clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

So You've Drafted Carl Davis: A New Owner's Guide

Congratulations! You've just made the wonderful decision to draft Carl Davis! Like most new Big Carl owners, you're no doubt filled with questions about your new family member. We here at BHGP will try our best to answer any questions you might have.

By Patrick Vint
Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

HELLO BALTIMORE

WHAT'S SO SPECIAL ABOUT CARL DAVIS?

He's a 320-lb. tackle that doesn't look like one.  Davis, who started for two years at Iowa after three seasons spent in the weight room getting ready, is a backfield terrormonster trapped in the frame of another kind of player.  He's light on his feet, solid in his technique, and ready to learn.  And when he's used effectively, he's a beast on the inside against the run or pass.

We'll talk about his physical attributes later, but Davis filled a key leadership role on a young Iowa defense last season.  When paired with a familiar tackle (in his case, fellow soon-to-be-draftee Louis Trinca-Pasat) who can handle blockers and leave him one-on-one, Davis proved nearly unblockable at times.  And given the amount of work it took just to get on the field, there's no doubting his work ethic.

WHAT DID HE DO THAT WAS SO GREAT?

The obvious thought with a defensive tackle of Davis' size is to plug him in as a 1-technique and let him swallow up blocks.  Davis came alive when Iowa realized he was actually better as a disruptive 3-technique, forcing offensive lines to go out of their way to double him if they wanted.  If an NFL team can use him in that way (especially as a 3-4 end, where that wingspan could be extremely useful), they're getting a damn strong football player.

STATS:

YEAR GAMES SOLO ASSIST TOTAL SACKS/YDS TFL/YDS FF FR PASS DEF INT/YDS
2011 6 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
2012 11 6 8 14 0 1.5/3 0 1 0 0
2013 13 11 31 42 1.5/10 4/14 0 0 1 0
2014 13 14 22 36 2/8 9/27 0 1 0 0
TOTAL 43 31 63 94 3.5/18 14.5/44 0 2 1 0

HOW ARE HIS PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES?

Most guys show up at Iowa undersized and have to build themselves into NFL size.  Davis was the opposite: He actually had to drop weight to get into NFL shape.  It took him three years, but by the spring of his third year on campus, he was 305 pounds of legs and arms.  And once he got there, he was nearly unstoppable.  His wingspan is ridiculous for a player of his size, and he learned how to play low despite his height.  In other words: Physically, he's there.

NFL COMBINE:

HEIGHT WEIGHT ARM HAND 1ST 40-YARD 2ND 40-YARD 40-YARD OFFICIAL
6'5" 320 34 5/8" 11" 5.07 DNP 5.07
10-YARD DASH BENCH VERTICAL BROAD 3-CONE SHUTTLE 60-YARD
DNP 28 33" 103" 7.91 4.47 DNP

PRO DAY RESULTS:

HIGHLIGHTS

WHAT ABOUT THE BAD?

His statistical production didn't match his impact, a function in large part of Iowa's defensive system.  The bigger issue might be consistency, especially against big interior linemen or double-teams.  He's not a nose tackle, or a guy who can hold up on his own against interior blockers on three downs, but that's not why you take Carl Davis.  You take Carl Davis to turn him loose in the opposing backfield.  Just keep that in mind.

WAS THIS A GOOD DRAFT PICK?

Yeah, probably, if you use him right.  It can be said for almost every player, but Davis can be extremely effective when given the proper opportunity.  Don't fall victim to easy assumptions about his size, put him in the right system, and he'll produce for you just fine.