Seahawks draft prospects: Would Auburn DL Davidson fit in Seattle?

Apr 8, 2020, 9:00 AM

Could the Seahawks consider taking Auburn DL Marlon Davidson early in the draft? (AP)

(AP)

Seattle Sports

Even amid a global pandemic the NFL is drumming on, which means this year’s draft remains on schedule for April 23-25, though with substantial changes that include all front office personnel working remotely. The Seahawks would surprise no one, though, by keeping things traditional – at least when it comes to trading out of the first round.

Seahawks draft: Brock Huard breaks down the 7 picks from our mock draft

But who might be available to the Seahawks at No. 27 and would that player help Seattle on its way back to a Super Bowl? That’s the question we’re looking to answer in our third phase of our Seahawks offseason project on Tom, Jake and Stacy.

Our preview of potential draft fits continued Tuesday with a look at Auburn defensive lineman Marlon Davidson.

The basics

Height/weight: 6’3/303
Class: Sr.
Hometown: Greenville, AL
College career stats: 14.5 sacks, 90 solo tackles, 28 tackles for loss
2019 season: 6.5 sacks (tied for 6th in the SEC), 11.5 tackles for loss
Notable: Four-year starter, team captain, First-Team All-SEC

How he fits in Seattle

It’s not a given that the Seahawks’ top pick will be on the defensive line, despite their inconsistent pass rush in 2019. (In fact, 710 ESPN Seattle’s Boy Howdy has them taking an offensive tackle in the first round.) But without a ton of depth at either edge rusher or defensive tackle, expect them to add at least one new face.

Davidson could be particularly attractive to the Seahawks for one key trait: versatility.

Versatility has always been a prized attribute on any NFL team, but the Seahawks have especially valued players who can play multiple positions. One player they’ve lost in free agency, Quinton Jefferson, is a perfect example. Jefferson was able to play at either defensive end or defensive tackle, and John Clayton said earlier this year the Seahawks wanted to find a way to keep Jefferson in Seattle. He ultimately moved on to sign with the Buffalo Bills.

Davidson would bring a similar type of versatility and brings with him an impressive resume. The Alabama native and five-star recruit became the first freshman since 1985 to start on Auburn’s defensive line. He started every year since and finished his career with 14.5 sacks. His return to Auburn for his senior season – part of a promise made to his late mother – resulted in his best college career numbers: 6.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss.

The big question

You’ve heard the old adage “jack of all trades, master of none.” Davidson brings plenty of talent to both defensive line positions, but 710 ESPN Seattle’s Jake Heaps says he’s not elite at either.

That could be in part due to his size, but Davidson has put on weight over the last few months – it’s in an effort, Heaps thinks, to take on a more regularly role on the interior. Davidson weighed in at 297 at the Senior Bowl but was up to 303 pounds at February’s Scouting Combine.

If you want to hear Heaps’ profile on Davidson, check out Hour 3 of Tuesday’s Tom, Jake and Stacy. Be sure to tune in every weekday from noon-3 p.m. and stick around for more draft prospect profiles every weekday at 2 p.m.

Follow 710 ESPN Seattle’s Stacy Rost on Twitter.