Cowboys 2021 draft prospects: Kentucky LB Jamin Davis scouting report

The Cowboys are in need of linebacker talent and depth in the 2021 NFL Draft. Could the Cowboy explore trading up into the early second (if he falls), or back into the first round for Kentucky LB Jamin Davis?

Name: Jamin Davis

School: Kentucky

Height: 6-3

Weight: 234

Class: RS Junior

Position: LB

Jersey: #44

Data courtesy CFB at Sports-Reference.com.

Strengths:

From a traits perspective, there may not be a more exciting player in this class than Jamin Davis. Possessing freaky size, athleticism, and length for the position, Jamin Davis has the skill-set and traits to be a big-time player in the NFL. Davis plays with great functional athleticism, and that shows up in his coverage skills, and his ability to play the run laterally and when coming downhill. Davis is an explosive athlete that has impressive burst, and some big-time hitting ability. Carried running backs out of the backfield and vertically on wheel routes with ease. Length shows up in zone as he consistently made plays on the football. Wingspan swarms ball-carriers at the tackle point. Packs a punch in his hands when taking on blocks. Consistently disrupts throwing windows with arm length, instincts in coverage, and reactive quickness. Showed exceptional ability as a zone-drop linebacker to read offenses and what they were trying to do.

Weaknesses:

Still raw in some areas of his game, and it does show up on tape. Only one real year of production at Kentucky, so lack of college dominance could play a factor. Can be a tick slow to diagnose plays, especially some zone runs. Pursuit angles will need to be refined, as he plays against better athletes in the NFL. Too often tries to out-run/athlete blockers in the second-level instead of properly engaging to fill gaps/holes.

Overall Summary:

There are few players as exciting in this draft class as Kentucky LB Jamin Davis. Possessing elite traits, and putting together some extremely impressive tape in 2020, Davis made a lot of noise getting his name on the map leading up to the NFL Draft. While the freaky size, length, and athleticism flies off the tape, the high-quality reps in man coverage, his ball skills and drops in zone coverage, his field coverage against the run, and the ability to play on all four-downs as a rookie is what makes him so impressive for a one-year starter at Kentucky. Even with Davis’ lack of ideal instincts, and a few technical flaws, he deserves to be picked in the first 32 picks, and is going to have a long career in the NFL. There are few holes in his game, and his ceiling is limitless with his physical and athletic traits as an off-the-ball linebacker.

Round Grade:

2nd (#32 Overall)

Video Breakdowns: