1 00:00:02,920 --> 00:00:06,120 Speaker 1: Welcome to another edition of the Official Jets podcast, the 2 00:00:06,240 --> 00:00:10,280 Speaker 1: Draft Pick Profile series, presented by Verizon Rolling on here 3 00:00:10,360 --> 00:00:15,240 Speaker 1: and e A. Ethan Greenberg breaking down Cow safety Ashton Davis, 4 00:00:15,240 --> 00:00:17,640 Speaker 1: who the Jets took in the third round, number sixty 5 00:00:17,760 --> 00:00:21,599 Speaker 1: eight overall, their third selection of the NFL Draft, and 6 00:00:21,680 --> 00:00:25,800 Speaker 1: e A. The Jets actually got the overall selection from 7 00:00:25,800 --> 00:00:31,240 Speaker 1: the Giants when they traded Leonard Williams across town in October. Yeah, 8 00:00:31,240 --> 00:00:34,360 Speaker 1: good value there from Joe Douglas acquiring a third round 9 00:00:34,400 --> 00:00:38,519 Speaker 1: pick in and then a fifth round pick in one. 10 00:00:38,640 --> 00:00:41,839 Speaker 1: Leonard Williams got the franchise tag. He still has not 11 00:00:41,960 --> 00:00:45,519 Speaker 1: received a long term extension with the Giants. If he 12 00:00:45,640 --> 00:00:48,320 Speaker 1: did prior to the start of the league year, that 13 00:00:48,479 --> 00:00:53,760 Speaker 1: fifth round pick in one would actually have became a 14 00:00:53,960 --> 00:00:57,520 Speaker 1: fourth have become a fourth round pick. But instead the 15 00:00:57,640 --> 00:01:01,720 Speaker 1: Jets do pick up a pair of draft picks, and 16 00:01:01,760 --> 00:01:05,640 Speaker 1: they used this one in the third round on Ashton Davis, 17 00:01:05,640 --> 00:01:09,160 Speaker 1: a versatile player. I feel like that is a broken 18 00:01:09,200 --> 00:01:13,200 Speaker 1: record for us. Every player that Joe Douglas has taken 19 00:01:13,440 --> 00:01:16,520 Speaker 1: or brought in free agency, you've seen a lot of 20 00:01:16,560 --> 00:01:20,360 Speaker 1: position flexibility, and I just thought this was an interesting 21 00:01:20,400 --> 00:01:24,280 Speaker 1: spot in the draft order Greens because the Jets had 22 00:01:24,480 --> 00:01:28,600 Speaker 1: two picks over nine selections on Friday night because Denzel 23 00:01:28,720 --> 00:01:31,960 Speaker 1: Mims the wide receiver at the Baylor. Of course, they 24 00:01:32,040 --> 00:01:35,360 Speaker 1: took with the fifty ninth overall selection in the second round, 25 00:01:35,440 --> 00:01:39,080 Speaker 1: and they come back with the Giants selection here early 26 00:01:39,280 --> 00:01:44,640 Speaker 1: in the third and they grabbed the Kale safety. The 27 00:01:44,680 --> 00:01:47,960 Speaker 1: other thing I thought was interesting was after the Jets 28 00:01:47,960 --> 00:01:50,880 Speaker 1: go tackle and receiver in rounds one and two, and 29 00:01:50,960 --> 00:01:52,720 Speaker 1: then I thought it was kind of a guessing game. 30 00:01:52,760 --> 00:01:55,320 Speaker 1: Anybody's guests where the Jets could go next. And I 31 00:01:55,360 --> 00:01:58,120 Speaker 1: don't think a lot of pundents out there, and I 32 00:01:58,160 --> 00:02:00,000 Speaker 1: don't think a lot of fans thought that the Jet 33 00:02:00,120 --> 00:02:03,160 Speaker 1: would go with the safety. But it adds good depth. 34 00:02:03,160 --> 00:02:05,880 Speaker 1: And we'll talk about where Davis fits and on this 35 00:02:06,080 --> 00:02:09,960 Speaker 1: roster in a bit, but before we actually dive in 36 00:02:10,000 --> 00:02:13,880 Speaker 1: to Ashton Davis the player, let's hear from the Jets personnel. 37 00:02:13,960 --> 00:02:17,560 Speaker 1: Let's hear from Joe Douglas, Rex Hogan, chat Alexander and 38 00:02:17,600 --> 00:02:22,280 Speaker 1: Phil Savage on why they liked Ashton Davis. You Ashton 39 00:02:22,320 --> 00:02:26,000 Speaker 1: bring speed, ball skills, versatility. Can see him line up 40 00:02:26,080 --> 00:02:28,800 Speaker 1: over slot receiver and cover them and man coverage. You 41 00:02:28,800 --> 00:02:30,520 Speaker 1: can see him line up as a high safety and 42 00:02:30,600 --> 00:02:32,520 Speaker 1: range over to the sideline to make a play on 43 00:02:32,520 --> 00:02:34,800 Speaker 1: the ball. You can see him attack the alleys in 44 00:02:34,840 --> 00:02:36,800 Speaker 1: the in the run game, you can see him blitz 45 00:02:37,440 --> 00:02:41,120 Speaker 1: what we have with Jamal, with Marcus, and you know, 46 00:02:41,200 --> 00:02:43,840 Speaker 1: adding n Ashton, letting him compete, you know, the hope 47 00:02:43,919 --> 00:02:46,520 Speaker 1: is that he can he can provide that kind of 48 00:02:46,639 --> 00:02:50,919 Speaker 1: versatility and playmaking to our back end. Not only did 49 00:02:50,919 --> 00:02:52,640 Speaker 1: he walk on in football, he walked on in track 50 00:02:52,919 --> 00:02:56,440 Speaker 1: at Cal and ended up you know, doing significantly well 51 00:02:56,480 --> 00:03:00,200 Speaker 1: for their track team at Cal, and then continue to 52 00:03:00,200 --> 00:03:03,320 Speaker 1: improve as a football player and established himself as one 53 00:03:03,320 --> 00:03:06,000 Speaker 1: of the premier defensive players, not only for Cal, but 54 00:03:06,160 --> 00:03:09,320 Speaker 1: in the Pac twelve. His versatility really stands out. That 