Over-hyped
January 27th, 2018
Analyst down on Davenport.
Despite Mike Mayock and Daniel Jeremiah and Mel Kiper and Todd McShay being all about the Marcus Davenport crazy train, not everyone is waiting to board the choo choo.
The defensive end draft prospect from the University of Texas-San Antonio has everyone gushing with his tape. Except for Matt Miller of Bleacher Report.
In a notebook on Senior Bowl practice that he filed this week, Miller is down on Davenport and believes he’s over-hyped. In fact, Miller believes Davenport is a second round pick, not a first as the aforementioned respected draft analysts believe.
I was worried the hype on Davenport was too high after multiple draft analysts ranked or mocked him in the top 20 recently. On the field in Mobile, Davenport hasn’t looked like a first-rounder. Of course, where a player is ranked and drafted is a mixture of how they look on film, how they look here and how they look at the scouting combine next month. Davenport is a nice athlete with room to grow into his 6’6″ frame. My hope for him is that he’s drafted as a defensive end and asked to put on weight. He needs to develop, not be rushed onto the field. That’s why I have him in Round 2.
Time of course will only tell. From what Joe has read, it seemed early on in Senior Bowl practices Davenport was overwhelmed with the talent level, a bit surprising as he has done well against Power-5 conference foes. But as the week grew longer, Davenport improved.
He is certainly an intriguing prospect. Below, you can watch Davenport work over a right tackle for a sack in today’s Senior Bowl.
Marcus Davenport!
The potential 1st round pick from UT-San Antonio gets to Baker Mayfield for the sack.
đź“ş: 2018 @seniorbowl | NFL Network pic.twitter.com/JDj6ZqeKcr
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) January 27, 2018
January 27th, 2018 at 6:12 pm
I just dont see him as top 20 talent. Now, its the talent he played against in college that forms my opinion. Could he adjust and grow into a beastly DE as he matures and goes against better talent, NFL talent? Thats the gamble. I just wouldnt go there with a 1st (especially at our 7th). Maybe a lower round 2nd.
January 27th, 2018 at 6:15 pm
I was expecting an outside swim move, nice to see him change direction. His height and length enabled him to get that sack.
January 27th, 2018 at 6:26 pm
NOT AT #7 …. if we TRADE DOWN and he’s there at #21 or #22 fine, but NOT AT #7!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 27th, 2018 at 6:29 pm
How awesome would this draft be?
7: R1P7
EDGE BRADLEY CHUBB
NC STATE
38: R2P6
DL DERRICK NNADI
FLORIDA STATE
69: R3P5
RB RASHAAD PENNY
SAN DIEGO STATE
110: R4P8
EDGE JOSH SWEAT
FLORIDA STATE
146: R5P7
CB DJ REED
KANSAS STATE
183: R6P6
RB BO SCARBROUGH
ALABAMA
205: R6P28
S TRAY MATTHEWS
AUBURN
237: R7P19
C BRIAN ALLEN
MICHIGAN STATE
255: R7P37
G MAEA TEUHEMA
SE LOUISIANA
January 27th, 2018 at 6:41 pm
This draft is the perfect draft for teams that don’t have many needs. There’s a lot of raw talent in this draft. But for the teams with many needs, this is not the draft for them.
January 27th, 2018 at 6:47 pm
Ndog … not bad, not bad at all.
January 27th, 2018 at 6:51 pm
He didn’t work anyone over. He literally had mayfield walk into a sack. He just changed direction
January 27th, 2018 at 7:13 pm
Players by priority for us at #7 overall:
1. Saquon Barkley
2. Bradley Chubb
3. Quenton Nelson
4. Minkah Fitzpatrick
5. ? Pray that if all four of those guys are gone, it will had had to push two of:
Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, Josh Allen, and Baker Mayfield to be available
@ 7.
Other options if we have to pick someone outside of those 4: Christian Wilkins, Connor Williams.
