Dolphins select Raekwon Davis in 2nd round

The Miami Dolphins selected defensive tackle Raekwon Davis out of Alabama in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, 56th overall.

Davis burst onto the scene in 2017, making the All-SEC team after racking up 8.5 sacks. He only had 1.5 sacks the following season and 0.5 sacks in 2019, however.

Nonetheless, the defensive tackle has the size to be a difference-maker at the pro level.

Prospect Profile

School: Alabama
Height: 6-6
Weight: 311 lbs

Positives

• Excellent size and length
• Versatile with plenty of starting experience in the SEC
• Stout run defender - can stack and shed blockers to make plays in the backfield
• Good burst off the line of scrimmage for his size
• Impressive tackle radius with very few misses
• Can set the edge and hold off double-teams
• Good power at the point of attack to seal gaps
• Large hands with great natural grip strength
• Effective bull-rusher for a tall defender

Negatives

• College production never matched potential
• Balance issues surface when closing in on quarterbacks
• Average athleticism with below-average lateral agility
• Not many refined pass-rush moves

Bottom line

After a promising freshman campaign, expectations were sky-high for Davis at Alabama. Unfortunately, he failed to consistently produce as a pass-rusher and thus never lived up to the hype. That likely won't change in the NFL, but scouts will still love the towering defender. Davis offers a unique blend of length, power, and run-defense skills and should earn a role in any defense early in his career. He also has the versatility to play in odd or even fronts and is best suited either as a two-gap lineman tasked to read blocks or in a five-technique, heads-up role against offensive tackles.