The Philadelphia Eagles, and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, have high expectations for Jordan Davis as the defensive lineman enters his third NFL season.
Davis will be called upon to play a vital role up front, especially following the retirement of franchise legend Fletcher Cox, after making incremental progress last season.
Originally chosen No. 13 overall in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft Davis produced 45 total tackles with 2.5 sacks last season, seeing his role in the defensive line rotation increase as the season progressed.
Eagles’ Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio Impressed by Jordan Davis
If early training camp practices are any indication, the Eagles are optimistic about Davis’ trajectory.
“I thought Jordan showed some good movement ability,” Fangio told reporters. “Was able to bend his body like I don’t think I’ve seen him do before,” defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said before Thursday’s session. “So it’s encouraging right now.”
At 6-foot-6 and 336 pounds, Davis is a colossal space-eater along the Eagles’ defensive line, and flashed an ability to be a disruptive interior pass-rusher.
Last season, according to Pro Football Focus, Davis logged 18 quarterback pressures and 13 hits, while adding 22 run-stops, as a force along the Eagles’ defensive line.
A big challenge for Davis is to maintain his consistency throughout the course of the season. Amid the Eagles’ woeful stretch run in 2023, Davis produced only eight total tackles, without a sack or tackle for loss over Philadelphia’s final four games.
An improved interior pass rush from Davis and fellow former University of Georgia standout and first-round pick Jalen Carter would go a long way towards giving the embattled Eagles defense a boost, while benefiting what became a beleaguered secondary by season’s end in 2023.
