Defensive tackle Jordan Davis spent the offseason getting his body in tip-top shape, and it’s starting to pay off. 

The fourth year product out of Georgia played last season at 340 pounds, and in the offseason, shed 26 pounds. With Carter out for the whole game, it forced the Philadelphia Eagles to turn to Davis and lean on him throughout the game.

“I think about my rookie, my second year, that would have been a very tough game for me if I had to go out there and play all those snaps," Davis recalled. "That’s no surprise, that’s no secret. Just going out there and working. Y’all see the hard work that’s been going in. My body is changing. I look good. I hope I look good. But my body is changing, I feel great and it’s more about the feeling. I feel great going out on the field. I feel like I’m capable.”

His defensive coordinator, Vic Fangio echoed Davis’ sentiment:

“Very much so. I don't think he could have played that amount of snaps as well as he did previously.”

Davis was only a three-star recruit when he was brought onto Georgia. But as he got older, he became more of a presence in the trenches, causing havoc and creating pressure for opposing quarterbacks. 

In his senior season, when the Bulldogs came away with the National Championship, Davis registered 32 total tackles, five tackles for loss, and two sacks.

And now as he’s gotten more experienced in the NFL, by winning Super Bowl 57 with the Eagles, he’s out for even more.

“I know the more I’m on the field, the more I’m able to contribute and that just helps me be a better player. My thing is just contribution. I don’t really care if that’s taking a double-team, getting a tackle, getting a sack, it doesn’t matter. I just want to be out there and play. I just want to have fun with the guys, enjoy it and just pull out the win.”

Davis has served his purpose on the defensive line. He’s done his job becoming the disruptor that he was with Georgia. His numbers may not be gaudy, but that’s why he’s so crucial to Philadelphia’s defense – so much so that the Eagles picked up the fifth year option on his rookie deal.

In the one game against Dallas that required him to play every single snap, Davis was a star. He posted six total tackles and three solos, along with a tackle-for-loss and a pass deflection.

If Davis continues this pace, it may end up forcing the Eagles’ hand. Once his fifth year on his contract runs out, there may be a whole lot of dollar signs for him.