Mike Davis NFL Draft 2015: Scouting Report, Grade for 49ers' 4th-Round Pick

STRENGTHS

A workhorse back with SEC production, Mike Davis has NFL starter skills. He has NFL size, NFL patience and NFL balance. He churns for yards after contact and gets better as the game goes on. Davis is instinctive and aware with the ball in his hands, and he uses his feet well to create at the line of scrimmage. He has a nice stutter step and spin move and uses both at a pro level. He isn’t a burner, but he has pull-away speed when chased and will rip off long runs. He has the hands to be an asset on third down and has the size and vision to play right away in the NFL on passing downs thanks to his hands and blocking ability.

WEAKNESSES

Injuries kept Davis from matching his 2013 production, and there will be questions about his ability to hold up at the next level. Scouts have expressed a concern to us that South Carolina’s training staff doesn’t push “star players," and Davis’ injuries were a result of that. He has to prove he’s tough enough for the NFL based on that concern. Without true speed to run away from defenders or the agility to make people miss, Davis will take a lot of hits, and against bigger defenders in the NFL, he could struggle to stay healthy.

PRO COMPARISON: Pierre Thomas, free agent

A balanced, tough back between the tackles with hands and blocking skills, Davis is a younger Pierre Thomas when viewed as a prospect.

2014 STATISTICS

Rushing Attempts    Rushing Yards        Touchdowns
199                                      982                            9

FINAL GRADE: 5.60/9.00 (Future Starter)