Raekwon Davis Reveals Why He Chose Colts in Free Agency
Raekwon Davis was ready for something new.
After four years with the Miami Dolphins, the former second-round pick out of Alabama needed a change. At 6-7 and 325 pounds, Davis is used to being the guy to eat up double teams while everyone else gets to make the plays.
But free agency allowed Davis to test the waters and find a new opportunity to contribute to a football team. That is when the Indianapolis Colts came calling, and it did not take Davis long to realize Indy was a perfect fit.
“I just felt like this was the best choice for me," Davis said on Friday. "The organization, I feel like they opened their arms up and just let me in. They wanted me here. I feel like playing with Buckner and Grove, I feel like it’s a great fit for me. And you know, just learn a different scheme, be in something different.”
The Colts signed Davis to a two-year, $14 million deal with $7 million guaranteed this week as they add to the middle of the defensive line. Davis brings plenty of starting experience to the Colts defensive line room, starting 48 of a possible 63 games. Davis tallied 129 tackles, five tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, and 10 QB hits as a member of the Dolphins.
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Davis was ultimately drawn to the Colts by the opportunity to play in an attacking front. While he will still be relied on for his run defense and clogging up the middle, the Colts and defensive line coach Charlie Partridge will also ask Davis to get upfield and impact the quarterback. Plus, playing alongside two stellar defensive tackles, DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart, is an enticing thought as well.
“Just trying to experience new things, you know?" Davis admitted when asked what influenced his decision. "Since coming out of Alabama, I’ve been playing the same technique – two gapping. Just experience different techniques, that’s all it is, man. Just being able to play with those two guys is going to be great.”
For the Colts, Davis immediately fills a major need. The depth pieces behind Stewart struggled mightily against the run in 2023. The Colts gave up almost 40 yards more per game on the ground in games Stewart missed. Davis changes all of that, as the Colts now have a capable run-stuffer behind Stewart at the 1-Tech position.
Although Davis will be the backup to Stewart on the depth chart, that does not mean only one or the other will be on the field at once. The Colts could place Stewart and Davis on the field together during early run downs. The reason for this would be to help reduce the workload of Buckner.
Buckner has played over 75% of all Colts defensive snaps over the last three seasons. While Buckner wants to be on the field for every snap, that type of workload can lead to a player wearing down and suffering nagging injuries throughout the long season. Davis can help spell Buckner at times and give the Pro Bowler a break, allowing Buckner to stay fresh deeper into the season.
It is safe to say Davis is excited to work with Buckner and Stewart. Davis already has a feeling he will get along very well with Stewart.
“He’s a dog, man," Davis remarked about Stewart. "He’s a good player. Coming in and just try to learn what they’ve been doing, learning new stuff and just being around him. Fun guy, he’s a country guy. I heard when the d-line coach called him he was on a tractor. I was thinking to myself, that’s stuff I’d be doing if my d-line coach called me. I’d probably be on a tractor having fun, deer hunting in Mississippi somewhere.”
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While Davis is ready to work in Indy, the defensive tackle admitted it was tough to leave the Dolphins. When players sign with another team or are traded, uprooting their families and moving to a new city requires an adjustment period. It is one of the aspects of free agency that is never discussed because the results are not seen on the field.
That is why choosing the right organization is so crucial for these players. It comes down to more than just money, as the livelihood of their families is at stake. Although Davis is leaving the organization that drafted him, he feels blessed for the opportunity in Indy and to have his family continue watching him work.
“When Miami drafted me, every kid thinks that’s going to be your home," Davis explained. "Then after your four years, it’s still like a bittersweet thing going on. Now I’m here in this new place still doing things I love to do and my family gets to see me for another two years play in a different type of stadium doing something I love. So, it’s great.”
Davis did not know what to expect when he entered free agency. All he knew was that he wanted change and an opportunity to make an impact on his new team. Davis will get that opportunity and more in Indianapolis, where, if he is anything like he says he is, Colts fans will quickly gravitate to another big guy in the middle of the defensive line.
“I’ve got a high motor." he said. "I’ve got great leadership and just a fun dude. Just active, love enjoying people and making people happy.”
Davis already sounds like a perfect fit in the Colts' locker room.
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