NFL Draft: Should Falcons Target Richie Grant’s College Teammate?

The Atlanta Falcons completed useless final this previous season in sacks and want lots of assistance on the line of defense.

Grady Jarrett

Kalia Davis

Marlon Davison

One particular person the Falcons are contemplating drafting to assist shore up the line of defense is UCF defensive lineman Kalia Davis, who visited the staff earlier this week.

Davis is anticipated to be a Day 3 choice, however can present lots of upside if put in the correct place. He is additionally accustomed to security Richie Grant, who was his teammate at UCF for a pair of seasons.

We spoke with Inside The Knights contributor Drew Johnson to achieve a greater understanding of Davis as a prospect and what we will count on from the previous UCF Knight.

1. The Falcons maintain 4 Day 3 picks on this draft. Why ought to the Falcons use
a kind of on Davis?

Atlanta has been skinny on the line of defense place in recent times with solely
Grady Jarrett making an actual affect within the trenches. Davis may develop right into a
productive prospect and supply versatile lineman play. He’s able to lining up
at a number of positions due to his lateral motion and may oppose double
groups with explosive athleticism. A wise defensive thoughts and is disruptive as a
cross rusher and run defender. Davis additionally confirmed off his power to NFL scouts
on UCF’s Professional Day by recording 30 reps on the bench press.

2. Why is Davis being thought-about one of the underrated defensive linemen
within the draft?

Regardless of the dearth of current productiveness because of a season-ending ACL damage, Davis
nonetheless stands out on movie. He recorded 17 complete tackles, three quarterback hurries
and one sack in simply 5 video games final season. Throughout his sophomore season, he
recorded 27 complete tackles and ranked sixth on the staff with eight tackles for loss.
With spectacular quickness for his dimension, Davis additionally offered linebacker play at
UCF and West Florida Tech Excessive.

3. What is going to Davis’ greatest weak point be on the NFL degree?

Davis performs with excessive vitality on the inside defensive lineman place however
conditioning could also be a difficulty because of a scarcity of full-season expertise. He has the
athletic skill to pivot and bend round larger offensive linemen, however nonetheless lacks
the dimensions of a standard three-technique menace.

4. If the whole lot goes proper, what’s Davis’ ceiling within the NFL?

There are some issues coaches simply can’t train. At 6-2, 310-pounds, Davis makes use of
superior foot quickness and a fast first step to create mismatches in several
defensive schemes. Davis has the expertise and work ethic to develop right into a starter
however will possible see time on the follow squad. Attributable to his current leg damage, some
house owners could also be cautious of taking Davis within the earlier rounds however Atlanta ought to pay
consideration if he falls throughout the draft.

Kalia Davis

Kalia Davis forcing a fumble

Richie Grant

5. Is there an NFL participant he reminds you of?

Davis stated he has been in comparison with former UCF defensive sort out standout
Trysten Hill. Each are bodily on the line of a scrimmage and may pressure coaches
to vary their working schemes. The Dallas Cowboys drafted Hill within the second
spherical the place he has lined up as a 4-3 defensive sort out. Just like Hill, Davis will
play at a number of positions however will possible excel within the 4-3 scheme due to his
expertise and upside.