Saints linebacker Demario Davis disrespected in PFF rankings
It's been commonplace over the years for Pro Football Focus to disrespect and overlook New Orleans Saints players in their yearly positional rankings. After a 5-12 finish last year, the Saints have been widely overlooked in most national circles this offseason. The latest to feel the disrespect is New Orleans linebacker Demario Davis, who has frankly been underrated most of his career.
PFF analyst Mason Cameron ranked the NFL's top 32 NFL linebackers coming into the 2025 season. Demario Davis was slotted in at No. 21 by PFF, in the fifth tier of their six tier rankings. Here's what Cameron wrote for his reasoning.
''Although Davis took a step back in 2024, he is still one of the most effective and decorated linebackers in the NFL, even at 36 years old. His 73.2 PFF overall grade ranked in the top 20, marking his eighth consecutive season of going above 70.0.
While he won't have Dennis Allen as his head coach in 2025, Davis brings ample experience to excel for however long he decides to play.''
Davis, 36 and entering his 14th NFL season, is the oldest player on the New Orleans roster. He was also one of the very few bright spots on an otherwise abysmal Saints defense in 2024. Davis had 136 total tackles, the most of his career and the eighth straight year with at least 105 stops. He also added 2 sacks, 5 tackles for loss, an interception, broke up 7 passes, allowed just 67.3% completion percentage in coverage, and was credited with a 7.5% missed tackle percentage according to Pro Football Reference.
Davis' pressure numbers weren't nearly as high as they've been throughout his other six years with the Saints. Additionally, his five tackles for loss were the fewest of his New Orleans tenure by far. However, there is still no denying his impact and importance to whatever success the Saints have defensively. While he is closer to the end of his career than the beginning, Davis is still one of the best all-around defenders in the NFL.
PFF graded Davis as the second-highest linebacker in the NFC South. He was four spots below former Saint Kaden Elliss of the Atlanta Falcons and one spot above Lavonte David of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. PFF had former Saints linebacker and current Philadelphia Eagles star Zack Baun rated No. 2 in their rankings.
What PFF typically fails to recognize at this position are the more versatile off-ball linebackers, which is one reason why more one-dimensional and lesser players were graded above him. Grades and ratings are certainly subjective, whether made by legitimate analysts or by people that don't watch a position closely. No matter where someone has him rated, there is no doubting the importance that Demario Davis has to the New Orleans Saints and new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley in 2025.
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