Pro Football Network released their top-100 players of 2024 list, and New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis cracked the top half of that list.
The veteran was the third linebacker on the list only behind San Francisco 49er Fred Warner and Baltimore Ravens Roquan Smith. This is extremely high praise for the veteran. If you isolate it by position, Davis would rank higher on this list than ESPN’s recent top-10 rankings. Here’s why PFN’s Dallas Robinson is so high on him:
While he’s entering his age-35 campaign, Davis is still among the most productive linebackers in the league. He’s received a first- or second-team All-Pro nod in five consecutive seasons and has been named a Pro Bowler the last two. His 6.5 sacks in 2023 ranked second among off-ball linebackers.
This is the same skillset coaches around the league have praised Davis for cultivating. For the second year in a row, Davis had the second most sacks on the team. His coverage ability used to be more prevalent, but now it’s his effectiveness blitzing that is his X-factor.
His ability to fight downhill has also allowed him to cross the double-digit tackles for a loss threshold 7 years in a row, predating his time in New Orleans. He’s also had 100 or more tackles each year during this time span. There aren’t many linebackers like him, and there isn’t anyone in the game today who has been as consistent as Davis for so many years. The Saints are very fortunate to have him.
