Although NFL free agency has slowed as teams crank up final preparations for the draft later this month, there is still some movement around the league.
One of the more recent transactions involved former New York Giants defensive lineman DJ Davidson, who was a fifth-round pick in the 2022 draft out of Arizona State. Davidson signed a one-year deal with the Washington Commanders, believed to be a veteran-salary benefit contract.
Davidson had appeared in 47 games with two starts over four seasons. He posted 49 tackles, 2.5 sacks, three quarterback hits, and three pass breakups as a rotational defensive lineman.
His departure leaves the Giants with just four members of that 2022 draft class, general manager Joe Schoen’s first with Big Blue.
The 26-year-old Davidson flashed at times while with the Giants, but often ran into injury-related problems that stunted his development. A torn ACL cost him most of his rookie season, limiting him to just five games.
The following summer, he missed most of training camp while on the PUP list due to being in the latter stages of rehab from that injury, but he returned in time to appear in 15 games with 2 starts that season.
In 2024, he had his most productive season despite playing in only 12 games. That year, Davidson, who made two more starts, recorded career highs in sacks (2.0), tackles (23), and tackles for loss (two) as he saw an increased role due to injuries on the defensive line that included nose tackle Dexter Lawrence II.
But Davidson would also end up on injured reserve that season with a shoulder issue that cost him the last quarter of the season.
Last year, Davidson was again hit by injuries, the most significant being the neck ailment that landed him on IR toward the end of the season. Before then, he had appeared in just 15 games.
The Giants are in the process of retooling their defensive line. In addition to Davidson having moved on, the team has made no known gestures to re-sign unrestricted free agent Rakeem Nunez-Roches.
Instead, the Giants have added Sam Roberts so far and have kicked the tires on Shelby Harris. However, the Giants are not expected to do anything further in free agency until after the draft, when the cut-off for free-agent acquisitions that affect the comp pick formula kicks in.
Sign up for our free newsletter and follow us on Facebook and X for the latest news, and send your mailbag questions to us.