55 00:03:09,360 --> 00:03:12,280 Speaker 1: guys played free safety, strong safety, He's played corner, He's 56 00:03:12,280 --> 00:03:15,440 Speaker 1: played nickel and those nickel and dime packages. Ashton's another 57 00:03:15,480 --> 00:03:18,160 Speaker 1: guy who also provides us that versatility. And he didn't 58 00:03:18,200 --> 00:03:20,079 Speaker 1: get to run at the combine, but I really think 59 00:03:20,120 --> 00:03:23,400 Speaker 1: he would have tested extremely well without being able to 60 00:03:23,520 --> 00:03:26,320 Speaker 1: because of the surgery he underwent. But this is an 61 00:03:26,320 --> 00:03:29,320 Speaker 1: explosive athlete, another height, weight and speed guy who's gonna 62 00:03:29,320 --> 00:03:31,400 Speaker 1: be able to help us on defense and special teams. 63 00:03:32,840 --> 00:03:36,080 Speaker 1: He's really got good football intelligence. He cleans up a 64 00:03:36,120 --> 00:03:38,520 Speaker 1: lot as a safety. You know, he's a good tackler. 65 00:03:38,520 --> 00:03:40,840 Speaker 1: I think he is physical and he made some impressive 66 00:03:40,840 --> 00:03:44,880 Speaker 1: players on tape universes running pass. He's just he's really instinctive, 67 00:03:44,880 --> 00:03:47,480 Speaker 1: really high football like you for the game. You know, 68 00:03:47,600 --> 00:03:49,840 Speaker 1: he can he can cover receiver, he can cover a slot. 69 00:03:50,520 --> 00:03:52,640 Speaker 1: He's got man in his own ability and he can 70 00:03:52,680 --> 00:03:54,800 Speaker 1: match and maryn. We think he's gonna he's gonna be 71 00:03:54,840 --> 00:03:57,040 Speaker 1: a really good player as well for us. Just gives us, 72 00:03:57,040 --> 00:03:59,080 Speaker 1: you know, that much more versatility on the back end 73 00:03:59,320 --> 00:04:01,520 Speaker 1: market Singe all two really good players at that at 74 00:04:01,520 --> 00:04:04,640 Speaker 1: the safety position, and then incomes Ashton Davison and we 75 00:04:04,640 --> 00:04:06,040 Speaker 1: feel like he's a guy that's gonna be able to 76 00:04:06,080 --> 00:04:08,320 Speaker 1: help us on fourth down as well. He's gonna be 77 00:04:08,360 --> 00:04:10,600 Speaker 1: a really good special teams player in the NFL. So 78 00:04:11,000 --> 00:04:12,720 Speaker 1: just really excited to get him, to get him in 79 00:04:12,720 --> 00:04:15,360 Speaker 1: the fold in that in that dB room and with 80 00:04:15,400 --> 00:04:18,480 Speaker 1: those safeties, and you know, those are three really talented guys, 81 00:04:19,040 --> 00:04:21,360 Speaker 1: you know, coming from where he came from. Uh, he's 82 00:04:21,400 --> 00:04:23,400 Speaker 1: really an impressive, you know guy that talked to. He's 83 00:04:23,400 --> 00:04:26,400 Speaker 1: an impressive young man, and uh, I don't think this 84 00:04:26,440 --> 00:04:28,480 Speaker 1: moment is gonna be too big for him, just because 85 00:04:28,480 --> 00:04:30,880 Speaker 1: of what he was able to overcome to get to 86 00:04:30,920 --> 00:04:34,640 Speaker 1: get to this point. You know, I think Ashton is 87 00:04:34,640 --> 00:04:37,640 Speaker 1: is one of those kinds of players that he's earned 88 00:04:37,760 --> 00:04:42,840 Speaker 1: everything he's ever gotten. And you know, in this situation, 89 00:04:42,920 --> 00:04:44,720 Speaker 1: of course, a lot has been made about him being 90 00:04:44,760 --> 00:04:47,919 Speaker 1: a former walk onto the cow football team. Look, this 91 00:04:47,960 --> 00:04:51,120 Speaker 1: guy is extremely talented. I mean, he's a legit track man, 92 00:04:51,240 --> 00:04:54,560 Speaker 1: can absolutely run. But the thing that makes him different 93 00:04:54,880 --> 00:04:58,039 Speaker 1: than a lot of guys who trans transition from track 94 00:04:58,120 --> 00:05:01,880 Speaker 1: to football is that he's actually very instinctive as a player. 95 00:05:01,960 --> 00:05:06,200 Speaker 1: He's extremely versatile. Uh. There are a lot of safeties 96 00:05:06,560 --> 00:05:09,400 Speaker 1: that have straight line speed, but they can't do a 97 00:05:09,400 --> 00:05:11,719 Speaker 1: lot of other things in terms of coverage, playing in 98 00:05:11,720 --> 00:05:14,840 Speaker 1: the box, breaking down in space, that sort of thing, 99 00:05:15,000 --> 00:05:18,440 Speaker 1: and Ashton Davis can do all of those things. He's 100 00:05:18,440 --> 00:05:22,279 Speaker 1: a cerebral player. As I said, He's been an achiever 101 00:05:22,480 --> 00:05:27,400 Speaker 1: type person his entire life. And uh, we were we 102 00:05:27,400 --> 00:05:29,560 Speaker 1: were excited to get him. We we just think that 103 00:05:29,600 --> 00:05:33,640 Speaker 1: he's going to add another piece to the puzzle defensively 104 00:05:33,760 --> 00:05:36,880 Speaker 1: and because of that versatility I mentioned. You know, he 105 00:05:36,920 --> 00:05:39,320 Speaker 1: can play safe, he can play down in the box. 106 00:05:39,360 --> 00:05:41,960 Speaker 1: He might even take some reps outside as a corner. 