NFL Draft Profile: Kentucky running back Ray Davis

Kentucky RB Ray Davis is a prospect the Broncos have shown interest in and is some who could instantly improve their backfield.

One prospect the Denver Broncos are showing interest in is former Kentucky running back Ray Davis. He is a 5-8, 211-pound running back who is one of the better backs in this draft and is a player that would fit Sean Payton’s offense well. The Athletic’s lead draft analyst Dane Brugler has Davis ranked as his 9th-best back in the draft and has a fourth-round grade on him.

Davis played a total of five seasons in college between three different programs. He started his college career at Temple, spent two years there before transferring to Vanderbilt, and then spent this past season at Kentucky. During his five years between three programs, Davis totaled 746 carries for 3,626 yards and 29 rushing touchdowns. He added 94 career receptions for 762 yards and 12 receiving touchdowns throughout his career as well. This past year for Kentucky, he rushed the ball 199 times for 1,129 yards and 14 touchdowns while catching 33 passes for 323 yards and 7 touchdowns. This earned him an invite to the Reese’s Senior Bowl where he had a solid week of practices and solidified himself as one of the better backs in the draft.

Player Profile

Height: 5-8

Weight: 211 pounds

40-time: 4.52 seconds

Arm Length: 30 ¹⁄_{4th inches}

Hand Size: 8 7/8th inches

Vertical Jump: 35 inches

Broad Jump: 9’11”

20-Yard Shuttle: 4.51 seconds

Film Room

Scouting Report

Strengths

• Low center of gravity runner who keeps his pad level low
• Has the build and frame to be an NFL running back
• Can make defenders miss with his juking ability
• Changes directions quickly and smoothly and can make defenders miss
• Quick feet and uses that to explode through the hole
• A tough runner who usually falls forward
• Reliable receiver out of the backfield
• Did not fumble the ball much in college

Weaknesses

• Will turn 25 during his rookie year
• Had 840 touches during his college career so enters the NFL with a heavy workload already
• Lacks long speed
• Bounces runs outside more than he should

What other analysts are saying about Kentucky running back Ray Davis

The Athletic’s lead draft analyst Dane Brugler – Link

A one-year starter at Kentucky, Davis was the main offensive weapon in offensive coordinator Liam Coen’s gap-focused scheme. His journey is worthy of a Hollywood script, but he is much more than just a feel-good story and played his best football in 2023, becoming the first college football player ever to rush for 1,000-plus yards at three different FBS programs (Temple, Vanderbilt, Kentucky). With his quick reads and lateral agility, Davis wi ll juke defenders out of their cleats using dynamic plant-and-go cuts (his performance against Florida in 2023 might be the best running back tape in this class). Though he needs to remedy his issues in pass protection, he is a dependable pass catcher and recorded at least one reception in all 25 games he played the past two seasons. Overall, Davis has racked up a lot of miles and lacks explosive long speed, but his vision, cutting skills and competitive toughness are translatable traits. Although he doesn’t offer much on special teams, he can be a productive rotational back for an NFL offense.

NFL.com’s draft analyst Lance Zierlein – Link

Three-down back with adequate blend of toughness between the tackles and production out of the backfield. Davis can be a tad indecisive at times but did a much better job of toggling between urgent and patient in his lone season at Kentucky. The vision is fairly average, and he’s not going to scare NFL defenses with his speed, but he does alter his pacing to create openings, and he’ll finish with some thud behind his pads. Ultimately, he’ll need to step up his pass protection to be trusted as a third-down option. Davis’ compact frame, toughness and ability to catch the football could make him a middle-round option as a three-down backup with the ability to play a larger role in time.

Does Kentucky running back Ray Davis make sense for the Denver Broncos on day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft?

I think he does.

I’d personally prefer a more explosive option, but Davis is a patient back with good burst and vision to find the holes and gain the extra yards. He is shifty in the open field and can contribute in the passing game as well. Sean Payton loves using his backs in the passing game, so having that ability always makes them a potential target.

Davis is a day-three option because he will be 25 years old his rookie year, having a good bit of carries entering the league and likely being a one-contract-only back. However, he has plug-and-play ability and could instantly become the best running back on the Broncos roster.

Javonte Williams was coming off a major knee injury, but the former second-round pick only averaged 3.6 yards per carry last season which is below average. Veteran Samaje Perine was primarily used as a pass catcher and Jaleel McLaughlin’s size will limit his role. Also, both Williams and Perine are entering the final years of their contracts so it makes sense that the Denver Broncos would be looking to add to that room during the draft.

Davis is a solid prospect who could play right away but his age and high amount of carries should drop him down the board a bit. If he were there in the 5th or 6th rounds, I would not be upset if the Broncos drafted him. However, I would prefer the Broncos to add a handful of other backs on day three before selecting Davis.