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2019 NFL Draft Tennessee Titans instant grade: Nate Davis

By Will Lomas

KNOXVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 3: Nate Davis #64 of the Charlotte 49ers pass blocks Defensive lineman Darrell Taylor #19 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the game between the Charlotte 49ers and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 14-3. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 3: Nate Davis #64 of the Charlotte 49ers pass blocks Defensive lineman Darrell Taylor #19 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the game between the Charlotte 49ers and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 14-3. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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The Tennessee Titans 3rd pick should have been one we all expected.

Tennessee Titans GM is a consistent evaluator who clearly has something that he thinks work.

If I had an hour to sit down and look at the board before the Titans picked, I could have told you who they were going to pick. Charlotte offensive lineman Nate Davis was a no-brainer.

100% of Jon Robinson’s 3rd round draft pick have one thing in common:

What is he?

Davis is a developmental guard who played at Charlotte. Despite being 5 years removed from high school finishing as a redshirt senior, Nate Davis is only 22 years old giving him plenty of time to develop into a finished product.

During his four years as a starter in Charlotte, Davis started a whopping 41 games including 35 at right guard and 6 at right tackle.

On top of his experience, he is very athletic and has a quality NFL frame for guard standing at 6’3, 315 lb.So when I ask what is he, the answer is clear: A developmental guard who has the size, athleticism and experience to start at right guard early.

What did the Titans pass on to get him?

They really haven’t missed on anyone as of the end of Day 2, but with 19 picks left to go it is very possible that the Titans could lose out on any value at EDGE. Currently I have 5 EDGEs left on my board with 3rd round grade: Maxx Crosby, D’Andre Walker, Anthony Nelson, Charles Omenihu, and Christian Miller.

If they get any of these players on Day 3 then they really didn’t miss on anyone.

Instant draft grade Nate Davis: “B+”

One of the things I love about Jon Robinson is when you look back on his picks they almost always make sense. I don’t know if Robinson knew exactly how the draft was going to play out, but he seemingly had a good idea of the options he could have had.

OL and WR were still very deep heading into the 19th pick in the draft. It sounds like Robinson passed on a trade back to stick and pick Jeffery Simmons. The value may have been worth the risk that you could get players at WR, EDGE and IOL later in the draft.

If that is what the thought process was, then two down and one to go.

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The Titans thoroughly vetted Davis, spending time with him at the Senior Bowl and bringing him in for an official visit. So Robinson got to see him practice against high caliber competition for a week, test well at the combine and then had him in for a private visit. If you feel comfortable with drafting a player after all of that, you are making a well informed decision.

The draft is a cumulative process and the Titans may have found a star in Simmons and have almost certainly found a starter in A.J. Brown. With that in mind, Davis feels like the safest “risky bet” that you could make at this point. The upside is that you get a starting guard in the third round and fill a major need, the downside is that you get a big offensive lineman with experience who gives you solid depth.

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