Jamin Davis projects as a WILL linebacker at the NFL level and appears to have the ceiling of an NFL starter. Davis is long, rangy, and explosive and that correlated to several big plays in the passing game throughout the course of Kentucky’s 2020 campaign. Davis exploded onto the scene in 2020 and wasted little time making the leap to the NFL, but his lack of high volume sample size as a featured player is cause for buyer beware. There’s plenty of untapped potential in Davis’ game and his length flashes to deconstruct blocks while he also showcases the processing power after the snap to duck under blocks and spill opposing ball-carriers into pursuit. But he has yet to master a feel of scraping through traffic and his overall quickness and confidence in decision-making leaves the door open for confident passers and ball-carriers to exploit small creates caused by his delay. Davis has very good range and long speed that will draw the attention of NFL decision-makers—as second-level speed is at a premium right now due to league trends.
I watched his tape like a month ago and was shocked by how smooth he was, and now with the testing it makes sense. It’s hard not to wonder though, why didn’t he start until this past year? It’s not like the Kentucky staff didn’t know how good of an athlete he was. And yet 3 years as a backup and special teamer? I’d have to dig into that.
I think that it’s weird that I haven’t heard of him at all until like a week and a half ago. Now all of the sudden he’s a borderline 1st rounder? I don’t know much about the kid so I’m not going to judge him yet.
Liked him on tape… then he goes and runs a sub 4.4 and jumps out of the gym, so if we want him now, we’ll have to drop a 2nd rounder on him. May be a a good TD or TU candidate though.
If I am going the “trade down” route in a mock draft, my goal is Zaven Collins in the first.
One of my targets to use an extra 2nd on is Davis. Ideally I’m able to end up with a pair of extra 2nd round picks for trading back at least twice. I REALLY like Brown as a 2nd round WR so for me, the question is:
Stay at #7 and take Parsons/Sewell/WR VS getting Collins and Davis and Brown
That still leaves you with original 2nd round pick to use in a variety of directions based on who’s still available. Toney sometimes makes it to Detroit’s second round pick so in the above scenario, my first 4 picks are a pair of WR’s and a pair of LB’s, taking 2 perceived weak areas and turning them into team strengths.
I really like Toney, but in all my simulations, he never makes it to 41. Its hard to zero in on a guy who is going late first round b/c you have to trade out of 7OA, sometimes twice, then trade back up. Now Jamin seems to be rising to the late first spot too.
Edit: He finally did make it to 41, and Jamin was there in the third! Boy, if only this would happen in real life…
I brought this kid up about a month ago when we were talking LBers. I like rangy, physical LBers but he also is a liability in pass coverage. He’s raw too.
It’s because he was a liability in pass coverage and he is hesitant to react at times. It’s almost like he’s thinking too much. I do think with more playing time in a system he will improve in this area.
He’s a raw Jarad Davis.
I don’t.
I like Jabril Cox a lot better.
If not for Davis combine he’d be a 3rd rounder at best. But some team will reach for him now. Like the Lions did Tavai. While Cox is a solid second rounder. Cox is a lot like DeAndre Levy.
I think he makes it to 41 and I hope we don’t draft him round two at all. I’d consider him in round 3. He’s a project and there’s plenty to like.
I would not be surprised if a guy like this becomes a Lion. If I had to guess, this draft will be about adding speed to the defense. And to be fair to him, I’ve seen his name pretty high up on some respected boards before these numbers came out. Wouldn’t be shocked if he is a first rounder.
I read this about Jabril Cox, I watch a bit and I think I agree with you Air. Coz looks like he is gonna be a good one:
“Across two different schools/schemes and one week of practice at the Senior Bowl, Cox has proven one thing wholesale: the man can cover. He was the only linebacker to break up multiple passes in the one-on-ones at the Senior Bowl, and he had four throughout the week.”
I like that Cox is a three year starter. That is excellent experience. Jamin being a one year starter does make me nervous. I think Jabril would be a really good 2nd rd. pick if we pass on Parsons. Jamin Davis has great workout numbers but his lack of experience makes me nervous in rd. 2. Rd. 3 might work though as we can give him time in 2021 behind Jamie Collins.
