Tag: marlon davidson

Auburn’s pro day about more than just Derrick Brown for the Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions will be checking out several 2020 NFL Draft prospects at Auburn’s Pro Day on March 6

The Auburn Tigers are hosting their prospect pro day on Friday, March 6. The Detroit Lions applied for credentials and are expected to have a contingent in Alabama to check out several future NFL players on hand.

Derrick Brown gets all the headlines, but the defensive tackle is not the only Tigers player the Lions should have an interest in drafting in 2020. Brown figures to be a consideration for the team’s first-round pick, particularly if Detroit is able to engineer a trade back a few spots from the No. 3 overall position they currently sit.

Brown’s linemate, Marlon Davidson, is a Day 2 prospect with a lot of juice and personality. He stood out at the Senior Bowl practices on the South roster (the Lions coached the North) before being shut down with a minor injury. Davidson didn’t do the full combine workout, and the Lions will be interested in how the four-year starter tests in the explosion drills (broad jump, vertical jump). He plays both inside and out at 303 pounds, a good fit for how the Lions deploy their D-linemen.

Cornerback Noah Igbinoghene is another potential Day 2 pick for the Lions…if he lasts to the second round. The son of two Olympic sprinters, Igbinoghene (pronounced IG-bin-OG-a-nee) is a converted wide receiver who took a big step in his defensive mindset in 2019. He loves to press and get into the faces and chests of receivers, and his turn-and-run gear can keep up with just about anyone. He needs work on his lower-body technique, but showed real improvement as 2019 progressed.

Another CB, Javaris Davis, fits the exact profile the Lions desire in the slot. He’s plucky, physical, tackles well and has excellent top-end speed. He raised his stock with a good Senior Bowl week and is considered a 5th-6th round talent.

Others to know:

  • OT Prince Tega Wanogho
  • LB Nick Coe
  • OL Jack Driscoll
  • Safety Daniel Thomas
  • Punter Arryn Siposs

Vikings draft DT Marlon Davidson in PFF mock draft

In 2019, Davidson was named First-Team All-SEC. By all accounts, it seemed like he had an impressive showing at the combine. 

Even if the Vikings don’t buy out nose tackle Linval Joseph, there’s a pretty good chance the team drafts an interior defensive lineman early in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Mike Renner from Pro Football Focus thinks it will be in the first round.

In Renner’s first mock draft since the combine, he has the Vikings drafting Auburn defensive tackle Marlon Davidson.

Here’s what Renner wrote about the pick:

Davidson continues to bulk up into a three-tech this offseason. After being listed at 280 for Auburn last year, he came to the Senior Bowl at 297 and then checked in at 303 this past week at the Combine. The fact that he still ran a 5.04 40 at that weight should be considered a win. He should be a massive upgrade over Shamar Stephen, who collected only six pressures on 350 pass-rushes last season.

Renner is 100 percent right about Stephen. The team needs an upgrade next to Joseph (if he returns). If the team does buy out Stephen, this pick seems even more likely.

In 2019, Davidson was named First-Team All-SEC. By all accounts, it seemed like he had an impressive showing at the combine.

Marlon Davidson’s combine quotes should appeal to Seahawks

Auburn defensive tackle Marlon Davidson made headlines for his quotes at the NFL combine, but he would be an excellent fit for the Seahawks.

With at least nine picks in the upcoming 2020 NFL draft, the Seattle Seahawks will use the combine to evaluate potential targets at nearly every position.

However, it’s clear the team’s biggest need is along the defensive line, where they could use more depth on both the inside and the outside.

One player who stands out as a potential compliment to Poona Ford in the middle is Auburn defensive tackle Marlon Davidson.

Davidson made headlines on Friday for his quotes at the combine media day, where he told assembled media that what he loves most about football is, “that I can literally go out there and hit a man consistently and pound him, and the police not come.”

“That is the most enjoyable moment about ball, to just go out there and really abuse somebody, and they won’t say nothing about it in the press or anything,” Davidson continued. “I ain’t on no headlines, in handcuffs, no mugshots, no nothing. I’m out here just physically abusing my man.”

Davidson certainly abused opposing offensive linemen in his college career, recording 174 combined tackles, 28 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks in four years with the Tigers.

