While his recent results with the New York Jets don’t reflect it, new San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh is known for operating a tough, hard-nosed defense.
Though his defenses finished 24th or worst in points allowed across parts of four seasons as the Jets’ head coach, Saleh’s 49ers units ranked in the top five of points allowed twice.
Now, as he heads back to San Francisco to overhaul a group that allowed the NFL’s fourth-most points in 2024, Saleh could be looking to bring a familiar face with him.
As On SI’s Jose Luis Sanchez III recently wrote, don’t be surprised if Jets safety Ashtyn Davis follows Saleh from New York to San Francisco.
“With Robert Saleh back as the defensive coordinator, he could aid the 49ers in recruiting free agents from the Jets,” Sanchez wrote. “Twenty-three players on the Jets are set to become free agents in March, but only one Jets player is likely to follow Saleh to the 49ers. That player is safety Ashtyn Davis. He isn’t a name that will move the needle much if at all. However, he addresses a position of need for the 49ers and fits in quickly under Saleh. There’s a chance he might even be the 49ers’ second-best safety if he gets signed.”
It’s true. Davis is not a household name. Yet, he drew a respectable grade from Pro Football Focus last season, ranking 42nd among 170 qualifying safeties. He particularly garnered strong remarks for his work in run defense, grading 39th, yet he still held his own in coverage, where he ranked 40th.
Davis has been with the Jets since becoming a third-round pick in 2020. He’s played in 69 games since then, starting 22 of them. Yet, the possibility of becoming a full-time starter while having the added familiarity bonus of working with coach Saleh again could be just enough to draw him to the 49ers this offseason.