Jordan Davis Bio & Stats
In 2021, Georgia DT Jordan Davis was awarded the Outland Trophy for best interior lineman on either side of the ball. He also received the Chuck Bednarik Award for best defensive player in college football. Among other honors, he was voted First Team All-American. During Georgia’s 2021 season, he was one of four permanent team captains appointed. Including both the 2021 regular season and CFB playoffs, the 6’6″ 340 lbs. defensive tackle recorded two sacks, 32 total tackles, and 17 solo tackles.
Jordan Davis Film & Scouting Report: Run Defense
One of the first things that stands out when watching Davis’ tape is his size. The monstrous defensive tackle dwarfs many teammates and opponents. Along with that size comes impressive strength. Davis can overwhelm single blocks and hold up against double-teams well, allowing teammates to stay clean against the run. He also combines his incredible power with excellent technique. He consistently fires up through his hips, shocking OL with fantastic hand placement and violent extension. Although his height can affect his leverage at times and his off-the-ball quickness is average, his strength and hand usage allows him to dominate blocks. He demonstrates rapid block recognition and an ability to find the ball quickly once engaged. Davis showed that he can shed and tackle effectively from a variety of alignments. He exhibited the capability to transition from primary to secondary gap when Georgia put him in two-gap alignments.
In this clip, Davis shows off that ability to shock and shed with strength and hand usage. Aligning in a tight 3t over the LG, he locks, peeks, and sheds to make the tackle once the RB has crossed face.
Here’s another clip demonstrating his capacity to play the run. He engages the down block on Counter from a 0t alignment, then crosses face into his secondary gap once the RB has declared.
Aligned in a 2i technique over the LG here, Davis attacks the first blocker in the double team, stays square and absorbs the second OL, then locates the RB and makes the tackle.
Pass Defense
While Jordan Davis can be a highly effective run-stopper, his impact against the pass is much more of a projection. Georgia limited his down-to-down usage to a significant degree in order to keep him fresh, so his play sample in pass-rush is smaller than many other prospects. When he has been on the field, he has been inconsistent against the pass, though he has shown flashes of impact rushing the QB.
His physical ability often requires a double team even on passing downs, and he can use his strength to squeeze the pocket. He also has impressive lateral quickness for his size, quick and powerful hands, and has utilized some intriguing pass-rush moves at times. It’s also important to remember that Georgia often used Davis in even alignments – 0t, 2t, etc. – that can impact a rusher’s effectiveness. In these positions, pass-rushers have to angle around the OL they are facing rather then immediately getting upfield.
On this play, Davis wins against Clemson’s center using a swipe-and-rip combo, then does a nice job pursuing the QB and finishing the sack.
On this play, Davis starts as a tight 3t then slants away from the blitzing linebacker. He again uses fantastic lateral agility – along with a club move – to beat the right guard.
Conclusion
I would rate Jordan Davis as a mid-or-late first round pick. His impact on the run should be immediate, but his pass-rush ability will be more of a question. For a team like the Packers that utilizes a gap-and-a-half run defense scheme, he could be a valuable pickup. Davis would allow Joe Barry to play with more light boxes on early downs, freeing up resources for use against the pass. Davis would likely draw a significant number of double-teams, both in rushing and passing situations. This could free up Kenny Clark and the rest of the Green Bay front seven to create havoc. Although there are certainly other positions or players Green Bay could draft in the first round, they will have to seriously consider selecting Jordan Davis if he falls to them.
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