107 00:05:42,240 --> 00:05:44,680 Speaker 1: He's certainly fast enough to do it. And you know, 108 00:05:44,720 --> 00:05:47,359 Speaker 1: I think if he had not had the injury or 109 00:05:47,360 --> 00:05:50,960 Speaker 1: the surgery that happened back in December, and he would 110 00:05:51,000 --> 00:05:54,080 Speaker 1: have been able to participate paid fully in the Senior 111 00:05:54,120 --> 00:05:57,320 Speaker 1: Bowl or the Combine, I think he clearly would have been, 112 00:05:57,600 --> 00:06:00,520 Speaker 1: you know, a higher pick. So I think this this 113 00:06:00,600 --> 00:06:03,200 Speaker 1: whole scenario where you know, he really was not able 114 00:06:03,240 --> 00:06:05,839 Speaker 1: to work out due to the surgery and then this 115 00:06:05,960 --> 00:06:09,479 Speaker 1: pandemic that hurt him some in terms of the draft stock. 116 00:06:09,560 --> 00:06:12,080 Speaker 1: But for us, we went by what we saw on 117 00:06:12,120 --> 00:06:14,560 Speaker 1: the film, on the tapes and in the fall, and 118 00:06:14,600 --> 00:06:18,880 Speaker 1: our scouts really liked him during the season. Great insight 119 00:06:18,960 --> 00:06:21,359 Speaker 1: as always from those guys and e A. The first 120 00:06:21,400 --> 00:06:25,400 Speaker 1: thing about Ashton Davis that we kind of here the 121 00:06:25,480 --> 00:06:28,880 Speaker 1: personnel staff talk about is his backstory. And this is 122 00:06:28,880 --> 00:06:33,000 Speaker 1: a player that grew up and had a massive growth spur. 123 00:06:33,080 --> 00:06:35,400 Speaker 1: I mean he was he grew about eight inches and 124 00:06:35,480 --> 00:06:39,279 Speaker 1: added about seventy five pounds in his final three years 125 00:06:39,320 --> 00:06:43,120 Speaker 1: at Santa Cruz High School. In California. He doesn't receive 126 00:06:43,160 --> 00:06:46,680 Speaker 1: any football offers. He walks onto the Cow track team 127 00:06:46,720 --> 00:06:50,640 Speaker 1: as a back doorway of walking onto the Cow football team, 128 00:06:50,720 --> 00:06:53,719 Speaker 1: and of course he ends up being a third round 129 00:06:53,720 --> 00:06:56,800 Speaker 1: pick of the NFL Draft. Where do you want to 130 00:06:56,839 --> 00:06:59,240 Speaker 1: start with this guy? I think he should be selling 131 00:06:59,360 --> 00:07:03,040 Speaker 1: movie rights to his story. Green See started high school 132 00:07:03,520 --> 00:07:08,159 Speaker 1: as a bike but four sophomore who weighed ninety pounds 133 00:07:09,160 --> 00:07:13,880 Speaker 1: in Santa Cruz High School. Greens seventeen players his junior season, 134 00:07:14,640 --> 00:07:17,320 Speaker 1: and one of their offense ONLIVEE and wait a hundred 135 00:07:17,360 --> 00:07:20,840 Speaker 1: and fifty five pounds. Great article by Bruce Feldman in 136 00:07:20,840 --> 00:07:25,400 Speaker 1: The Athletic if you want to learn about this backstory. 137 00:07:25,440 --> 00:07:29,360 Speaker 1: But that team finished one and nine overall. He was 138 00:07:29,400 --> 00:07:37,160 Speaker 1: a zero star recruit, basically recruited himself to California and then, uh, 139 00:07:37,200 --> 00:07:40,920 Speaker 1: you know, gradually progressed. He was a special team stalwart 140 00:07:41,000 --> 00:07:44,120 Speaker 1: early on in his career that he became a defensive regular. 141 00:07:45,120 --> 00:07:48,200 Speaker 1: He's just continuing to progress. So there's a lot of 142 00:07:48,280 --> 00:07:51,200 Speaker 1: reason to think right now that Ashton Davis is just 143 00:07:51,240 --> 00:07:55,360 Speaker 1: gonna get better and better. He is a fantastic athlete. Greens. 144 00:07:56,280 --> 00:07:59,280 Speaker 1: One thing that stands out about Davis. When you hear 145 00:07:59,400 --> 00:08:02,600 Speaker 1: from the differen guys that have covered Davis and the 146 00:08:02,680 --> 00:08:05,840 Speaker 1: Jets personnel staff that talked about him, it seems he's 147 00:08:05,960 --> 00:08:09,400 Speaker 1: very instinctive for a player that's somewhat new to the 148 00:08:09,440 --> 00:08:12,480 Speaker 1: position and somewhat new to football. To your point, he 149 00:08:12,600 --> 00:08:16,680 Speaker 1: plays cornerback his first year on the football team in 150 00:08:16,720 --> 00:08:21,480 Speaker 1: ten after red shirting, and he wins the Special Team's 151 00:08:21,600 --> 00:08:25,360 Speaker 1: m VP Award back to back years, moves to free safety, 152 00:08:25,720 --> 00:08:28,120 Speaker 1: and then this past year he's second team All Packed 153 00:08:28,160 --> 00:08:31,960 Speaker 1: twelve and he's a finalist for the Burlsworth Trophy, which 154 00:08:32,000 --> 00:08:36,319 Speaker 1: goes to the nation's top former walk on. And I think, really, 155 00:08:36,360 --> 00:08:40,360 Speaker 1: when you look at Davis's story, it's fascinating. And when 156 00:08:40,400 --> 00:08:44,600 Speaker 1: you hear about the different personnel guys talk about adding 157 00:08:44,640 --> 00:08:47,559 Speaker 1: to the fabric of what they want the New York 158 00:08:47,640 --> 00:08:50,360 Speaker 1: Jets to be. This is a guy that has worked 159 00:08:50,400 --> 00:08:53,000 Speaker 1: his way to where he is now. Not only has 160 00:08:53,000 --> 00:08:55,400 Speaker 1: he over overcome a lot on the football field, but 161 00:08:55,480 --> 00:08:58,680 Speaker 1: his father had an addiction problem where he went to 162 00:08:58,760 --> 00:09:02,360 Speaker 1: rehab and he's been clean now. And actually Ashton Davis, 163 00:09:02,400 --> 00:09:04,880 Speaker 1: his sister, and his father are all share the same 164 00:09:04,920 --> 00:09:10,000 Speaker 1: tattoo on their rist of the day that Ashton's father, 165 00:09:10,240 --> 00:09:14,760 Speaker 1: Sean has been clean and so really a fascinating story 166 00:09:14,840 --> 00:09:19,520 Speaker 1: and interesting prospect with a fascinating back story about sixth 167 00:09:19,520 --> 00:09:22,439 Speaker 1: grade Ashton Davis writes, one day, I hope to be famous. 