2017-Present - McVay's run

2018 NFL Draft Profile: UTSA DE Marcus Davenport

Former UTSA defensive end Marcus Davenport struggled early during Senior Bowl Week, but he showed what most experts were already saying about him as it moved forward. Davenport is raw, but he’s hard worker who can develop quickly. The Rams are looking shore up the front seven on the defensive side of the ball. Given time, Davenport could make an impact for the Rams. He’s an extremely talented DE with one of the biggest upsides in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Measurables

Height: 6’7

Weight: 245-lbs

Unofficial 40-time: 4.77 sec

Strengths

  • Davenport features NFL size for defensive end
  • His physical game and high motor will wear out opposing offensive lines
  • He possess a great combination of speed and strength that can overwhelm the pocket
  • Davenport has sound technique overall when focused

Weaknesses

  • Unfortunately, Davenport isn’t always focused
  • His pass rush moves are raw and need further development
  • Davenport struggles with poor hand movement against blockers
  • There are questions about what he can do against high level competition

What They’re Saying:

  • NFL Network

“Thursday’s practice was the coming out party for UTSA DE Marcus Davenport. The South team couldn’t block him. I thought he was thinking a little bit too much and struggling to get off the ball earlier in the week, but he got after it on Thursday. He was all over the place. He’s not a finished product yet, but he finally showed what he’s capable of, which was good to see. I’m very intrigued by his potential, as you can see in my top-50 rankings— Daniel Jeremiah

  • CBS Sports

“Davenport currently has Pro Football Focus’ third-highest grade among all 4-3 defensive ends in the country, trailing just Bradley Chubb and Nick Bosa. On 199 pass-rush snaps in 2017, Davenport has accumulated 43 pressures (eight sacks, six hits, 29 hurries).

That equates to PFF’s highest Pass-Rushing Productivity Score — a metric that measures how often a defender creates pressure relative to how often he rushes the quarterback — among 94 defensive ends playing in a 4-3 who’ve participated in at least 50 percent of their team’s snaps. (For perspective, Von Miller  amassed 49 quarterback pressures on 249 pass-rush snaps this season.)

Davenport’s run-stopping grade is the third-best among all players at his position. Beyond all that, he isn’t some obscure, one-year wonder. In 2016, he had the No. 15 overall PFF grade among 159 qualifying 3-4 outside linebackers. The year before that, Davenport was given the No. 62 overall grade among 286 4-3 defensive ends who qualified.”

Achievements

  • UTSA career record-holder for tackles for loss (38.0), sacks (22.0) and quarterback hurries (21)
    · 2017 Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year
    First-Team All-Conference USA
    Chuck Bednarik Award watch list
    Wuerffel Trophy preseason watch list (community service)
    Senior CLASS Award candidate
    · 2016 Second-Team All-Conference USA
    · 2015 Honorable Mention All-Conference USA

How He Fits

The Rams seem set with Michael Brockers and Aaron Donald as defensive ends in Wade Phillips’ 3-4 system. The lack of depth behind those starters were exposed throughout the season with stretches of poor run defending and an inconsistent pass rush. Adding another defender like Davenport can immensely help the Rams reach the postseason once again.

Final Thoughts

Marcus Davenport should be a first round selection. He is that talented with great upside. If the Rams want Davenport, they might have to make a more for him.

Adding Davenport to the mix would arguably make the Rams once again one of the top defensive fronts in the game. He would be a raw force where he can learn behind the best. Davenport has a great career ahead of him whereever he lands.

NFL comparison: Calais Campbell

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