Ranking the top Stanford and Cal prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft
By Allen Settle
1. Ashtyn Davis, S — Cal
Ashtyn Davis is a top defensive back from the Bay Area. He is considered to be one of the top tackling safeties in the draft. His elite toughness and pursuit abilities should immediately translate to success at the NFL level.
The 6-foot-1, 200-pound senior has the size and strength to even play as a hybrid linebacker in certain situations. With so many teams seeking options to cover opposing tight ends, a player like Davis shouldn’t remain on the draft board past the second day.
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His overall versatility is one of his greatest overall strengths.
However, it is important to note that Davis does have considerable questions surrounding his overall speed and coverage ability. For this reason, he would also particularly thrive in a Cover 2 defense (where he has the benefit of multiple defensive backs on his side of the field).
His overall lack of elite ball skills is also a potential concern. While he was able to take advantage of proper positioning to record his share of turnovers in college, many scouts question whether his skill set will translate to the professional level.
Despite the concerns, Davis’ career at Cal clearly showed that he is ready for his chance to compete in the NFL. He should project somewhere between a Minkah Fitzpatrick and Mark Barron type player.