168 00:09:22,520 --> 00:09:24,920 Speaker 1: My dream is to play in the NFL, NBA, and 169 00:09:25,040 --> 00:09:28,120 Speaker 1: Major League Baseball all at once until I'm too old 170 00:09:28,120 --> 00:09:30,360 Speaker 1: to play. Sports is my hobby and that is all 171 00:09:30,400 --> 00:09:33,000 Speaker 1: I do. One day, I hope to wish upon a 172 00:09:33,040 --> 00:09:35,600 Speaker 1: star and try to tackle any chance I have at 173 00:09:35,640 --> 00:09:38,720 Speaker 1: making my dream come true. Well, he's probably not gonna 174 00:09:38,720 --> 00:09:42,360 Speaker 1: play Major League Baseball or in the n b A, 175 00:09:42,600 --> 00:09:46,320 Speaker 1: but he is certainly going to play in the National 176 00:09:46,400 --> 00:09:50,559 Speaker 1: Football League. At Cal Green's, he played in forty eight 177 00:09:50,800 --> 00:09:54,440 Speaker 1: out of a possible fifty games. He made thirty three starts, 178 00:09:55,240 --> 00:10:01,120 Speaker 1: including nine consecutive, and then you look what he did 179 00:10:02,000 --> 00:10:06,839 Speaker 1: in terms of production, hundred and seventy one tackles, seven interceptions, 180 00:10:07,160 --> 00:10:11,319 Speaker 1: nineteen pass defenses, three force fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. 181 00:10:11,400 --> 00:10:15,360 Speaker 1: So he filed the football and athletic guy. We'll talk 182 00:10:15,400 --> 00:10:18,320 Speaker 1: about his track background here in a moment, but the 183 00:10:18,360 --> 00:10:21,360 Speaker 1: other thing he did was contribute on special teams more 184 00:10:21,400 --> 00:10:26,520 Speaker 1: than seventeen hundred all purpose yards. Very fast, guy contributed 185 00:10:26,640 --> 00:10:29,080 Speaker 1: as a kick returner. You talked about what he did 186 00:10:29,160 --> 00:10:33,800 Speaker 1: early on from a gunner position. This is guy who 187 00:10:34,120 --> 00:10:38,920 Speaker 1: you mentioned the fabric, a great desire to play this game, 188 00:10:39,679 --> 00:10:43,760 Speaker 1: a great flexibility, a great passion, and I think he's 189 00:10:43,800 --> 00:10:46,680 Speaker 1: gonna fit in and we're gonna talk about this in 190 00:10:46,720 --> 00:10:49,720 Speaker 1: a little bit. I think he's a perfect fit for 191 00:10:49,840 --> 00:10:54,040 Speaker 1: what the Jets are going to do defensively. I think 192 00:10:54,080 --> 00:10:57,520 Speaker 1: something else I like about Davis is he used track 193 00:10:57,600 --> 00:11:00,640 Speaker 1: as a way to get on the football all radar, 194 00:11:01,040 --> 00:11:03,160 Speaker 1: but he was still a four year member of the 195 00:11:03,200 --> 00:11:06,560 Speaker 1: Golden Bears track team. He was a four time All American. 196 00:11:06,960 --> 00:11:10,520 Speaker 1: He won a pack twelveth championship. He qualified for the 197 00:11:10,640 --> 00:11:14,480 Speaker 1: n C Double A Championships in eighteen. He finished fourteen 198 00:11:14,920 --> 00:11:18,760 Speaker 1: and the hundred ten meter hurdles, and he got a 199 00:11:18,880 --> 00:11:22,360 Speaker 1: track scholarship, but he turned it down here because it 200 00:11:22,440 --> 00:11:25,040 Speaker 1: meant that he would have to give up his football dreams. 201 00:11:25,040 --> 00:11:27,520 Speaker 1: And he was actually put on scholarship for the Golden 202 00:11:27,520 --> 00:11:30,960 Speaker 1: Bears football team in twenty seventeen. I know we feel 203 00:11:30,960 --> 00:11:32,960 Speaker 1: like we're beating a dead horse saying it, but he's 204 00:11:33,000 --> 00:11:38,360 Speaker 1: really worked up to where he was the sixty overall 205 00:11:38,400 --> 00:11:42,440 Speaker 1: selection real quick, just on his pre draft process. He 206 00:11:42,480 --> 00:11:44,959 Speaker 1: gets hurt at the end of the year. He undergo surgery. 207 00:11:45,040 --> 00:11:47,840 Speaker 1: And this is a guy where Phil Savage said this 208 00:11:48,320 --> 00:11:52,320 Speaker 1: he was hurt by an evaluation standpoint, because he wasn't 209 00:11:52,360 --> 00:11:54,960 Speaker 1: able to participate in any of the All Star games. 210 00:11:55,240 --> 00:11:57,840 Speaker 1: In the combine, he didn't have a medical recheck the 211 00:11:57,880 --> 00:11:59,840 Speaker 1: pro the teams couldn't get him in for a top thirty. 212 00:12:00,040 --> 00:12:02,439 Speaker 1: Is it? So this is another guy where the Jets 213 00:12:02,480 --> 00:12:04,800 Speaker 1: might have gotten great value At the end of the day. 214 00:12:04,800 --> 00:12:06,800 Speaker 1: We might be looking at this in a couple of 215 00:12:06,880 --> 00:12:08,880 Speaker 1: years and say, wow, how did Ashton Davis fall to 216 00:12:08,960 --> 00:12:13,520 Speaker 1: the overall selection? And this is because of an unusual process. 