ATLANTA -- With the No. 47 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons selected former Auburn defensive tackle Marlon Davidson. Adding more pass rushers was a priority for the Falcons this offseason, and Davidson now gives Atlanta even more juice coming off the edge. Davidson was one of the top players in the SEC during the 2019 season.
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WHY HE FITS
The Falcons finished 29th in the league in sacks last season with 28. The additions of Dante Fowler in free agency and now Davidson gives the Falcons more options to get to the quarterback. The four-year starter at Auburn is durable and consistently produced at a high level in stopping the run and recording sacks. Davidson amassed 174 tackles, 28 tackles for a loss, 14.5 sacks and three forced fumbles in four seasons. He also blocked three kicks in the 2018 season.
DRAFT GRADES
Chris Trapasso, CBSSports.com
- Grade: B-
- Comment: "DE to DT conversion. Heavy hands. Power for days. Good burst for his size. Major hustle player. Traits are there. Just wonder about playing new position in NFL."
Mike Tanier, Bleacher Report
- Grade: A
- Comment: "Davidson has enough positives to turn into Cameron Jordan after a year of NFL coaching and conditioning. That's an ambitious comparison, but Davidson's unique playing style and engaging personality should keep him in the league for a long time, even if he turns into more of a complementary defender than a star.In the short term, he'll line up next to Grady Jarrett and play roles similar to the ones he played next to Derrick Brown at Auburn. And he'll make the Falcons defensive line much better as a result."
NFL COMPARISON
Vinny Curry: NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein compares Davidson to Vinny Curry of the Philadelphia Eagles. In eight years in the NFL, Curry has recorded 178 tackles, 82 quarterback hits and 29.5 sacks.
"Four-year starter who posted elevated production against the run and pass as a senior. Davidson has been durable and his play consistent, but he fails to really stand out in the shadow of teammate Derrick Brown. The team who drafts him will need to determine how best to utilize him because despite his build, he's most effective when playing outside the tackle," Zierlein said of Davidson.
With the No. 47 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons select Auburn defensive tackle Marlon Davidson.
LSU quarterback Joe Burrow (9) carries the ball past Auburn defensive lineman Marlon Davidson (3) for the first down during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Auburn defensive lineman Marlon Davidson (3) pressures Alabama State quarterback Darryl Pearson, Jr. (7) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Auburn defensive lineman Marlon Davidson (3) celebrates a stop during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee, Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Auburn defensive end Marlon Davidson (3) looks on before playing Oregon in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Tulane running back Amare Jones is tackled for a loss by Auburn defensive end Marlon Davidson (3) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Auburn defensive end Marlon Davidson (3) gets sat before play against Texas A&M during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Auburn defensive lineman Marlon Davidson (3) celebrates in the student section as the fans rush the field following a 48-45 win over Alabama in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
FILE - In this Oct. 5, 2019, file photo, Auburn defensive end Marlon Davidson (3) signals to teammates before a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida, in Gainesville, Fla. Davidson was selected to The Associated Press All-Southeastern Conference football team, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019.(AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
Auburn defensive end Marlon Davidson (3) lines up for a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Kent State, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Auburn defensive end Marlon Davidson (3) lines up for a play against Samford during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Auburn defensive end Marlon Davidson (3) reacts after a stop against Alabama during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
In this Nov. 25, 2017, photo, Alabama punter JK Scott throws the ball against Auburn defensive lineman Marlon Davidson during the second half of the Iron Bowl NCAA college football game in Auburn, Ala. We have some bad news. Well, it's not really news because it happened months ago, but since there is a good chance you were not paying attention when the Poinsettia Bowl passed away back in January you might be saddened to find out there are less FBS bowl games this season than last. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Auburn defensive end Marlon Davidson (3) lines up against Georgia during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
