Jamin Davis - Former Commanders LB
- No. 19 overall selection | 2021 NFL Draft
The Washington Commanders prioritized their defensive second level during Adam Peters' first offseason at the helm. These moves became the spark that inspired the team's culture shift on and off the field.
Peters signed Frankie Luvu in free agency following a prolific spell with the Carolina Panthers. They also penned Bobby Wagner to a one-year deal, reuniting him with head coach Dan Quinn to instantly legitimize their ambitious project.
Luvu and Wagner were a revelation. They became the beating heart of Washington's defense and both earned second-team All-Pro honors for their exceptional efforts. This was a massive boost for the team, but it wasn't good news for everybody.
Jamin Davis quickly emerged as the odd man out. The former first-round pick wasn't needed in the linebacking corps. Quinn changed direction, transitioning the player to an edge-rushing role. Optimism was high this could maximize his skill set more effectively, but it didn't go according to plan.
Davis was seldom seen in the lineup and was a healthy scratch more often than not. The Commanders released him during the season, which resulted in short stints with the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings.
The Kentucky product's time in Washington will be remembered for what Ron Rivera missed out on by taking Davis. Christian Darrisaw was the preference of many fans. Of course, he's become a franchise blindside protector with the Vikings.
Phidarian Mathis - Former Commanders DT
- No. 47 overall selection | 2022 NFL Draft
Phidarian Mathis was a curious case throughout his spell with the Commanders. Ron Rivera spent a second-round selection on the interior defensive lineman despite allocating significant resources to this position group previously. What followed was a frustrating spell that eventually ended with his inevitable release.
Mathis' time in Washington was blighted by health problems. The former Alabama standout got hurt within his first few snaps as a rookie, ruling him out for the entire campaign. He featured 10 times as an NFL sophomore, accumulating 30 percent of the team's defensive snaps and logging just eight tackles.
Dan Quinn brought him onto the 53-man roster, which raised hope he could make a bigger impact. Although Mathis played 34% of snaps when active, the production wasn't up to the required standard.
His 29.0 run defense grade ranked 216th out of 219 qualifying defensive tackles. Mathis' 32.3 overall grade from Pro Football Focus placed 213th. With the likes of Sheldon Day, Johnny Newton, Daron Payne, and Carl Davis gaining more reps at the business end of the campaign, the player became surplus to requirements.
The New York Jets scooped Mathis up off the waiver wire. Whether he'll get another chance to impose himself under new head coach Aaron Glenn is another matter.