Marcus Davenport OMFG!!!

[G08]

This is a better read, IMHO. I have no interest in Davenport at 8 or anywhere in rounds 1 or 2. The guy doesn't even know if he wants to play.

That's patently false.

You'd be comfortable drafting a guy in the 1st round who only plays because he's good at it, not because it's his dream? I get the heebie-jeebies about guys like that, because they could retire at 25 as it's not their highest priority.

I'd have to sit down and talk with the guy to really know what's in his heart, but the fact is the kid was 198 lbs like 4 years ago. Do you think it was his dream to be a 265 lbs DE/OLB in the NFL? That's like me dreaming about being a 6'6" 225 lbs shooting guard.

Just... to say "the guy doesn't even know if he wants to play" is garbage. I'm sorry.

[UOK]

I'd have to sit down and talk with the guy to really know what's in his heart, but the fact is the kid was 198 lbs like 4 years ago. Do you think it was his dream to be a 265 lbs DE/OLB in the NFL? That's like me dreaming about being a 6'6" 225 lbs shooting guard.

Just... to say "the guy doesn't even know if he wants to play" is garbage. I'm sorry.

I'll admit it's a gross oversimplification of the situation, I'll give you that.

[thunderspirit]

It's a gross oversimplification, and one that may or may not be false.

Guys that aren't committed to the game are a red flag.
Guys that go from 198 lbs to 265 in four years don't strike me as the kind of guys who aren't committed to the game. YMMV.

I agree with G08, it belongs with the "but he has interests outside of football" excrement we hear every year about prospects.

[mmmc_35]

i love that there's somehow no greater knock on a player than "he has interests outside of football." THE NFL NEEDS MORE TODD MARINOVICH'S!

I get your point. Obviously being good at football doesn't necessarily need to be your only focus. To be in the top echelon in such a finate field, you do need football to be a main focus though. As long as you dedicated to football, motivated to stay in shape and practice, sure you can be involved in other pursuits. It's healthy. Ego drives us as humans.

These "other interests reports" should be a slight concern. It takes a lot of focus, and clearly someone questions that focus or personality.

I don't necessarily buy it in this case. Mainly because he plays fairly violently. Sure he maybe a male feminist who is into poetry. Clearly he is dedicated to the gym, and his playstyle indicates a passion.

[Rusty Trombagent]

i love that there's somehow no greater knock on a player than "he has interests outside of football." THE NFL NEEDS MORE TODD MARINOVICH'S!

I get your point. Obviously being good at football doesn't necessarily need to be your only focus. To be in the top echelon in such a finate field, you do need football to be a main focus though. As long as you dedicated to football, motivated to stay in shape and practice, sure you can be involved in other pursuits. It's healthy. Ego drives us as humans.

These "other interests reports" should be a slight concern. It takes a lot of focus, and clearly someone questions that focus or personality.

I don't necessarily buy it in this case. Mainly because he plays fairly violently. Sure he maybe a male feminist who is into poetry. Clearly he is dedicated to the gym, and his playstyle indicates a passion.

But like clockwork, every single year, you hit this point, two weeks before the draft. The process is over, everything that can be measured can be measured, visits are winding down. Like clockwork this is when the character assassination starts. I always think this is the type of stuff I should be studiously documenting because to me it's what's really interesting.

At this point I would think, when people read stuff like this 1-2 weeks before the draft their default reaction should be a jack off motion, but every year some people are like "oh wow, i dont want to touch that guy with a ten foot poll."

And you KNOW there are GM's out there hoping somebody believes this shit, that just a kernel of doubt causes him to slip into their greedy maws.

[wab]

I just... get a real Michael Haynes vibe from this guy. Big, powerful, athletic...but just not overly interested?

Haynes was also a bit eclectic, if not just plain weird - possibly with a touch of social anxiety disorder.

[UOK]

i love that there's somehow no greater knock on a player than "he has interests outside of football." THE NFL NEEDS MORE TODD MARINOVICH'S!

I get your point. Obviously being good at football doesn't necessarily need to be your only focus. To be in the top echelon in such a finate field, you do need football to be a main focus though. As long as you dedicated to football, motivated to stay in shape and practice, sure you can be involved in other pursuits. It's healthy. Ego drives us as humans.

These "other interests reports" should be a slight concern. It takes a lot of focus, and clearly someone questions that focus or personality.

I don't necessarily buy it in this case. Mainly because he plays fairly violently. Sure he maybe a male feminist who is into poetry. Clearly he is dedicated to the gym, and his playstyle indicates a passion.

