J.C. Davis, a sixth-round rookie, is playing perfect football for the New York Giants. He’s gone 81 offensive snaps in the preseason without allowing a single pressure on the quarterback. That’s a wild stat for a player who just joined the NFL.
He’s leading the group.
The stats from the recent game against Miami are hard to ignore. During the 26-3 win over the Dolphins on Saturday, Davis played every one of the 81 offensive snaps at left tackle. According to reports, the rookie actually earned the highest overall offensive grade for the Giants. He also posted the team’s best grades for both run and pass blocking during that matchup.
A Rising Force on the Line
Davis is a massive presence at 6 feet 5 inches and 335 pounds. He came to the team as the 192nd overall pick out of Illinois. While he started on the third team, he has moved up to getting reps with the second unit. He is now part of a deep group of players fighting for a spot on the active roster.
The competition for the swing tackle role is heating up. Both Davis and Marcus Mbow are working to prove they belong. Mbow started at right tackle during the Miami game, but Davis showed he can handle the left side too. Per Big Blue View, the depth on this offensive line is something that should not be overstated. It is great to see young talent like this stepping up when the backups get their chance.
Learning from the Best
Physical strength isn’t the only thing at play here. Davis is using this time to study the veterans. He’s currently watching and learning from the team’s starting left tackle, Andrew Thomas. The transition from college to the pros is a huge jump, and Davis knows it.
“As far as watching them, just seeing how different it is – from being that guy at Illinois almost, but he’s that guy in the NFL,” Davis said. He is actively trying to steal as many tricks as possible from the starter. He observed that Thomas performs significantly different work than he does, yet he strives to learn from him and adopt some of his methods. He even acknowledged that certain things cannot match his abilities; that is him.
Opportunities in the Heat
The preseason environment is never easy, especially with the weather. Davis mentioned the intense heat during the game against Miami. He noted that the last time he played in such high temperatures was during his time at New Mexico before his two years at Illinois. Despite the sweat, he stayed focused on the task at hand.
“I think it was a great opportunity for the coaches to see my ability, what I could do at left tackle, and I think it went pretty good,” Davis said. He is staying humble about his performance so far. “Of course, I’ve got things to improve on, but overall, it was a good game. We got the win. That was the most important thing,” he added.
The Giants are watching closely as the preseason continues.
