Tag: Ray Davis

Packers hosting Kentucky RB Ray Davis on top-30 pre-draft visit

The Green Bay Packers are hosting Kentucky running back Ray Davis on an official top 30 visit ahead of the 2024 NFL draft.

The Green Bay Packers are hosting Kentucky running back Ray Davis on an official top 30 visit ahead of the 2024 NFL draft, per Dane Brugler of The Athletic.

Teams are allowed to host up to 30 prospects on visits ahead of the draft. Packers Wire is tracking all the reported visits here.

Per Brugler, Davis will also visit the Denver Broncos, Atlanta Falcons and Arizona Cardinals. He is in Green Bay on Monday for the visit.

A transfer from Vanderbilt and Temple, Davis produced 3,626 rushing yards, 29 rushing touchdowns, 94 catches, 762 receiving yards, 12 receiving touchdowns, 4,388 total yards and 41 total touchdowns over 44 combined games with the three schools. Davis rushed for over 1,000 yards in his only season at Kentucky and actually had over 1,000 rushing yards at all three schools he attended.

Davis (5-8, 211) was an All-SEC pick after rushing for 1,129 yards and 14 touchdowns and scoring a school record 21 total touchdowns in 2023. He had 280 rushing yards and four scores during a game against Florida. Davis averaged 5.7 yards per rush, caught 32 passes and earned an elite rushing grade from Pro Football Focus last season. He forced 57 missed tackles and averaged almost 3.9 yards after first contact.

At the combine, Davis ran the 40-yard dash in 4.52 seconds, hit 35″ in the vertical leap, covered 9-11 in the broad jump and finished the short shuttle in 4.51 seconds. His Relative Athletic Score is 5.41 out of 10.0.

Davis participated during the Senior Bowl.

The Packers swapped Aaron Jones for Josh Jacobs and re-signed A.J. Dillon, but investing in the running back position is still a likely priority in the 2024 draft. Davis is PFF’s No. 102 overall prospect, so it’s possible he could be a late Day 2 or early Day 3 option for the Packers.

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Ray Davis, Kentucky

Ray Davis leaves his monster season in Kentucky for the NFL

Ray Davis began his collegiate career at Temple where he was the primary back as a freshman. He was still the most productive back in 2020 but his season was limited for four games due to the impact of COVID on their schedule and the Owls were only 1-6 on the year. Davis entered the transfer portal and landed at Vanderbilt.

After only appearing in three games in 2021 playing in the Commodores backfield committee, Davis took over as the clear starter and logged 1,042 yards on 232 rushes as a senior, and tacked on 29 receptions. His first season at Vanderbilt ended with a knee injury as his only notable health history.

Davis then transferred to Kentucky as a fifth-year senior where he ran for a career best 1,129 yards on 199 rushes and totaled 21 touchdowns. He attended the NFL Combine where he recorded solid results though at 5-8, he is one of the shortest rookie running backs. Davis needed an extra year in high school due to academic grades and coupled with his five seasons in college, he’ll turn 25 years old in November.

Height: 5-8
Weight: 211 pounds
40 time: 4.53 seconds

Ray Davis stats (2019-23)

Year School Games Runs Yards Avg. TD Catch Yards TD
2019 Temple 12 193 936 4.8 8 15 181 2
2020 Temple 4 78 308 3.9 1 12 62 0
2021 Vanderbilt 3 44 211 4.8 1 5 27 0
2022 Vanderbilt 12 232 1042 4.5 5 29 169 3
2023 Kentucky 13 199 1129 5.7 14 33 323 7

Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

  • Shorter but compact and powerful, he is a decisive runner that is tough to bring down and gains added yards after contact
  • Above average balance that allows him to remain upright when defenders do not wrap up
  • Never lost a fumble in college
  • Good vision and patience in picking the right lane which shows up even more as a valuable goal line threat
  • Has workhorse ability and is durable
  • Capable receiver that can play on all three downs

Cons

  • Pass pro needs work
  • More of an inside rusher than a speedy outside runner and his power will be more tested at the pro level
  • Lower level of competition in college will make the switch to the NFL a tougher challenge
  • Lacks the top-end gear for long gains, burst is only adequate
  • Will turn 25 years old in November

Fantasy outlook

Ray Davis bounced around three schools over the last five years, finally gaining notice last season in Kentucky as a powerful rusher and capable receiver that can play on all three downs. He is already the same age as Travis Etienne and Jonathan Taylor, which is concerning in a long-term view.