But like clockwork, every single year, you hit this point, two weeks before the draft. The process is over, everything that can be measured can be measured, visits are winding down. Like clockwork this is when the character assassination starts. I always think this is the type of stuff I should be studiously documenting because to me it's what's really interesting.

At this point I would think, when people read stuff like this 1-2 weeks before the draft their default reaction should be a jack off motion, but every year some people are like "oh wow, i dont want to touch that guy with a ten foot poll."

And you KNOW there are GM's out there hoping somebody believes this shit, that just a kernel of doubt causes him to slip into their greedy maws.

This is a bit too dramatic a hypothesis for my liking. I get it - you really like Davenport and feel like this is smoke to lower his value. The only way we'll really know his actual value is on draft day. If it's all bullcrap, these GMs will likely know it, and he'll go in the top 10.

[The Marshall Plan]

So we're going to criticize a guy who went to school to actually get an education?

I don't see a lack of passion and drive on the game videos of him. The guy knocks people into next week. You can also ferret out his drive and willingness during pre-draft interviews.

OK fine he's an introvert. Not everybody is Deion Sanders with the flashy coats and Prime Time theatrics. Nothing wrong with that. It used to be honorable to just do something impactful in the game and then move on to the next play.

I've been in favor of us drafting him at #8 in part because he could be Fangio's project that turns into DeMarcus Ware. If he's interviewed with the Bears and Fangio thinks he can be something special then I'm sold.

[Mikefive]

So we're going to criticize a guy who went to school to actually get an education?

I don't see a lack of passion and drive on the game videos of him. The guy knocks people into next week. You can also ferret out his drive and willingness during pre-draft interviews.

OK fine he's an introvert. Not everybody is Deion Sanders with the flashy coats and Prime Time theatrics. Nothing wrong with that. It used to be honorable to just do something impactful in the game and then move on to the next play.

Thank you.

[G08]

The raw talent is clearly there with him. He's as athletic as Jadeveon Clowney and "on tape" you can see him playing with violence and a motor, consistently.

The huge question mark is can he be coached up and will he take to it? Seeing how much he improved from the first practice of the Senior Bowl to the game, I'd have to think the answer is yes.

[thunderspirit]

After doing a bit of research regarding the Saints' draft history during the time Ryan Pace was there under Mickey Loomis, I've learned that the Saints have never drafted a player from a non-Power 5 conference in the first 65 picks of the draft. (Their highest, in 2007, was Kent State defensive back Usama Young at #66.)

Up until last year, Pace's draft philosophy closely mirrored Loomis', where risk-taking on players from non-Power 5 conference was mostly relegated to Day 3. Pace taking Adam Shaheen at 45, reportedly just before the Broncos wanted him, was a break from that philosophy.

If Marcus Davenport is the Bears' pick, it would cement a break from that philosophy, and also be an indication, based on Pace's Bears selections, that he's a believer in Davenport's athleticism and his ability to develop under this coaching staff.

[G08]

Davenport has the build (6-5¾, 264, 80⅝-inch wingspan) of an outside rusher, and while it doesn’t mean he’s as talented a player, his testing numbers at the NFL scouting compared well with Chubb’s: 4.58 40 to Chubb’s 4.65; both had 1.62-second 10-yard splits and 4.41-second short shuttles; a 7.20-second three-cone drill to Chubb’s 7.37; and 22 bench reps to Chubb’s 24.

Davenport’s relatively modest total of 8½ sacks last season is evidence that he’s raw. But the NFL defensive line coach said that with good coaching, Davenport could get eight sacks as a rookie and double digits in his second year.

“I think he’s special,” the coach said. “Everybody says he’s not very thick. He’s a heavy-handed dude now. He can snap you off, his hands are as strong as (heck). I’d take Chubb first, then him. Awesome kid. I think he’s got some real stuff, too.”

[G08]

MARCUS DAVENPORT | DE | TEXAS-SAN ANTONIO

Height: 6056 | Weight: 264 | Arm: 33 5/8" | Hand: 9 1/8" | 40 TIme: 4.58 | 10-Split: 1.63 | Bench: 22 | 3Cone: 7.20 | Broad: 124" | Vertical: 33.5"



Marcus Davenport is a fourth-year senior who plays as a hybrid strong side DE/LB in UTSA's 4-2-5 defense. Davenport was an extremely malleable chess piece in defensive coordinator Pete Golding's multiple 4-2-5 scheme which saw Davenport do everything from blitz as the A-Gap as a Mike linebacker to drop back in coverage from the right and left side with his hand in the ground. The 2017 Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year holds UTSA school records in career sacks (22.0) and TFLs (38.0), and his 49 pressures on 241 pass rush snaps this season makes him an efficient rusher. Davenport rarely came off the field and plays almost every snap with enthusiasm and yearns to make an impact on every play. Davenport had an outstanding week at the Senior Bowl in Mobile and did enough to silence concerns about his production resulting against weaker C-USA opposition with a half-sack and fumble recovery for a TD in the game.



