Round 6 draftee should earn a bigger role in Year 2
Expectations for the 2025 Los Angeles Rams defensive line run high. The addition of Poona Ford to start at nose tackle between Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske gives L.A. a rock solid starting base. After that, the competition for DL#4, the rotation and package role, is wide open. Second-year returnee Tyler Davis looks to have the inside track to take it over.
In his Monday presser, Head coach Sean McVay was asked about the play of the Rams defense thus far and he went out of his way to single out Davis’ efforts.
“Tyler Davis is another guy,” McVay said, “who deserves to be mentioned because he has really shown why he’s such a total stud and a guy who’s going to be a major factor for us.”
Defensive tackle and captain Kobie Turner was just as effusive with his praise when he took his turn at the podium, saying:
“Tyler Davis is one of the most consistent guys, year-round. He was in all the time this off-season…When you see his technical aspects, we have a lot of guys who are not the biggest guys, but really, to succeed at this level you have to have stellar technique. The way that he plays double-teams, the way he plays on the inside of his toes, the way he strikes blocks, it’s really everything that you want. The Top 4 of our DLine room, we’re practically interchangeable, and he’s one of the Top 4.”
Who is Tyler Davis?
Drafted out of Clemson at #196 in Round 6 of the 2024 NFL draft, Davis collected 52 starts for the Tigers, along with four All-ACC awards, a Second Team All-American berth, and he participated in the Senior Bowl.
At 6’ 2” 301 lb. with a compact, blocky frame, his build give him natural leverage and his game strength’s are get-off and power. Named to the Feldman’s Freaks list for athleticism and strength, although in Davis’ case, it’s more about the power he generates. Feldman said:
“… (Davis) bench-pressed 405 pounds, doing 30 reps of 225. He’s squatted 680, front-squatted 465, power-cleaned 350 and deadlifted 655. He also was timed this offseason at 4.95 in the 40”.
Relative Athletic Score gave him a mark of 6.98, a solid score. His frame creates natural low leverage and paired his quick first step, creates opportunities for penetration. He plays a very disciplined game, consistently maintaining his gaps. While his arms are not particularly long for the position (31”), with his initial burst, powerful punch, and grip strength, he can control and stack/shed or drive blockers with constantly moving feet. A better run defender than pass rusher. He generally has good awareness as to what’s going on around him, reacting and flowing towards the ball.
Although he does not possess a full tool box of pass rush moves, his traits would appear to hint at untapped potential. Davis can be explosive off the snap, strikes a powerful punch, and fight well with his hands.
2024 film study
As a rookie, Davis played in 17 games and had a semi-regular role in the rotation (299 snaps). While he flashed his plus traits and logged good tackle production (29, 2 for loss), he could be inconsistent. When he stays low he is very hard to move off his spot, even versus double teams, but when his pad level gets too high, he’s prone to overreach and lose his base. This would neutralize his power and contact balance allowing him to be washed out by blockers. Like many rookies, getting accustomed to the size, strength, and technique of NFL players takes awhile.
Conclusions
Reports from training camp are that Davis has appeared more comfortable in Year 2. He’s been highlighting his power game, attacking aggressively and keeping his pad level low, two improvements over last year. How well he anchors will be the biggest factor in how high he takes his game.
Davis has the potential and traits be a high-floor performer and become a stellar value. He has the positional versatility the Rams covet and after a year of seasoning, his strength against the run should improve. His toughness versus the run makes him a strong candidate as the “dirty work” player of the interior, accountable, disciplined, and tough. There should also be an uptick in pass rush pass rush activity.