Philadelphia Eagles: Jordan Davis is the freakiest athlete in the draft

What is the Philadelphia Eagles‘ biggest need heading into the 2022 NFL Draft? Is it another high-end wide receiver to pair up with DeVonta Smith and Quez Watkins? Or what about a second starting-caliber outside cornerback to play opposite Darius Slay and Avonte Maddox? The prospects of going into the 2022 season with Marcus Epps and/or K’Von Wallace starting opposite Anthony Harris might be worth addressing, too, if we’re being honest.

How about defensive tackle?

I know, I know, there’s an argument to be made that defensive end, not defensive tackle, could rank higher on the Eagles’ immediate needs list, as Brandon Graham is coming off of a torn Achilles, Milton Williams is a hybrid player, and Derek Barnett is, well, Derek Barnett, but when one considers that both Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave are set to hit the open market in 2023, the Birds could find themselves with one or even two fresh faces in the middle of Jonathan Gannon’s defense come next fall.

Factor Howie Roseman’s preference for using first-round picks in the trenches and the team’s reported interest in securing a one-tech specialist, the Philadelphia Eagles might just use one of their three first-round picks on a defensive tackle, specifically one of the two who called Georgia home this past fall. While both players are really, really good, Jordan Davis might just be the freakiest athlete in the entire 2022 NFL Draft and could have what it takes to become the next big-time bully to call Broad Street home.

Jordan Davis would become an instant fan favorite with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Jordan Davis is one of the biggest dudes in the 2022 NFL Draft. He’s clocked in at 6-foot-6, 341 pounds at the 2022 NFL Draft combine, which ranked in the 98th and 95th percentile, respectively, and went on to have one of the most impressive testing periods of any player in attendance in Indianapolis.

We’re talking a 123-inch broad jump, a 32-inch vertical jump, a 1.68 second 10-yard split, and oh yeah, a 4.78 40 yard dash, which is just .04 seconds slower than Aidan Hutchinson, a player who weighs 80(!) pounds less than the collegiate Bulldog. When you look at Davis’ Mockdraftable spider chart, it’s almost completely filled in, with none of his measurables falling below the 74th percentile.

If Jordan was just an underwear olympian like, say, two more defensive linemen with the last name Davis, Carlos, and Khalil, he would surely still get drafted on Day 3 as a developmental prospect, but fortunately, that won’t be necessary. No, Davis is one of the premier prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft not only because of his measurables, but because he knows exactly how to use his athletic gifts like few other defensive tackles the NFL has ever seen.

With bulldozer-like power and an uncanny ability to slip through gaps like a wet seal, Davis recorded 90 tackles, 11.5 tackles for a loss, and seven sacks over his 37 games in Athens. He made big plays when it counted – including a tackle for loss and a pass defense in the 2021 National Championship game – looked unmoveable in the run game, and was projected as one of the most pro-ready players in the country when he eventually jumped to the pro-level.

One way or another, that will happen this fall, and if there’s any luck, it’ll come as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Like Milton Williams, the Birds’ third-round pick in 2021, Davis is a generational athlete on the defensive line who should contribute as a rookie and work his way up to a spot in the starting lineup before his rookie-scale contract expires. While conventional wisdom would suggest placing him at nose tackle over a center in a 3-4 scheme, he excelled playing the one-tech at Georgia and could fill that role in Philadelphia’s 4-3 defensive front with ease. Because of Davis’ speed, strength, and burst, he can remain in play regardless of down and distance and could force double-teams on the interior in the hopes of giving his teammates more one-on-one looks.

Finding a pass-rushing nose tackle might just be the hardest position to fill in the entire NFL, so securing a good one who is only 22 and under contract on a team-friendly deal for five years is an incredible asset to have.

Do you want to see Josh Sweat and Haason Reddick get one-on-ones rushing off the edge? Put Davis on their side of the field. Do you want to give Javon Hargrave easier matchups without having to contest with opposing centers doubling him? Davis is a walking double-team who practically begs opposing run game coordinators to send a man his way.

Really, the only bad thing about Davis is that he’d have to be a part-time player as a rookie, which is a small price to pay for securing the services of one of the best players in the NFL Draft and one of the best defensive tackles prospects I’ve seen since Vita Vea back in 2018.

There’s no doubt about it; Jordan Davis is going to be good. His NFL floor is a 10-year starter, and his ceiling is multiple Pro Bowls and a contract with an eight-figure AAV. While his addition may not be the most exciting option imaginable at 15, 16, or 19 – if he falls that far – Davis should prove to be one of the best players in this year’s class and could help to form a new, long-term foundation for any defensive scheme the Philadelphia Eagles could run at any point in the 2020s. He’s just that good and would be my pick for the Birds’ first-round pick even if they only had one selection, let alone three.