Ray Davis NFL Draft Profile Overview
Position: Running Back
Height: 5′-8″
Weight: 220 pounds
School: Kentucky
2024 NFL Draft: Ray Davis Scouting Report
Davis started his college football career playing for the Temple Owls in 2019. He ran for 936 yards in his freshman season and scored eight touchdowns. He was named first-team Freshman All-American by Pro Football Focus. The following year, he ran for 323 yards in four games before transferring to play for the Vanderbilt Commodores at the end of the season.
In 2021, Davis had 211 rushing yards with a touchdown in his first three games before suffering an injury that kept him out of the rest of the season. However, in the 2022 season, he bounced back and ran for 1,042 yards with five touchdowns. Ray Davis had five 100-yard games and was a semifinalist for the SEC Comeback Player of the Year award. He earned fourth-team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) honors.
For his final year of eligibility in 2023, Davis entered the transfer portal for the second time and chose to play for the Kentucky Wildcats. He ran for 1,063 yards on 185 attempts for 13 touchdowns. He had an outstanding game against the Florida Gators, running for 280 yards and scoring four touchdowns. Davis was first-team All-SEC in 2023 and second-team All-American. Ray Davis was the first player in SEC history to gain 1,000 or more rushing yards at two different SEC programs.
Strengths
- Ray Davis is a very densely built halfback. He has a power profile to be featured between the hashes;
- Davis has a very well-rounded game. He is experienced and versatile;
- He has a great burst through the attack point on the line of scrimmage;
- Davis has good contact balance and should be considered for a short-yardage or pass-blocking role. He plays with a low center of gravity;
- Davis is a good receiver and showcases soft hands. He transitions into a rusher quickly after the catch;
- Vs. 2024 Draft Running Backs: Missed Tackles Forced: 51 (7th), Yards After Contact Per Attempt: 3.81 (12th), Targets Per Route Run Percentage: 15.6% (T-9th), Pro Football Focus Run Grade: 91.4 (5th).
Weaknesses
- On film, Ray Davis seems to be lacking that elite gear;
- He doesn’t have the lateral agility or long speed to bounce runs outside and consistently have success;
- Davis’ vision could be more consistent. He will attempt to break a tackle before trying to cut back against the flow of the defense;
- Ray Davis is a 24-year-old rookie, and he might be tapped out physically;
- Davis has had a significant workload in college, which could threaten his longevity in the NFL;
- Vs. 2024 Draft Running Backs: Career Yards Per Attempt: 4.9 (25th), Unofficial SpeedScore: 101.76.
NFL Comparison: Jaylen Warren
Teams With Need At Position: Jacksonville Jaguars, Washington Commanders, Baltimore Ravens, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Giants
Projection: Round 6
Bottom Line on Ray Davis
Ray Davis is a halfback with a robust build, good contact balance, and a versatile game. He has a great burst through the attack point on the line of scrimmage and is a good receiver with soft hands. On the downside, he lacks elite gear and lateral agility, and his vision is inconsistent. Moreover, being a 24-year-old rookie with a significant workload in college, who might also be tapped out physically, could threaten his draft stock.
Davis will be a good glue guy for a committee approach at the next level. He’s a high-floor, low-ceiling player, but he is versatile and experienced enough to fill in on a multitude of roles his first year.
Related: Jaylen Wright Film Study
Main Photo Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
