2014 NFL Combine Preview: Five More Wide Receivers to Watch
By Ben Nielsen
Oct 12, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns wide receiver Mike Davis (1) scores a touchdown while being defended by Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Zack Sanchez (15) at the Red River Rivalry at Cotton Bowl Stadium. The Texas Longhorns beat the Oklahoma Sooners 36-20. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
4. Mike Davis
School: Texas
Watch to Watch: 40-time, 3 Cone Drill, Medicals, Height
2013 Stats: 51 catches, 727 yards, 14.3 ypc, eight touchdowns
Met with Chiefs: No
Seriously, this receiver class is ridiculous. If there was ever a year to draft two receivers in one draft, this would be the year.
Mike Davis has good size, excellent hands, and showed he was a good route runner at the Senior Bowl. Scouts say he held his own at the Senior Bowl when compared to potential first rounder Jordan Matthews. Davis also possesses 4.4 speed and should do well in the other drills which test athleticism.
However, there are some issues with Davis that may cause him to fall into the third round. First, Davis has been listed being six-foot, two-inches at Texas, but his Senior Bowl measurement had him a little over six-feet. The near two-inch decrease may be disappointing for teams looking for bigger receivers. Davis is also coming off a sports hernia injury, which caused him to miss some time in 2013.
And finally, Davis doesn’t have the same production numbers in college as many of the other receivers in the draft. Most of this is due to Texas’ offensive scheme and poor quarterback play, but it is still something that will be taken into account when it comes to where Davis goes in the draft.
Reality is Davis has a lot of upside as a receiver and could develop in to a very solid number two receiver. His size and speed combination, plus the reports about his route running and hands, should indicate he can be successful in the NFL.
What Davis needs is to stop the bleeding. The news about his height is already out, so it won’t be a surprise at the combine. A 40-time in the 4.4s, a strong showing in the gauntlet, and some good times in the other drills may be enough to keep him around the second or third rounds.