Marlon

Davidson

Anderson has played for a new team in each of the last five seasons, totaling just 2.5 NFL sacks during that span. The team also moved DL Marlon Davidson (biceps) to injured reserve in a corresponding move.

Davidson appeared on 163 snaps for the Titans over five games last season. He spent most of last season on the 49ers practice squad but was signed to the Titans in late October and wound up starting the team’s final three games of the season. A former second-round pick of the Falcons in 2020, Davidson has played in just 24 games in his career and will likely need to compete for a spot on the 53-man roster in camp.

Davidson was placed on injured reserve with a knee ailment at the conclusion of training camp and hasn’t played at all this season. The 2020 second-rounder played in 11 games in 2021, snagging a pick-six and a sack while adding 21 tackles. He’ll look to catch on elsewhere as defensive line depth.

Davidson must now miss at least the first four games of the season if he is to be one of the Falcons’ eight designated “return” players. He should have a rotational role upon his return to full health.

He will miss the rest of the preseason, and he is at best questionable for Week 1. According to ESPN’s Michael Rothstein, Davidson has been on the roster bubble. This injury could seal the 2020 second-round pick’s fate.

Davidson had played 69 snaps in 2020, failing to record a single sack or pressure prior to being moved to the team’s COVID list. He’ll return and play immediately out of sheer necessity in the Falcons’ front-seven.

ESPN reports Davidson himself is positive, and his I.R. placement is not related to close contact with a different positive individual. This is the Falcons’ second case after first-rounder A.J. Terrell landed on the COVID-19 list 17 days ago. Terrell was activated last week after his case did not lead to an outbreak amongst his teammates. That will hopefully happen again, though the Falcons are now a team to monitor this week ahead of Sunday’s game against the Vikings. Davidson has played 69 snaps so far in 2020, notching zero sacks or pressures.

The first true freshmen to start on the defensive line in Auburn’s season opener since 1985, Davidson (6’3/303) doesn’t lack for experience after making 51 starts with the Tigers, leading the team in tackles for loss (12.5) and sacks (7.5) as a senior. He rotated between being a stand-up edge rusher and hand-in-the-dirt interior lineman throughout his career but did check into Indy’s combine with an additional 20 pounds on his frame to account for any transition to three-technique tackle. Davis has the raw strength and signature rip-move to win against offensive tackles and tight ends at the next level immediately. Unfortunately, he’s not going to catch high-end competition off guard with his slower burst around the edge, thus profiling as an average starter. Davidson will likely play defensive end with the Falcons, rotating with John Cominsky and Allen Bailey across from Takk McKinley.

The first true freshmen to start on the defensive line in Auburn’s season opener since 1985, Davidson (6’3/303) doesn’t lack for experience after making 51 starts with the Tigers, leading the team in tackles for loss (12.5) and sacks (7.5) as a senior. He rotated between being a stand-up edge rusher and hand-in-the-dirt interior lineman throughout his career but did check into Indy’s combine with an additional 20 pounds on his frame to account for any transition to three-technique tackle. Davis has the raw strength and signature rip-move to win against offensive tackles and tight ends at the next level immediately. Unfortunately, he’s not going to catch high-end competition off guard with his slower burst around the edge, thus profiling as an average starter.

Davidson (6'3/303) has the potential to be a first-round pick, but his limited athletic testing (he only did the 40 and bench press at the NFL Scouting Combine) will leave teams to rely even more on his game tape. What’s interesting about his meeting with Chicago is that the Bears don’t have a first-round pick, and they won’t be on the board until the 50th overall selection. According to Melo, Davidson has recently met with the Browns, Titans and Jaguars via FaceTime.