Jets to re-sign Ashtyn Davis
Ashtyn Davis of the New York Jets celebrates his safety in the first half against the Atlanta Falcons at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 3, 2023. Credit: Jim McIsaac
The Jets are bringing back an important piece of their secondary and special teams unit.
Safety Ashtyn Davis is re-signing with the Jets. The Jets needed to shore up the back end of their defense and Davis gives them depth and flexibility with his versatility as well as a core special teams player.
Davis, a third-round pick in 2020, has proved he has a nose for the football. He had a career-best three interceptions and two fumble recoveries while playing 217 snaps on defense. He also recovered a fumble on special teams. Davis has 140 career tackles, 10 takeaways and 13 passes defended in 54 career games.
He joins returning safeties Tony Adams and Chuck Clark, who missed all of last season after suffering a torn ACL last June. Jordan Whitehead, a starter the past two seasons, signed with Tampa Bay.
The Jets had the third-ranked defense last season and could be even better this year. They’ve improved the defensive line with the acquisitions of edge rusher Haason Reddick and tackle Javon Kinlaw. The Jets are solid at linebacker with C.J. Mosley and Quincy Williams and have arguably the best cornerback trio in the NFL in Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed, and nickelback Michael Carter II.
The Jets also have upgraded their offense, giving Aaron Rodgers more protection and weapons in his return from a torn left Achilles tendon.
The offensive line was rebuilt with the additions of eight-time Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith, right tackle Morgan Moses and left guard John Simpson. The Jets’ receiver room got a big playmaker in Mike Williams.
The Jets have more work to do on that side of the ball and are expected to address it with the No. 10 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
