Read on Twitter
~~ GABRIEL DAVIS ~~
Where did this rookie sleeper come from? How does he fit into the future of your fantasy team? Is he legit?
Follow me as I try to convince myself that I know what I'm talking about (-:
Where did this rookie sleeper come from? How does he fit into the future of your fantasy team? Is he legit?
Follow me as I try to convince myself that I know what I'm talking about (-:
Like last time, let's start with the numbers.
6'2, 216.
Underwhelming combine.
4.54 40 time
1.55 10-yard split = good burst despite slow full speed
7.08 3-cone
4.59 shuttle
6.88 RAS ( https://relativeathleticscores.com/ras-information/?PlayerID=20191, @MathBomb)
4th round, 128th pick.
6'2, 216.Underwhelming combine. 4.54 40 time 1.55 10-yard split = good burst despite slow full speed7.08 3-cone4.59 shuttle6.88 RAS ( https://relativeathleticscores.com/ras-information/?PlayerID=20191, @MathBomb)
4th round, 128th pick.
High target share in a run-first offense at UCF.
Low BOA of 19.4.
High college YPR of 17.2 (14.5 so far in NFL).
Decent college DOM.
Scored a 72.46 in my WR model based on his college resume, combine performance, and draft capital. Puts him between Ruggs and Duvernay as WR15.
Low BOA of 19.4.
High college YPR of 17.2 (14.5 so far in NFL).
Decent college DOM.
Scored a 72.46 in my WR model based on his college resume, combine performance, and draft capital. Puts him between Ruggs and Duvernay as WR15.
Now onto the good stuff: film (courtesy of @DynastyNerds film room + @nextuphighlight Youtube cut-up).
Initial thoughts:
Good ball-tracking
Catches with hands in good position at the highest catch point
Slow game speed
Slightly below average routes
Initial thoughts:
Good ball-tracking Catches with hands in good position at the highest catch point Slow game speed Slightly below average routes
Tracking
Davis shows his quick burst to get around his defender. Positions his body to watch the ball in naturally, catches with BOTH hands and immediately brings it in. From catch point to cradle in one step.
Davis shows his quick burst to get around his defender. Positions his body to watch the ball in naturally, catches with BOTH hands and immediately brings it in. From catch point to cradle in one step.
Tracking
Another angle on the over the shoulder catch above. Notice the full arm extension with both hands in a good position to make the catch. That's exactly what you want on an over-the-shoulder catch.
Another angle on the over the shoulder catch above. Notice the full arm extension with both hands in a good position to make the catch. That's exactly what you want on an over-the-shoulder catch.
Tracking
Again, on an OTS catch, Davis extends his hands over his head to make the catch in stride instead of trying to corral it into his gut. You can also see him accelerate slightly right before the ball comes in order to create a little more separation from the defender.
Again, on an OTS catch, Davis extends his hands over his head to make the catch in stride instead of trying to corral it into his gut. You can also see him accelerate slightly right before the ball comes in order to create a little more separation from the defender.
Hand catching
LAR secondary blunder leaves Davis wide open. He watches the ball all the way in, hands in excellent position to make the catch (in front of ball, not underneath), and great awareness to keep his feet in bounds.
LAR secondary blunder leaves Davis wide open. He watches the ball all the way in, hands in excellent position to make the catch (in front of ball, not underneath), and great awareness to keep his feet in bounds.
For reference, watch this video from @JetPackGalileo explaining Jeudy's cradle catching. Notice how Davis attacks the front of the ball at catch point instead of waiting for it to fall into his hands? The difference is important for catching in traffic. https://twitter.com/JetPackGalileo/status/1327417528428204043?s=20
Tracking/Hand catching
Good track on OTS. Decent extension. Catch with hands, not gut. Leans inside to cut off defender. He's a natural at fundamental catching.
Good track on OTS. Decent extension. Catch with hands, not gut. Leans inside to cut off defender. He's a natural at fundamental catching.
Game speed
Now comes the bad. Even though he's not the first read, he has a slightly delayed release, heavy feet, and gets caught up at the turn. Defender has no trouble reading his route and jamming him.
Now comes the bad. Even though he's not the first read, he has a slightly delayed release, heavy feet, and gets caught up at the turn. Defender has no trouble reading his route and jamming him.
Game speed
Sorry for low quality.
Davis is supposed to be the first read on this read option, but he allows himself to be completely taken out of play, then shows no hustle to give his young QB an option while scrambling.
No hustle unless it's a designed play for him.
Sorry for low quality.
Davis is supposed to be the first read on this read option, but he allows himself to be completely taken out of play, then shows no hustle to give his young QB an option while scrambling.
No hustle unless it's a designed play for him.
Game speed
Again, not the first read, but seriously? This type of lackadaisical route will land you on the pine immediately. The play wasn't designed for him, so the effort was minimal.
Again, not the first read, but seriously? This type of lackadaisical route will land you on the pine immediately. The play wasn't designed for him, so the effort was minimal.
Routes
A lot of chopping, not a whole lot of movement. He's the first read on this play (QB stares him down immediately, including a full-body quarter turn), but decides to dance on LOS instead of moving downfield. Credit: he does shake the defender at the top of his curl.
A lot of chopping, not a whole lot of movement. He's the first read on this play (QB stares him down immediately, including a full-body quarter turn), but decides to dance on LOS instead of moving downfield. Credit: he does shake the defender at the top of his curl.
Routes
(Top of screen)
Virtually no release = gets jammed at the line. Nearly knocks his teammate off his route because he was late on his route. When WR has no cushion, they have to be quick off the line in order to take advantage of the press coverage. Doesn't do that here.
(Top of screen)
Virtually no release = gets jammed at the line. Nearly knocks his teammate off his route because he was late on his route. When WR has no cushion, they have to be quick off the line in order to take advantage of the press coverage. Doesn't do that here.
After all this, I must say--Gabriel Davis has some of the most reliable hands I've seen. He is a natural hand-catcher, as seen in this miraculous play.
I don't expect him to ever be a viable fantasy option without major injuries to every other pass-catching option on his team. That doesn't mean he won't have a decent week every once in a while, but I will never be comfortable slotting him into my lineup.
What do you think, am I being too harsh on the rookie? Do you see something that I'm missing? Let's start a convo about it!
I promised to do a Van Jefferson breakdown next, but who would you like to see after Van?
