Vontae Davis SELECTED BY: Dolphins Round 1 (25)

SI Grade 4.02 GRADING SYSTEM

BIOGRAPHY: Three-year starter awarded All-American and all-Conference honors since his freshman season. Junior totals included 78/2/8, after 76/4/8 as a sophomore, when he also blocked two kicks.

POSITIVES: Athletic cornerback with nice size who shows flashes of brilliance. Aggressive on the field, mixes it up with opponents in pass routes, and willingly defends the run. Jams opponents at the line of scrimmage, fluid turning his hips in transition, and then easily stays downfield with receivers. Possesses a burst of closing speed, quickly breaks to the ball out of his plant, and fights to defend the throw. Works well with safeties, shows the ability to recover from mistakes because of his speed, and has been a productive return specialist in the past.

NEGATIVES: Prone to blowing assignments and missing coverages. Marginally instinctive, and does not always display good sense of timing or anticipation in pass defense. Slow locating the pass in the air, and very indecisive.

ANALYSIS: Physically, Davis is one of the top cornerbacks in this draft and one of the event's better athletes. At the top of his game, he can be a shutdown cover man, yet Davis is prone to making mental errors and letting receivers behind him. He has big-time potential at the next level if the light ever goes on and he consistently plays smart football.

PROJECTION: First Round