Philadelphia Eagles run-stuffer Jordan Davis arrived at training camp not only facing immense pressure to make strides towards earning a contract extension, but in a lot of ways, as whole new player.
Davis, chosen by the Eagles with the No. 13 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, reported to the NovaCare Complex slimmed all the way down to 330 pounds.
Over the course of one offseason, Davis shed 26 pounds, meeting the organization’s benchmark for where they wanted him to be when he arrived for training camp.
“I’m still the same Jordan Davis,” he told reporters. “I’m still gonna be that anchor. I’m still gonna be that same player.
“But knowing that with this new weight, I can do a lot more. I can move a lot more on passing reps. I’m gonna be expected to do that. And that’s just what’s been communicated with me from the top down. And, honestly, I’m here for it. I’m ready for it.”
What remains to be seen is what kind of player Davis becomes and what he’ll be asked to do by defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, after the former University of Georgia standout finished last season with 16 run-stops and 10 quarterback pressures while also commanding double-teams at his size.
To Davis‘ credit, he took the organization’s challenge to get into better physical condition and now has sights set on improving as an interior pass rush-presence as well as a space-eater against the run.
“At the end of (last) season, definitely was a lot of work being put in that was behind the scenes,” Davis told reporters. “And obviously in the spring, y’all came back and y’all got a chance to see (at OTAs) how I was progressing. And this is just a continuation of it all.
“I don’t ever want to be too light. I feel like I’m completely capable at (330) to both anchor and be a pass rusher. And I just want to be like, say, a quarterback. I want to be a dual threat so I don’t want to be a one-trick pony.”
Vic Fangio Reveals Eagles’ Plans to Replace Milton Williams
Mitchell Leff | Getty Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio already drew up a championship blueprint, will he be able to follow it to a second?
The Eagles’ defense has some big shoes to fill.
After Milton Williams‘ departure, signing with the New England Patriots in free agency, the Eagles are looking to replace his production both against the run and finishing third on the team with five sacks.
It might not be up to one player, either.
“I think Mo [DT Moro Ojomo] did a good job last year,” Fangio told reporters, when asked his confidence in Ojomo taking on Williams’ old role. “In the reps he got his reps will kick up this year. I think Milton’s reps will be divided up between him. Jordan playing more. We’ll see what Ty can do, see what BY can do, Gabe can do and [DT Thomas Booker].
“So I think it will be more of a committee eating up those reps than just one guy. But back to your question, I’m very happy with Mo, was happy with him last year and I expect him to play good for us.”
Davis’ weight loss could give him the opportunity to play more of a pass-rushing role, but Fangio has an entire toolbox of versatile players to work into the rotation of snaps formerly occupied by Williams.
Eagles’ Defensive Line Remains a Strength
Mitchell Leff | Getty Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive lineman Jalen Carter is a centerpiece of coordinator Vic Fangio’s defense.
Building a dominant defensive line hasn’t just been a pillar of general manager Howie Roseman’s organizational philosophy but it was the driving force behind the Eagles’ blowout victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.
Davis and Jalen Carter are both former first-round draft choices, and have combined for 14 sacks and 29 tackles for loss as driving forces behind the Eagles’ success on defense in recent seasons.
Whether it winds up being Ojomo, Byron Young, rookie Ty Robinson, or Thomas Booker who steps into an expanded role, this is a group that has the potential to be one of the most disruptive in the league and a focal point of Philadelphia’s title defense.
Eagles’ Jordan Davis Breaks Silence on Massive Offseason Transformation