217 00:12:13,520 --> 00:12:15,920 Speaker 1: He certainly would have ran while we know that and 218 00:12:15,960 --> 00:12:18,760 Speaker 1: the kid is trained in it, you know, so you're 219 00:12:18,800 --> 00:12:22,840 Speaker 1: thinking that he did not have the ability in Indianapolis 220 00:12:23,000 --> 00:12:26,720 Speaker 1: to run the forty yard dash where you know he 221 00:12:26,800 --> 00:12:29,840 Speaker 1: would have thrived in that area. And then at the 222 00:12:29,880 --> 00:12:35,160 Speaker 1: senior bolt too, we mentioned Dunzel Mims overall selection by 223 00:12:35,200 --> 00:12:39,800 Speaker 1: the Jets. Well, he had a dominant week Donomobile Alabama 224 00:12:39,840 --> 00:12:45,120 Speaker 1: and helped his draft status in terms of proteins. Looking 225 00:12:45,160 --> 00:12:48,440 Speaker 1: at him. Well, Ashton Davis didn't have the ability to 226 00:12:48,520 --> 00:12:51,960 Speaker 1: go down there and perform physically on the field in 227 00:12:52,040 --> 00:12:54,480 Speaker 1: front of all those scalps. So yeah, there definitely is 228 00:12:54,600 --> 00:12:58,240 Speaker 1: reason to think that this is strong value here. And 229 00:12:58,320 --> 00:13:01,839 Speaker 1: you hear a lot of punt It's talk about Ashton Davis, 230 00:13:02,240 --> 00:13:05,280 Speaker 1: what he brings from an a tangible standpoint, and then 231 00:13:05,360 --> 00:13:10,840 Speaker 1: also how freakish is athletically. I think it's fair to 232 00:13:10,920 --> 00:13:16,040 Speaker 1: say any person who walks on at cal to be 233 00:13:16,960 --> 00:13:20,360 Speaker 1: a track and field star. In Nanny Binghams a football 234 00:13:20,400 --> 00:13:23,880 Speaker 1: star as well, they have some freak athletic tenant season. 235 00:13:23,880 --> 00:13:27,600 Speaker 1: And also it talks about their drive and what's inside 236 00:13:27,640 --> 00:13:30,600 Speaker 1: and those are things he certainly can't measure. All right, 237 00:13:30,720 --> 00:13:33,600 Speaker 1: let's hear from Olivy land Is, who spoke to Ashton 238 00:13:33,720 --> 00:13:37,320 Speaker 1: Davis after he was selected. It's safe to say that 239 00:13:37,400 --> 00:13:39,880 Speaker 1: you've had quite the journey to get to this point. 240 00:13:40,280 --> 00:13:42,760 Speaker 1: What were some of your initial reactions when you heard 241 00:13:42,760 --> 00:13:45,680 Speaker 1: your name called off the board. I didn't know what 242 00:13:45,760 --> 00:13:48,240 Speaker 1: to think that I was just I was so happy, 243 00:13:48,440 --> 00:13:51,200 Speaker 1: you know. Um, I was happy to see my mom's 244 00:13:51,400 --> 00:13:54,280 Speaker 1: look at my mom's face and my dad's face. Everyone 245 00:13:54,360 --> 00:13:57,240 Speaker 1: was just so happy for me and that was amazing 246 00:13:57,280 --> 00:13:59,720 Speaker 1: to see and um, you know, I can still hear 247 00:13:59,760 --> 00:14:02,960 Speaker 1: them dreaming in the background here, So that really brought 248 00:14:03,000 --> 00:14:04,840 Speaker 1: me a lot of joy and just you know, from 249 00:14:04,880 --> 00:14:10,160 Speaker 1: my own personal accomplishments. Um, it felt really good thinking 250 00:14:10,200 --> 00:14:12,360 Speaker 1: back to your own journey. Like I mentioned, you started 251 00:14:12,360 --> 00:14:14,840 Speaker 1: out as a track star. Were tracks star still in 252 00:14:14,880 --> 00:14:18,760 Speaker 1: college balancing both of that and football? How much work 253 00:14:18,840 --> 00:14:20,920 Speaker 1: did you have to put in on the football side 254 00:14:20,960 --> 00:14:24,320 Speaker 1: to get to this point today. I had to put 255 00:14:24,320 --> 00:14:25,880 Speaker 1: on a lot of work. So I would go to 256 00:14:25,920 --> 00:14:29,840 Speaker 1: spring wal practices and then track right after. I basically 257 00:14:29,840 --> 00:14:31,480 Speaker 1: had to do both like I was a walk on, 258 00:14:31,680 --> 00:14:34,480 Speaker 1: because I was, and uh, but I put in I 259 00:14:34,560 --> 00:14:36,960 Speaker 1: put in a fair amount of work. When I got 260 00:14:36,960 --> 00:14:40,440 Speaker 1: switched to safety, I uh, we're going to film at 261 00:14:40,440 --> 00:14:43,160 Speaker 1: five thirty am. We called it the breakfast Club, and 262 00:14:43,480 --> 00:14:45,120 Speaker 1: we were just trying to learn the scheme and trying 263 00:14:45,160 --> 00:14:48,400 Speaker 1: to get it down and all that, you know, began 264 00:14:48,480 --> 00:14:51,520 Speaker 1: to come to fruition by the time I got moved 265 00:14:51,520 --> 00:14:54,840 Speaker 1: to safety and started my first game. For a lot 266 00:14:54,880 --> 00:14:57,920 Speaker 1: of people who were not college athletes, I'm not sure 267 00:14:57,920 --> 00:15:01,000 Speaker 1: that they understand how crazy of a schedule that is. 268 00:15:01,040 --> 00:15:04,080 Speaker 1: But you being first a track star. You know a 269 00:15:04,120 --> 00:15:06,720 Speaker 1: lot of accomplishments here they packed twelve winner in the 270 00:15:06,800 --> 00:15:11,920 Speaker 1: hunter and ten hurdles. And how much did your track 271 00:15:13,160 --> 00:15:16,280 Speaker 1: your your track resume help you in football because you 272 00:15:16,320 --> 00:15:20,720 Speaker 1: had to do both. Yeah, um, we'll track help me out. Fortunately, 273 00:15:20,800 --> 00:15:23,160 Speaker 1: my first year in track, I did really well and 274 00:15:23,240 --> 00:15:25,280 Speaker 1: that kind of got the ear of football coaches a 275 00:15:25,280 --> 00:15:29,360 Speaker 1: little bit. And um, you know, affording me that opportunity. Um, 276 00:15:29,440 --> 00:15:32,720 Speaker 1: and just the whole mindset training for tracks a lot different. Um, 277 00:15:32,800 --> 00:15:34,400 Speaker 1: A lot of times you're out there running by yourself. 