With the 19th pick in the 2021 NFL draft, the Washington Football Team selects Jamin Davis, linebacker, Kentucky.
Analysis: Life as an NFL linebacker will require more than spot-dropping so patience might be warranted early in his career. But Davis is moving up boards for a reason. There is room for growth and we know NFL coaches often think that “if I just get my hands on him, I can mold him into something greater.” Whether this is simply “coach-em-up-itis” or something more accurate remains to be seen. But his ability against the run combined with his athleticism gives him a path to be an immediate contributor as the rest of his game is filled out.
Grade: B. It could be argued that Washington is a great linebacker away from becoming the NFL’s best defense, and I’m not quite sure if Davis is that guy right away. Davis brings formidable athleticism to the field, and Washington head coach Ron Rivera had that in Carolina with Like Kuechly and Thomas Davis, and there are elements of Davis’ game beyond the same last name.