Jamin Davis is an incredibly athletic linebacker from the University of Kentucky. He has incredible speed and explosiveness and he flies around the field making plays. He’s also very good in coverage because of how fluid he moves and he’ll be a great will linebacker at the next level.

Strengths: 

  • Great Athletic Profile

Jamin Davis has a phenomenal athletic profile. He stands at 6’3 235 lbs which on it’s own isn’t that impressive but he combines that with a blazing fast 4.47 40 yard dash which is indicative of his play speed as well as great explosiveness and change of direction ability.

  • Great Range

The aforementioned speed Jamin Davis has is what gives him so much range. He is going to be a sideline to sideline player at the next level because he can accelerate and hit a top gear quick enough to coverage both ends of the field.

  • Closes Fast and Hits Hard

Jamin Davis does a great job closing downhill using his quickness and explosiveness to get downhill and once he meets a ball carrier he will deliver a big hit over the middle of the field.

  • Good Feel for Zone Coverage

Jamin Davis will be a great linebacker in zone coverage in the NFL. He has a great feel of what’s going on behind him and makes himself useful in zone coverage which is great to see for a linebacker.

Weaknesses: 

  • Below Average Processor

Processing in my opinion is probably the most important trait for a linebacker and to me it appears that Davis comes up a bit short in this area. His lack of experience is likely the cause as to why he not only identifies plays slowly but will make the wrong read at times as well.

  • Can’t Disengage From Blocks Well

Not being able to disengage from blocks only accentuates the issue of being an average processor because it leaves him susceptible to blockers climbing up to block him at the second level before he has completely understood what is happening. Once they do get to him Davis struggles with getting them off of him.

  • Takes Bad Angles Often

Another thing that Davis is going to have to improve at the next level is his tendency to underestimate the speed of others and trusting himself too much to the point where he takes a bad angle and lets a play get behind him.

Player Comp: Jamin Davis probably comes closest in comparison to linebacker Roquan Smith currently of the Chicago Bears. Both guys are incredibly fast which gives them sideline to sideline range. They are also twitchy athletes who are explosive getting to their spots and despite being smaller guys they both also hit very hard over the middle. They both excel in zone coverage where they have a great feel for their zone and both guys also have potential in man coverage because of how quick and fluid their movements are to mirror pass catchers. They both share the common weakness of not being able to disengage from blocks as well as the weakness of taking bad angles sometimes. Roquan Smith certainly is a better processor which is why I think Jamin won’t be as good but the play style is still very similar. 

Final Thoughts: Jamin Davis was one of the biggest risers in the draft process. He started off as a relatively unknown guy and ascended to an early Round 2 player and I have Davis in that same range. I think he’s a good player and a phenomenal athlete. I love the coverage ability that he brings to be an immediate zone contributor as well as having upside in man coverage, but I unfortunately can’t bring him into the Round 1 conversation because of the processing concerns. He can play will linebacker for 4-3 teams and inside linebacker position for 3-4 teams and I prefer him in zone for now but he will be able to go to a team that varies their coverage looks. The Eagles are a great fit as they need a good will linebacker and will vary their coverage looks to take advantage of his ability in zone and potential in man.