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With their seond draft pick on day 3 of the 2021 NFL Draft the Indianapolis Colts went back and selected a defensive player in safety Shawn Davis with the 165th overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Welcome to the Horseshoe, @sdavjr! pic.twitter.com/QKoMOBK7HP
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) May 1, 2021
Davis, 5’11 202 lbs, appeared in 37 games with 16 start) with Florida between 2017-2020, totalling 124 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss, 5 interceptions and 10 PBUs. Davis led the Gators defense in interceptions in 2020.
Here’s Davis’ draft profile from NFL.com:
Lance Zierlien: “Hard-hitting safety whose size, toughness and urgent demeanor will be appealing for NFL teams looking to add some attitude on the back end. While he certainly embraces the role of enforcer when coming forward as a striker, too often his efforts will hit road bumps due to a lack of discipline with coming to balance and squaring/wrapping his target. If a team can correct that issue, he has plenty of value in run support. Davis moves with fluidity and some explosiveness, but he has average instincts and anticipation to shade coverage and attack throws. He’s rangy over the top in two-deep and can play interchangeably in the box. His aggressiveness and versatility should create an opportunity as a good backup and eventual starter.”
Here’s what others are saying:
Shawn Davis was drafted with pick 165 of round 5 in the 2021 draft class. He does not qualify for a RAS due to a lack of measurements. https://t.co/onrHInqMWA #RAS #Colts pic.twitter.com/7jnEkWZJaB
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) May 1, 2021
Shawn Davis and Keith Taylor were two of the best most physical DBs at the Senior Bowl. Two potential RD5 steals #panthers #colts
— RosterWatch (@RosterWatch) May 1, 2021
Watching Shawn Davis and he legit reminds me of Sean Davis lol. Good athleticism and size. Can play on the backend. Reckless tackler who goes for the big hit on every play. A lot of whiffs
— Zach Hicks (@ZachHicks2) May 1, 2021
New Colts safety Shawn Davis has this nifty INT on his resume. https://t.co/akexU3HEHF
— Jim Ayello (@jimayello) May 1, 2021
To me, it sounds like Shawn Davis is a hard hitting safety who tested extremely well showing off his athleticism. Davis should offer versatility in being able to play both in the box safety and deep zone safety due to his athleticism.
The Colts have been in need of some safety depth with Malik Hooker not being re-singed in free agency. The Colts have their starters at safety set in stone with Khari Willis and Julian Blackmon however after them the depth is minimal; George Odum who the team prefers on special teams, Sean Davis (the other one) who was recently signed in free agency and Rolan Milligan who was a 2020 opt out.
This pick makes a lost of sense due to the need at safety depth. Davis should battle with Odum, the other Davis and Milligan to be the primary safety depth man. The Colts are still yet to draft a left tackle so drafting a tight end may shock a few but Davis fills a need on defense at depth safety.