Steelers Bring In Intriguing Former First-Round Pick For Tryout

The Pittsburgh Steelers used mandatory minicamp to take a look at another defensive reclamation project. It was not a signing, and it does not guarantee anything moving forward, but the tryout came with enough background to make it more interesting than a normal offseason roster note.

That player was former Washington Commanders first-round pick Jamin Davis, who was in Pittsburgh on a tryout basis during minicamp. Steelers.com’s Brian Batko reported that Davis was one of the players getting a look from the Steelers as the team continues evaluating potential depth options.

Davis being in the building does not mean a deal is coming, but it does give the Steelers a chance to evaluate a player who once carried major expectations. Washington selected Davis with the 19th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft after he flashed the type of size and athletic ability that teams love at linebacker.

That draft status does not mean nearly as much several years later, but it explains why teams would still be willing to see if something remains that is worth developing. Davis has not become the player Washington hoped it was getting, but he has enough physical tools and experience to make a tryout worthwhile. This is also not a random defensive look for Pittsburgh.

The Steelers have coaches in the building who should have a better understanding of Davis than most. Joe Whitt Jr. is now Pittsburgh’s assistant head coach and secondary coach. Jason Simmons is the team’s defensive pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach. Both were with Washington while Davis was still there, which gives the Steelers a layer of familiarity that matters in a situation like this.

That does not mean either coach is pushing for Davis to be signed. It simply means Pittsburgh can lean on more than a workout evaluation. The staff can consider how Davis worked in meetings, how he handled coaching, how he fit inside a defensive room, and why things did or did not work out during his time with Washington. That type of background can matter when a team is deciding whether a player deserves more than a tryout.

Davis is not a simple player to evaluate from the outside. He entered the league as an off-ball linebacker, but Washington later experimented with him more as an edge rusher. That kind of position change is not easy. A player has to learn different run fits, rush angles, hand usage, and responsibilities that do not always translate cleanly from one role to another.

The Steelers may not need Davis to be one specific thing right away. During this part of the offseason, teams are often looking for traits, competition, and players who might be worth a longer look in training camp. Davis gives Pittsburgh a player with athletic upside, starting experience, and enough defensive background to make the tryout worth monitoring.

His best NFL season came in 2022, when he recorded 104 tackles and three sacks with the Commanders. That production shows there was a time when he looked like more than just a former first-round pick trying to hang on. The problem is that his career has become unstable since then, which is why he is now trying to earn another opportunity.

Patrick Graham’s presence adds another layer. Graham is entering his first season as the Steelers’ defensive coordinator after spending the previous four seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders. Davis also had a short stop with the Raiders, so Pittsburgh’s defensive staff has multiple possible points of reference with him.

None of that makes Davis close to a roster spot. It does make the tryout more interesting. The Steelers have been reshaping parts of their defense under a new staff, and this is the time of year when teams search for low-risk players who might be able to help later. Davis would have to prove he can contribute on defense, special teams, or both, but the athletic profile is why the conversation still exists.

Steelers Can Use Tryouts To Find Hidden Defensive Depth

The Steelers are not looking for a star in every minicamp tryout. Sometimes, they are looking for a player who can compete, push the bottom of the roster, and give the coaching staff another option before training camp.

That is what makes Davis worth watching. He has the draft background, the athletic traits, and the coaching connections to make this more than a random name passing through the building. Whitt, Simmons, and Graham should have enough information to know whether there is still something there. For now, Davis is only getting a look. Sometimes, though, that is enough to reopen the door.

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