2020 NFL Draft: Seahawks could replace Jadeveon Clowney with Marlon Davidson
If Seattle loses Jadeveon Clowney in free agency, a certain Auburn defensive end could the team's first-round target in the 2020 NFL Draft.
The Seattle Seahawks had long been considered the favorites to re-sign former Pro Bowl defensive end Jadeveon Clowney as Clowney fit in well on that Seattle defense last year following a trade from Houston. Plus, the Seahawks gave up two players (albeit no very good ones) and a third-round pick to get him.
However, recent reports out of Seattle are that the team is tired of waiting for the top free agent on the market to make a decision – the Seahawks reportedly offered Clowney in the ballpark of $18 million per season – and have all but moved on. For example, the club recently signed another defensive end, Benson Mayowa, to a one-year, $3 million deal.
Even if Clowney returned, the Seahawks had a glaring need for a pass-rusher in the 2020 NFL Draft considering they only had 28 sacks as a team in 2019. Which brings us to Auburn defensive end Marlon Davidson. William Hill sportsbook offers a yes-only prop that Davidson is drafted by Seattle at +600 (wager $100 to win $600). The site offers +800 on Davidson being a Top 10 pick.
The Seahawks' first-round pick is No. 27. On the CBS Big Board, Davidson is ranked as the No. 56 overall player, so in theory he would be there when Seattle picks but has little chance of going in the Top 10.
The 6-foot-3, 303-pound Davidson had 48 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss (third in SEC) and 7.5 sacks (team high) last year as a senior for Auburn. He was named first-team All-SEC. Davidson, a four-year starter on the Plains, ran 5.04 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and did 21 reps on the bench press.
NFL.com gives him a grade of 6.35, which means "will be starter within first two seasons." The site gives him a comp of Vinny Curry, a 2012 second-round pick of the Eagles. He had five sacks for Philly in 2019 and a career high of 9 in 2014.
William Hill offers a few other props tied into Davidson: +800 that he goes to Seattle and Jeff Okudah is drafted by Detroit; and +1400 that he and Jedrick Willis are both Top-10 picks.
NFL Pick: We've previously recommended Okudah at No. 3 to Detroit, so worth a shot at a +800 price on the Okudah/Davidson prop.Â
