Kevin Davidson Overview
Position: Quarterback
Height: 6’-4”
Weight: 224 pounds
School: Princeton
NFL Combine Performance Data
40-Yard Dash: 5.0 seconds
Vertical Jump: 28.0”
Broad Jump: 109.0”
3 Cone Drill: 7.13 seconds
20 Yard Shuttle: 4.37 seconds
Kevin Davidson 2020 NFL Draft Profile
Most Princeton football players don’t stand a chance in the NFL, but Kevin Davidson is not your average Princeton product. The 6’-4”, 224-pound quarterback had a great 2019, completing 66.5% of his passes for 2,574 yards (8.1 yards-per-attempt), 20 touchdowns, six interceptions, and a 104.6 passer rating. While Davidson didn’t exactly face the most grueling schedule, it’s still impressive that he managed to put up numbers like this.
Davidson has one of the most interesting recruitment stories of anyone in this draft class. After starting his high school career with San Ram Valley, Davidson transferred to McClymonds High for his senior season. Davidson lit up the high school ranks for five games, averaging 285 yards and five touchdowns. However, the state suspended Davidson for the remainder of the season, arguing that his transfer was for athletic purposes only. This went against transfer rules and scared off several colleges. Because of this, Davidson only received offers from Princeton and UC Davis despite his three-star recruit status.
Strengths
- Surprisingly strong arm for a guy coming from Princeton;
- Aggressive thrower that’s not afraid to let his guys make plays on the ball;
- Accurate when his feet are set and throws the ball where only his guy can get it;
- Ideal build for the position;
- Quick release with solid mechanics leads to a pretty spiral;
- Throws with the touch you need to succeed in the NFL.
Weaknesses
- Went up against easy competition and will struggle to adjust to NFL life;
- Falls apart under pressure and loses his fundamentals;
- Strictly a pocket passer with no running threat;
- Loses accuracy when throwing on the move;
- Tries to escape the pocket when sensing pressure instead of stepping up;
- Locks in on his first read;
NFL Comparison: Jimmy Clausen
Teams With Need at Position: Cincinnati Bengals, Chicago Bears, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans
Projection: 5th Round
Bottom Line on Kevin Davidson
Kevin Davidson is an intriguing late-round quarterback option. At 6’-4” and 224 pounds, the Princeton product actually has a few interesting traits that should attract NFL teams. Normally, guys playing in the Ivy League don’t have the best arms. While Davidson is no Patrick Mahomes, he definitely has an NFL-caliber arm and can make enough throws to succeed at the next level. He’s not afraid to push the ball downfield and has the accuracy to keep the ball away from defenders while giving his guys a chance to make a play. He throws a pretty spiral with touch, which is going to make life easier for his receivers.
Most of Davidson’s concerns come from his pocket presence and lack of competition. Every prospect struggles to make the adjustment from college to the NFL, but that adjustment will be even harder for Davidson. Even if he handles the ridiculous jump in talent, he still has plenty of issues to iron out in his own game. The Princeton product simply isn’t the same guy under pressure, as he loses accuracy and velocity when on the move. Additionally, he sometimes senses nonexistent pressure and tries to escape the pocket instead of step up and make the throw. Depending on where he lands, Davidson should be good enough to compete for a backup job in training camp. At the very least, he’s worthy of a third-string or practice squad position.
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