2020 Preview: Projecting Jarrad Davis' Stats

Projecting Jarrad Davis' stats for the upcoming 2020 season. Read more.

Jarrad Davis enters an ultra important season for himself in 2020, with it being his final year under contract in a Detroit uniform.

Since being drafted in the first round (No. 21 overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft, he's largely been a disappointment.

The University of Florida product has finished as one of Pro Football Focus’ 20 worst-graded linebackers -- among those that have suited up for at least 20 percent of their team's defensive snaps -- in each season as a pro.

In fact, he received the fifth-worst PFF grade at the linebacker position in 2019.

Earlier this offseason, the Lions decided to decline his fifth-year option for 2021.

Subsequently, in order for Davis to get a new contract after this upcoming season, he must put together a career year and prove that he can consistently be a productive member of Detroit's linebacker corps.

He recorded 63 total tackles and two sacks in just 11 games a year ago. He failed to play in a full season due to ankle and knee injuries.

Entering the 2020 campaign, expectations are not very high for the fourth-year linebacker.

ESPN NFL prognosticator Mike Clay projects him to finish with only 44 tackles and less than 1.5 sacks (1.4).

Fair to say, such a stat line would be far from what the Lions desire from the 24-year-old.

When he last played in 16 games -- which came in 2018 (the only year in which he's suited up for a full season's worth of games) -- he amassed 100 combined tackles and six sacks.

The expected emergence of second-year linebacker Jahlani Tavai will certainly cut into Davis' reps and subsequent statistical output.

Clay, in fact, predicts that Tavai will out-snap Davis 558 to 406.

As a result, even if Davis manages to stay healthy for the full 2020 campaign, he shouldn't be expected to post another 100-tackle season.

Instead, the expectations should be lowered -- just not as low as Clay has set them.

My personal projection is for Davis to produce a stat line of 78 tackles and three sacks this upcoming season.

And more than likely, it'll be his final campaign as a member of the Lions.

Related

Lions' Chance to Win Division Improved on Day 1 of Training Camp

Lions' Rush Defense Key to Transforming Defense in 2020

Kenny Golladay and Frank Ragnow Could Be Highest Rated at Their Position

Should Expectations Be Lowered for Lions' Rookies?