To Ron Rivera, he was a starting linebacker and the only dependable presence at the defensive second level. To Dan Quinn and the new regime, Jamin Davis was just another guy.
The Washington Commanders released the former first-round pick on Tuesday after an anonymous start to the 2024 season. Davis' transition to an edge rusher didn't go according to plan. Even with Dorance Armstrong Jr. and Javontae Jean-Baptiste missing in Week 7 against the Carolina Panthers, he played just 37 percent of snaps in a game that was over by half-time.
This is the latest in a long line of draft errors by Rivera. Cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. is the only first-rounder left from his four-year tenure. General manager Adam Peters is here to change all that, but it's clear that he didn't think much of the decisions made by those in power before his arrival.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing to have. With this in mind, here are five players the Commanders could have taken over Davis at No. 19 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Players the Commanders could have drafted over Jamin Davis
Commanders could have drafted Odafe Oweh
The Baltimore Ravens know how to draft productive players. They also know how to bring them along gradually regardless of where they were taken. This has been the hallmark behind their journey into perennial contention.
Odafe Oweh is a prime example. The edge rusher flashed on the rotation over his first three seasons, being deployed as a situational presence and putting his explosiveness to good use for 12 sacks during this span.
He got the chance to start prominently in 2024 and is thriving so far, gaining 4.5 sacks through seven weeks and setting the edge effectively on running downs en route to a fantastic 75.5 grade from Pro Football Focus. Considering how things unfolded for Jamin Davis and the Washington Commanders' need for pass-rushing help right now, this would have been a better pick in hindsight.
Commanders could have drafted Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was a favorite before the 2021 NFL Draft. Many Washington Commanders fans thought this should have been the team's first-round selection thanks to his exceptional athletic attributes and dominant college production at Notre Dame. Ron Rivera - as he always seemed to manage - went against the grain with Jamin Davis.
Davis wasn't a complete bust, going over 100 tackles in two of his three full seasons with the Commanders. However, his performances were nowhere near the level expected of a first-round selection. This was a sentiment echoed by the new regime, who wasted no time in fortifying their linebacking corps with the free-agent signings of Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner.
Owusu-Koramoah is a different story. He had to wait until just after the Commanders picked Sam Cosmi to hear his name called. More than a few teams around the league are regretting that right now.
The second-level enforcer is a menace in all phases. Owusu-Koramoah earned a lucrative new deal from the Cleveland Browns as a result of his outstanding efforts. Washington fans can only look and wonder why Rivera didn't see what was staring him in the face.
Commanders could have drafted Greg Newsome II
The Commanders have been crying out for consistent cornerback play. Their current unit is treading water, playing well against the bottom feeders but getting exposed versus better opposition. It's sufficing up to now. That won't be the case if Washington makes the postseason in Year 1 under the new regime.
Greg Newsome II was there for the taking in 2021. The feisty cornerback is widely regarded as one of the league's best coverage presences in the nickel spot. He's been the subject of trade speculation in recent weeks. However, this is thanks in no small part to the Cleveland Browns' current plight rather than any steep drop-off in production.
Newsome is conceding 60.12 percent of his targets on average over his four-year career. He's a stout presence against the run without being the biggest. The Commanders could use someone like this right now, especially considering second-round rookie Mike Sainristil is being forced to play outside.
Jamin Davis was the guy instead. Yet another swing and a miss by Ron Rivera, who had very few draft successes during his time in the role.
Commanders could have drafted Landon Dickerson
Ron Rivera inherited a functional offensive line upon taking the job in 20020. He had two All-Pros in Trent Williams and Brandon Scherff. Others such as Morgan Moses and Chase Roullier were dependable. Instead of using this as a springboard for improvements, the group was slowly decimated piece by piece.
The protection went from an area of strength to a glaring weak link quickly. One couldn't blame him for the Williams fiasco, but almost every move flopped after that. Rivera did do one good thing that he can dine off moving forward. That was switching Sam Cosmi from the edge to right guard, which was a masterstroke amid the chaos.
If the Commanders had drafted Landon Dickerson, their problems would have been alleviated to a certain extent. The interior force was taken by the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 37 overall. He earned a starting gig immediately and became an important part of one of the best offensive lines in football.
Dickerson was a plug-and-play starter that passed Rivera by. Fortunately for the Commanders, new general manager Adam Peters gave Washington's protection the respect it deserved throughout his first recruitment period at the helm.
Commanders could have drafted Christian Darrisaw
Speaking of the offensive line…
This is the player Commanders fans remain infuriated about. The golden ticket to fill the gaping void left by Trent Williams with a cornerstone piece for future success.
Everyone could see it. Everyone expected it. Everyone except for Ron Rivera, who thought Jamin Davis would be a better fit than standout offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw.
The Minnesota Vikings weren't going to spurn the opportunity when Darrisaw was available at No. 23 overall. He earned the starting blindside gig right out of the gate, adjusted seamlessly to his surroundings, and is now one of the best edge protectors in football.
Darrisaw's athleticism, poise, and ability to contribute in the run game have been a revelation. The Vikings had no trouble handing him a four-year, $104 million extension to continue his flourishing bookend tackle partnership with Brian O'Neill. As for the Commanders? Rivera went through a revolving door of left tackles without ever finding the correct formula.
Things are looking up now following the impressive transition made by third-round rookie Brandon Coleman, who's been splitting reps with veteran Cornelius Lucas. However, there is no doubt whatsoever that Darrisaw would be an upgrade.