Davenport has the appearance of an oak tree with elite length, 34" inch arms, and a developed lower body with thick quads Davenport pairs his Tarzan physique with outstanding athletic ability, acceleration, and lateral agility. Davenport's long legs allow him to build up speed to keep up with skill position players in open field foot races. Davenport has shown an ability to bend the edge when attacking the outside shoulder and his flexibility is evident when he is asked to flip his hips and drop back into coverage. Davenport's exceptional athleticism dates all the way back to his time in high school, where he was also an area-qualifier in the 1,600m relay and shot put along with starring for the Stevens High School basketball team in Texas. In an interview with Davenport's father, Ron Davenport, he recalled that Marcus would always try to chase and catch rabbits as a child, which explains his terrific short area quickness and coordination for his size. Davenport has steadily gained over 60 pounds throughout his four years at UTSA by eating constantly, especially heavy snacks before bed.



As a pass rusher, Davenport is gifted in his ability to convert speed to power with calculated steps and a concrete rush plan. Davenport consistently wins at the POA by using his extremely long arms and heavy hands to manipulate blockers in 1v1 situations and create a crease to shoot the gap and get into the backfield. Davenport has a lethal rip under move that he uses to attack the outside shoulder of the tackle and can also stack with an inside swim that to lean into against the blocker to get pushed right into his rush alley. Davenport is a terrifying finisher who closes on QBs with bad intentions and some of his hits look like mini car-wrecks. Davenport's ability to be equally as effective collapsing pockets with power or with speed makes him a unique prospect, and his technique has gone a long way in refinement this season under the guise of current Lions defensive line coach Bo Davis. While Davenport packs a violent punch and active hands, he has a tendency of remaining very high when bull rushing which sacrifices his leverage against more powerful tackles. Davenport demonstrates good awareness by always keeping his eyes on the QB and uses timing and positioning to funnel into passing lanes and get his arms up to bat down passes. PFF analytics suggest that Davenport boasted the best positive run impact (16.9%) and negative run impact (4.1%) of all the edge defenders at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, and the tape certainly endorses the numbers. As a run defender, Davenport is disciplined in his run fits and shows a great motor in pursuit of ball-carriers in space. Davenport also possesses the play strength to anchor and set the edge on the perimeter and funnel ball-carriers back inside for his second-level teammates to make plays. Davenport arrives with urgency when crashing inside on goal and short yardage situations does a good job of not getting moved off his assignment when penetrating B Gaps. Davenport exhibits active hands when engaged to get off blocks and is patient in shuffling his feet to diagnose plays and time his launch. Davenport takes intelligent angles in his pursuit and has a good understanding of his speed and acceleration when calculating his linear approach to stretch and toss plays away from his side of the field. Davenport can occasionally get frozen on zone reads and end up out of position to lose contain. Davenport plays the game with passion and his relentless motor is always on display, chasing ball-carriers into the second level without sacrificing enthusiasm despite never taking a play off.



As impressive of a specimen as Davenport is on the field, he is equally impressive off the field. Davenport was a candidate for the 2017 Senior CLASS Award, which is presented to the most outstanding student-athlete in 10 NCAA Division I sports who best exemplifies the attributes of community, classroom, character, and competition. Davenport also landed on the 2017 Wuerffel Trophy preseason watch list, an accolade given to players who exemplify outstanding performance in community service due to his work as a mentor at a local elementary school and efforts raising awareness against pediatric cancer. Davenport lists his work ethic as his best attribute, citing that he took 18 credit hours to graduate his senior year and sharing that he loves watching film late into the night in his free time. Davenport's high school coach echoed his work ethic, stating that Davenport never went home at 4pm and always did extra work. Davenport had limited scholarship offers from power five schools due to the fact that he weighed 198-pounds as a senior defensive end after switching from WR. Davenport mirrors the same work ethic that he shows on the field in film preparation and all accounts speak to the fact that he lives and breaths football. Davenport lists Von Miller as the player who he watches and tries to emulate most, and his ceiling could come dangerously close if everything continues to click for him and he envelopes the type of production that he enjoyed in Conference USA. Ultimately, Davenport's length, athleticism, work ethic, and commitment to the game should land him in the top half of the first round, and his game most closely resembles Chandler Jones at the NFL level due to his ability to attack and produce with a balance of speed and power.



