During the 2022 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles moved up to select one of the highest-rated defensive tackles on the board in Georgia's Jordan Davis. However, as longtime analyst Greg Cosell explained on the "Ross Tucker Podcast," the Birds may be left with buyer's remorse.
"He's essentially not a really good player at this point," Cosell said. "He holds the point, but he doesn't play off blocks. He doesn't play off contact, and he does not play on third down."
Davis is producing at a replacement-level rate, tallying two combined tackles, while grading 52nd (58.4) among defensive tackles ahead of Week 3, per Pro Football Focus. It's still early, but that's far from the production expected of a first-round pick, let alone one the Eagles traded up to get.
As Cosell pointed out, Davis isn't the only one underachieving along the Eagles defensive line. 2023 first-round pick DT Jalen Carter hasn't had the impact expected, while free-agent pickup DE Bryce Huff has been virtually nonexistent, with the pair combining for only five assisted tackles through two games.
The poor play of Davis, Carter, Huff and others has led to dire results for the Eagles. Entering Week 3, Philly has given up the most rushing yards (6.4) and passing yards (13.1) per attempt in the NFL, which isn't an attribute a Super Bowl contender can survive through a 17-game season.
Perhaps the line's collective struggles are dragging Davis down. However, as each week passes without a breakout game, it's looking more and more like the former No. 13 pick is what he is.
According to Cosell, a source within the NFL tends to agree.
"This individual I spoke with said, 'By the third year, guys pretty much declare who they are,'" Cosell said. "So, barring a meaningful change pretty soon, Jordan Davis isn't the player the Eagles hoped."
