Miami Dolphins land Alabama’s gifted defensive tackle Raekwon Davis with 56th pick

Adam H. Beasley
·2 min read

Everyone will remember the Tua Tagovailoa pick, but here’s the reality of this critically important weekend:

The Dolphins have spent the most effort in the 2020 draft (so far) rebuilding their trenches.

Their latest pick: Tua’s former teammate, Alabama defensive tackle Raekwon Davis.

The 6-foot-6, 311-pounder will bulk up a defensive interior in desperate need of help.

Davis would have been a Day 1 pick of his senior year was like his first two on campus. His production fell way off after a strong start to his collegiate career — although Davis told reporters that was not the case.

When asked where he fits best, Davis said: “I feel like I fit everywhere, from a 5 [technique] to a 4 to a 3 to [tackle], because we run so many schemes [at Alabama].”

Davis’ goal? To win rookie of the year.

The talent is there. It’ll be up to Brian Flores to consistently get it out of him.

Here’s how NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein evaluated Davis:

Rugged and powerful with elite physical traits, Davis has the ability to impose his will on opponents and dominate at the point of attack. He plays long and strong with rare leverage for a taller player and holds positioning against double teams for linebackers to flow freely. He was all over the backfield in 2017, but hasn’t made nearly as many plays — against the run or pass — since then. Despite possessing unique traits and the potential to dominate, his upside could be a moving target based upon maturity level and continued growth as a rusher. He should be a first-round pick who can come in and start right away for an odd or even front defense.

But unless Davis is a star, this pick could remembered for what might have been.

The run on running backs came in the second round, with a potential target — J.K. Dobbins — coming off the board one pick (to the Ravens) before the Dolphins’ second second-rounder.

Will the Dolphins regret not giving up one of their nine third-day picks to move up a few spots to land the Ohio State star? Time will tell.