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Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan: 2017 NFL Draft Scouting Report

By Shawn Spencer

Sep 4, 2015; Kalamazoo, MI, USA; Western Michigan Broncos wide receiver Corey Davis (84) runs though the tackle of Michigan State Spartans linebacker Darien Harris (45) during the 2nd half of a game at Waldo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 4, 2015; Kalamazoo, MI, USA; Western Michigan Broncos wide receiver Corey Davis (84) runs though the tackle of Michigan State Spartans linebacker Darien Harris (45) during the 2nd half of a game at Waldo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
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Corey Davis, a 2013 two-star recruit, has started all 36 career games played at Western Michigan. In three seasons with the Broncos, he’s caught 235 passes. His 3,785 career receiving yards and 33 touchdowns rank first among all active FBS receivers, and he’s only 403 yards away from breaking the all-time Mid-American Conference record.

In 2015, Davis recorded career highs in both receptions (90) and receiving yards (1,436). Davis, along with fellow wideout Daniel Braverman, a seventh-round pick in 2016 by the Chicago Bears, led one of the nation’s most prolific passing attacks to eight wins and the first bowl victory in school history. Including the bowl game, Davis ended the 2015 season with seven consecutive games with at least 100 yards receiving; bringing his career total to 22 games eclipsing the century mark. He possesses good height and weight on an athletic frame with very good athletic ability.

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Measureables

Height: 6’2″ 3/4

Weight: 213 pounds

Games Watched

2015: Bowling Green, Michigan State, Middle Tennessee, Ohio State

2014: Eastern Michigan

Strengths

Corey Davis shows off his athletic ability at the snap as he explodes off the line of scrimmage when given a free release. He displays very good acceleration as he runs the stem of his route. Davis is a very good route runner who utilizes quick feet to change direction and create separation at the top of his route. When the quarterback is pressured, Davis looks for the ball quickly and will come back towards the scrambling QB as a result of good mental processing skills.

Against zone coverage, Davis demonstrates solid awareness to find the hole in the defense and give his QB a large window in which to place the ball. He displays the courage and competitive toughness needed to aggressively attack the middle of the field.

Davis tracks the ball well in the air and exhibits elite body control as he adjusts to passes around his frame. His body control, along with his length, creates a large catch radius as he’s able to haul in passes off target.

Below are two examples of this from the 2015 season opener against Michigan State. Davis showcases his ability to extend both high and low to throws away from his body.

Davis possesses elite hands with the concentration skills to hold on through contact. He maintains solid awareness of his position on the field and does a good job keeping his feet in bounds along the sideline.

After the catch, Davis displays very good elusiveness and breakaway speed to create big plays and maximize yards after the catch. As seen in the plays below, Davis is dangerous in the open field and is faster than his size would suggest.

While the majority of his production has come against mid-major competition, Davis has excelled when the spotlight is on. In five career games versus power five opponents (all Big Ten teams), Davis has 35 receptions for 461 yards and four touchdowns. In two career bowl games, he’s caught 16 passes for 359 yards and four touchdowns.

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Weaknesses

Versus press coverage, Corey Davis gets a marginal release as he needs to be more physical and improve his hand usage to fight through contact. As a result of adequate play strength, it takes too long for Davis to get free, throwing off the timing of the route. Play strength is also an issue when running deep routes. As he runs downfield, he allows the defender to push him off his route toward the sideline, shrinking the window for the QB to place the ball.

While not an extremely deep route, Davis has trouble beating the press and maintaining his line against former Ohio State cornerback and first-round pick Eli Apple. It only takes Apple about 10 yards to completely take Davis out of the play.

On jump balls, Davis must improve his leaping ability. The height of his jump isn’t an issue, however the timing of his leap is marginal and eliminates any size advantage he has over the defender.

In the run game, Davis is an adequate blocker who lacks the competitive toughness to physically take his defender out of the play.

Overall

Overall, Corey Davis is a starting flanker in the NFL who will excel when given a free release off the line of scrimmage. He’s not a receiver who has demonstrated the ability to beat press coverage on a consistent basis.

With Daniel Braverman now in the NFL, Davis may see increased time in the slot this season to create a mismatch. This should only enhance his stock, as Davis is already one of the most complete receivers in this draft class. He has first-round talent, and even if his production slightly dips in 2016, Davis will be one of the first 50 prospects off the board.

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