The San Francisco 49ers, with the rest of the NFL, are set to cut down their rosters from 90 to 53 men. It is a brutal process that will leave an estimated 47 players unemployed or see their NFL careers hanging by a thread on the practice squad.
Despite the negatives that come with cut-down day, many teams can find the missing piece to their roster or a key contributor to a playoff run.
The 49ers are not looking for a star. Still, with edge rushers Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos suffering knee injuries in Sunday’s Preseason finale vs. Las Vegas Raiders, San Francisco might be able to poach a former first-round pick off the scrap heap.
Jamin Davis:
https://gty.im/1452244678
The Washington Commanders are in a transitional phase. New ownership, a new general manager, Dan Quinn has replaced Ron Rivera as head coach, and number two overall pick Jayden Daniel expects to lead the organization to a bigger and brighter future.
With the transition, Washington is trying new things with their roster, primarily with 2021 first-round pick Jamin Davis.
Davis entered the NFL as a linebacker and has played 45 games at the position since joining the Commanders. Now entering a make-or-break year four, Davis is transitioning to edge rusher.
Davis’ Transition:
https://gty.im/2164211806
Changing positions four years into an NFL career can be challenging, but it has been done before. New York Jets’ Haason Reddick switched from being an outside linebacker to a pure edge rusher in 2020 after being released by the Arizona Cardinals.
Since, Reddick has four consecutive double-digit sack seasons, including two Pro Bowl nods and a fourth-place finish in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
The Commanders hope the same fate awaits Davis, but the clock is ticking.
With multiple new additions, Davis does not have a defined role. Veterans Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu are penciled into start at linebacker, while Davis is working to find his footing with the second and third-team edge rushers.
It has been an uphill battle, but Davis is taking the change in stride.
“I feel like it’s given me a chance to just really cut it loose and just go hunt some quarterbacks, honestly,” Davis said in June, per the Washington Post’s Nicki Jhabvala.
Ticking Clock:
https://gty.im/1750438304
Davis may finally feel free, but his hunt is on the verge of being cut short. Head coach Dan Quinn needs to win now, or at least show movement in the right direction, and moving off of the previous regimes’ first-round pick while there is still value left, could give the Commanders more draft picks to rejuvenate the roster.
“Like fellow first-round disappointment Jahan Dotson, Washington Commanders’ linebacker Jamin Davis could be traded ahead of Tuesday’s cut deadline,” according to Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knix. “The 2021 first-round pick has not panned out as a pure linebacker for Washington, but he does possess upside.”
The Commanders are already in sell mode in hopes of creating a brighter future. Davis could be the next player traded, and the time for him to show his value over.
With no practices or preseason games remaining, Davis could be out of a job by the Tuesday cut-down deadline.
Price Tag:
https://gty.im/1422852673
The Commanders would not save money by releasing Davis, so a trade is more likely. The asking price should not be as high as Jahan Dotson, who traded for a third-round pick and two seventh-round picks.
According to Over the Cap’s trade value calculator, Davis is worth either one fourth-round pick or a combination of fifth and seventh-rounders — a deal the 49ers should jump at.
While Davis has yet to prove himself as a pure edge rusher, San Francisco needs depth with 2022 second-round pick Drake Jackson already ruled out for the season and the aforementioned injuries to Leonard Floyd and Yetur-Gross Matos. Even if Davis needs time to hone his skills, defensive line coach Kris Kocurek has a history of getting the most out of other teams’ castaways.
The Commanders and 49ers have been connected as potential trade partners for Brandon Aiyuk, but Jamin Davis could be a better fit. Washington wants draft picks, while San Francisco needs to replenish its edge-rushing depth. All it takes is one phone call, and both teams are playing “Let’s Make a Deal.”
For More Great Content
Are you desiring top-tier content that covers everything? From thrilling sports and intoxicating entertainment news to gaming tips and professional betting advice, Total Apex covers it all. Delve into our no-fluff articles to stay ahead of the game with the latest sports action, uncover the hottest trends in entertainment, and get the latest scoops in the gaming industry that will take your experiences to the next level.
Finally, our betting advice will give you a decisive edge over the competition and increase your odds of beating the books. Whether you’re looking to stay updated or gain a competitive edge, Total Apex is your one-stop shop for all things compelling and relevant. Don’t forget we cover Fantasy Sports, too!
Check out all our sites: Total Apex Sports, Total Apex Fantasy Sports, Total Apex Entertainment, Total Apex Sports Bets, and Total Apex Gaming. Out of the ashes of obscurity will rise a beast. Always remember to Respect The Hustle! Follow us on Twitter/X @TotalApexSports to stay informed.
