What Jordan Davis' Return Could Mean For Georgia
Anytime a team plays the type of hybrid odd-front defense that Georgia does, massive men are needed like defensive tackle Jordan Davis. In fact, head coach Kirby Smart said if he had three Jordan Davis's, he'd be one happy camper.
So, when a player like Davis — who has manned the interior of Georgia's defensive line for the better part of three seasons — is in the midst of an NFL decision, the future of the defense is at stake.
Let's start with the draft feedback that is known about Davis:
Jordan Davis Draft Grade
It's an extremely thin defensive tackle class in the 2021 NFL Draft. So, even if Davis was sitting third or fourth on big boards of NFL teams heading into the draft, they could find themselves having to take a chance with Davis much earlier than anticipated. According to NFL evaluators we've spoken to, Davis currently is slotted as a second-to-third-round draft pick.
However, sources close to the Georgia program have indicated that if Davis does declare, it is believed he will "turn heads" at the NFL Combine with testing numbers that are uncommon for a 6-foot-6, 340-pound man. A great testing day at the Combine could easily launch him into the bottom of the first round.
Why Return?
So, with a rather above average NFL Draft grade, the question is why should he return to Georgia? Davis' relentless rehab from his elbow injury to finish out the 2020 season says everything you needed to know.
He fought back, kept himself in peak physical conditioning despite the injury, and got back onto the field against Missouri. He's a young man that loves Georgia football. That's why he would return; it's that simple.
What Davis' Return Would Mean
Davis allows Georgia's linebackers to run as freely as they currently do, and with the loss of Monty Rice heading into next season, it would be beneficial to a young linebacker corps if they had one of the nation's best defensive tackles in front of them holding up the line of scrimmage and keeping them free to roam.
Davis plays a pivotal role in the run game, but perhaps a return for his fourth and final season at Georgia would bring with it a more developed pass-rushing attack. He has only 4.0 sacks in his career and a major boost in that number could solidify a potential first-round grade in 2022.
Prediction
At this moment, Dawgs Daily at SI.com believes Davis will return to Georgia for a fourth season.
