Green Bay Packers draft profile: Marcus Davenport

With the Green Bay Packers in need of a pass-rusher, Marcus Davenport is an interesting candidate to look for.

As the Green Bay Packers sit on pick 14 in the upcoming NFL Draft there are a few different routes they could take. One, draft a cornerback to deepen the secondary. Or add another pass-rusher to help beat down opposing offensive lines.

One pass-rusher they can’t pass up if he falls to pick 14 is Marcus Davenport.

Throughout his career at the University of Texas at San Antonio, Davenport displayed the skills necessary to posses in the NFL. He is a big man who is quick off the ball and just as quick with his pass-rushing moves.

Davenport had an excellent career at UTSA. He holds the all-time records for sacks and tackles for loss. In each season, Davenport increased his numbers in both categories. Between the increase in numbers and his rare combination of size, speed and power, he has a very high ceiling in the NFL.

DDavenport’sspeed at 6-foot-6, 264 pounds helps him become violent when he attacks. From what he can do to beat a block to when he gets to the quarterback, he does not let up on hits.

https://twitter.com/TheFakeAlbert/status/966369485765693440

What comes as an even more surprise is how he seems to play so effortlessly. Obviously, he is going all-out, however, he makes the game look simple. The patience he displays when getting off blocks shows how slow the game can come to him.

The concern for Davenport is that he played at a small school. However, talents such as DeMarcus Ware and Khalil Mack came from small schools and found success in the NFL. Not to mention Davenport further proved he’s legit at the combine.

He received an overall grade of 5.89 at the combine. That was third among defensive lineman, trailing projected top-five pick Bradley Chubb of North Carolina State and Rasheem Green out of USC.

Davenport’s 4.58 40 yard dash topped all defensive lineman and his124-inch broad jump was second. He displayed his excellent lateral quickness by having the third best three cone drill time, 7.20, among defensive lineman. He also produced the sixth best vertical jump at 33.5 inches.

On passing plays, Davenport finds his way into the backfield more times than not. That is because of how well he uses his hands to work off blocks and the patients he has doing so on longer developing plays.

With that, he does a great job of initiating first contact with lineman in a violent way. With that violent first contact comes his incredible strength.

He is a natural stand-up 3/4 pass rusher. However, with his skill set Davenport can become a three-point 4/3 defensive end in the NFL. The only question is if he can maintain low pad level in that position.

He mostly uses the bull rush and bullied his opponents with it. Time after time he simply overpowered the opposing lineman on his way to the backfield. He also utilizes the rip and swim moves nicely when need be.

One note about his pass rushing, he needs to learn to not take on every blocker. He’ll find that he won’t be able to beat NFL offensive lineman with his strength each time, rather he needs to slip more blocks.

This will come into play when facing double teams which he beat very well at UTSA. It didn’t matter if he lined up inside or outside, Davenport was able to beat many double teams with power. However, at the NFL level, he will need to get skinny and work his way through them. It won’t come as easy as it did in college for him.

As for defending the run, Davenport shows great discipline. He does a nice job not getting sucked into the backfield and staying even to the line of scrimmage. While doing so he also avoids getting blown off the line of scrimmage.

This play turned out to be a pass however, notice his discipline on the play action.

This next clip proves many more examples of his discipline and intensity and runs and passes.

Davenport also put on a show at the senior bowl, proving he can play with the best athletes in college football coming from a mid-major school.

Next: Packers' three-round mock draft

Many teams have been showing interest in Davenport. The Packers need to really consider taking him if he falls to pick 14, they may be sorry otherwise.