His size and run-stuffing ability would make him an instant upgrade on Seattle’s defensive line, but he would also likely cost the team their first round pick – unless they trade back and snag him in the second round.

Davidson’s combine interview will no doubt appeal to coach Pete Carroll, who loves aggressive, physical players with a chip on their shoulder and a bulldog mentality – which Davidson described in his interview.

“You can’t tell people that you’re a dog,” Davidson continued. “You have to show people. Now, you turn on the film, you’re going to look and see every play. You’re going to see 3, and 3 gonna be doing his thing. That’s for sure. Now I just have that attitude about me, man. My mindset is to go dominate no matter what. That’s what I do.”

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Watch: Auburn’s Marlon Davidson provides ultimate sound bite at NFL Scouting Combine

Auburn’s Marlon Davidson had an incredible sound bite at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine.

Auburn defensive end Marlon Davidson knows how to punish opponents and the 6-foot-3, 303-pounder also is adept at delivering great quotes for the assembled media.

When asked what he loved most about football, Davidson responded:

“What do I love most about the game? I love most about the game is that — this is true now, OK, this is true — I love most about the game that I can literally go out there and hit a man consistently and pound him, and the police not come. That is the most enjoyable moment about ball, to just go out there and really abuse somebody, and they won’t say nothing about it in the press or anything. I ain’t on no headlines, in handcuffs, no mugshots, no nothing. I’m out here just physically abusing my man.”

Davidson was in on 174 tackles in his four years with War Eagle. He had 6.5 of his 14.5 sacks in 2019. Also, he had 28 tackles for loss.

As for what being an NFL player will afford him:

“It’s going to be great, man. Just being able to have that much money in my bank account and just being able to provide for my family the way my mother did — even though she was working a 9-5 every day, waking up and just going to do what she had to do for the house. So you know, just being able to provide, have that backbone and that secure safety line to get what the family needs, and then also just have so you can be like, ‘Man, I don’t have to worry about nothing for the rest of my life.’ I’m a smart man; I’m going to invest my money, of course. I’m not going to go out there and be the one guy that gets drafted high and then be broke at the end of the day. That’s not me. I’m a country kid. I come from the trees. You don’t need too much. Get you a pair of shoes and go play ball, and we’re good.”

And what exactly does it mean to be a dog?

“I mean, it’s kind of hard to put in words. You can’t tell people that you’re a dog. You have to show people. Now, you turn on the film, you’re going to look and see every play. You’re going to see 3, and 3 gonna be doing his thing. That’s for sure. Now I just have that attitude about me, man. My mindset is to go dominate no matter what. That’s what I do.”

Here is a bit of a highlight reel of Davidson, who is projected as a second day draft choice,

Who and what to watch at the 2020 NFL Combine: Interior defensive line

The Lions Wire staff has identified which interior defensive linemen Detroit Lions fans should be watching at the 2020 NFL Combine.

The 2020 NFL Combine on-field workouts begin Thursday, February 27th in Indianapolis but the interior defensive linemen won’t take the field until Saturday, February 29th.

This is the latest in a series of articles leading up to this year’s NFL Combine, where the Lions Wire team has identified players they will be tracking in order to determine potential fits within the organization.

If you missed the previous articles in this series, be sure to check out our quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, and offensive linemen previews.

Interior defensive line traits to evaluate

There are several on-field drills that emphasize a player’s abilities and the main areas Lions’ scouts will likely be focusing for the defensive line are:

  • Balance starts at the knees.
  • Quick feet and lateral mobility.
  • Reaction time.
  • Power in their punch.
  • Head up. See the target, hit the target.

Derrick Brown, Auburn

Suggested by: Erik Schlitt and Ty Finch

A legit option for the Lions at pick No. 3 overall. If he’s their target and they trade back, they need to make sure they don’t go back too far as he is likely to go very early.

Brown is a rare complete defender, capable of being an every-down nose tackle or 3-technique, and can even spend time on the edges at the 5-technique. He is perfectly suited for the Lions scheme because he can 2-gap, reset the line-of-scrimmage with power, as well as use his athleticism to penetrate and get to the ball. At 6-5, 325 pounds, he is an instant upgrade for the Lions at either nose tackle (Damon Harrison’s role) or the 3/5-technique (A’Shawn Robinson’s role).

Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina

Suggested by: Max Gerber, Scott Warheit, and Bryce Rossler

Kinlaw absolutely destroyed South practices at the Senior Bowl, illustrating why he many believe he will hear his name called in the top half of Round 1, and likely in the Top-10.

At 6-5, 315, Kinlaw is close in size to Brown, but they are very different players. Kinlaw is an ideal penetrating 3-technique, who has the strength to also contribute at the 5-technique. With elite length and power, he will appeal to the Lions, but he can get too upright at times which could potentially hurt him when trying to hold his gap — a staple in the Lions scheme. For a team that values interior penetration from their defensive linemen, Kinlaw could be ranked ahead of Brown on some draft boards.

Ross Blacklock, TCU

Suggested by: Zack Moran

If the Lions pass on a defensive tackle in the first round, Blacklock could be an option at No. 35 — if he lasts that long.

Projected to check in at 6-4, 331 pounds, Blacklock has positional range similar to Brown, but his skills are not as refined. Blacklock’s length, first-step quickness, and athleticism make him better suited for the Lions 3/5T role rather than the anchor spot in the middle. If he improves his ability to hold his gaps he has the potential to be an impactful player in the Lions scheme.

Neville Gallimore, Oklahoma

Suggested by: Jeff Risdon

Gallimore was a nose tackle in Oklahoma’s three-man front, but he earned that role, not because of his size (6-2, 304), but because of his ability to win with tenacity and violence. Very athletic for his size, Gallimore was a gap penetrator in college but he has the skill set to be a potential 2-gapper at the next level.

Marlon Davidson, Auburn

Suggested by: Derek Okrie

Davidson played an edge role at Auburn, similar to the down defensive end role on the Lions, but at the next level, he would likely fit in as a “big defensive end”, the role Da’Shawn Hand plays in Detroit. At nearly 300-pounds and the ability to play from the 3- to the 7-technique, he has the potential to have a Hand-like impact at the next level in the right system with improved power.

Raekwon Davis, Alabama

Suggested by: Sonja Greenfield

Since Matt Patricia took over as coach of the Lions, one rule for evaluating prospects has always held true — if a prospect played defense at Alabama, they’ll fit the Lions scheme. Davis’ game begins with his power and his ability to control offensive lineman, which is paramount in the Lions scheme. His run defense is top-notch but offers very little in the way of a pass rush or burst to the ball.

Leki Fotu, Utah

Suggested by: Scott Bischoff

Checking in at 6-5.5, 337 pounds at the Senior Bowl, Fotu is a mountain of a man who is strong enough to live at the 0- and 1-technique roles. Fotu’s game is drenched in power and his ability to 2-gap and anchor the middle of the defensive line makes him a natural replacement for Damon Harrison. He doesn’t offer much in the way of pass-rushing but he’s more athletic than what you’d expect at first glance and has yet to reach his developmental ceiling.

Darrion Daniels, Nebraska

Suggested by: Matt Urben

Daniels is a try-hard nose tackle, who needs to add more functional power in order to be capable of contributing from the middle of a defensive line. He has good foot quickness but the lack of strength allows him to lose his contact balance and thus give up gaps. Daniels’ high character and energy level will endure him to coaches, but he may need time on the practice squad to develop.

Vikings take DE Marlon Davidson in 2nd PFF mock draft

Davidson played four years at Auburn and had a career-high 6.5 sacks last season.

With the Super Bowl now over, it’s time for NFL fans to focus on the upcoming NFL Draft.

The folks over at Pro Football Focus put together their second mock draft. With the 25th overall pick, Michael Renner has the Vikings selecting Auburn defensive end Marlon Davidson.

Here’s what Renner wrote about Davidson:

Davidson was one of the biggest movers with his play at the Senior Bowl a couple of weeks ago. He has prototypical 3-tech traits even though he played mostly on the edge at Auburn. Earning an 83.8 pass-rushing grade playing out of position in the SEC is pretty dang impressive.

Most scouts think that Davidson can play both defensive end and defensive tackle at the next level, which will be big for the Vikings considering they could be without Everson Griffen next season. As far as the interior is concerned, Linval Joseph took a step back last season.

Davidson played four years at Auburn and had a career-high 6.5 sacks last season. He was named First-Team All-SEC in 2019.