Trading Up for a DT – Case Example

Yesterday, I posted a brief article covering trading up for a coveted WR. Today’s example demonstrates the same concept for an Interior Defensive Line Defender. That player Must have Pass Rush written all over his traits package. The most talented and capable DT is Georgia’s Jordan Davis in this draft. For Now. I am not sure what the future portends for Davis, but he is a dominant player looking at his film. My biggest worry about the future is his weight.

One thing is for sure about Davis: He is a pass-rush threat from the inside, something that is sorely needed opposite Chris Jones. Obtaining Davis would give the Chiefs an inside-out pass-rush. As a result, the shortest distance to the QB is from the inside.

Take a look at the exposures on the defensive side of the ball:

Saunders, Wharton, and Nnadi are role players. None are a constant threat as run defenders or pass-rush opportunists. Obviously, beyond that is the exposure at DE. That is a subject for a different article. LBs? Sure, we need to draft an LB. CB? Again the position group is an exposure. Safety? Sure, there are a lot of holes to fill on the defensive side of the ball. But At DT? We need a complete player, and Jordan fit’s that mold.

I can see moving up to draft Jameson Williams. At the same time, I can see moving up to prepare Jordan Davis. Let’s take a look!

The Big gamble would be how far to trade up to obtain Davis?

To have the opportunity to select him, I felt that I had to trade up into the low teens to make that selection, and indeed that is what happened. It was costly. My Second first-round pick was Boye Mafe(DE, MN). With just two draft picks, the DL is greatly improved in this mock draft, but it was costly. I was able to double-dip on WR and select George Pickens. I was also able to choose Romeo Doubs. I believed that with Davis and Mafe, the DL retool was a success. Adding two WR helped get the WR corp younger, and I have liked Pickens from the start of my deliberations. The Chief’s WR room needs reconstruction, and it also needs to get younger. Two very good WRs to add to the WR room. At the same time, I had decided that I wanted CB Martin Emerson(6’2, Mississippi St). Emerson has a height we haven’t had on the club for five years, and his wingspan is in the elite category. The other CB who fits was CB Colby Bryant. Because of my effort to move up in the draft, drafting a second Defensive End Eluded me. Still, I covered the team’s most glaring needs. Also, I did have to forego selecting an LB, which I dearly wanted to accomplish.

I have stated that the Chiefs will end up re-signing Mel Ingram for the DE role. I still believe that is in the works. However, having added LB Jermaine Carter, Jr., I am comfortable with the LB group.

I was unable to meet my goal of drafting Chad Muma, LB-Wyoming. I was hoping he would drop into the range for round 3, but he went far earlier. Had that opportunity come to pass, I would have selected Muma, forgone Romeo Doubs, and found a receiver like Calvin Austin III to offer a different set of skills to add to the WR room.

Be that as it may, that example mock draft was a success.

Why Jordan Davis?

Davis is a fit for the IDL that you have to watch the tape and see him play. I don’t think there is another DT in this draft that comes close. At the same time, I do not believe NFL teams will draft him in the top 10. IF Jordan Davis is the apple of the scouting staff’s eye, KC would have to move up somewhere in the second 10 picks. Once again, a trade to pick 13 might secure Davis as it did in my previous example of trading up to draft WR Jameson Williams.

It would have been possible to select a different Georgia DT — Devonte Wyatt, who would have been a great selection. I think Wyatt would fit opposite Jones on the interior. Indeed, I have foregone trading up for a DT altogether. If I have been unable to select Wyatt, then there are at least three other DTs that are pass-rush threats that would fit the Chief’s needs: DeMarvin Leal(Tx A&M), Travis Jones(UConn), and Perrion Winfrey(OU). The exercise was to establish that it would be possible to trade up in the draft and choose a player who appears to be a generational talent, and that is how I would describe Jordan Davis. He is a massive Player who possesses speed and quickness that is remarkable for a man his size. Davis was the cog in the Georgia Wheel that made the Georgia Defense Work in many ways!

A Deeper Look

Mike Felder did a short film study of Davis: Film Don’t Lie. See it here: https://watchstadium.com/videos/georgia-dt-jordan-davis-nfl-draft-film-study

I grant that Felder’s view is a defense against the ground game. It does show how disruptive Davis is versus the run. Georgia saved much of his energy for the first two downs. Davis can swat opposing linemen out of the way and get to the opposing QB, too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ztrm35bZfM&t=8s

The thing about Davis is that he has the lateral quickness for the pass rush technique that he must be double teams to stop him. and has existing pass rush techniques that work. Davis possesses a physical ability that often requires a double team–a passing down or a run down. Even on passing downs, he can use his strength to squeeze the pocket., collapse it and make a play — his size and quickness fold into his pass-rush effort. I also see his use of his hands as a powerful asset.

Jordan Davis was the Outland Award winner for 2021. Rightly so, in my view. Scariest Defender in College Football? The highlight film shows what Davis can do in the pass-rush and against the run. Watch his highlight film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4pW18Ntw3k

Imagine Davis and Jones on the Chief’s IDL, Rundown, or pass. That would be a pair of mean defenders playing inside. Can you see it?

Jordan’s Metrics

• Height: 6’6″
• Weight: 340
• Hands: 10 3/4″
• Arm Length: 34″
• Vertical: 32″
• Broad Jump: 122″
• 40-Yard: 4.78

Strengths: Lance Zeirlein

• task driven, thrives on plays
• Squares the block and tosses it aside when he’s ready.
• Flows through an edge when he finds his positioning.
• Pure power to battle through wash-down blocks.
• Can shed blocks and transition a gap over.
• Has talent to do more than just neutralize double teams.
• Hands are pinpoint accurate into the blocker’s shoulders.
• Plays with hand quickness to slap opponent’s hands off of him.
• Never on the ground.
• Won’t be blocked by a single block.
• Has size to overwhelm certain opponents.
• Potential to alter opponent’s game plan.

Weaknesses

• Occasional leverage issues due to his height.
• Can be a little straight-legged into lateral engagement.
• Below-average first-step quickness.
• Lacks knee bend to roll downhill with bull rush.
• COD not a strength
• Can’t disengage Blocks quickly
• Redirected due to lack of bend in his rush.

The Bottom Line?

You watch the film. Much of the weaknesses can be “coached out.” He will always be a massive mountain of an Interior defender. According to Next Gen Stats, his draft grade from the NFL is 6.5. I don’t think he will be selected in the top 15 draft picks.

be drafted in the top 15, but that is my view. If Davis were my 1st round trade-up target, Mr. Veach? If he is the ultimate target for 2022? Do what must be done to bring him aboard. In 2021, both Laddie and I believed that adding an Interior Defender who was also a pass-rush threat was anecessary It didn’t happen. They did by experiment with bringing Jarran Reed to the fold. That didn’t work. Maybe the 2022 Draft is the time to get it done.

You decide. Is Jordan Davis worth trading up to bring to the Kingdom?

David Bell – ArrowheadOne