January 27th, 2018 at 7:27 pm
Ndog & NFLNut … Do y’all REALLY think that Bo Scarborough will be there in Round 6? I’m thinking Rnd 4, possibly even Rnd 3, since he’s a potential ‘workhorse’. Reasonably fast for a big (6’2″ & 228 lbs) guy (4.54 secs), which is faster than Penney (4.61 secs) who you wanted in Rnd 3. Penney had good stats, but here’s what Walter Football said about him: “For the NFL, Penny is a one-cut downhill runner. He has a nice build, but runs upright and could stand to improve his knee bend to run behind his pads. Penny may not have special speed or power in order to be a starter in the NFL. He could still be a rotational backup, but he will need to improve his pass protection.”
January 27th, 2018 at 7:27 pm
If there is a good QB when we pick at 7, I say trade with Buffalo and get both of there 1st round picks.
January 27th, 2018 at 8:10 pm
Bucs are in need to put pressure on the quarterback, if Chubb, Barkley, Quenton, Fitzpatrick are off the board, which they could be, we take Davenport, why, beggars can’t be choosey, knowing Bucs fans, if he gets 7 sacks, we will all say, we shoulda picked Davenport instead of reading bout him balling for another team. Michael Strahan, Jason Taylor, heck even Ed “too tall” Jones came from small schools.
As fast as Bo Scarborough, we can roll with Barber and as far as Walter Football and there report on Penny, all I see is production, production, production
January 27th, 2018 at 8:12 pm
If a sure fire stud is not there I completely expect a test shown so we do not reach for anyone. Extra picks should be a thing licht goes for
January 27th, 2018 at 8:28 pm
That didn’t look to impressive to me. We don’t need a devolpmental player at pick number 7. That should be a difference maker player from day one. Who joe is gushing about in training camp. Last thing we need is another defensive end that we are counting on every year to finally live up to his potential. It seems like every year we are waiting for a guy who should be great and never is. This year the hype train was on Spence everyone saying he is a 10 sack guy. Before that it was Gholston, clay born , bowers johnson both of them. And so on and so on. We should have drafting the end from Maryland two years ago. But are genius gm thought aguayo would be are biggest need. So he’ll to the no on Davenport. If he gets 7 sacks next year like someone above mentioned yeah for him. We just can’t take that chance. He needs to go to an established team and be a situational pass rusher. We need an every down de. So he can teach McCoy how to play every down. And not just be happy with getting a coverage sack in the first quarter and think he played great.
January 27th, 2018 at 8:31 pm
I’ll even admit I’d rather have Vita than Davenport if we had to make that choice at #7.
January 27th, 2018 at 8:32 pm
VITA! VITA! VITA! …….before Davenport.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWZmaTKEXIQ
January 27th, 2018 at 8:33 pm
rrsrq…….if all four of those guys you mentioned are gone it should leave some highly touted QBs avialable. That’s when our best opportunity to trade down should be avialable.
what your describing kinda sounds like the worst case scenario where all the top players are gone any nobody is willing to trade for our pick.
January 27th, 2018 at 8:38 pm
If we put Vita Vea next to Gerald McCoy, that would greatly improve whoever we put on the edge and free McCoy from constant double teams.
January 27th, 2018 at 8:44 pm
^^ YUP!
January 27th, 2018 at 8:45 pm
We have GMC for another year or two then draft his replacement….Vita at NT, future DE and 3tech DT…although Vita does play a little 3 tech.
January 27th, 2018 at 8:52 pm
I believe buff and their 21 and 22nd pick is going to be the big game changer in the 1st round that changes the whole order
Buffalo wants/must Get a qb
Im wondering if colts trade their #3 for buff 21 and 22?
Going to be nuts
January 27th, 2018 at 8:53 pm
To me Davenport has a slow burst and does not hunt down the ball at the end of the play. I don’t see the burn in his eyes.
January 27th, 2018 at 8:53 pm
In my opinion if you don’t have at least one beast DE you should get an interior defensive duo to stop the runs up the middle and collapse the pocket to force the QB into waiting DE’s for the coverage sack or forced throw. So unless Chubb somehow makes it to 7 it’s an absolute NO on Davenport for me. As others have echoed the same sentiment he’s a developmental player at best. Roll with Vita, we can call him Vitamin D (for Defense) and paired with a hopefully rejuvenated and ready to go Mccoy can wreak havoc in the middle and then our lackluster ends can thrive with the force outs. We still don’t know what may happen in Free agency to get a beast DE to add to that havoc caused by the interior which as we know lessens the need for the DB’s to be stellar.
