IDP Rookie SWOT: Jarrad Davis

Name: Jarrad Davis

Position: Inside Linebacker

Pro Team: Detroit Lions

College: Florida

Draft Status: 21st overall

Video Highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rfq73CfZyJ0&t=1s

Combine Review

• Height: 6’ 1”
• Weight: 238 pounds
• Arm Length: 33 1/2”
• Hand Size: 9 3/4”

Pro Day Results

• 40-Yard Dash: 4.56 seconds
• Vertical Jump: 38.5”
• Broad Jump: 129.0”

Strengths

[am4show have=’g1;’ guest_error=’sub_message’ user_error=’sub_message’ ]

While Jarrad Davis has a number of skills highly coveted in an NFL linebacker, any discussion around his strengths has to begin with his speed. It is a spiffy 40 time noted above, but it doesn’t do Davis’ speed on the field justice. Davis blazes to exposed linebackers or running backs in the hole with guided missile-like acceleration. If he sees a target and there is an open path to him, it’s nearly over with Davis. This speed not only makes him a great candidate to rack up tackles for loss and sacks, but it also means he can stay on the field for three downs as his speed should translate into good coverage skills.

Aside from that pure speed, Davis is also a sure tackler who wraps up his targets effectively. Lastly, I’d like to note that Davis can really square up and lay the wood when given the opportunity. He’s honestly a very exciting player to watch.

Weaknesses

Now let’s rain on the Davis Love parade (at least a little bit.) First, that very speed that is his greatest strength can also be his enemy. He can be susceptible to counters and misdirection plays as his speed can get him caught up in the wash by moving too quickly too soon.

A second component related to this is a little more complex. I noticed that Davis can look slow on certain plays. If he doesn’t have an immediate, obvious way to focus his speed and make a play, he ends up looking flat footed and unsure of how he should move about. This can compound his problems as an unsure defender is prone to blockers or missed opportunities.

The last weakness I want to highlight is that Davis occasionally makes mental mistakes. These mistakes often come in the form of unnecessary roughness or roughing the passer type penalties. Davis only has one play speed, and he sometimes plays too far beyond the whistle.

Opportunities

If there’s one thing Davis most assuredly has in Detroit, it’s a huge opportunity. Davis essentially gained the starting middle linebacker spot the day he was drafted. Last season Detroit leaned on Tahir Whitehead in the middle. There were high hopes for Whitehead after the departure of Stephen Tulloch, but he never quite blossomed like some hoped at the position. Jarrad Davis is a true middle linebacker and will step right into the starting job in Motor City.

Threats

There aren’t a whole lot of threats to playing time for Davis. Paul Worrilow was brought over from Atlanta, but his contract isn’t anything to write home about, and he had a disappointed year for Atlanta last season that led to a demotion. The only other threat I see is Davis himself. As noted under weaknesses, he can make boneheaded plays from time to time, and a few too many of those can send a guy to the bench.

Short Term Expectations

Davis will be the starter and he will get a LOT of snaps as a rookie. At the middle linebacker spot, that alone guarantees a reasonable amount of fantasy production (as long as he doesn’t morph into a total trainwreck at the position.) Because of this I think he has quite a high short-term floor. He could even have a very good short-term upside if he can find a way to utilize that guided missile speed on the NFL field.

Long Term Expectations

He has great physical tools for the modern day NFL inside linebacker, and he found about as good a situation as he possibly could. I expect Davis to get a good, long shot at that starting job, and he certainly has room to grow. As I noted in the strengths section, he does have some awfully enticing physical skills. Speed for coverage and getting the backfield, the ability to find his way through traffic and strong tackling fundamentals. You can’t teach speed, but you may be able to teach some of the coverage skills and keys around reading NFL offenses properly. If Davis can get ahold of those things, he has an awful lot of long term upside.

Rookie Draft Advice

My advice here is simple. If you want Davis, you’ll likely have to make him the first defensive player taken. Everyone wants a piece of him, and you won’t be able to steal him from anyone. Young middle linebackers with talent AND a great situation are few and far between. Based on the way I’ve seen some drafts go, I’d wager you might have to spend a later first if you want to guarantee Jarrad Davis on your fantasy squad. If you can get him in the second, you’re in a great spot, but I wouldn’t count on it.

[/am4show]