This is considered to be a poor year for rookie running backs and none may be drafted until the third round. Davis will be a Day 3 pick but he can offer immediate help to his NFL team. He is considered to be one of the most fundamentally sound backs in this class and while he may not be elite in any area, he is very good in most.

He could go anywhere to a team that is looking for backfield depth and may end up becoming the immediate No. 2 back depending on the situation he encounters. The Los Angeles Rams, New York Giants, Carolina Panthers, and Dallas Cowboys would be the more advantageous landing spots, but Davis could end up almost anywhere. He’s one to track regardless of where he lands because he is older and more mature, and able to step into any needed role.

Kentucky’s Ray Davis has his day at NFL Combine

Kentucky running back Ray Davis performed at the NFL Combine on Saturday

One thing that the Kentucky Wildcats have been known for has been the talent that they have had at the running back position over the years, and this year was no different. From Benny Snell and Chris Rodriguez to Moe Williams and Sonny Collins, the Wildcats have put out some very talented backs and Ray Davis is looking to add his name to that list.

Davis is looking like a mid-round pick after a year that saw him put up 1,129 yards and 14 touchdowns to go along with 33 receptions for 323 yards and seven touchdowns. He was Kentucky’s best offensive player and could be their top player drafted.

Davis had a strong showing at the combine today, weighing in at 211 pounds while standing five foot eight inches tall. He then ran a 4.52 second 40-yard dash, which was good for 10th among running backs. Davis had a 1.56-second 10-yard split on his 40. His 35 inch vertical was good for 11th among running backs and nine foot 11 inch broad jump was good for 10th among running backs as well.

Davis came into the combine as a likely mid round pick and nothing in his Combine should change that. While not blowing it away, Davis had a very good Combine and any questions about his athleticism should be alleviated.

2024 NFL draft: Chargers had formal meeting with RB Ray Davis

Ray Davis became the first player in NCAA history to rush for more than 1,000 yards at three different schools.

The Chargers had a formal meeting with Kentucky running back Ray Davis, according to Kentucky Sports Radio’s Adam Luckett.

Davis rushed for 1,066 yards and finished his only season with the Wildcats with a school-record 20 touchdowns, surpassing the single-season mark set by Benny Snell in 2017.

Davis, who also played at Temple and Vanderbilt, became the first player in NCAA history to rush for more than 1,000 yards at three different schools.

Davis is a physical and efficient rusher who can beat a defense on the ground and in the passing game, capable of becoming a three-down back in the NFL.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh has preached that he wants to run the ball at a high level, so Davis is just one of many running backs the Chargers have done their homework on during the pre-draft process.

10 running backs for the Ravens to watch at the 2024 NFL combine

We’re looking at ten running backs for the Baltimore Ravens to watch during the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine

Running back depth is a massive priority for the Ravens, and that’ll be the position to watch on Saturday at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Eric DeCosta is looking to retool the roster following Baltimore’s heartbreaking AFC Championship loss to Kansas City.

Baltimore has three free-agent running backs, and Keaton Mitchell rehabbing a torn ACL.

With Day 3 of on-field workouts set to begin, we’re looking at ten running backs for the Ravens to watch.

10 running backs for the Eagles to watch at the 2024 NFL Combine

We’re looking at ten running backs for the Philadelphia Eagles to watch during the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine

Running back depth is a massive priority for the Eagles, and that’ll be the position to watch on Saturday at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Howie Roseman is looking to retool the roster following Philadelphia’s historic collapse, finishing the season 1-6 after a 10-1 start.

Philadelphia has three free-agent running backs, and Kenneth Gainwell has done nothing to show that he can be an every-down, starting running back.

With Day 3 of on-field workouts set to begin, we’re looking at ten running backs for Philadelphia to watch.

Packers Mock Draft 3.0: Packers add playmakers for Jeff Hafley

Our new mock draft simulation has the Packers taking three potential starters for new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.

