As we head to our last two Buckeyes eligible for the 2021 NFL Draft, we examine perhaps the two highest-rated Ohio State players this year. Before we get to who we all know is number one, we look at guard Wyatt Davis. Davis is a right guard at the next level, day one, and we will evaluate him as such.
Before we get too far into Davis, it seems the injury concerns for him are small and have not hurt his draft stock all that much. Should Davis perform as expected for scouts, then it would only solidify his stock. I do not see how Wyatt can improve his stock all that much, because it is pretty high, to begin with anyway. However, some NFL executives and scouts may fall in love with his demeanor and personality during the interview process.
NEXT … The pros of Wyatt
The positives to drafting Wyatt Davis
Wyatt Davis finding work when uncovered pic.twitter.com/gPl1K08Gms
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) March 4, 2021
Davis project as a starting right guard at the next level. There are some questions as to whether he has the flexibility to play left guard, but for now, we are going to assume he is strictly a starting left guard. Wyatt’s first punch is a thing of beauty, he sets himself squarely and has really good hand placement. This makes Davis a great fit for a zone running scheme where he gets into space and has to impact a defender and move on.
Davis’s ability to see defenders and get hands on them is his strongest asset. He has good mobility to get to defenders and land that punch. If a defender is smaller than him, odds are they will get pushed off the line and knocked back to create room for the quarterback or running back. He can pull around the edge and seal a linebacker easily. He will also do well in a quick passing offense.
NEXT … The cons to Wyatt Davis
The downside to drafting Wyatt Davis
ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has Justin Fields as the only Ohio State player going in the first round. On Zoom call, I asked about Wyatt Davis and Shaun Wade. Projects both as 2-3 rd picks. Said Baron Browning and Trey Sermon have risen on boards as possible 3rd-rounders.
— Bill Rabinowitz (@brdispatch) March 1, 2021
For all the power in Wyatt’s first punch, there are times where the second punch just isn’t fully there. If he can not get his feet reset then a defender can get in on him. There were times when left looking for someone to block, Davis didn’t shade to help the center or tackle, but other times he did, consistency is a small issue. He has all the tools, but to put it together on every play has been a small thing he will need to work on.
His balance is really good, but at times will allow himself to get out of control on the second punch which throws the balance a little off. In college, his athletic ability has allowed him to recover, however, at the next level he will need to refine his technique. The fact we are designating him as a right guard and there are questions to if he can play left guard probably drops him a little.
Davis will probably go really late in the first to the top of the second somewhere. A team that relies more on the run game and quick passing will be his best fit. Easily one of the best interior linemen in this class, Davis is likely an instant starter from day one.
