Saints Shock the World Trading Up for Marcus Davenport, Twitter Is Outraged

UTSA edge-rusher Marcus Davenport was selected No. 14 overall in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft Thursday by the New Orleans Saints. 

The Saints traded up in order to get Davenport, sending the 27th overall pick, as well as a fifth-rounder and a 2019 first-rounder, to the Green Bay Packers, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

With Lamar Jackson still on the board, many were surprised the Saints opted for Davenport:

Davenport may not have been a household name during his college career, but he probably should have been. He registered 37.5 tackles for loss and 21.5 sacks during his collegiate years, with 17.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 of those sacks coming in his senior season.

The defensive end dominated at points during the Senior Bowl and during the event's practices, though inconsistency could be an issue for him early in his pro career.

"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," NFL Media's Lance Zierlein wrote in his scouting report of the player.

Davenport's strengths include his quickness, strength, physicality and his length—all vital components for modern edge-rushers. Many of his weaknesses, however, relate to technique and an evolving feel for the game.

Zierlein described a few of Davenport's weaknesses thus: "Allows blockers into his frame more than he should. Needs to learn to slip contact rather than taking everything on. Instincts are below average, and he's slow to find the ball on play action. Needs to do a better job of getting hands and feet working in unison."

He has the right idea of the type of player he wants to be at the next level, though, per Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News:

New Orleans will be hoping Davenport can reach those lofty goals. He isn't the safest selection, but he has the size and athleticism to be one of the most effective players in this draft if he lives up to his potential.