PFF scouting report: Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan

Name: Corey Davis

School: Western Michigan

Position fit: Wide receiver

Stats to know: Finished in the top 10 in receiving yards per route run in each of the past three years

What he does best:

Excellent route-runner who can separate really well due to his sharp route-running
Sells double moves exceptionally well, especially with his head fake
Uses his hands subtly to create separation
Demonstrates attention to detail and savviness on tough sideline catches by tapping both feet inbounds
Does not let the ball in to his body and uses his hands to catch passes, which extends his catch radius and allows him to turn up field quicker
Excels at making adjustments when the football is in the air (e.g. his touchdown vs. Wisconsin)
Dangerous in the open field with the ball in his hands
Lined up all over the field and ran all routes at Western Michigan, including trick plays such as jet sweeps
Knows how to find space in the middle of the field in against zone coverage
Can finish receptions even when absorbing a hit at the catch point
Secures the ball well and had only one fumble on 266 receptions over the last three years

Biggest concern:

Lacks physicality to consistently win 50-50 passes, especially jump balls
Not elusive enough to create big plays from underneath passes
Seems to be unable to separate using pure straight-line speed
His number of drops gradually increased every season as he had 11 in his senior year, which were mainly due to concentration lapses on easy catches

Player comparison: Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers

Similarly to Allen’s, Davis’ athletic ability and speed seems limited. However, both receivers make up for this with their route-running, ball skills and ability to separate from defenders in other ways. While Davis may not be a No. 1 wide receiver immediately, he certainly has the potential to become one down the line.

Bottom line: Davis can be a Day 1 starter opposite a true primary receiver who he can complement. Initially he will heavily need to rely on his sharp route-running as he is unlikely to outmuscle or outrun defensive backs in the early stages of his career. He is also capable of making big plays by using double moves and exploiting open holes in zone coverage.