5 players worthy of the Philadelphia Eagles’ first-round selection
By Ryan Quigley
Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
I have not been shy about Corey Davis’ potential at the next level. Despite coming from a smaller school, Davis is capable of becoming a dominant force in the NFL.
In four seasons at Western Michigan, Davis caught 332 balls for 5,285 yards (an FBS record) and 52 touchdowns. He leaves school as the only receiver in FBS history with over 300 receptions, 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns in his career.
Davis would give Carson Wentz a big, reliable target who can dominate the middle of the field. Despite signing Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith, the Eagles would be foolish to pass on a player like Davis.
Here is a scouting report on Davis, courtesy of NFL.com.
"STRENGTHS: Outstanding four-year production. Alpha attitude on the field and not afraid to take on the challenge of heavy target load. Excellent competitiveness. Focuses like a laser when ball is in the air. Tracks the deep ball as well as anyone in college and understands how to stack cornerbacks and keep them on his hip. Has second gear to run under the long ball. Excels in intermediate and deep parts of the field. Route running showed improvement in 2016. Variable route speed creates indecision for defenders. Vertical routes are crisp and create tilt in off-corners and safeties that he is quick to take advantage of. Play speed features access to functional burst. Can defeat inside leverage. A quarterback’s friend who works aggressively back to the ball. Dominates in red zone. High-point catcher who uses well-timed leaps and long arms to win the 50-50 throws. Increases physicality and acceleration out of routes when operating near paydirt. WEAKNESSES: Doesn’t always sell his vertical routes aggressively enough to make cornerbacks open their hips. Drifts, at times, on in-breaking routes, allowing defenders to squeeze the route. Needs to improve quickness into and out of his breaks underneath. Elongated into breaks when working from slot. Has had some issues with focus drops on throws outside of his frame. Had 16 drops over last three years at Western. Free releases into his routes in college will turn into stern press challenges in the pros. Wasn’t asked to do much meaningful blocking."