It’s been a tough road for Jamin Davis, the Washington Commanders' first-round pick from 2021, who found himself without a team for the fourth time in just over a year. The Las Vegas Raiders released the 27-year-old linebacker on Thursday, marking another chapter in what has become a cautionary tale in NFL draft history.

Davis was selected with the 19th overall pick back in 2021, a choice that raised eyebrows even then. Many analysts considered it a reach, especially with highly-rated prospects like Virginia Tech offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw still on the board. Then-head coach and head of football operations Ron Rivera was drawn to Davis not just for his elite athleticism, but also for his family's military background—a connection that resonated with Rivera's own history. "I'm very partial to guys like that," Rivera said at the time, praising Davis as "a solid young man who's very bright and very intelligent."

Unfortunately, the on-field fit never quite worked out. Washington initially envisioned Davis as a middle linebacker, but quickly realized he was better suited for the outside. When new GM Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn took the reins in 2024, they tried to convert Davis into an edge rusher—a move that lasted only five games before he was released on October 22, 2024.

Since then, Davis has become something of a journeyman. He's cycled through the Vikings, Packers, Jets, and most recently the Raiders, but has only appeared in six total games across those stops. The Raiders initially signed him to their practice squad in October 2024, promoted him to the active roster in November, and then brought him back on a reserve/future contract after the season. But that reunion has now come to an end.

For Commanders fans, Davis's release is a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in the NFL. It also puts into focus the team's recent move to select linebacker Sonny Styles with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 draft—the first time Washington has taken a linebacker in the first round since Davis. Whether Styles can break the pattern remains to be seen, but for Davis, the search for a stable home continues.