278 00:15:34,560 --> 00:15:36,120 Speaker 1: You gotta hit your own times. You gotta be pretty 279 00:15:36,120 --> 00:15:38,680 Speaker 1: disciplined or else you're gonna you know, you're not gonna 280 00:15:38,680 --> 00:15:41,120 Speaker 1: get the results you want. Come come to meat day 281 00:15:41,560 --> 00:15:45,360 Speaker 1: so that that mindset is carried over with me. And UM, 282 00:15:45,480 --> 00:15:46,840 Speaker 1: yeah it was, there was. It was a lot on 283 00:15:46,880 --> 00:15:49,280 Speaker 1: my plate. But I was blessed to have those problems. 284 00:15:49,360 --> 00:15:53,040 Speaker 1: Those are good problems to have. You mentioned a little 285 00:15:53,040 --> 00:15:55,200 Speaker 1: bit earlier. So let's circle back. You said you first 286 00:15:55,200 --> 00:15:58,200 Speaker 1: started out in the cornerback position and then you transitioned 287 00:15:58,320 --> 00:16:03,680 Speaker 1: to safety. How difficult was that transition at first? Um? 288 00:16:03,720 --> 00:16:06,400 Speaker 1: I felt a lot more comfortable with safety. So, UM, 289 00:16:06,400 --> 00:16:08,880 Speaker 1: back in high school, we didn't have like a ton 290 00:16:08,920 --> 00:16:12,120 Speaker 1: of schemes. So it was it was when I switched 291 00:16:12,160 --> 00:16:14,600 Speaker 1: to safety, it just felt natural. Um, learning all that 292 00:16:14,640 --> 00:16:18,320 Speaker 1: stuff was it was. It came really quickly to me, 293 00:16:18,360 --> 00:16:21,160 Speaker 1: and it all kind of just made sense. And so 294 00:16:21,200 --> 00:16:25,760 Speaker 1: if it was really natural transition. Now that you have 295 00:16:25,800 --> 00:16:30,400 Speaker 1: experience in both the cornerback position and safety, how versatile 296 00:16:30,440 --> 00:16:33,120 Speaker 1: would you consider yourself in both positions? And how much 297 00:16:33,120 --> 00:16:35,160 Speaker 1: do do you do you think you can contribute to 298 00:16:35,160 --> 00:16:38,920 Speaker 1: both positions. I think I can contribute, you know, anywhere 299 00:16:38,960 --> 00:16:43,200 Speaker 1: they put me. Um, I'm comfortable on the outside, inside, um, 300 00:16:43,200 --> 00:16:46,360 Speaker 1: whatever the case. Maybe you know during one on ones 301 00:16:46,640 --> 00:16:50,360 Speaker 1: would take reps with the corners as well. So I just, yeah, 302 00:16:50,360 --> 00:16:54,480 Speaker 1: I feel comfortable wherever they want to put me. Going 303 00:16:54,480 --> 00:16:57,320 Speaker 1: off that a little bit, defensive coordinator Greg Williams, he's 304 00:16:57,360 --> 00:16:59,840 Speaker 1: been known around the league for making all of his 305 00:17:00,040 --> 00:17:04,120 Speaker 1: defensive players learned at the very least two different positions. 306 00:17:04,240 --> 00:17:06,800 Speaker 1: Sounds like you're already off to a head start. So 307 00:17:07,320 --> 00:17:10,720 Speaker 1: when you think about that and how he handles his players, 308 00:17:10,920 --> 00:17:12,960 Speaker 1: what would you tell him that you can bring to 309 00:17:13,000 --> 00:17:14,639 Speaker 1: the table. You already kind of mentioned a little bit, 310 00:17:14,640 --> 00:17:18,119 Speaker 1: But when you think about Greg Williams specifically. UM, well, 311 00:17:18,160 --> 00:17:20,600 Speaker 1: if he's a guy that likes people that know multiple positions, 312 00:17:20,600 --> 00:17:24,560 Speaker 1: I think that, uh that I'm a good fit for that. Um, 313 00:17:24,600 --> 00:17:26,840 Speaker 1: you know. I that was something that I kind of 314 00:17:26,840 --> 00:17:29,200 Speaker 1: took the next step on after my first year of 315 00:17:29,280 --> 00:17:32,200 Speaker 1: playing safety. I wanted to know every position and not 316 00:17:32,280 --> 00:17:34,919 Speaker 1: just my responsibility, but that way they could put me, 317 00:17:35,920 --> 00:17:38,159 Speaker 1: um if someone went down. And um we did that 318 00:17:38,200 --> 00:17:40,360 Speaker 1: actually this year a couple of times, and I knew 319 00:17:40,359 --> 00:17:42,199 Speaker 1: the scheme well enough where they could just plug me 320 00:17:42,200 --> 00:17:47,000 Speaker 1: in and play me aston if you were to be 321 00:17:47,040 --> 00:17:50,639 Speaker 1: able to play some of the safety positions. Pro bowler 322 00:17:50,720 --> 00:17:53,280 Speaker 1: Jamal Adams is also back there at safety, and then 323 00:17:53,320 --> 00:17:55,800 Speaker 1: Marcus May. How much do you think you can learn 324 