Overall Grade: 90

Athletic Ability: 6

Physical: 7

Play Strength: 6

Play Speed: 6

Competitive Toughness: 7

Bend: 4

Finesse Moves: 4

Power Moves: 4

Gap Control: 5

Anchor: 4

Pursuit: 4

Motor: 5

Hands/Technique: 4

Move Arsenal: 4

Tackling: 5

Playmaking: 5

Maturity: 5

Production: 5



Player Comparison: Chandler Jones

Projected Round: Top 20

[Nanky]

I just have a feeling if he's there at #8, he'll be a Bear. He could be a perfect compliment to Floyd and a beast once he's coached up.

[G08]

I just have a feeling if he's there at #8, he'll be a Bear. He could be a perfect compliment to Floyd and a beast once he's coached up.

If it boils down to ILB or OLB, I sincerely hope Pace drafts the player that Fangio wants the most.

I'm of the opinion he sees Davenport as a more raw/less insane Aldon Smith.

[G08]

Who's the pass-rusher with the highest upside? (via @troyadami)

Kiper: If we leave out NC State's Bradley Chubb, who I've said is the draft's best edge rusher, I have to go with Marcus Davenport. The 6-foot-6, 264-pound Texas-San Antonio product has size and athleticism that can't be taught. His 4.58 40-yard dash at the combine was the fastest of any defensive linemen. He could play as a defensive end in a 4-3 or as an outside linebacker in a 3-4.

Davenport just needs a team to be patient with him and develop his pass-rushing moves. I've said for a while that Green Bay, which has veterans he could learn from, is a great fit.

[mmmc_35]

I have no problem taking Davenport. I think a trade down makes the most sense, if possible.

[G08]

I have no problem taking Davenport. I think a trade down makes the most sense, if possible.

The only concern I have is someone like the Packers looming at 14 and jumping us.

[Mikefive]

I have no problem taking Davenport. I think a trade down makes the most sense, if possible.

The only concern I have is someone like the Packers looming at 14 and jumping us.

You can tell I'm overdue for the draft to get here. It keeps rolling around in my head that we trade back with 'Zona at 15 and GB takes him right in front of us. I don't throw things on draft days any more, but I'd be thinking about it in that case.

[G08]

I have no problem taking Davenport. I think a trade down makes the most sense, if possible.

The only concern I have is someone like the Packers looming at 14 and jumping us.

You can tell I'm overdue for the draft to get here. It keeps rolling around in my head that we trade back with 'Zona at 15 and GB takes him right in front of us. I don't throw things on draft days any more, but I'd be thinking about it in that case.

Dude this draft has been so frustrating, we can go one million different ways and my brain is trying to figure out each option and then determine which provides the best bang for our buck. It was fun at first but now I'm just ready for this to be over

[Adipost]

I have no problem taking Davenport. I think a trade down makes the most sense, if possible.

The only concern I have is someone like the Packers looming at 14 and jumping us.

You can tell I'm overdue for the draft to get here. It keeps rolling around in my head that we trade back with 'Zona at 15 and GB takes him right in front of us. I don't throw things on draft days any more, but I'd be thinking about it in that case.

Dude this draft has been so frustrating, we can go one million different ways and my brain is trying to figure out each option and then determine which provides the best bang for our buck. It was fun at first but now I'm just ready for this to be over

Watch Pace draft Ridley.

[G08]

I have no problem taking Davenport. I think a trade down makes the most sense, if possible.

The only concern I have is someone like the Packers looming at 14 and jumping us.

You can tell I'm overdue for the draft to get here. It keeps rolling around in my head that we trade back with 'Zona at 15 and GB takes him right in front of us. I don't throw things on draft days any more, but I'd be thinking about it in that case.

Dude this draft has been so frustrating, we can go one million different ways and my brain is trying to figure out each option and then determine which provides the best bang for our buck. It was fun at first but now I'm just ready for this to be over

Watch Pace draft Ridley.

I was just going to say... it's going to fucking suck when Davenport is sitting there and we take someone else.

[mmmc_35]

Realistically In my opinion Edmunds is still the better pick, but Davenport is a bigger need.

[Adipost]

I went and looked through some Aldon Smith footage when he was with Vic Fangio...

