Detroit Lions: NFL GM compared Jarrad Davis to Ray Lewis
One NFL insider recounts the time an NFL general manager compared now Detroit Lions’ linebacker Jarrad Davis to future Hall of Famer Ray Lewis.
When scouting for future NFL talent, one tool evaluators use to help project a prospect’s possible impact in the league are player comparisons. Taking a college prospect and comparing his traits and possible future production to a current or former NFL player.
As a rookie linebacker coming into the NFL, there is likely no greater name to be compared to than that of former Baltimore Ravens’ legend Ray Lewis. Although Lewis was an incredible player on the field, he’s likely known more for his impact as a leader of men. The passionate first round pick out of Miami (Fl) in 1996 was the unquestioned heart and soul of a Ravens’ squad that won two Super Bowl titles during his tenure.
So when an incoming linebacker prospect reminds someone of Lewis, I’d imagine every person in the general vicinity perks up. According to one league insider, that’s exactly what happened when one unnamed NFL general manager had a meeting with current Detroit Lions’ rookie Jarrad Davis.
"“They bring back just about everybody on that [Lions] team, right? DeAndre Levy was battling injuries the last few years, he’s replaced by Jarrad Davis, who was their first round pick,” said NFL Network’s Peter Schrager during an episode of Good Morning Football recently. “I’m going to say this out here…I had a general manager tell me that when he met with Jarrad Davis in the lead up to the draft, it felt like meeting with Ray Lewis all over again. He’s that kind of fiery leader on defense.”"
If you are a Lions’ fan, this is wonderful news. If Davis can bring a workman-like Ray Lewis attitude to Detroit’s defense in 2017, you have to imagine this group having a breakout season this year. The Lions’ defense ranked 18th in the NFL last season, but struggled to create turnovers recording a total of 14 takeaways in 2016 (28th).
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Fans can only hope Jarrad Davis can follow in Lewis’ footsteps and lead the Detroit Lions to the promised land, a long awaited Super Bowl championship. It something that took Lewis five years to do in Baltimore (Super Bowl XXXV, 2001). He was the MVP of that game. Lewis is not eligible for Hall of Fame nomination until 2018. All of which certainly gives a rookie like Davis an awful lot to shoot for in Detroit.