Among the Jets' running backs, a group that is a triple-threat out of the offensive backfield, Isaiah Davis thirsts to be more than the third wheel.
With Breece Hall and Braelon Allen ahead of him on the early depth chart, the fifth-round selection (No. 173 overall) out of South Dakota State in the 2024 NFL Draft, will have to grab the opportunities when they come his way.
"We all three are super tight," Davis said after practice on Thursday. "And I think we all three trust each other whatever the situation is and for me, my big thing is whenever my number's called, I'm trying to execute. I can't worry too much about what they got going on, but I'm trying to prepare myself in a way that when my number's called, I could get the job done."
Though HC Aaron Glenn said the starters would play (but not for how long) in Saturday night's preseason opener against the Packers in Green Bay, Davis could get several touches at Lambeau Field. That's assuming Hall and Allen see limited time.
Davis said that though he's eager to show more when the Green & White is on offense, he's comfortable with his role.
"Breece is Breece," he said. "He's showing what he can do. And I think Braelon and I kind of talk to each other. And whenever the situation comes, wherever it's third down, first down, catching the ball, pass protection, I think we all talk to each other."
That said, Davis does bring a complementary skill set to the offense, which also now includes QB Justin Fields as the fourth threat on the ground out of the backfield. Though Glenn and OC Tanner Engstrand have praised Hall's pass-catching ability, Davis is no slouch -- and he'll tell you so.
"I would just say my hands, I'm super confident in my hands being to catch out of the backfield, whether that be third down, second down, second and long," Davis said. "You know, bringing an extra receiver to Justin. Go out there when my number's called to execute the plays where my job is actually my responsibility. But I definitely like how the offense has been flowing some days. We can struggle, but like today, we can pick it up. And I think that was good to see."
As a senior in college for the two-time FCS national champion, the elusive Davis (6-0, 218) was named first-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference when he rushed for 1,451 yards and 15 touchdowns. In his rookie year for the Green & White, Davis saw the field in all 17 games, but it wasn't until early December until he got his opportunity to flash a bit.
Over the final six games, Davis had 26 carries for 154 yards and a TD while also catching 8 passes for 65 yards. Overall, he returned 9 kickoffs for 232 yards (25.8 per) and did what's expected of most rookies by taking 61% of the snaps on special teams.
"He brings everything," Glenn said about Davis. "I mean, he is a guy that we have to make sure we get him on the field as much as possible also. Pass protection, his ability to run, his route tree, he's a very, very smart player. He's tough, he's aggressive, and the thing is, he's a guy that plays on every special team that we have. So, he's a valuable, valuable piece of what we're trying to do. Valuable."
