Mel Kiper Jr. goes to bat for Jordan Davis, silences critics

Jordan Davis became the biggest story to emerge from last week’s NFL Combine and ESPN NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper silenced all of the critics, stating why last week’s performance in Indianapolis could help the Georgia Bulldogs defensive linemen get drafted sooner than he was originally projected.

With his official time logged at 4.78,, the Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman became the fastest ever at the NFL Scouting Combine by a player over 340 pounds and by a good margin. The second fastest time was run by Dontari Poe of Memphis back in 2012, he ran a 4.98.

“Jordan Davis goes out and does something we’ve never seen,” Kiper said referring to the historically great 40-yard dash time posted by the Bulldogs big man in Indy. “This is a rare quality, and people talk about his performance in the season not getting the sacks, well there’s a lot of guys on that Georgia defensive line and the way they utilized the talent didn’t allow for opportunities.”

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NFL media put out a crazy edited video showing the UGA big man ran a faster 40 time than Baker Mayfield and Jameis Winston. Oh, and that famous Georgia QB who finally won a Super Bowl? That’s right, the 340-pound defensive linemen was faster than Matthew Stafford as well.

This @jordanxdavis99 simulcam is BONKERS.

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Kiper then began to make comparisons between Davis and former Alabama Crimson Tide DL A’Shawn Robinson, who was drafted in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft by Detroit but has found a home with the Rams defense that has utilized his strengths on a defensive line loaded with talent.

“I think when you look at a guy like Davis, he reminds me of A’Shawn Robinson coming out of Alabama,” Kiper added.

“You knew he wasn’t going to be a great pass rusher, but he was dynamic, destructive, stop you in your tracks run defender. He would clog up in the middle and what he’s done with the Rams, surrounded by great pass rushers — it was a great move by Les Snead. So now you get a guy like Jordan Davis, if he goes to a team that has some pass rushers to compliment what he will do clogging things, then based on his workout, you may get a few more sacks than you think.”

If Jordan Davis ends up becoming a player similar to Robinson, it will be a win for the NFL team he ends up with. In his 6 years in the NFL, Robinson has shined when healthy. Last season, the former Alabama star played a pivotal role for in helping the Rams reach the Super Bowl. He played in 17 games with 14 starts, and was utilized mainly as a run stuffer where he shined with 58 total tackles and 28 solo tackles. He recorded two sacks on the year and two forced fumbles. Another stat of note where Davis could make noise? Robinson’s size has led to 17 pass deflections in his career.

RELATED: NFL DROY Micah Parsons reacts to Jordan Davis

Kiper believes Jordan Davis — originally projected as a fringe late first round pick but more likely a second round selection, will absolutely here his name called within the first 20 selections on the first night of the NFL Draft.

“All of a sudden now, he’s a guy we had going somewhere between 20-40, may go a little higher than 20. And ultimately he ends up being a guy like A’Shawn Robinson, who is not only a great run defender, but gives you a little disruption against the pass as well.”

Todd McShay identifies landing spot for Jordan Davis

Directly after Kiper raved about the UGA big man and the likelihood of his NFL combine performance leading to a leap in where he is drafted, Todd McShay threw out a perfect destination when it comes to pieces in place, the need for a versatile run stopper in the middle and how Davis could instantly bolster a team that feels like it’s on the cusp of becoming a major contender in the AFC.

“I think the Chargers at 17 makes a lot of sense,” McShay said.

“We’ve talked about it before. Their run defense has been at the bottom of the NFL. Getting one individual can change that, because it frees up your outside guys, it frees up your linebackers. Even if it’s only 30-35 plays a game in the NFL, that’s worth it to me. After that workout, how do you as a defensive line coach and a defensive coordinator not say, ‘hey listen, if we can keep that weight down, he’s already a special run defender, we can get more out of him as a pass rusher. It will surprise me if on the first night of the draft if he gets past pick 20, and I think No. 17 to the Chargers is a great landing spot for Jordan Davis.”