Demario Davis Ranked Among NFL's Best, Per PFF

Saints LB Demario Davis had another outstanding year in 2022. Here's where he ranks among the league's linebackers going into 2023.

New Orleans Saints LB Demario Davis has been the most indispensable player on one of the NFL's best defenses since his arrival to the team in 2018. In five years since the Saints signed him as a free agent, Davis has averaged 111 tackles per season, recorded 55 stops for loss, 22.5 sacks, 50 QB pressures, and has intercepted two passes while breaking up 34 others.

Considered one of the league's best defenders at any position, the 34-year-old Davis is coming off his second Pro Bowl berth in four years. Once an underrated afterthought, he now attracts attention from even the national media that often overlooks New Orleans players.

In an article by Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus, Davis is recognized as one of the NFL's top linebackers. PFF listed him among their three top-tier linebackers going into the 2023-24 season. 

1. Fred Warner (49ers)

2. Lavonte David (Buccaneers)

3. Demario Davis (Saints)

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) is stopped by New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis (56). Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY

Here's what Sikkema had to write about the PFF linebacker rankings:

Veterans Lavonte David, Demario Davis displaying no signs of decline: Both rank in Tier 1 after once again showing out in 2022 for the Buccaneers and Saints, respectively.

These three off-ball linebackers represent the best of the best. First and foremost, they bring great awareness and playmaking ability in coverage. They are what teams seek out of the modern-day linebacker at the second level for how they can anticipate and react to plays against the run and pass. These three also have longevity on their side with multiple years of high-end play.

The 2022 campaign marked the third season in which Warner recorded an 80.0-plus overall grade, solidifying his case as the top player at his position.

For David, it was his sixth straight season with overall grades and coverage grades above 70.0. His 88.0 coverage grade in 2022 was the second-highest mark of his long career.

Davis, like David, has graded out above 70.0 in every season since 2017, with his 2022 mark of 82.7 being the second highest of his career as well.

Still playing at an incredibly high level after 11 seasons, Davis is the key to the entire New Orleans defensive scheme. He's missed just one of the team’s 87 games in five years and was on the field for all of the Saints 1,132 defensive snaps last season.  

In 2022, Davis earned 2nd Team All-Pro honors. He had a career-high 6.5 sacks and was second on the team with 10 tackles for loss. His 109 tackles led the Saints for a fifth consecutive season and he was also among the team leaders with 10 QB pressures.

An elite run defender, Davis was also a major factor on a 2nd-ranked pass defense even when he wasn't rushing the quarterback. He had one of the team’s seven interceptions, broke up four passes, and allowed less than 68% completion percentage in man coverage. 

New Orleans asks a ton from their linebackers, but Davis is up to the task on every snap. His tremendous athleticism and ferocious sideline-to-sideline pursuit always put him around the ball. He's one of the league's most well-rounded defenders, allowing him to be a factor against the run, as a pass rusher, and in pass coverage. 

An underrated aspect of Davis' game is his awareness. He's never out of position and is the team's defensive signal caller. His elite ability to diagnose plays in an instant often enables him to make a game-changing play for his team.

New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis (56) in action against the San Francisco 49ers. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Saints have had several elite linebackers in their franchise history. The Dome Patrol foursome of Rickey Jackson, Sam Mills, Pat Swilling, and Vaughan Johnson from the mid-1980s and early 1990s, along with Jonathan Vilma of the mid-2000s are among the best players in team history. All five are in the Saints Hall of Fame. Jackson and Mills are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, with Swilling also being much-deserving of a spot.

Demario Davis belongs with those Saints greats. While his spot in history is still being carved out, Davis will most certainly be a vital part of any New Orleans success in 2023.