Defenseman Jamin Davis, the Washington Commanders’ 2021 first-round pick, joined the Green Bay Packers’ practice squad on Tuesday. The corresponding roster move was to release linebacker Chris Russell Jr.
Davis, 25, was selected 19th overall in the 2021 draft. He played in 50 games for the Commanders, recording 282 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, seven sacks, six pass breakups, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one interception. He started 36 games over the first three seasons but was released after five games in 2024.
New Commanders coach Dan Quinn tried to turn Davis into an Edge Rush player, but the experiment didn’t last long. The commanders released him on October 22. He agreed to be released and was a free agent.
Davis has produced one pressure and seven stops in 86 defensive snaps this season.
The Packers announced that Davis would become linebacker, suggesting he was returning to his original position in Green Bay. He will work behind athletic linebackers like Quay Walker and Edgerrin Cooper while learning a fresh defense under position coach Anthony Campanile and defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.
Davis has played nearly 2,300 total snaps on defense, but has constrained experience on special teams (49 snaps). In the 2022-2023 season, he recorded 82 stops and 21 tackles, and only missed 13 tackles.
Even though he was slightly smaller at 234 pounds, Davis posted elite marks in the vertical jump (42 inches), long jump (11-0), 40-yard dash (4.48 seconds) and 10-yard split (1. 53 seconds). His Relative Athletic Score was 9.93 out of 10.0, making him one of the most athletic linebackers in history and helping him advance in the draft.
Can the Packers turn Davis – an elite athlete with a proven track record in the NFL – into a capable linebacker under a fresh program? He’ll get a chance.