AS speed to power

VS

MD speed to power

- - -


AS double team

VS

MD double team

- - -


AS chase

VS

MD chase


- - -

AS shed

VS

MS chase

- - -

AS burst

VS

MS burst

- - -

AS disengage

VS

MD disengage

- - -

AS power

VS

MD power

- - -

AS pancake

VS

MD pancake

- - -

AS hands

VS

MD hands

- - -

AS motor

VS

MD motor

- - -

AS punch

VS

MD punch

- - -

AS inside move

VS

MS inside move

- - -

AS around the corner

VS

MS around the corner

- - -

The only difference being that I couldn’t find Aldon Smith bending much whereas I saw instances of Davenport dipping/bending around the corner...

MD dip/bend

[G08]

I saw that on reddit, awesome shit and it's exactly what I see in Davenport as well. It's going to suck when we don't take him.

[G08]

Albert Breer:

2. I believe UTSA defensive end Marcus Davenport will go somewhere between picks 10 and 16, and has the potential to make that look way too low. One college scouting director who’s been studying him for a couple years told me Davenport played at 240 pounds in 2016, and 265 pounds in ’17, while adding “he’s still coming” weight-wise. Some believe he has a higher ceiling than Bradley Chubb.

[wab]

Albert Breer:

2. I believe UTSA defensive end Marcus Davenport will go somewhere between picks 10 and 16, and has the potential to make that look way too low. One college scouting director who’s been studying him for a couple years told me Davenport played at 240 pounds in 2016, and 265 pounds in ’17, while adding “he’s still coming” weight-wise. Some believe he has a higher ceiling than Bradley Chubb.

I've stopped reading scouting reports and analysis at this point. My brain just can't anymore.

[G08]

Albert Breer:

2. I believe UTSA defensive end Marcus Davenport will go somewhere between picks 10 and 16, and has the potential to make that look way too low. One college scouting director who’s been studying him for a couple years told me Davenport played at 240 pounds in 2016, and 265 pounds in ’17, while adding “he’s still coming” weight-wise. Some believe he has a higher ceiling than Bradley Chubb.

I've stopped reading scouting reports and analysis at this point. My brain just can't anymore.

I'm just digging and digging for any nuggets from scouts/directors/analysts that have connections.

This draft is going to be interesting for me. Does Pace truly value BPA, does he factor in 'need' as well? We've all got opinions on this roster and where we need to upgrade/add depth, does he feel the same?

[wab]

We've all got opinions on this roster and where we need to upgrade/add depth, does he feel the same?

Hard to say. Guys like us see the interior of the OL and pass rusher as a need. He could see Jordan Morgan and Eric Kush as perfectly capable options and that OL isn't a need. He could see Aaron Lynch as a solid addition who is paired with the DC that made him a budding star. He's spoken highly of Howard Jones in the past and what a good get from the Bucs he was. Again, teams trust their scouting. He may not be so quick to give up on guys.

There's a logjam at corner, but he could see that Callahan and LeBlanc are pending FA's...so maybe he takes Ward.

Maybe he's concerned about Goldman's health and contract situation and takes Vea.

What I do know is that the staff and the fans probably don't see the roster/needs/holes the same way.

[G08]

Not to get too off track but if you look at just his first 2 rounds, he drafts for 'need' after a starter has left:

2015 - Marshall gone, drafts White #7. Paea gone, drafts Goldman

2016 - McClellin gone, drafts Floyd at #9. Slauson gone, drafts Whitehair

2017 - Cutler gone, drafts Trubisky. Paulsen gone (this is a reach here), drafts Shaheen

2018 - Gone - (OLB) McPhee, Young, Houston; (OG) Josh Sitton; (DE) Mitch Unrein; (ILB) Christian Jones; (WR) Kendall Wright, Cameron Meredith, Marcus Wheaton

OLB - only Aaron Lynch was added
OG - nobody added
ILB - nobody added
WR was addressed with Robinson, Gabriel and (ostensibly) Kevin White

If you ask me, OLB has two red flashing lights next to it just above a loud, piercing alarm.

OG has options with Kush, Grasu (at center), and Morgan
ILB needs depth
WR needs depth



Unless Pace has some day 2 or 3 "sleeper" at OLB, OR is expecting Aaron Lynch to save us, I just don't see how our first or second round pick isn't a pass rusher.

Davenport
Landry
Turay
Sweat
Carter
Armstrong


I think one of those dudes is going to be a Chicago Bear in 2018.