January 27th, 2018 at 9:03 pm
Today. Davenport look like a poor man’s Gaines Adams
January 27th, 2018 at 9:11 pm
I can understand the Vita Vae pick right now but I think DT will be a position we adress in free agency because there may wind up being a lot of options.
This will eliminate DT as a big need during the draft which would be a good thing IMO. Then we can get a developmental player at DT in the later rounds.
We haven’t been able to develop Dline players here so I’m not opposed to trading up for Chubb who they say brings leadership qualities.
January 27th, 2018 at 9:13 pm
I would sadly have to add that we are considered a total joke of a franchise, mocking Davenport to us (and actually thinking we take him at 7) helps ensure we remain that joke. We have to shake that sentiment and bring winning football to change peoples opinions and shut them up!
January 27th, 2018 at 9:37 pm
Rick……I do agree that our team is seen that way from the outside but let’s also remember that can change in a hurry……..Look at the Rams(who were picked to finish in the basement) for example……..Even our own team started getting national(it was more then just local hype) attention after we finished 9-7 in 2016.
As far as the draft goes I personally do believe we are in good hands with Licht making decisions………….Though he may get a ton of critism it really isn’t warranted when it comes to the draft. His track record speaks for itself and you can compare it to any other team you wish and his rate for hitting on players is in the top…….Now of course this takes into account players entering there 2nd year that played well in 2017 an$ That could change but you have young players that still have time to make a name for themselves as well.
January 27th, 2018 at 9:39 pm
The one thing that worries me about this offseason is that Licht knows his job is on the line and I am worried he won’t make decisions that are best for our future and make decisions with a short term mindset instead.
January 27th, 2018 at 10:26 pm
^^^^
Jimmy – You mean something stupid like Dom did in his last year? Desperately trading away a 1st and 3rd rd pick for a rehabbing Revis who had no interest in being here – and then turning around and paying him $16M when his market value was closer to $10M??
January 27th, 2018 at 10:30 pm
He did a good job running the tackle up field I’d call that a DL sack not necessarily a pure indi sack. But hard to tell talent off a 28 second clip. I like the idea of trading back for some more picks to trade back up into the first or second with.
January 27th, 2018 at 11:10 pm
Pickering……I try my best to block out any memory from the Dominick era of this team.
And worse then the Revis Move was that he put him on a defense that took his “Revis Island” abilities away from him.
All in all that was a very hopeless era of this team. At least for me it was.
January 28th, 2018 at 12:18 am
Again … if Saquon, Chubb, Minkah and Quenton aren’t available at #7 … TRADE DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 28th, 2018 at 12:35 am
Yep DJ is getting out of control
January 28th, 2018 at 12:48 am
Joe,
Big Question – If Dallas places a 2nd Round Tender on DE/DT David Irving.
Do you make a bold move – and sign him to an offer sheet?
#LeaveNoStoneUnturned
David Irving (24yrs) | 6-7, 273
Note: Possible player for player swap – because the Cowboys have a need at Linebacker (Kendall Beckwith?)
Sidebar: Remember how put a whooping on RT Gosder Cherilus (2016)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i72oXnPh8FI
January 28th, 2018 at 12:54 am
Why not? Bucs will have to be bold.
January 28th, 2018 at 1:03 am
(^Start @5:47)
January 28th, 2018 at 1:05 am
Exactly Joe
I would rather gamble on a guy w/NFL experience.
January 28th, 2018 at 6:52 am
Dang! Great idea LUV….you the man.
