New Orleans Saints draft Marcus Davenport: Instant grade and analysis

MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 27: Defensive End Marcus Davenport #93 of the Texas-San Antonio on the South Team is defended by Tackle Brian O'Neil #70 of Pittsburgh on the North Team during the 2018 Resse's Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 27, 2018 in Mobile, Alabama. The South defeated the North 45 to 16. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Marcus Davenport; Brian O'Neil /

The New Orleans Saints selected Marcus Davenport with the No. 14 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Here’s all you need to know about Davenport, including our grade.

Let’s be real. This one was a tad strange. While many thought the New Orleans Saints were trading up to No. 14 to draft a quarterback, they moved up from No. 27 with the Green Bay Packers to draft edge player Marcus Davenport out of Texas-San Antonio.

Strengths

Enormous, lanky stand-up outsider linebacker who can play defensive end.Put on a solid 10+ pounds before his senior year and could probably put on another 5-10 and play at 270 without losing anything. Senior but won’t be 22 until Week 1. Chases hard and is an impact tackler. Closes with ferocity and burst. Flashes the ability to convert speed to power. Plays with an edge, with violence.

Has experience dropping in coverage and looks relatively smooth doing that. No business doing as well in coverage as he does at his size. Constantly getting his hands up and getting into passing lanes. Flashes heavy hands and bullies tackles. Not just heavy hands but active hands; he’s constantly fighting. Converts speed to power. Played well in big games against the best competition. Flashes the ability to dip and bend the edge. Has a rip move when he’s turning the corner.

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Weaknesses

Average wingspan and arm length but small hands. Lacks polish with his pass rush tool box. Doesn’t have the change-of-direction ability NFL teams covet, underscored by an average three-cone time. Slow start at Senior Bowl and questions about his level of play will come up. Doesn’t always play with good leverage and needs to keep his hands above his eyes, which can be tough for a player nearly 6-foot-6.

Grade

Davenport was a great player for the Roadrunners, but why did the Saints move up 13 spots to get him? He may not have been there for them at No. 27, but this move up was a bit much. If he pans out, great, but we can’t love Mickey Loomis’ decision to trade up to get a pass rusher.

Grade: C-

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