NFL Trade Rumors
Veteran WR Gabriel Davis hits the free agent market once again after being released by the Jaguars. He had a productive four years in Buffalo as a secondary receiving option before signing with Jacksonville in the 2024 free agent cycle. Davis struggled in his new stop, totaling just 20 catches and 239 yards across 10 games. PFF had him with a 52.5 overall grade, ranking 127th of 133 qualifying receivers.
Those numbers paint a clear picture as to why the Jaguars moved on, but Davis had four years of solid production on his rookie contract with the Bills. He topped out with an 81.5 PFF grade in 2021, but his most productive statistical years were 2022 and 2023. Between them, he had 93 catches for 1,582 yards and 14 touchdowns, with PFF grades of 66.4 and 67.9 that ranked 60th and 61st among wide receivers, respectively.
As evident in his statistical profile, Davis operates primarily as a deep threat. He can attack the middle of the field, but he’s a possession receiver and downfield weapon. With a big 6-3, 225-pound frame, he offers a unique skillset. He can beat press coverage and win in contested catch scenarios, dominating against smaller corners. While he’ll likely sign on for a depth role at this point, Davis has the potential to carve out an important role on a playoff team, much as he did a few years ago in Buffalo.
One caveat that should be mentioned is health. Davis was limited to 10 games last year before being shut down with a meniscus injury, and the injury probably hampered him even before that. He’s visited a handful of teams already without signing, and a couple have mentioned the knee still being an issue. Wherever Davis signs, he’ll have to pass a physical, so it could take some time.
Davis, 26, was drafted by the Bills out of UCF in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He finished the final year of a four-year, $5.7 million rookie contract and made $2.7 million in 2023 under the PPE program.
He was scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent in 2024 when he signed a three-year, $39 million deal with the Jaguars. Jacksonville waived Davis this past offseason after he failed a physical.
In 2024, Davis appeared in 10 games for the Jaguars and recorded 20 catches on 42 targets for 239 yards and two touchdowns.
We have him included in our Top 100 Available NFL Free Agents list.
The Raiders have a new head coach and new quarterback. After a year off the sidelines, Pete Carroll is the new head man in Vegas, bringing QB Geno Smith with him from Seattle via trade. Most expect Carroll to employ his usual “ground-and-pound” style with his new team, and Vegas drafting Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty No. 6 overall would support that theory.
Still, the Raiders could use some diversity in their receiving room. Second-year TE Brock Bowers will likely lead...