00:17:55,880 --> 00:18:00,440 Speaker 1: from players of that caliber? I'm excited, Um, mom is 325 00:18:00,480 --> 00:18:03,359 Speaker 1: a guy watched on tape, and Marcus May he's also 326 00:18:03,720 --> 00:18:06,720 Speaker 1: really talented. So I look forward to learn from those guys. Um. 327 00:18:06,800 --> 00:18:10,080 Speaker 1: That's one thing I'm excited about for sure. UM is 328 00:18:10,359 --> 00:18:12,000 Speaker 1: you know, getting behind to two guys that know what 329 00:18:12,040 --> 00:18:14,399 Speaker 1: they're doing back there and uh soaking up all that 330 00:18:14,440 --> 00:18:18,399 Speaker 1: knowledge real quickly before I let you go. You also 331 00:18:18,400 --> 00:18:22,480 Speaker 1: contributed to special teams back at cal. What was some 332 00:18:22,600 --> 00:18:24,840 Speaker 1: of your roles and how do you think you can 333 00:18:24,840 --> 00:18:28,679 Speaker 1: continue that in the NFL? Yeah, so on kickoff, I 334 00:18:28,800 --> 00:18:31,440 Speaker 1: was a gunner. Um, I was a gun around pun 335 00:18:31,440 --> 00:18:34,440 Speaker 1: as well. I played a variety of position on punt 336 00:18:34,440 --> 00:18:39,040 Speaker 1: return and kickoff return. I also returned punts and kick kickoffs. 337 00:18:39,160 --> 00:18:41,960 Speaker 1: And yeah, I kind of tried to do as much 338 00:18:42,000 --> 00:18:44,440 Speaker 1: as I could on that. And uh, such teams is 339 00:18:44,480 --> 00:18:46,280 Speaker 1: something that I enjoy doing and think that I can 340 00:18:46,600 --> 00:18:49,560 Speaker 1: I can help us with at the next level. And 341 00:18:49,840 --> 00:18:52,160 Speaker 1: let's now take a look at where Davis fits in 342 00:18:52,560 --> 00:18:54,960 Speaker 1: on this Jets defense. We mentioned that he was a 343 00:18:55,080 --> 00:18:59,960 Speaker 1: versatile peace. Greg Williams loves versatility and at the safety position. 344 00:19:00,080 --> 00:19:03,240 Speaker 1: Of course, Jamal Adams and Marcus May the starters, but 345 00:19:03,400 --> 00:19:06,160 Speaker 1: after those two guys a bit of a question mark 346 00:19:06,440 --> 00:19:11,040 Speaker 1: before Ashton Davis came into the fold here, Yeah, and 347 00:19:11,200 --> 00:19:14,800 Speaker 1: the Jets may have the best safety and the entire 348 00:19:14,880 --> 00:19:18,480 Speaker 1: National Football leave Jamal Adams two time team I'm VP, 349 00:19:18,840 --> 00:19:23,240 Speaker 1: he was first team All Pro last year, two time 350 00:19:23,320 --> 00:19:27,879 Speaker 1: Pro Bowler. He's such a destructive force and instinct the 351 00:19:28,000 --> 00:19:31,320 Speaker 1: ball player. Um. But the only player in the defensive 352 00:19:31,320 --> 00:19:35,120 Speaker 1: backfield who played sixteen games last year was Marcus May, 353 00:19:35,200 --> 00:19:38,840 Speaker 1: and he's range e. Uh, he helps these guys get 354 00:19:39,000 --> 00:19:44,000 Speaker 1: set up. He is, uh, the central command piece back there. 355 00:19:44,080 --> 00:19:47,440 Speaker 1: When the Jets had so many issues at the cornerback position, 356 00:19:47,920 --> 00:19:50,640 Speaker 1: all those young cornerbacks who came in and played, they 357 00:19:50,720 --> 00:19:53,879 Speaker 1: point to Marcus May and say, hey, he's the guy 358 00:19:53,960 --> 00:19:57,480 Speaker 1: who's kind of determined our shock clock, when we should 359 00:19:57,480 --> 00:20:01,000 Speaker 1: be disguising, when when we should be coming off markets. 360 00:20:01,000 --> 00:20:03,320 Speaker 1: May doesn't get enough credit for what he brings to 361 00:20:03,320 --> 00:20:06,160 Speaker 1: the table on this team. But with that being said, 362 00:20:06,200 --> 00:20:09,919 Speaker 1: like you mentioned Greens, who was gonna be that third 363 00:20:10,080 --> 00:20:14,480 Speaker 1: piece behind those guys. In the National Football League, a 364 00:20:14,520 --> 00:20:18,760 Speaker 1: lot of people say that your your base defense is 365 00:20:19,160 --> 00:20:22,040 Speaker 1: a sub package, whether you're playing five defensive backs the 366 00:20:22,119 --> 00:20:27,040 Speaker 1: Nickel scheme or sometimes even dying depending on what offenses 367 00:20:27,040 --> 00:20:30,800 Speaker 1: are doing. Sometimes you're throwing out there six defensive backs 368 00:20:30,880 --> 00:20:34,399 Speaker 1: on the field. What you like about Ashton Davis is 369 00:20:34,680 --> 00:20:37,639 Speaker 1: when he started getting on the field defensively for the 370 00:20:37,720 --> 00:20:41,919 Speaker 1: Kel Golden Bears, it was at cornerback. So you know 371 00:20:42,119 --> 00:20:46,720 Speaker 1: he has free safety skills evidenced by his seven interceptions, 372 00:20:46,880 --> 00:20:50,720 Speaker 1: and we've talked about his speed, but other people talk 373 00:20:50,800 --> 00:20:54,480 Speaker 1: about when you watch him on the film, is He's 374 00:20:54,520 --> 00:20:58,359 Speaker 1: another guy who brings a physical element to the game. 375 00:20:58,640 --> 00:21:02,879 Speaker 1: He does not act away from contact, and that should 376 00:21:02,880 --> 00:21:06,919 Speaker 1: be no surprise given his background. So now what you 377 00:21:07,040 --> 00:21:10,919 Speaker 1: have is you have Jamal Adams, you have Marcus May. 378 00:21:11,080 --> 00:21:14,280 Speaker 1: Those are two versatile pieces. But you add this guy 379 00:21:14,359 --> 00:21:18,440 Speaker 1: to the equation, you have the potential to use him 380 00:21:18,480 --> 00:21:21,880 Speaker 1: as a big, big nickel. And what you like about 381 00:21:21,920 --> 00:21:26,159 Speaker 1: the Jets defensive backs let's include Brian pull into the 382 00:21:26,200 --> 00:21:29,440 Speaker 1: mix here, is that you can walk these guys down 383 00:21:29,600 --> 00:21:34,480 Speaker 1: in the box, guys like Ashton Davis, Jamal Adams, Brian Poole, 384 00:21:34,800 --> 00:21:39,080 Speaker 1: and you're not giving up anything with your run defense. 