Jamin Davis has completed his rise up the draft board. The Kentucky linebacker was selected by Washington with the 19th-overall pick.
The 6-foot-4, 234-pound linebacker has had one of the greatest jumps in draft stock in recent history. Davis was projected to be a fourth- or fifth-round pick as recently as October, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). However, following a standout 2020 campaign, the linebacker established himself as a potential day-one selection.
How good was that 2020 campaign? Davis ultimately finished this past season with a team-leading 102 tackles, 1.5 sacks, four tackles for loss, and three interceptions. This standout performance earned him First-Team All-SEC honors from Pro Football Focus.
Davis should be an immediate contributor in Washington. He has the versatility to play in a coverage role, and he has some untapped potential as a pass rusher, a pair of skills that could certainly be used at the position.
Washington should have more opportunities to add to their defense during the draft. The team has seven more selections, including
- Round 2: No. 51
- Round 3: Nos. 74 (from 49ers), 82
- Round 4: No. 124
- Round 5: No. 163
- Round 7: Nos. 244 (from Vegas), 246, 258 (from Chiefs through Dolphins)
The rich get richer on defense
I like the fact that he can cover, and Davis could have been a good pick for several teams, but the thing I really think will be deadly for Washingtonis the random blitzes from the A gap or another inside position that they can bring Davis in on. He will obviously cover a lot, but the established pressure from the edges and inside from the DTs will make handling a quick inside blitzer just a game wrecker for Washington.
We be Jamin?