The Green Bay Packers must use the 2020 NFL Draft to provide the finishing touches on a team that won 13 regular-season games and got within one game of the Super Bowl during Matt LaFleur’s first season as head coach.
Between now and the draft, Packers Wire will periodically break down one top prospect fitting the Packers’ roster needs.
Up next is Cal defensive back Ashtyn Davis:
What he can do
– Didn’t test at the combine but athleticism isn’t in doubt. Impressive speed, quickness, stop-start ability. Was a track star in the hurdles at Cal. Explosive mover
– Not a big safety, but big enough. 6-1, a little over 200. Short arms
– Range as a single-high safety might be the best in the class. Covers ground, erases mistakes, shrinks passing windows. Quarterbacks have to account for him and his speed
– Has shown plenty of versatility. Will play single-high, two-high, in the slot, down in the box. Combination of movement skills and toughness make him valuable at several spots
– Instincts are still developing. Learning on the go, always improving. Could be a game-changing turnover machine if athleticism, playmaking nature and instincts all come together at the next level
– Can be highly disruptive at the catch point, using explosive leaping ability and appetite for hitting to force incompletions
– Will lock onto a target like a heat-seeking missile. Once he’s en route, he arrives in a big hurry. Closing burst to the ball is elite
– Always aggressive, but aggressiveness can work against him. Can be moved off spots, and will miss tackles flying downhill recklessly
– Easily runs the seam and erases vertical routes from the slot
– Will need to hit a higher average as a tackler at the next level. Harnassing aggressiveness will help get more guys down in the open field
– Standout performance against Justin Herbert and Oregon
– Teams will stress ability to diagnose route combinations early in his career, bait him into mistakes, but like Darnell Savage, electric play speed will help him recover
– Potential special teams star at the next level. Special teams coaches will want him hunting the football on coverage units
– Teams don’t have testing numbers due to groin injury suffered late in 2019
How he fits
The Packers would find a way. Davis’ skill set is so versatile and his range so impressive that Mike Pettine would likely have no problems figuring how to get him, Darnell Savage and Adrian Amos on the field together. In some ways, Davis and Savage are synonymous players, with explosive movement ability and the versatility to handle coverage responsibilities from a variety of alignments, but having two players of this caliber and skill would be far from a problem. In fact, it would give the Packers one of the fastest and more versatile secondaries in football. That’s super appealing. There’s even some long-term slot cornerback potential for Davis, although a team will likely want to train his eyes and diagnosing ability from the safety spot before experimenting further. GM Brian Gutekunst should be comfortable taking Davis and giving him to new defensive back coach Jerry Gray to mold into a difference-maker.
NFL comp
The similarities with Darnell Savage are obvious. Another workable comp: Antrel Rolle. About midway through his pro career, Rolle (an elite athlete) began playing nickel corner and free safety, a dual role in which he flourished. Davis could have similar success playing both spots at the next level.
Where Packers could get him
In my estimation, Davis should be a top-40 player and a borderline first-round pick. He has an electric combination of skills that teams covet for combating the passing offenses of today’s game. It’s possible Davis could last until the end of the second round, but the Packers shouldn’t bank on it.
Previous Prospects for the Pack
WR Tee Higgins
LB Kenneth Murray
LB Patrick Queen
WR Jalen Reagor
WR Justin Jefferson
TE Harrison Bryant
WR Denzel Mims
WR Brandon Aiyuk
WR/TE Chase Claypool
LB Zack Baun
LB Akeem Davis-Gaither
OT Josh Jones
OT Austin Jackson
S Antoine Winfield Jr.
DL Raekwon Davis
DB Xavier McKinney
WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
DL A.J. Epenesa
TE Hunter Bryant
RB Jonathan Taylor
RB Zack Moss
WR Michael Pittman
WR K.J. Hamler
WR John Hightower
LB Jordyn Brooks
LB Troy Dye
LB Willie Gay Jr.
OT Jack Driscoll
WR Devin Duvernay
OT Ezra Cleveland
WR Van Jefferson
OT Andrew Thomas
S Grant Delpit
TE Cole Kmet
OT Tristan Wirfs
QB Jordan Love
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
DB Jeremy Chinn
RB/WR Antonio Gibson
DL Jordan Elliott
DB K’Von Wallace
WR Bryan Edwards
DL Ross Blacklock
LB Logan Wilson
DL Justin Madubuike
RB Cam Akers
LB Malik Harrison
RB Darrynton Evans
WR Lynn Bowden Jr.
WR Gabriel Davis
LB Josh Uche
CB Trevon Diggs
DB Terrell Burgess
OLB Terrell Lewis
CB A.J. Terrell
WR Quintez Cephus
TE Albert Okwuegbunam
QB Jalen Hurts
WR Tyler Johnson
IOL Cesar Ruiz
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