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 Auburn defensive lineman Marlon Davidson:
What he can do
– Played defensive end for Auburn but definitely looks and moves like an interior defender. Doubt he’ll be explosive enough to play on the edge at the next level
– Nice combination of long arms and natural power
– Tweener body type. Teams like the Packers will likely be interested in him playing on the end in the base before sliding inside to rush the quarterback on passing downs. Might not be his best fit
– Played some inside but is mostly a projection as an interior defender. Had some really encouraging bull-rushes as an interior rusher (see: vs. Texas A&M)
– Motor runs hot all game long. Chases play to the whistle
– Aggressive hand-swatter working downhill as a rusher, providing more linear routes to the quarterback
– Converts speed to power well
– Good foot speed for a big man. Can work around a stunt and has some closing speed. He could be an agile interior player in the 290-300 range
– Flashed first-round ability against both Georgia and Alabama. Beat likely first-round pick Andrew Thomas for a sack. Beat likely first-round pick Jedrick Wills for what should have been another sack
– Four-year starter. Had his best season as a senior
– Didn’t pile up sacks (17.5 in 51 games) but found ways to be disruptive. 29.5 tackles for losses, nine pass breakups and four forced fumbles
– Played with Packers defensive lineman Montravius Adams and likely first-round pick Derrick Brown
How he fits
Davidson would be a projection in the Packers defensive scheme. Could he drop a bunch of weight and play as an elephant edge in the 3-4? Or can he move inside and play a versatile role as a base end and rotational inside rusher? The latter looks far more likely. Any team drafting him better have a good plan. Davidson has power and agility and could be an intriguing interior rusher regardless of scheme. Teams want some pass-rushing juice if they’re taking an inside player early, and Davidson has it, but it’ll need some refining and harnassing at the next level. The Packers, who need help along the defensive front, could certainly use a powerful and agile lineman with a tireless playstyle and some disruptive ability against the passing game. Davidson’s best projection might be as a defensive tackle in a four-man front.
NFL comp
Tyson Alualu. Like Alualu, Davidson is a little bit of a tweener in terms of body type and projected NFL position. Alualu carved out a nice, productive NFL career as a run-stopping end who can provide some pass rush.
Where Packers could get him
Likely in the first two rounds. He is projected by many as a top-50 pick, making it unlikely – but not impossible – that he’ll be around at No. 62. Getting Davidson will likely require the 30th pick.
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