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2017 NFL Draft: Chattanooga Keionta Davis Scouting Report

By Jon Dove

Mar 4, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tennessee-Chattanooga defensive end Keionta Davis speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tennessee-Chattanooga defensive end Keionta Davis speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Chattanooga’s Keionta Davis is a small-school edge rusher who has flashed the upside to be an effective NFL pass rusher.

Keionta Davis has the size and bulk needed to play a traditional defensive end role in a 4-3 defense. He has enjoyed a very productive career at Chattanooga going against lesser competition. However, he made some good plays this past year against Alabama.

Davis features a solid burst off the line of scrimmage. He’s not an elite athlete but has enough snap awareness to gain a step on the edge. If he’s able to gain the edge, Davis has the balance to flatten out and turn the corner.

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He has quick and violent hands that keep the blocker off his frame. This helps him dip his shoulder and pursue the quarterback.

Davis routinely looks to get his hands on the football and has generated a good number of fumbles. This awareness to create turnovers is something every defensive coordinator wants out of their players. It’s certainly something that will help Davis’ draft stock.

Against the run, he does his best work shooting the inside gap. He has that solid initial burst and ability to lower his pads that make this possible.

However, he needs to get stronger at the point of attack and improve his hand usage. Davis must be more committed to delivering an initial punch and gaining inside hands. This doesn’t only pertain to the run game as he also lacks proper hand usage as a pass rusher.

The biggest thing with Davis is that he has the natural traits needed to excel in the NFL. However, he’s still raw and will need time to develop into a full time player. The jump from small school competition to NFL talent will only make that transition harder.

Draft Range: 5th Round

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