CardinalChris
Big Man Himself
Still some good backers and TEs left for our 3rd.
we need bush
Buster Davis
ILB | (5'9You must be registered for see images attach", 239, 4.64) | FLORIDA STATE
Scouts Grade: 72
Flags: (B: BULK/SIZE) Lacks size/bulk for positionYou must be registered for see images attachSelected by: Arizona Cardinals
Round: 3
Pick (Overall): 5(69) View by: Round | Player | NCAA School | Position | NFL Team | FlagYou must be registered for see images attach| All Ranked PlayersYou must be registered for see images attach| NFL Draft History You are signed into InsiderYou must be registered for see imagesand have access to the exclusive draft content below.
Strengths: An experienced and productive starter at the highest collegiate level. Has shown versatility by playing inside and outside linebacker while at FSU. He shows very good natural instincts and reads his keys quickly. He's quicker than fast. Shows good lateral mobility and is able to make plays from sideline-to-sideline versus the run. Takes solid angles and is relentless in pursuit. He is a vicious hitter with very good short-area power. Much more effective when coming forward than he is when turning and running. Has developed a good feel for finding creases as a blitzer and he is a productive pass rusher.
Weaknesses: Lacks ideal "NFL measurables". Is short and has maxed out his frame. Lacks ideal top-end speed. Will have trouble matching up in the phone booth as a run-plugger in the NFL. He will have limitations in coverage due to lack of ideal size and speed. Displays below average ball skills and is not much of a playmaker in coverage.
Overall: Davis sat out the 2002 season as a redshirt before playing sparingly in seven contests during the 2003 season making five total tackles and one tackle for loss. In 2004, he played in all 12 games (11 starts) and finished the season with 60 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, one sack, and one fumble recovery. Davis returned as the starter for all 13 games in 2005 recording 91 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, and one fumble recovery. He started all 13 games in 2006 and earned first team All-American (coaches) and first team All-ACC honors after registering 109 tackles, eight tackles for loss, five sacks, one interception, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one safety. Davis is an experienced, steady, versatile linebacker with enough quickness, bulk, aggressiveness and power to emerge as a solid starter if protected by the right scheme in the NFL. His below average size and straight-line speed will inevitably affect his draft stock but Davis plays the game much more effectively than his "measurables" indicate -- much like London Fletcher (Bills). Davis is one of the top-five inside linebacker prospects in the 2007 class and his value is in the late first-day range.