For years now, a sturdy defense has been under heavy construction by the Washington Football Team. Jamin Davis becomes the latest building block on site.

With the 19th selection in the first round of the NFL draft, Washington picked Davis, the uncommonly athletic linebacker out of the University of Kentucky.

In doing so, Davis became the first-ever pick by first-year Washington General Manager Martin Mayhew.

Mayhew is one of three new Black NFL general managers this season, joining Brad Holmes of the Detroit Lions and Terry Fontenot of the Atlanta Falcons. Returning Black general managers are Chris Grier of the Miami Dolphins and the Cleveland Browns’ Andrew Berry.

Davis was born in Honolulu, the son of military parents, and grew up near Savannah, Ga. He possesses all the physical measurables Washington Coach Ron Rivera, a former linebacker himself, seeks for that position.

Davis’ pre-draft credentials included 6-foot-3.5 height, 234 pounds, 4.48 speed for the 40-yard dash, a 42-inch vertical jump and an 11-foot standing broad jump.

Despite those assets, Davis was not an overnight success at Kentucky. Redshirted as a freshman, he played mostly on special teams as a second-year performer and didn’t become a full-time starter until late in his third year. He opted out of the 2021 fall season to enter the NFL draft.

Davis became a Wildcats difference-maker as a senior, roaming sideline to sideline to make 102 tackles, fourth best in the SEC. He also had three interceptions, one of which he returned for an 85-yard touchdown, showcasing his swiftness.

He was first-team, All SEC for the 5-6 Wildcats.

Away from the gridiron and prior to the COVID-19 shutdown, Davis was serving an internship with a legal firm in Lexington, Ky.

He wore the No. 44 jersey at Kentucky, honoring his grandmother who died at 44. That number, worn by beloved Washington running back John Riggins, is retired by Washington but could be brought out of “retirement” if Riggins agreed.

Washington’s defense was exceptional in 2020 under coordinator Jack Del Rio. Washington was second in the NFL, behind the Los Angeles Rams, in least yards allowed (282 per game). The team was fourth in least points (20.6 norm) yielded.

In the last five drafts, Washington has gone with a defensive player as its No. 1 pick each year. In 2018, it had two, first-round picks — quarterback Dwayne Haskins and nose tackle Daron Payne.

Last season, Chase Young, the No. 2 overall draft pick in 2020, was NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.

In the third round of this year’s draft, Washington used the 74th overall pick to tab cornerback Benjamin St-Juste (pronounced “joost”) out of the University of Minnesota.

Should Washington decide to call its signals in French this fall, it won’t be a problem for St-Juste, who grew up in Montreal and spoke mostly French until he was 17.

The 6-foot-3 Canadian began his college career at the University of Michigan before transferring to Minnesota. He had 59 tackles in 19 games for the Gophers over two seasons.

Other Washington draftees:

Round 2 — Sam Cosmi, offensive tackle, University of Texas Round 3 — Dyami Brown, wide receiver, University of North Carolina

Round 4 — John Bates, tight end, Boise State University Round 5 — Darrick Forrest, safety, University of Cincinnati Round 6 — Camaron Cheeseman, long snapper, University of Michigan

Round 7 — William Bradley-King, linebacker, Baylor University; Shaka Toney, defensive end, Penn State University; and Dax Milne, wide receiver, Brigham Young University.