385 00:21:39,200 --> 00:21:42,280 Speaker 1: And those guys can get over. A guy like Ashton 386 00:21:42,359 --> 00:21:44,439 Speaker 1: Davis can get over a tight end and say, Okay, 387 00:21:44,520 --> 00:21:49,600 Speaker 1: I got you. Yeah. I think that something you mentioned 388 00:21:49,640 --> 00:21:52,560 Speaker 1: in terms of Marcus May is something that chat Alexander 389 00:21:52,600 --> 00:21:56,720 Speaker 1: mentioned that Ashton Davis, Marcus May, and Ashton Davis both 390 00:21:56,760 --> 00:21:59,919 Speaker 1: may not have maybe eye popping stats at the end 391 00:21:59,920 --> 00:22:02,440 Speaker 1: of the day, but something that they both do very well, 392 00:22:02,720 --> 00:22:07,720 Speaker 1: according to different people, is that they erase a lot 393 00:22:07,760 --> 00:22:10,439 Speaker 1: of things, a lot of problems that your secondary might have, 394 00:22:10,520 --> 00:22:13,080 Speaker 1: and they cover up a lot for the corners throughout 395 00:22:13,080 --> 00:22:16,479 Speaker 1: a play and something that I can only imagine Ashton 396 00:22:16,600 --> 00:22:20,399 Speaker 1: Davis fully healthy, with Marcus May and Jamal Adams, what 397 00:22:20,600 --> 00:22:25,760 Speaker 1: kind of pre snap manipulation Greg Williams will want to deploy. 398 00:22:25,800 --> 00:22:27,720 Speaker 1: I think that at the end of the day, maybe 399 00:22:27,800 --> 00:22:30,320 Speaker 1: safety wasn't the position a lot of Jets fans were 400 00:22:30,359 --> 00:22:33,520 Speaker 1: thinking about in the third round because of guys like 401 00:22:33,640 --> 00:22:36,120 Speaker 1: Jamal Adams and Marcus May. But this is a guy 402 00:22:36,240 --> 00:22:40,280 Speaker 1: that can one step on the field in sub packages 403 00:22:40,359 --> 00:22:42,520 Speaker 1: to your point, and the other part of this is 404 00:22:42,520 --> 00:22:45,800 Speaker 1: he might become a key cog and brand Lawyer's scheme, 405 00:22:45,840 --> 00:22:49,760 Speaker 1: whether that's returning, whether that's coverage. But this is who 406 00:22:49,840 --> 00:22:53,400 Speaker 1: chat Alexander described as a four down player for the Jets. 407 00:22:54,080 --> 00:22:56,440 Speaker 1: I think we had caught up too much in the 408 00:22:56,600 --> 00:23:00,280 Speaker 1: positions because this guy, to me is a defensive back 409 00:23:00,359 --> 00:23:04,440 Speaker 1: and you can use them in multiple ways. And the Jets, Uh, 410 00:23:04,560 --> 00:23:09,240 Speaker 1: They're gonna be hell to play, especially on third down 411 00:23:09,440 --> 00:23:13,520 Speaker 1: next year because what Greg Williams can do. Because you're 412 00:23:13,520 --> 00:23:17,480 Speaker 1: getting c J. Mosley back. But c J. Mosley is 413 00:23:17,480 --> 00:23:20,440 Speaker 1: not leaving the field. Okay, we know that when c J. 414 00:23:20,560 --> 00:23:24,840 Speaker 1: Mosley is healthy fifty sevens out there, he ain't leaving, 415 00:23:25,440 --> 00:23:31,000 Speaker 1: but you can walk these guys down. Jamal Adams, in effect, 416 00:23:31,280 --> 00:23:36,440 Speaker 1: he can play linebacker and so can Pool. They can 417 00:23:36,520 --> 00:23:40,480 Speaker 1: line up as linebackers. Ashton Davis Ken as well. I'm 418 00:23:40,520 --> 00:23:44,120 Speaker 1: not saying in base I'm saying in certain situations, and 419 00:23:44,520 --> 00:23:49,360 Speaker 1: these guys have the versatility to move around, so you're 420 00:23:49,359 --> 00:23:52,400 Speaker 1: gonna see that as well. And the Jets took advantage 421 00:23:52,440 --> 00:23:57,200 Speaker 1: of Jamal Adams last year so much with his very 422 00:23:57,359 --> 00:24:01,480 Speaker 1: unique pass rushing problems. But Greg Williams is going to 423 00:24:01,560 --> 00:24:07,000 Speaker 1: attack the quarterback with defensive backs at times. You're adding 424 00:24:07,119 --> 00:24:10,840 Speaker 1: versatile pieces of the defensive backfield, Guys who can cover, 425 00:24:11,320 --> 00:24:13,800 Speaker 1: guys who can play the ron, and guys can come 426 00:24:13,880 --> 00:24:19,320 Speaker 1: up field and be affected with their pass rush. Very 427 00:24:19,320 --> 00:24:23,480 Speaker 1: well said. That was another edition of the Official Jets 428 00:24:23,520 --> 00:24:28,199 Speaker 1: podcast Draft Pick Profile series presented by Verizon. Next up, 429 00:24:28,520 --> 00:24:31,600 Speaker 1: E A and I going down to Gainesville with Florida 430 00:24:31,680 --> 00:24:41,800 Speaker 1: defensive lineman Jabari Zaniga