A Closer Look at Green Bay Packers UDFA WR Danny Davis

With OTAs just around the corner, we continue on with our deep dives into the Green Bay Packers 2022 UDFA class. Up next is former Wisconsin Badger, and wide receiver, Danny Davis.

The current state of the Green Bay Packers wide receiver room

For all of the uncertainty that still surrounds this position, it’s also quite crowded as well. While Matt LaFleur isn’t beholden to keeping just six receivers on the 53-man roster, that’s exactly what he has done his first three seasons in Green Bay—and as we look at this roster, it already seems like six of those roster spots are accounted for.

As long as Sammy Watkins is healthy, he will be on the roster. As will Randall Cobb, Allen Lazard, Amari Rodgers, Christian Watson, and Romeo Doubs. This obviously doesn’t include other receivers such as seventh-round pick Samori Toure, who brings special teams experience and big-play ability, or Juwann Winfree and Malik Taylor.

For Danny Davis, or any other receiver on this roster that wasn’t mentioned above, cracking the 53-man is going to be a long shot, and a more realistic landing spot is going to be the practice squad–but even that could get crowded quickly as well if Toure, Winfree, and Taylor are all left off the initial roster.

What to know about Danny Davis

Davis has five years of playing experience at the University of Wisconsin, totaling 118 receptions on 181 targets for 12.6 yards per catch with 11 touchdowns and a majority of his snaps coming on the boundary, but he does have slot experience as well.

Davis’ most productive season came in 2021 when he totaled 478 receiving yards on 32 receptions with a pair of touchdowns. His receiving numbers aren’t going to leap off the page, but in part, that’s due to all of the inconsistent play at the quarterback position for the Badgers.

For the most part, he was a reliable pass-catcher during his college career and coming from the run-heavy Badger offense, Davis is also a willing run-blocker–which we know is important at the receiver position to Matt LaFleur.

He has very little special teams experience, just 47 career snaps, according to PFF ($$), which is something that will have to change at the NFL level. Davis is also not an overly dynamic player, posting a RAS of 2.45 with a 4.62-second 40-time and averaging only 3.5 yards after the catch during his college career. To win, he is going to have to lean heavily on his route running abilities.

What the pre-draft report says

Tony Pauline – Pro Football Network

"“Positives: Physically talented wideout who is smooth releasing off the line, sells routes, and nicely adjusts to errant throws,” wrote Pauline. “Finds the soft spot in the defense, extends his hands, and snatches the ball away from his frame. Gives effort blocking.Negatives: Tends to round off routes. Plays to one speed and lacks deep burst. Inconsistent and marginally productive throughout his Wisconsin career.Analysis: Davis possesses the athletic testing numbers to play on Sundays and has flashed ability. However, he needs to elevate every aspect of his game and, more than anything else, produce on a weekly basis to have a career in the NFL.”"