Demario Davis has been one of the best linebackers in the NFL since joining the New Orleans Saints in 2018. His impact on the Saints defense was instantly felt. He gave New Orleans an elite player and vocal leader in the middle of the defense. From 2019 to 2023, Davis made an All-Pro team every year.
That streak broke this year and Pro Football Focus' Mason Cameron responded by dropping him in their linebacker rankings. The correlation between the two is understandable, but how far Davis dropped is astonishing.
PFF ranked Demario Davis the 21st best linebacker in the NFL
Davis found himself third on this same list going into 2024. That was the general range you'd find Davis ranked before the season. Fred Warner and Roquan Smith were the universal top-2 and Davis was somewhere in that next group.
Granted that ranking was done by a different writer, so maybe Cameron would have placed Davis lower on that list as well. The drop to 21st still feels steep even if the starting point would have been different.
Not only is Davis no longer in that second tier of linebackers, Cameron dropped him all the way to Tier 5. Most people don't even go that low when discussing tiers of players. Having Davis this low essentially positions as an afterthought.
Where did Davis regress?
There was a visual and statistical regression from Davis last season. From purely the eye test, the linebacker appeared a step slower. His range side to side was limited, and he was much more of a downhill thumper.
Davis had a career high in tackles but made less plays behind the line of scrimmage. His 2 sacks and 5 tackles for a loss are his lowest totals since his rookie year. He played sparingly that season for the New York Jets.
His increase in sacks has been a defining trait of Davis’ last few seasons. Seeing that drop at his age makes you wonder if a bounce back is realistic.
Even with this regression, Davis was one of the better linebackers in the NFL> He didn't play up to his own standard, but that shouldn't be confused with playing poorly. Davis will be looking to prove this isn't where he belongs in the upcoming season.