STRENGTHS - A dynamic, big play back when healthy, Davis has the physical tools to change games. Instinctive and blessed with great vision, he consistently finds/sees hole/crease and has the cutting ability and burst to get to and through it. Able to change directions in a flash, Davis has consistently shown the ability make sharp cuts to make tacklers miss. Once he gets through the LOS he has the speed to out-run angles and take plays the distance. Well built with good playing strength and balance, he makes it looks easy running through tackle attempts to gain yards after contact. Possessing good hands catching the ball, Davis has the talent to contribute catching passes from a variety of alignments. .
WEAKNESSES - A much better athlete than football player, Davis has struggled to stay healthy and on the field, which has limited his overall production. His struggles staying healthy at Arkansas make him a real durability question mark for the NFL. Too often Davis does not run with good pad level, which lessens how quickly he can change directions and exposes him to many hard hits. While he has the size, strength and balance to gain yards after contact, he is not consistent enough doing so when he doesn't run with good body lean. In the games evaluated, Davis put the ball on the ground way too often - Carries it loosely and does not wrap it up when in traffic.
SUMMARY - After a breakout 2010 season when he ran for over 1,300 yards, Davis was expected to be a dominant back the next two seasons and challenge to be the #1 Overall Pick when he came out for the Draft. However, things have not gone nearly as planned as he has struggled staying healthy over the next two seasons, which caused him to rush for less yards in 2011 and 2012 combined than he did in 2010. As he showed at the Combine he seems to be completely healthy and has maintained his elite/rare athleticism. However, the real test will come when he gets to the NFL and has to prove he can be a durable back. In addition to injury concerns, Davis has struggled to hold onto the ball, which is usually enough to keep a back on the bench. Overall, Davis' physical talent warrants a high selection, but when you consider he is below the line for overall production, durability and ball security he really should not be selected until the third day of the Draft because the odds are against him becoming the consistently productive back in the NFL that he has the talent to be, but struggled to be at Arkansas. .