2021 NFL Draft: Was Jamin Davis a reach for the Washington?
By Dante Pryor
The Washington Football Team selected Jamin Davis with the 19th pick. Was it a reach?
It is hard to debate Ron Rivera’s expertise when it comes to linebackers. Not only did Rivera play for the famed “Monsters of the Midway” under Buddy Ryan, but Rivera also cut his teeth as a linebackers coach.
However, Washington needed a tackle, and there were several good tackles on the board at pick 19, specifically Christian Darrisaw out of Virginia Tech. So Rivera and the Washington Football Team decided to go linebacker.
Jamin Davis began to move up draft boards late in the season and even more after Kentucky’s pro day.
What Washington gets in Davis.
There are few players drafted so far this evening who benefitted from their pro day as much as Davis. He shined during Kentucky’s pro day, running a sub 4.4 40-yard dash and being explosive in the various jumping drills.
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The tape does not contradict the drill numbers. Davis had 102 total tackles and three interceptions.
Like Micah Parsons, Davis can drop into the deep middle and cover, but Davis is also solid in man coverage.
Davis showed a nose for the football with an ability to force turnovers. The Kentucky standout is not a banger in the defense’s interior, but playing behind Washington’s defensive line, Davis does not have to be.
A natural athlete, Davis upgrades the athleticism at linebacker for Washington.
Davis needs to get more aggressive against the run and lower his pass level as a tackler, but the Washington Football Team got an excellent linebacker even if fans did not see it coming.