It’s time for the New York Jets to make a splash in the late stages of free agency.
Former Jets defensive lineman turned NFL analyst Leger Douzable believes his old team should pursue veteran wide receiver Gabe Davis.
“Jets should definitely be in on Gabe Davis if he is healthy. Would be a solid #2 to Garrett Wilson,” Douzable said.
Douzable may be a little slanted on his take. Davis entered the NFL as the No. 128 overall pick in the fourth round out of UCF in 2020. Douzable entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of, you guessed it, UCF in 2008.
Davis Joined the Free Agent Pool Late in the Process
Last year, Davis was the belle of the ball. He signed a massive three-year $39 million contract with $24 million in total guaranteed money to join Jacksonville.
14 months later, the Jaguars threw Davis back into the free-agent open waters. Following the 2025 NFL draft, the Jaguars cut bait with Davis on May 7.
“Davis caught 20 passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns in 10 games in 2024 before suffering a torn meniscus in his left knee and missing the remainder of the season. His average of 12.7 yards per catch was the lowest of his five-year career. Davis also dropped two potential touchdown passes in the Jaguars’ 35-16 loss to the Chicago Bears in London on Oct. 13,” ESPN’s Michael DiRocco said.
Former Jets general manager Joe Douglas was known for his late-night snacking on free agents. From convincing Ryan Kalil out of retirement, to the signing of Morgan Moses, and adding Dalvin Cook, to name a few moves.
We’ll see if new GM Darren Mougey has the same affinity for late additions to the roster ahead of the 2025 season.
A Davis Addition Wouldn’t Really Move the Needle
The former UCF product made noise with the Buffalo Bills when he first entered the league.
Across his four seasons, Davis racked up 163 receptions for 2,730 receiving yards and 27 touchdowns. However, this past season with the Jaguars unveiled plenty of flaws.
He has nice size, measuring in at 6-foot-2 and tipping the scales at 225 pounds. However, he has a propensity for dropping the ball. Last season, he finished with a 47.6 catch percentage, which was the lowest mark of his career.
Insert the Spider-Man meme of several Spider-Men all pointing at each other. A big receiver who can’t catch the ball consistently, does that sound familiar? It should because that has been the Allen Lazard experience over the last two seasons for the Jets.
Ian Hartitz of Fantasy Life revealed that Lazard has been the “WR leader in drop rate” over the last two years. In 2023, Lazard had a 17.9% drop rate, and in 2024, Lazard had a 17.8% drop rate.
Davis was a member of the Jaguars last season, but his entire career, he has been a JAG, just a guy. The Jets need a difference maker, not another rotational warm body in the receiver room.
If this is their idea of an upgrade, they’d be better served riding it out with the players they already have in the WR room.
Ex-Jets Player Says Team Should Sign $39 Million Pass Catcher