Ryan

Davis

It’s a surprise regarding a useful role player who contributed ten sacks the past two seasons. The Jaguars were trying to convert Davis from the defensive line to linebacker, but the conversion evidently failed. Working against Davis in the waivers process is a relatively pricey $2.553 million base salary.

Davis will play the “Lotto” role, which means he will spend part of his time at “Leo” weakside defensive end and the other part at “Otto” strongside linebacker. The linebacker role means Davis will have to drop into coverage, which is something he was rarely asked to do as a pure defensive end. After playing just 245 defensive snaps last season, this switch may help him find the field more.

A surprising cut by the Jaguars, Davis brings a little pass-rushing juice to a team that desperately needs it. Davis has 10 sacks on just 561 snaps over the past two seasons. He could have an immediate role as a situational pass rusher.

Released by the Jaguars at final cuts last season, Davis appeared in nine games for the Cowboys. He is a nice depth addition for Buffalo.

A 2012 UDFA out of Bethune-Cookman, Davis has appeared in eight games the past two seasons, notching four tackles, one sack, a pass break-up, and an interception. At 6'3/261, he’s not a great athlete, but has impressed the coaching staff and is expected to serve as the No. 3 pass-rushing end behind Chris Clemons and Andre Branch. Davis can also play inside on passing downs.

Despite not making a single start last season, Davis was a heavy part of the Jaguars’ rotation and amassed 26 combined sacks, hits, and hurries. Even at his ‘tweener size of 6'2/260, Davis has shown the ability to not only function, but succeed at both defensive tackle and end. With the Jaguars losing No. 3 overall pick DE Dante Fowler (knee), Davis will be asked to play more snaps in 2015.

A situational pass rusher, Davis broke out last season with 6.5 sacks and two forced fumbles despite not making a single start. 26 years old, Davis should be viewed as a building block for the still-rebuilding Jaguars.

Davis is coming off a 6.5-sack, breakout season and can rush the passer from the traditional end spot, play the Leo, and push the pocket from the inside. He does most of his damage from the interior, as he recorded PFF’s second-highest pass-rush score from the defensive tackle spot in 2014, behind only Nick Fairley. Even with Jared Odrick’s signing, Davis’ snaps should only increase.

Davis only played 250 snaps last season, but he made the most of them. He finished with 3.5 sacks while earning PFF’s 19th-highest pass rushing grade among 4-3 defensive ends. Davis turned 27 last month.

It’s a nice raise for Davis after he played for less than $1 million last season. Although undersized, Davis has arguably been the Jaguars’ best pass rusher the past two years. That’s more of an indictment on the talent around him, but Davis has been a pleasant find for coach Gus Bradley.