Bruce Davis SELECTED BY: Pittsburgh Steelers Round 3(25)

SI Grade 3.35 GRADING SYSTEM

BIOGRAPHY: Two-year starter awarded All-Conference honors since his junior campaign. Totals last season included 45/15.5/12 when he also broke up nine passes. Junior-year numbers included 47/17.5/12.5.

POSITIVES: Explosive college defensive end who projects to outside linebacker at the next level. Plays with great suddenness and explodes off the snap. Quickly changes direction and immediately alters his angle of attack. Covers a good amount of area on the field, displays ability in pursuit, and has a tremendous burst of speed. Gets leverage on opponents, can flatten off the edge, and plays with good balance. Possesses an array of moves, works to get off blocks, and stays with the action.

NEGATIVES: Slow finding the ball and lacks instincts. Struggles handling blocks and more of an outside pass-rusher who avoids blocks. Lacks timed speed. Struggled during the Senior Bowl when he was used extensively at outside linebacker.

ANALYSIS: Davis is a solid athlete who used his quickness and speed to exploit blockers in college. He does not possess the size to line up in a three-point stance at the next level and projects as a pass-rushing linebacker in a 3-4 system. He must learn to make plays in reverse and do a better job diagnosing the action to have any chance of being a starter in the NFL.

PROJECTION: Middle Sixth Round