New York Jets Intend to Keep Wide Receiver Corey Davis

The New York Jets have stocked up on familiar faces for recently acquired quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but that doesn't mean they intend to move on from their established pass catchers. Speaking with reporters Friday, head coach Robert Saleh stated unequivocally that wide receiver Corey Davis will remain on the team.

Robert Saleh on Corey Davis’ role, highlighted “big boy catches” and his role in the run game.

“You can never have enough receivers.”

Saleh said Corey Davis “will be on this team” when asked directly. #Jets
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) May 5, 2023

Davis finished third in receiving in the Jets in 2022 with 536 yards, but an inflated $11.2 million 2023 cap number and the additions of former Green Bay Packers wide receivers Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb naturally sparked speculation that he could be on the move. The Jets could save $10.5 million in cap space by cutting Davis.

Though Saleh is certainly right in his assessment that a team can never have enough quality pass catchers, holding onto Davis at his current salary may be a misallocation of resources. On a depth chart that includes Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson, tight end Tyler Conklin, former Chiefs swiss-army-knife Mecole Hardman, and Rodgers confidants Lazard and Cobb, it's possible and perhaps even likely that Davis could be competing for sixth in priority for targets.

Depth is all well and good, but quarterbacks and wide receivers need reps if they're going to build a connection. If Davis can't get on the field with Rodgers, it will be hard to justify his presence on the roster. He was the fifth overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft for a reason; his talent is tantalizing. But his production with the Jets (1028 receiving yards in 22 appearances) and his projected role in this new-look offense make him expendable. Despite what Saleh says, the Jets may be better off trading Davis or even releasing him.