Giants roster news: Giants sign LB Jarrad Davis

The New York Giants announced Wednesday that they had signed linebacker Jarrad Davis off of the Detroit Lions practice squad.

Davis, 28, was originally drafted by the Lions out of the University of Florida in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Davis is compact, powerful linebacker with good strength playing downhill as well as the athleticism to pay in space as an off-ball linebacker. He was also well regarded as an intense and high-character leader for the Florida defense.

Davis was a popular player among Giants’ fans at the time of his draft, but never quite lived up to being drafted 21st overall — particularly over the last three seasons.

Davis started 41 games for the Lions as a MIKE linebacker over his first three seasons. Over that period he racked up 259 tackles, 18 tackles for a loss, 18 QB hits, 10 sacks, five forced fumbles, and nine passes defensed.

Since 2020, he’s played in 23 games (starting nine) for the Lions and New York Jets, with 79 total tackles, one tackle for a loss, and fourQB hits.

The Giants are still searching for an answer at the linebacker position, and continue to renovate their linebacker position on the fly. Landon Collins played well last week as a mid-season addition and the Giants also added Jaylon Smith in late September. The Giants waived Tae Crowder a week ago, moving on from their season-opening starter. Crowder was signed off the Giants practice squad on Tuesday by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Hopefully Davis will be another under-the-radar gem found by Joe Schoen and help improve the second level of the Giants’ defense.

The move comes after offensive lineman Shane Lemieux was placed on injured reserve, creating an open roster spot.