The 2024 NFL Draft is 66 days away and the NFL Scouting Combine is right around the corner. Before these prospects run fast in a straight line, it’s time for a new mock draft. Here are the results for the Green Bay Packers from my latest three-round mock draft.

25th overall pick: Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa

If DeJean were to land in Green Bay, Brian Gutekunst and new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley would likely view the Iowa product as a hybrid defensive back. DeJean could man the slot position or play safety, where he could cover a lot of real estate with his easy athleticism. DeJean has good field vision and natural ball skills. With his athleticism, versatility and age (21), DeJean screams future Green Bay Packer.

41st overall pick: Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M

The best linebacker in the draft, Cooper has explosive movement skills and flies all over the football field. The Aggie linebacker has an active motor and outstanding closing burst to the ball carrier. Cooper finished this past season with 84 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and eight sacks. 

58th overall pick: Jaden Hicks, S, Washington State

Hicks is an active run defender and explodes downhill to meet the ball carrier. The Washington State defensive back has disciplined eyes and arrives on time to disrupt the catch point. Line him up in the box, in the slot or deep, it doesn’t matter, the physicality that Hicks plays with is exactly what Green Bay’s defense needs. Pairing Hicks with DeJean, who can patrol centerfield, while Hicks can play downhill would make for a formidable safety duo. 

88th overall pick: Ray Davis, RB, Kentucky

The Temple and Vanderbilt transfer, Davis finished his lone season as a Kentucky Wildcat with 1,129 yards and 14 touchdowns. Davis has outstanding burst and a twitchy lower half that leaves defenders grasping at air. According to Pro Football Focus, Davis racked up 751 yards after contact and forced 51 missed tackles this past season.

91st overall pick: Isaiah Adams, OL, Illinois

A JUCO transfer, Adams started 25 games during his two seasons at Illinois. Adams started games at left tackle, right tackle and left guard. Adams has good short-area quickness and is powerful at the point of contact to move people as a run blocker. He struggled at right tackle this past season, giving up nine sacks, including a two-game stretch where he gave up four sacks and 10 pressures.

Six Wildcats get 2024 NFL Combine invites

There were six players from Kentucky invited to participate at the 2024 NFL Combine

Super Bowl LVIII is in the books, and the NFL off-season is officially here for all 32 teams. The NFL Draft is the most popular event of the upcoming months, but the NFL Combine isn’t far behind it.

The Combine kicks off with on-field drills on Thursday, February 29th in Indianapolis, and continues through the weekend. Teams will work out over 300 players total in an audition to scouts, coaches and general managers. Each player has NFL dreams, and the Combine officially starts of the draft process.

The Kentucky Wildcats don’t figure to have any prospects taken in the first round, but that doesn’t mean they’re not represented well at the Combine. Six Wildcats were invited, which is tied for 14th most among schools. Here are the six who were asked to participate.

10 takeaways from American team Senior Bowl practice day 3

The American team had their final practice from the Reese’s Senior Bowl on Thursday. Tyler Forness gave his 10 takeaways from the afternoon

Day three of the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl is here, signifying the final practice before the two teams face off on Saturday.

Senior Bowl week is one of the first premier stops on the road to the NFL draft, and this year’s version has not disappointed. We have seen everything from the usual suspects securing their spots in round one to the virtually unknown prospects becoming household names.

Tyler Forness, Managing Editor for Vikings Wire, has had his finger on the pulse in Mobile from the first snaps of practice. He gives us his ten takeaways from the American team’s final chance to compete before the game and what it could mean for the prospects as their pre-draft process begins.

13 takeaways from American team Senior Bowl practice day 2

From Jamari Thrash to Ladd McConkey, here are 13 takeaways from the second day of practice for the American team at the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl

The National team took the spotlight this morning in the second day of Senior Bowl practices, it was the American team’s turn this afternoon. It was another great day of practice for each team, with some heated battles in both the one-on-one sessions and in team practices.

Managing editor Tyler Forness has boots on the ground in Mobile, and is providing us with some valuable insights on more than 100 NFL draft prospects battling to improve their draft stock this week.

Here are 13 takeaways Forness had from the American team’s practice in this afternoon’s Senior Bowl session.