January 28th, 2018 at 8:58 am
Walter Football makes me laugh
January 28th, 2018 at 9:01 am
I can see our BRILLIANT Gm trading up to get him and giving away the farm to do it…. ( that’s called sarcasm)
January 28th, 2018 at 9:42 am
I think Davenport was mostly working on hand placement and technique during practices and not necessarily trying to flash. I think he has very natural pass rushing ability and he maintained good positioning and vision during senior bowl. Obviously he needs to put on muscle and he seems to lack intensity. So at #7 its a little too risky but end of 1st is more realistic.
January 28th, 2018 at 10:07 am
I suspect most of the players in this draft will be developmental ones…no one really stands out to me.
January 28th, 2018 at 10:09 am
Buc believer Says
“I can see our BRILLIANT Gm trading up to get him and giving away the farm to do it…”
I can’t. Jason Licht just doesn’t give up the farm for anyone. Never has and probably never will.
January 28th, 2018 at 10:12 am
Who do you guys think will wear #93 if we draft Davenport?
January 28th, 2018 at 10:30 am
Bonzai
Huh? Licht trades away picks every year for someone he overdrafts. Thats the one knock on him from me. Doesnt give up the farm but a pick is a pick. Take a look back n add up all the picks he traded away. Then look at the players drafted right after the pick was traded away. This team could be better.
I just went n watched an hours worth of davenport. If this guy is the 7th best player in the country then its a bad draft. I know its a position that gets alot of attention but i say no way in round 1. Now i did see he improved alot during the week at the senior bowl, and had a good game yesterday. But number 7 is way too high. If they want him this better be the one time licht trades back. There will definitely be teams wanting to get in the top 10 this year for qbs.
January 28th, 2018 at 10:41 am
Jason Licht isn’t that great at drafting. His draft record should be much better, giving the high draft picks that he had to work with.
January 28th, 2018 at 12:34 pm
Awesome that Licht is hitting all of the “HOMERUNS” in the draft, but our season record continues to STINK with all these GREAT draft picks with minimal All Pros and Pro bowl selections. I think the only way we go BOLD is to trade Cancer93 for a butt load of draft picks.
January 28th, 2018 at 2:13 pm
Bonzai,
I think you’re dead on with your observations. But what your seeing is a great divivide between college and pro football. If the general consensus among nfl scouts and GM’s is that the pro ready players are less than 10 in total the rest developmental . Then to me the only way to get an advantage is to adapt and incorporate the systems played in college .
The Developmental tag put on Davenport and a host of other players is true if the nfl coaches want to maintain the status quo. If a smart flexible coach drafts Davenport to play in a scheme that’s similar to what he had in college then predator change…The developmental tag goes proof and vanishes.
January 28th, 2018 at 2:47 pm
And even Mayock says he didn’t standout in 1 on 1 drills. All he tries to do is bull rush…no other moves tried. He needs to be developed which will make him a failure of a pick at 7.
January 28th, 2018 at 3:20 pm
If we are going to take a risky DE at 7…I’d rather got Key. At least we know he can do it at a high level. And Kwon and Beckwith will keep him focused
January 28th, 2018 at 3:56 pm
Watching him this week at practice, he looked very poor.
He stays way above the pad level and doesn’t have any real moves. I saw a guy that’s used to abusing RBs and TEs of lesser competition. I didn’t see him win a single 1on1 rep at practice.
Too much of a project to take at 7, not to mention the Bucs of shown zero ability to develop pass rushers
January 28th, 2018 at 3:58 pm
Who was the DE that broke his hand the second day of practice, from some small school?
I’d much rather take a chance on him. Big, fast, athletic!..
January 28th, 2018 at 4:29 pm
Most of us agree on the top 4 of Barkley, Chubb, Nelson, and Fitzpatrick. Those are your slam dunk guys that we take if available at 7. I would also say that if these four are gone than most of us would like the Bucs to trade down. The ultimate debate is who do you take if these guys are off the board and you don’t have a trade partner.
I’m high on Davenport. I like his physical attributes and think that although he may be a project it would be a mistake to pass on him because we need an extra win or two this upcoming season to save jobs. This is why I hate the situation we are in. If we were where we supposed to be in terms of playing to our potential as a team, Our perspective (as a fan base) on a guy like Davenport would be different. Future star pass rusher