University of Arizona Ball Hawk Tacario Davis

There are things I liked about Arizona cornerback Tacario Davis on his 2023 game film, and there are a couple of things I did not like.

I really liked his 15 passes defended, and his one interception.

Davis is a lean lanky corner who reminds me of recent first-round corners Deonte Banks (Giants), Devon Witherspoon (Seahawks), and Quinyon Mitchell (Eagles).

Only Banks and Witherspoon are 6-foot-1, Mitchell is 6-foot-0, and Davis is 6-foot-4.

Banks and Witherspoon had strong rookie seasons despite having similar limitations that Davis showed on film last season.

Another factor that helps Davis’ 2025 NFL Draft stock is this is shaping up to be a light cornerback class. According to nflmockdraftdatabase.com, there are six corners that show up in the top 60 according to consensus draft media. They are (in order), Travis Hunter (Colorado), Will Johnson (Michigan), Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame), Shavon Revel Jr. (East Carolina), Denzel Burke (Ohio State), and Davis (who they rank as the No. 39 ranked prospect for the 2025 NFL Draft).

However, here’s the deal with that top-60 ranking, I liked Hunter better at wide receiver than at cornerback on his 2023 film, Morrison (hip and hip surgery) and Revel (ACL) are both out for the remainder of the 2024 season with injuries, Johnson and Burke were underwhelming on their 2023 film and then there’s Davis according to their rankings.

Given those dynamics, Davis has a chance to become the best cover corner in this draft class (if Hunter just plays receiver in the NFL).

Tell me about Davis in coverage

He’s a bend, but don’t break corner, meaning he surrenders some intermediate catches because of his limitations, but he’s tough to complete deep straight-line passes against.

This is especially true when receivers are pressed up against the sideline. Between the sideline and his 6-foot-4 frame and super long arms, it’s just tough to complete those kinds of passes against him. Tough, if not almost impossible.

Add in the fact that Davis has an aggressive and physical edge to him when matched up against receivers and it becomes even harder. In other words, this University of Arizona cornerback allows for some small throwing windows in these types of situations on deep throws.

However, like I said he gives up a good number of catches in the intermediate route level (11-19 yards) due to slight hip tightness and the fact he tends to give up a little too much cushion when he plays in off-man coverage (cornerback lines up a few yards off the receiver he’s covering pre-snap). Sure, he made a couple of pass breakups on intermediate throws, but in general, this is just something an NFL team is going to have to live with on medium-range passes.

Davis also did not show that coveted first-round burst of short-area speed. I’m not a huge fan of corners lacking those two traits, but I keep coming back to Davis’ elite ball instincts.

Any other weaknesses?

Yeah, pass and run support.

Davis is a pure cover corner.

He gets involved in an assist or a tackle once in a blue moon, but he’d rather not.

#23 (in 2023) Tacario Davis 6-foot-4, 190 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2024 Fall Grade: First Round (I would select him)

Projected by 42.2% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of November 20, 2024 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2023 game film evaluated: Washington, USC, Washington State, Oregon State, UCLA, Colorado, Utah, and ASU (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Lurking twitchy playmaker with long arms. Presence. Attitude. Scheme flexibility. Featured in off and press-man coverage. A little zone. Smooth peddle. Flips hips and carries vertical routes. Understands the art of route leverage. Has get up and go. Handsy and uses frame to compensate for breakpoint hip tightness. Shadows receivers’ movements. Technique goes out the window at times and draws a coverage penalty. Below average hands. Drops some sure interceptions. Solid tackler in support when he chooses to participate.

What to watch for during the 2024 college football season

1. PBU and interception numbers?

2. Penalties?

3. Active in support?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.