While not everyone agreed with the Atlanta Falcons‘ decision to select Clemson’s A.J. Terrell in the first round of the 2020 draft, it was easy to understand the logic behind the pick.
The team’s selection of Auburn’s Marlon Davidson in the second round got a much better reception from fans and analysts. At 6′ 3″ and over 300 pounds, Davidson’s size and pass-rushing ability make him a perfect 4-3 defensive tackle.
What makes him even more valuable, though, is his ability to line up at defensive end and provide reps outside if need be. Grady Jarrett and Dante Fowler will be the focal points of opposing offensive lines, which could leave Davidson in position to thrive as a rookie.
In Touchdown Wire’s best bests for 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year feature, Doug Farrar mentioned Davidson as a player capable of winning the award:
Davidson wasn’t always the ideal edge defender for Auburn at 6’3″ and 303 pounds, but Falcons head coach Dan Quinn is one of the NFL’s most creative defensive line schemers, and Davidson should be an every-gap star in that system. He lined up everywhere from head-over center to off-ball in college — expect the same in the pros.
Davidson was compared to Grady Jarrett coming out of college, and if that ends up being true, the sky is the limit for what should be a vastly improved Falcons defensive line in 2020.
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