[38]

He entered training camp slated as a starting inside linebacker, but saw competition from Bruce Carter, Julian Stanford, Spencer Paysinger, Frank Beltre, and Connor Harris.[39] Head coach Todd Bowles named Davis and Darron Lee the starting inside linebackers to begin the regular season.[40]

He started in the Jets' season-opener at the Bills and collected a season-high 14 combined tackles (eight solo) and was credited for half a sack in their 21–12 loss.[41] On September 24, 2017, he recorded a season-high 11 solo tackles, assisted on a tackle, and deflected a pass in the Jets' 20–6 win against the Dolphins in Week 3. In Week 14, Davis collected 13 combined tackles (ten solo) and half a sack during a 23–0 loss at the Denver Broncos. He finished the 2017 season with a career-high 135 combined tackles (97 solo), a career-high five sacks, and three pass deflections in 16 games and 16 starts.[19] His 135 combined tackles finished sixth in the league in 2017.[42] He earned an overall grade of 87.3 from Pro Football Focus and received the eighth highest among all qualified linebackers in 2017.[43][44]

New Orleans Saints

2018

Davis became an unrestricted free agent in 2018 and received interest from multiple teams as he was considered to be the top linebacker available in free agency. Davis stated he intended to return to New York and considered the Jets his home. The Jets and Davis failed to reach an agreement and Davis claimed the Jets never officially made him contract offer, but it was possibly due to his asking price.[45] On March 19, 2018, the Saints signed Davis to a three-year, $24 million contract with $16 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $9.20 million.[46][47][48]

In Week 4, Davis recorded 11 tackles, two for a loss, and two sacks in a 33–18 win over the New York Giants, earning him National Football Conference Defensive Player of the Week.[49]

2019

In Week 10 against the Atlanta Falcons, Davis recorded a team high 11 tackles and sacked Matt Ryan once in the 26–18 win.[50]

2020

On September 12, 2020, Davis signed a three-year, $27 million contract extension with the Saints.[51]

In Week 1 against the Buccaneers, Davis recorded his first sack of the season on Tom Brady in the 34–23 win. In the Week 3 against the Packers, Davis sacked Aaron Rodgers in the 37–30 loss. In Week 10 against the San Francisco 49ers, Davis recorded a team high 12 tackles and sacked Nick Mullens once during the 27–13 win.[52]

2022 season

On June 24, 2022, Davis signed a one-year contract extension with New Orleans.[53] Davis played in all 17 games for the Saints, and was on the field for all 1,132 defensive snaps played by the team. In doing so, he became the only linebacker to do so in 2022, and the first to accomplish the feat since Jordan Hicks did so for the Arizona Cardinals in 2019.[54]

NFL career statistics

Legend
Led the league
Bold Career high

Regular season

Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckPDIntYdsAvgLngTDFFFRYdsTD
2012NYJ 163363150.00000.00001−40
2013NYJ 161610663431.01100.0000000
2014NYJ 161611679373.55000.0000200
2015NYJ 16169057332.02000.0000100
2016CLE 16159959402.02000.0001000
2017NYJ 161613597385.03000.00001120
2018NO 161611074365.04000.0002100
2019NO 161611187244.012111.0100000
2020NO 161611973464.05000.0000000
2021NO 161610570353.07000.0000000
2022NO 171710754556.56144.0400100
2023NO 171712174476.54000.00011200
Career1941801,25781843942.551351.74048280

Postseason

Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck PD Int Yds Avg Lng TD FF FR Yds TD
2018NO 22221480.01111.0100000
2019NO 117430.02000.0000000
2020NO 22141221.00000.0000000
Career 5 5 43 30 13 1.0 3 1 1 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 0

Personal life

Davis is a devout Christian.[55] His cousin was former NFL quarterback Steve McNair.[56] Davis married in 2012 and has five children, 4 girls and one boy, with his wife Tamela.[57] During the 2019 season, Davis was fined $7,000 by the NFL for wearing a headband in Week 3 with the words "Man of God" on it, though the fine was later repealed.[58][59]

