The annual "NFL Top 100 Players" list for 2026 has begun, and while no Arizona Cardinals have made an appearance yet, there's a familiar face from an upcoming matchup who has snagged a spot. Coming in at No. 95 is New York Jets linebacker Demario Davis.
Davis is starting his first season with the Jets in 2026, but he's no stranger to the spotlight. After spending eight seasons with the New Orleans Saints, he's built a reputation as one of the NFL's premier defensive leaders. Saints quarterback Tyler Shough even remarked, "He's the smartest player I've ever been around," likening Davis to the formidable Predator character.
Davis's performance on the field speaks for itself. He's achieved nine consecutive seasons with over 100 tackles, racking up an impressive 143 tackles just last year. His ability to read the game and make crucial stops is a testament to his enduring athleticism and football intelligence.
Last season, Davis showcased his defensive prowess against the Cardinals in Week 1, where he recorded nine tackles, including two for losses. As the Cardinals gear up to face Davis and his new team, the Jets, at home in Week 15, they’ll need to prepare for the kind of relentless defense that has made him a standout on the field.
Fans should keep an eye on this matchup, as Davis continues to prove why he's regarded as one of the best leaders in the league. His presence on the field is sure to make for an exciting and challenging game for the Cardinals.
In Other News...
Cardinals Face A Risky Decision On Two Young Cornerstones
The Cardinals are already staring at a familiar front-office crossroads, this time with two players from Monti Ossenforts first draft class. Paris Johnson Jr. and Michael Wilson both matter to the long-term picture, but the timing of their next contracts makes the decision feel more complicated than routine roster maintenance. Johnson has become the more expensive of the two to project, while Wilsons case is tied to whether Arizona wants to reward him now or let the market do more of the work later.
Wilson, in particular, has a path that could be shaped by patience if he goes through another season and boosts his standing. Johnsons situation is trickier because the Cardinals have to weigh a major investment against the fact that he has not played a full season since his rookie year. With Arizona still trying to sort out its broader direction after a rough run, these are the kinds of calls that can say as much about a teams confidence in its own evaluation as they do about the players themselves. [Read more 🡒]
One Rams Offseason Question Suddenly Matters More Than Ever
Puka Nacua has already reminded everyone why Matthew Stafford leans on him so heavily, and the Rams still look like one of the leagues deepest and most respected rosters heading into the season. USA TODAY has them sitting at the top of its power rankings, and CBS Sports Pete Prisco put five Rams on his NFL Top 100, including three in the top 10, which says plenty about how much talent this group has assembled around Stafford.
The bigger issue for Los Angeles may be how much it has to protect that window if the roster keeps getting more expensive in the wrong places. The backup quarterback battle has not produced an obvious winner yet, but there is no immediate alarm there. The more delicate question is on the defensive front, where Kobie Turner has become the kind of player teams hate to lose track of because a contract extension could change the way the Rams have to budget for everything else around him. [Read more 🡒]
Cardinals Fans Just Got The Offseason Reset They Dreaded
Arizonas offseason reset has been less of a splash than a scramble, with the Cardinals coming off a 3-14 finish and trying to rebuild around a new coach after firing Jonathan Gannon. Mike LaFleur now inherits the job, and the early moves have been cautious: the team kept veteran Jacoby Brissett in place under center and used the draft to add rookie running back Jeremiyah Love, giving the roster at least one fresh piece to build around.
LaFleurs arrival comes with real questions attached, since this is his first shot at running a team and his reputation is still being shaped after time working under Sean McVay in Los Angeles. Arizona also brought in Nathaniel Hackett as offensive coordinator, a hire that adds another layer of intrigue to a staff that will be judged quickly in a division where patience is rarely part of the equation. For Cardinals fans, the bigger issue is whether this reset actually points to a cleaner future, or just another transition year with more uncertainty than answers. [Read more 🡒]