In his pre-NFL Scouting Combine mock draft, MMQB's Albert Breer has UTSA edge rusher Marcus Davenport going to Washington with the No. 13-overall pick.
While the Washington Redskins will return pass rushers Ryan Kerrigan, a three-time Pro Bowler, and Preston Smith, the team currently heads into free agency with Junior Galette and Trent Murphy both set to become unrestricted free agents.
Depending on where both veterans will end up, the Redskins could look for pass rushing help in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft in the form of Texas-San Antonio's Marcus Davenport to team up with Kerrigan and Smith along with young defensive lineman Jonathan Allen and Anthony Lanier II.
In his latest mock draft, MMQB's Albert Breer has Davenport going to the Redskins with the No. 13-overall pick, although he notes that he could ultimately go before Washington is on the clock.
"So I really wanted to put Davenport higher than this—and believe he'll go before 13," Breer writes. "Just watch. The converted receiver from a mid-major school will put on a show in Indianapolis."
In four seasons with the Roadrunners, Davenport appeared in 46 games to record 186 tackles (38 for loss) along with 22 sacks, eight passes defensed, six fumbles forced and two fumbles recovered. He is the school's career record holder in both tackles for loss and sacks along with quarterback hurries (21).
During his senior season in 2017, the 6-foot-6, 255 pounder was named Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year along with being selected as a first-team all-conference member Davenport tallied 55 tackles along with 8.5 sacks.
Davenport opened the season by recording a pair of sacks against Alabama State. While he was held without a sack in his next six contests, Davenport returned to form late in the season as he registered 4.5 sacks in a four-week span starting in late October and extending into November.
Against Texas A&M in a late November matchup, Davenport recorded a personal-best 11 tackles along with a sack.
As a junior in 2016, Davenport was named a second-team All-Conference USA selection, as he led the school's defensive linemen in tackles (68) along with 6.5 sacks.
In his first two seasons at Texas-San Antonio, Davenport combined for 63 tackles (10.5 for loss) along with seven sacks.
According to his NFL.com draft profile, Davenport is "long-levered with a frame proven to add weight. Has good quickness in lateral slides down the line of scrimmage to close out running lanes."
"Aggressive demeanor as a hitter. Will unload with force from his hips and Wrap up carriers. Drives through the target. Plays with fluid directional change to alter his path to the ball when getting downhill. Uses length to work to the edge of pass rushers. Has tools and traits to get much better as a pass rusher with more hand work and coaching. Will flash translatable speed-to-power potential that can be high-end. Can throw combos with his hands to disorient offensive tackles. Able to set a good edge when he gets arm extension. Will likely be too much for tight ends to handle when as he continues to improve," his profile states.
Additionally, NFL.com's Lance Zierlein believes Davenport could turn out to be similar to Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter.
In his first three seasons, Hunter has recorded 25.5 sacks.
"Davenport packed on 30 pounds from his sophomore to senior season and has the frame to continue getting bigger and stronger," Zierlein writes. "While he's been a stand-up rusher at UTSA, teams may see him as a 4-3 defensive end. Right now Davenport is more of a flash player than a consistent menace, but he showed flashes at the Senior Bowl of being able to take a substantial step forward with more time."
