Don’t Count Out Wyatt Davis at Guard
Nearly 24 hours into free agency, the Minnesota Vikings have been rather quiet, other than their signing of DT Harrison Phillips to a three-year/$19.5 million deal. That move certainly comes at a surprise, given that Michael Pierce and Dalvin Tomlinson are still on the roster. It becomes a bit confusing even, given that the Vikings biggest need in this free agency period seemed to be on the other side of the trenches. The interior o-line still needs fixing, especially after Mason Cole left for Pittsburgh. Perhaps that fixing could still come from in-house though, particularly with 2021 third-round draft pick, Wyatt Davis.
Of course, things derailed with Davis ahead of the 2021 NFL season as he had to rehab a knee injury that he suffered while still at Ohio State. Then during training camp, he was set back even further when Oli Udoh had his dramatic surge towards the top of the depth chart. This earned him the starting guard spot early on, something that led to 16 starts for the 2019 sixth rounder.
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But does a setback season in 2021 mean Davis is a bust? No, not by any means. Going into the 2021 draft, Davis was touted by many as a first-round prospect at the guard position. There aren’t a ton of prospects that get that type of hype. Here’s what The Draft Network had to say about him as an NFL Draft prospect when describing him as a plug-and-play starting guard:
“Wyatt Davis projects well as a starting right guard at the NFL level and it should not take him very long to work himself into that role. Davis should be expected to claim a starting role during his rookie season in the NFL — thanks in large part to impressive NFL bloodlines and the mauling presence up front that will help create ample space in the run game.“
There is little doubt in my mind that this player still exists in Davis. He displayed terrific athleticism at the guard position and ample run blocking ability that should thrive in the NFL level. We just haven’t gotten to see it yet because of the injury setback as well as Udoh’s emergence.
It should also be noted that the Mike Zimmer era was notorious for making rookies earn their spot in the lineup. Remember, a rookie Justin Jefferson was initially on the depth chart below Bisi Johnson–who finished the 2020 season with a grand total of 14 receptions and 189 yards.
Finally, Davis seems motivated to improve. He himself has said that he expects more in 2022. There seems to be excitement for his role in a Kevin O’Connell offense, and it should be interesting to see what the new regime views as his role going into the 2022 season. Certainly, Minnesota still has to find a solution at center, but perhaps they already see themselves as having their RG of the future.
