Tyeler

Davison

The move saves the Falcons $3.7 million against the cap. Davison has not lived up to the three-year, $12 million contract he signed back in 2020, but he should draw interest as a rotational lineman.

Davison is expected to take on a larger role after he was brought back on a three-year, $12 million contract this offseason. He most recently recorded four tackles for loss and a sack as a rotational player just last year.

Per ESPN’s Field Yates, the deal includes $4.5 million guaranteed. That is about standard for a rotational run stuffer. Davison recorded four tackles for loss and a sack in 2019, his first year with the Falcons. Atlanta will continue to bolster a defense that ranked 22nd in points allowed.

Davison started on the interior for the Saints the past three seasons, notching high regards as a stout run defender in the middle of New Orleans’ trenches. He’ll play in a rotational role behind stud DT Grady Jarrett with Jack Crawford, Deadrin Senat, and Michael Bennett.

The ex-Saint visited the Falcons earlier this week. Davison is looking for rotational work after mostly starting the past three seasons.

A fifth-round pick in 2015, Davison does not offer much as a pass rusher, but he was a good run stuffer in four seasons with the Saints. He can be a quality rotational option along Atlanta’s defensive line.

That would be ahead of John Jenkins, with Sheldon Rankins and Nick Fairley at three technique. Payton said Davison has been “outstanding and the tape shows it.” A 2015 fifth-round steal out of Fresno State, Davison stands 6-foot-2, 316 with long arms and huge hands. He will be a run stopper in New Orleans’ 4-3.

Davison is recovering from January surgery. He hasn’t done much in OTAs and should be limited in minicamp. With Nick Fairley’s future in question, the Saints need a third-year leap from Davison.

Davison (6'2/316) was a dominant nose tackle in the Mountain West, starting 39 games and piling up 28.5 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. He showed plus athleticism for his size at the Combine, running 5.18 with a 33-inch vertical and pumping 32 reps on the bench. Davison has long arms (34") and huge hands (10 3/4"), and is an extremely aggressive player who can push the pocket with power. Davison is talented enough to develop into a starter capable of playing multiple positions on the line.