Gabriel Davis | WR | UCF
Elevator Pitch
A lengthy and fluid receiver coming off of a productive 2019 season, Davis is a big weapon who plays with good physicality and ball skills. He’s an average athlete, but he should be able to serve as a quality No. 3 target in the NFL.
Vitals
Height | 6-2
Weight | 216
Strengths
Davis has some tools to be excited about when projecting his upside at the next level.
He possesses good length for an outside receiver and has a well-proportioned frame that carries plenty of raw strength in it. His footwork as a route runner has shown some promise, as he can utilize subtle techniques to soften up a defender’s coverage. Davis does a solid job of stemming his routes and attacking leverage points to create separation.
His forte, though, would have to be his body control. He does a great job of making adjustments to the ball and contorting his body in ways that a lot of receivers can’t. This gives Davis added value in jump-ball situations, as his ability to high point and track down the ball complements his size incredibly well. He’s also a proven vertical threat, as UCF often used him to stretch the field with deeper routes. Coming off of a season in which he tallied 72 receptions for 1,241 yards and 12 touchdowns, he carries plenty of momentum heading into the NFL draft.
Weaknesses
While Davis put up impressive yards-per-catch totals in 2019, that certainly wasn’t due in part of his abilities in space. He doesn’t have very good lateral agility, as he doesn’t carry much spring in his step or overall flexibility in his lower body. His breakaway speed is also average, at best, so his ability to big up big gains practically comes solely through his running deeper routes.
Davis is a smooth athlete, but that doesn’t mean he excels at making sharp cuts. His acceleration coming out of his breaks as a route runner could be improved, and he doesn’t do a consistent job of sinking his hips into his cuts. He can stand to play with a little bit more effort, too, as there are some reps on tape where he doesn’t appear to be playing at full speed.
Projection: Day 3
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