Based on his 2019 performance, Davis was lined up to possibly be a first-round pick. But his performance fell off last season, and the Vikings were able to get in him in the third (No. 86 overall).
The Vikings have generally followed a template of drafting smaller guards, with fleeting, short-term success at best. Davis (6-foot-4, 315 pounds) goes against that grain, with particular props for his pass-blocking. Over 865 pass blocking snaps at Ohio State, he allowed just four sacks. He also moves well enough to work in Minnesotaās zone-blocking scheme in the run game. Imagine what Dalvin Cook could do behind a big guard who can take out second-level defenders.
Wyatt Davis career at Ohio State:
ā PFF College (@PFF_College) January 23, 2021
šŖ 865 pass-block snaps
šŖ 4 sacks allowed
šŖ 1 QB hit allowed pic.twitter.com/BxBRiUFdXm
With how susceptible Kirk Cousins is to interior pressure, the Vikings had to do something to upgrade at guard and the draft was the last avenue. Davis is all but sure to start immediately, itās just a matter of where Ezra Cleveland fits after serviceably starting games at right guard last year as a rookie. Ideally, Davis would just step in at right guard for a smoother transition and Cleveland would shift to left guard next to first-round pick Christian Darrisaw. As ESPNās Courtney Cronin cited, Cleveland saw some time at left guard during training camp last year.
With the 86th pick, the Viking select Ohio State guard Wyatt Davis. They've gone offense with three of their 3 of their first 4 picks. Davis played at right guard in college, so maybe Minnesota moves Ezra Cleveland back to LG (where he trained during camp) and the O-line is set?
ā Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) May 1, 2021
Suddenly, the Vikings seem to have the makings of a good offensive line. Davis will be a key piece.