The former Bill and Jaguar is a buy-low candidate, but one that comes with question marks.
A little over a year after inking a 3-year $39M ($24M guaranteed) contract, the Jacksonville Jaguars have moved on from Gabe Davis.
The announcement came earlier today.
Last off-season, the Jaguars signed then free-agent WR Gabe Davis to a three-year, $39 million contract. Davis played 10 games with the Jaguars, catching 20 passes for 239 yards. https://t.co/Rp0sjXtVs2 pic.twitter.com/V3BksthhTy
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 7, 2025
Davis disappointed in his one year with the Jaguars, during which time he posted career lows in yards per reception, receptions per game, and yards per game. His season ended after 10 games due to a torn meniscus in his left knee. The Jaguars believe they are now better off with a $20M dead cap figure than with his services.
Davis was a hot name during the 2024 free agency cycle, and one that many Atlanta Falcons fans desired. Davis’s skills never really justified the deal former Jaguars GM Trent Baalke gave him, but he does fill a niche as a clear-out specialist. If you need a guy to run in a straight line as fast as possible, he’s your man. The problems arise once teams start asking him to do more, which is why he will be looking to join his third team in three seasons.
Davis’ market has peaked; he’s unlikely to see a double-digit guaranteed money contract again. He’s an ideal buy-low candidate for cash-strapped teams like Atlanta, who could use an X on the outside to open up things for his fellow receivers underneath. This clear-out role was primarily filled by Kyle Pitts in 2024.
Speed and the ability to stretch the field are lacking in the WR room. Darnell Mooney is currently the best option, but he’s too valuable to be used as a decoy consistently. Jamal Agnew, Davis’ 2024 teammate, has the potential to fill this role if he’s healthy, but he’s a big unknown after he missed the entire ‘24 season. However, so is Davis.
The idea of Davis is better than the player. He’s unlikely to be ready for camp due to that injury, and there’s no telling if he’ll even be the same player again post-recovery. He wouldn’t have time to build chemistry with Michael Penix in the summer and would have to be worked in once the team starts rolling.
A veteran minimum deal would make him an enticing addition, and Fontenot is always combing through the veteran free agent market, but he’s not a player the team should be banging down the door to sign. For this writer, signing Davis is currently off the table, but there is a legitimate argument for his services if the price is right.
Where do you stand?