Tyler Davis 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Background: 

• Missed nearly two months of the 2021 season with a torn biceps tendon—he played a full game against Georgia Tech with that injury

• Struggled with injury throughout most of the 2020 season as well
• Freshman phenom who set a school record for most starts by a freshman on the defensive line (13)

System: 

• Scheme tendencies: Even front defense with a blend of games and gap exchanges up front
• 2022 projected role: Starting DT

Pros: Tyler Davis offers a strong level of athleticism and power blended together on the defensive interior. His ability to shoot gaps or collapse the pocket in passing situations really jumps off the screen at you. Davis has the kind of influence inside that can wreak havoc on opposing offenses and you got the best look at that version of Davis as a freshman in 2019—he had more than 10 TFLs that season and was consistently living in opposing backfields. He’s built like a bowling ball and has the ability to play loose off of blockers inside; he’ll twist and contort or rip through blocks in high-traffic spaces to push to daylight and squeeze QBs and ball carriers alike. Surprisingly nimble on his feet, Davis meets the criteria to be one of the famous Mike Mayock sayings: “a dancing bear.” From a physical standpoint, Davis has all the tools needed to ascend and affirm his status as a top penetration front defender at the next level. I love how much pop he gets in his hands and I certainly appreciate the violence he plays with working off blocks. 

Cons: The biggest hangup on Tyler Davis as he currently projects to the pros is that we haven’t seen the best version of him for the last two years. Injuries have derailed many of his opportunities to build upon that phenomenal freshman season. While he deserves credit for playing through the wear and tear, it does put a black cloud over his projection and makes it difficult to go all the way in without seeing another fully healthy season under his belt. I did see some pad-level issues and consistency in clearing off blocks throughout the course of a full 60 minutes, but it is difficult to compartmentalize what is and is not a part of his struggles to play through not being 100%. I consider him a bit of a wildcard for the season ahead and would not be surprised if he, amid the superbly talented Clemson front, is a major riser.

Tyler Davis NFL Draft Scouting Report by Kyle Crabbs