2020 NFL Draft: Grading the Pittsburgh Steelers selection of DT Carlos Davis

I am writing this article with mixed emotions. There was a particular player I wanted the Steelers to select with this pick because I didn't want to risk losing him as a priority free agent. My fellow BTSC members are all too familiar with my passionate pleas, so I will save you from a rehashing. When the pick scrolled along the bottom of the screen, my initial reaction was Who? Then I thought that name sounds familiar, around the same time that Trey Wingo reminded me that his twin brother had been selected earlier in the draft, and about their legendary eating habits.

The Steelers selected Nebraska DT Carlos Davis with the 232nd selection of the 2020 NFL Draft. Knowing less than nothing about the young man, besides his twin brother and aforementioned appetite, a immediately dove headfirst into procuring information. The first thing that stood out to me was his 4.82 forty at 6'2" and 320 lbs., numbers usually reserved for athletically gifted behemoths selected much earlier in the draft process. His athleticism is further evident by his impressive track and field success, apparently the discus.

So what was I missing? How could a player with these measurables almost go undrafted? Then I read his evaluation, and the answer became clear. By focusing on both track and football, Davis hasn't invested the time and commitment necessary to excel at the game. It takes an immense amount of dedication and hard work to master the finer points of the game at the NFL level. I would tell you what NFL qualities that Davis does possess at this time, but there really wasn't any.

Davis has the one thing that can't be coached up, NFL level athleticism. It will be up to him to decide how bad he really wants to play in the NFL, and to determine how hard he is willing to work for that goal. He is walking into a great situation with the Steelers, surrounded by established veterans who are more than willing to offer advice and lead by example, and superior coaching at his disposal. The rest will be up to him.

There are specific criteria necessary when attempting to accurately and fairly grade any draft pick. Only time will reveal their final grades, but I will utilize certain parameters as I attempt to apply an initial grade for each Steelers draft pick. I base each grade on projected roster fit, potential immediate impact, and assumed draft value.

Davis is a long shot to make the roster. It appears inevitably that Davis will need additional time to develop and that would be best served on the practice squad. I thought their was better options available at the selection, and Davis was projected as a priority free agent. Therefore, I have to grade this initial selection a D, until proven otherwise.

What overall grade would you give this selection? Please vote in the attached poll and share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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