A recent development in Jacksonville might have implications for the Giants, particularly following the release of wide receiver Gabe Davis on Wednesday morning.
General Manager Joe Shane and head coach Brian Daboll have a history with Davis from their time together with the Bills.
Interestingly, the Giants didn’t pick any wide receivers during the recent NFL Draft, nor did they sign any high-profile free agents in that position beforehand. So, with the roster in need of some improvement, Davis could be a solid opportunity for them.
When Davis was selected as a fourth-round pick from Central Florida in 2020, Shane was the assistant general manager, and Daboll served as the offensive coordinator for the Bills.
Shane played a pivotal role in Davis’ selection, working closely with then-head coach Josh Heupel to align what was needed for Daboll’s offense.
“He had a clear idea of what he wanted, and in the fourth round, Davis was a perfect fit for that,” Shane noted back in 2022.
Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 225 pounds, Davis proved to be an exceptional choice for the Bills. He caught seven touchdown passes during his rookie year in 2020, totaling 27 touchdowns over his four seasons in Buffalo.
He also had a remarkable playoff run in 2021, where, in an AFC divisional game against the Chiefs, Davis caught eight passes for an impressive 201 yards and set an NFL record with four touchdown receptions, despite the team’s overtime loss.
Davis quickly embraced the versatile roles that fit into Daboll’s offensive scheme.
In the last offseason, he inked a three-year, $39 million deal with the Jaguars, which included a $24 million guarantee. Unfortunately, his time in Jacksonville was less than stellar, as he managed only 20 receptions for 239 yards and two touchdowns over ten games. He ended the season sidelined due to a torn meniscus.
He’s just 26, and given their previous connections, his return to the Giants seems plausible, adding depth to the receiving corps alongside Malik Nabers, Wan’Dale Robinson, and Darius Slayton.
Meanwhile, the disappointing third-round pick, Jalin Hyatt, is trying to revitalize his NFL career after a lackluster 2024 season.
The Giants bolstered their depth by signing two veteran receivers, Lil’ Jordan Humphrey and Zac Pascal, and also brought in several undrafted free agents.
It’s noteworthy that the Jaguars released Davis just over a year after signing him, leading to a dead salary cap hit of $20 million.
With Brian Thomas now the primary target, the Jaguars also signed Diami Brown and selected receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter with the second overall pick in the draft, indicating that they had moved on from Davis.
This all sets the stage for a potential reunion between Shane and Daboll.
