Saints: Demario Davis deserved higher ranking on NFL Top 100
By Kristen Wong
New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis was slightly snubbed on the NFL Top 100 list, a compilation of the league’s best players as voted by the players themselves.
Davis ranks 64th, ahead of Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley but behind Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox.
Some may view Davis’ ranking and inclusion as extremely generous since the inside linebacker is 32 years old and only growing older.
But if you were to ask Davis, age doesn’t matter so much when you haven’t missed a single game in a nine-year career. Ever since joining the Saints in 2018, Davis has instantly become a fan-favorite franchise player, racking up 13 sacks, 340 combined tackles, and 21 passes defended so far.
His high football IQ and coverage skills helped mold the Saints’ defense into a brick-laden stronghold in recent years. In 2018, New Orleans ranked 14th in the league in overall defensive yards allowed. Last season, they moved up 10 places into 4th place.
New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis should get more respect from peers
Among linebackers with more than 400 coverage snaps, Davis allowed the second fewest yards per catch last year. He’s also an uber-efficient pass rusher whose 26.5 career sacks shouldn’t be taken lightly.
And don’t forget that Davis nearly retired in 2016.
The fact that he came back even stronger (recording 97 solo tackles in 2017!) and eventually signed on to anchor the Saints defensive unit is pretty incredible. We’re honestly trying to think of something negative we can say about the linebacker, and nothing comes up.
And to heap on the last morsel of praise, Davis’ is a true leader at heart.
Whether he’s inspiring others off the field with community engagement or making the right calls to get his teammates in position, Davis is the hero New Orleans needs and deserves.
In the post-Brees era, the Saints head into this season with more uncertainty than ever. Thank goodness they still have Davis – reunited with the short-lost Kwon Alexander – to hold down the fort.
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Davis doesn’t need to prove anything to us fans since we already love him unconditionally for all he’s done for this organization. But the league could show the man a bit more respect.