ESPN attempted to pinpoint the outliers of this year’s NFL Draft. That is, the guys who push the envelope for scouts because of their extreme measurements and/or production are well outside the normal scouting prototype. At the top of the list was Georgia defensive tackle jordan daviswho ESPN called ‘the outlier of outliers.’
If a person can really be the “most unique” in any endeavor, Davis is that player in this, or any, draft.
There are big guys in every draft, fast guys in every draft and guys with shocking physical traits in every draft. But Davis’ combination of all those elements make him a short-list prospect even for the most veteran personnel evaluators.
Look, folks misunderstand the whole 40-yard dash thing at times. Most long-time scouts do not overvalue it in the draft process, but it’s a number that easily compares from one year to the next, and any scout with a bucket of hotel points will take any and all information about a prospect. When a 6-foot-6 and 341-pound defensive tackle roars through 40 yards in 4.78 seconds, like Davis did in Indianapolis, it’s going to get attention.
His 10-foot-3-inch standing broad jump was better than many wide receivers posted at the combine, and his 32-inch vertical jump was better than some of the running backs. That is the rarest of air for a big lineman. Davis was already considered a top prospect for his on-field performance in a ridiculously loaded Georgia defense, but numbers offer confirmation at times, and Davis’ numbers confirmed there is no other player like him on this draft board.
Davis stole the show at the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The 6-foot-6, 341-pounder clocked an official time of 4.78 seconds in the 40-yard dash and set a record 123-inch broad jump (most ever for player more than 300 pounds).
The 2021 Outland Trophy and Chuck Bednarik Award winner, Davis played in all 15 games for Georgia in 2021, starting in 14 games, making 32 tackles, two sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss, 14 quarterback hurries, and a pass breakup. Davis started in seven games last season, with 16 tackles, one sack, one quarterback hurry, and one blocked kick, which came in the win over Cincinnati in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl. An instant impact member of Georgia’s defense, Davis played in 11 games as a freshman in 2018, with four starts, making 25 tackles and six solo stops, with 1.5 sacks, earning the Football Writers Association of America Freshman All-American Team and Coaches Freshman All-SEC Team honors. In 2019, Davis played in 14 games, making eight starts, finishing with 18 tackles, seven solo stops, 4.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks.
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