Devante Downs at Giants training camp on Aug. 5, 2020. Credit: Matthew Swensen/Matthew Swensen
How does a guy who was a seventh-round pick, has been on the practice squads of two teams, and made three total tackles in his first two NFL seasons become a starting linebacker?
“Four,” Devante Downs said, correcting the record on his rather unimpressive stat. “I think I have four career tackles. Let’s not forget that one.”
There’s your answer. The desire to be precise along with the near-arrogance to point out when he has been shorted. Because it’s not what Downs does on the field that has changed and allowed him to flourish with the Giants this summer.