A former New Orleans Saints starter may be going turncloak. Per a report from Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, free agent nose tackle Tyeler Davison is visiting the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta has been running thin along the defensive line and could use the help.
The Saints upgraded from Davison early in free agency, signing former New England Patriots starter Malcom Brown to a three-year, $15 million contract. Davison started for the Saints at nose tackle since late in his rookie 2015 season, providing competent but unspectacular play. The Saints drafted Davison in the fifth round of that year’s draft — the Patriots picked Brown late in the first round of the same year.
Since the start of the 2015 season (not including the playoffs), Davison has recorded 19 tackles for loss or no gain, and 3.5 sacks. In that same time, Brown racked up 27 tackles for loss or no gain and 8.5 sacks. From the Saints’ perspective, making that move was an easy decision.
For Davison, Atlanta offers a clear path to another starting gig. Their franchise tagged star defensive tackle Grady Jarrett will own one spot as the pass-rushing three technique, but Davison’s only real competition for the other spot is second-year player Deadrin Senat. Senat was a third-round draft pick in 2018 who appeared sparingly over 15 games, starting just twice. If Davison does sign with the Falcons, he could expect to (at worst) split reps with Senat while lining up at the one technique.
It wouldn’t be great to see Davison cross enemy lines to join the Saints’ division rival, but he’s gotta eat. This is the first reported interest Davison has received in free agency after nearly a month of allowed contact between teams and players.