References

  1. ↑ "Demario Davis". ESPN. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
  2. ↑ "Browns acquire DB Calvin Pryor from New York Jets". ClevelandBrowns.com. June 1, 2017. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  3. ↑ "Arkansas State Profile". astateredwolves.com.
  4. ↑ "Demario Davis - 2011 - Football".
  5. ↑ "Demario Davis, DS #9 OLB, Arkansas State". draftscout.com. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  6. ↑ "Demario Davis Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  7. ↑ "2012 NFL Draft Scout Demario Davis College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
  8. ↑ "2012 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  9. ↑ Vrentas, Jenny (April 27, 2012). "NFL Draft 2012: Jets choose Arkansas State linebacker Demario Davis in third round". The Star-Ledger. Archived from the original on April 30, 2012. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
  10. ↑ Vrentas, Jenny (May 31, 2012). "Jets sign third-round pick Demario Davis to four-year deal". The Star-Ledger. Archived from the original on June 6, 2012. Retrieved June 1, 2012.
  11. ↑ McIntyre, Brian (June 1, 2012). "Jets sign LB Demario Davis, a third-round pick". NFL.com. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  12. ↑ Rosenthal, Greg (July 30, 2012). "Bart Scott, Demario Davis clash for New York Jets role". NFL.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  13. ↑ Menn, Chris (August 7, 2012). "Jets 1st depth chart of 2012 is unveiled". jetnation.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  14. ↑ "Ourlads.com: New York Jets Depth Chart: 10/01/2012". Ourlads.com. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  15. 1 2 "NFL Player stats: Demario Davis (2012)". NFL.com. Retrieved May 6, 2012.
  16. ↑ "NFL Game Center: Week 3-2012: New York Jets @ Miami Dolphins". NFL.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  17. ↑ Sherman, Rodger (October 9, 2012). "Josh Mauga injury: Jets LB out for season". newyork.sbnation.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  18. ↑ Orr, Conor (October 26, 2012). "Jets Bart Scott's consecutive games played streak on the line because of a toe injury". nj.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "NFL Player stats: Demario Davis (career)". NFL.com. Retrieved May 6, 2012.
  20. 1 2 Taylor, Nate (August 13, 2013). "A Second-Year Jet Strives to Play Beyond What He Knows Best". The New York Times. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  21. ↑ "NY Jets Release 2013 Depth Chart". jetnation.com. September 3, 2012. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  22. 1 2 3 4 "NFL Player stats: Demario Davis (2013)". NFL.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  23. ↑ "NFL Game Center: Week 3-2013: Buffalo Bills @ New York Jets". NFL.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  24. ↑ "NFL Game Center: Week 9-2013: New Orleans Saints @ New York Jets". NFL.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  25. ↑ "Ourlads.com: New York Jets Depth Chart: 10/01/2014". Ourlads.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  26. ↑ "NFL Game Center: Week 2-2014: New York Jets @ Green Bay Packers". NFL.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  27. ↑ "NFL Player stats: Demario Davis (2014)". NFL.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  28. ↑ Cimini, Rich (December 30, 2014). "Jets fire John Idzik, Rex Ryan". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  29. ↑ "Ourlads.com: New York Jets Depth Chart: 10/01/2015". Ourlads.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  30. ↑ "NFL Player stats: Demario Davis (2015)". NFL.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  31. ↑ Costello, Brian (July 13, 2015). "Demario Davis out to pile up millions during Jets walk year". nypost.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  32. ↑ "Browns Host Free Agent ILB Demario Davis, Formerly of the Jets". dawgsbynature.com. March 15, 2016. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  33. ↑ Patra, Kevin (March 16, 2016). "Roundup: Browns sign linebacker Demario Davis". NFL.com. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  34. ↑ Pokorny, Chris (March 19, 2016). "Breakdown of ILB Demario Davis' Contract With the Browns". dawgsbynature.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  35. ↑ "Ourlads.com: Cleveland Browns Depth Chart: 10/01/2016". Ourlads.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  36. 1 2 3 "NFL Player stats: Demario Davis (2016)". NFL.com. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  37. ↑ Orr, Conor (June 1, 2017). "New York Jets trading Calvin Pryor to Browns". NFL.com.
  38. ↑ "Browns trade Demario Davis back to Jets for former 1st-round safety Calvin Pryor". cleveland.com. June 2017. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  39. ↑ Greenberg, Ethan (July 29, 2017). "What Demario Davis Thinks of His New Role".
  40. ↑ "Ourlads.com: New York Jets Depth Chart: 10/01/2017". Ourlads.com. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  41. ↑ "New York Jets at Buffalo Bills - September 10th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 24, 2017.
  42. ↑ "National Football League stats: Tackles (2017)". NFL.com. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  43. ↑ "PFF Player Grades". Pro Football Focus. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
  44. ↑ "Pro Football Focus: Demario Davis (2017)". profootballfocus.com. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  45. ↑ "NFL free agents 2018: Demario Davis says it's 'shocking' Jets never offered him contract". nj.com. March 16, 2018. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  46. ↑ Williams, Charean (March 14, 2018). "Report: Demario Davis agrees to three-year, $24 million deal with Saints". ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com.
  47. ↑ DeShazier, John (March 19, 2018). "John DeShazier: Linebacker Demario Davis joined Saints to chase greatness". NewOrleansSaints.com.
  48. ↑ "Demario Davis contract". Spotrac.com.
  49. ↑ Knoblauch, Austin (October 3, 2018). "Jared Goff, Marcus Mariota among Players of the Week". NFL.com.
  50. ↑ "Falcons stun first-place Saints, 26-18". www.espn.com. November 10, 2019. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  51. ↑ Maya, Adam (September 13, 2020). "Saints LB Demario Davis signs three-year, $27M extension before Week 1 win". NFL.com.
  52. ↑ "San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints - November 15th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  53. ↑ "New Orleans Saints sign Demario Davis to one-year extension". Fox Sports. June 25, 2022. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  54. ↑ "Demario Davis was the NFL's only every-down linebacker in 2022". saintswire.usatoday.com. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  55. ↑ "For Jets Linebacker Demario Davis, Leadership And Faith Are Intertwined".
  56. ↑ "Demario Davis Remembers His Cousin, Steve McNair". newyorkjets.com. Archived from the original on December 24, 2013. Retrieved September 27, 2013.
  57. ↑ Glasspiegel, Ryan (October 7, 2022). "Demario and Tamela Davis are on a quest to bring back the family dinner". nypost.com. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  58. ↑ Young, Shalise Manza (October 4, 2019). "NFL fines Saints' Demario Davis $7,000 for a 'Man of God' headband". AOL.com. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  59. ↑ Just, Amie (October 8, 2019). "Saints LB Demario Davis wins appeal over 'Man of God' headband fine, won't have to pay". NOLA.com. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
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