Tarario Davis stands tall among CB draft prospects

By GERY WOELFEL
It’s virtually a given the Green Bay Packers will select at least one cornerback, if not two, early in next week’s NFL draft.
And, fortunately for the Packers, there are plenty of intriguing and talented cornerbacks who will be available in the second, third and fourth rounds.
The Packers, who surrendered their first-round pick in this year’s draft to acquire star Micah Parsons, have done their due diligence and have formally interviewed most of them.
One is Tacario Davis, a lanky, athletic and highly competitive corner from Washington. He has generally been projected as a third- or fourth-round selection.
But Davis’ stock is rising, ever since an impressive showing at the NFL Combine in February in Indianapolis.
Davis ran a swift 4.41 seconds in the 40-yard dash, the fifth-fastest time by a defensive back at the Combine. He also had a vertical leap of 37 inches and a wingspan of 81 inches.
Davis possesses all the physical tools to become a quality starting cornerback in the NFL. Yet, he believes his biggest asset as a player can’t be measured or timed.
“I’d say it’s my mentality,” Davis said. “I’m a competitor. I want to win. That’s all I care about. I’m all about winning.”
Davis is an unusually tall cornerback. He stands 6-foot-4 and dwarfs over most receivers. Primarily because of his lanky frame, Davis said some of his favorite NFL players are Pittsburgh’s Jalen Ramsey, Denver’s Patrick Surtain II and Carolina’s Jaycee Horn.
“They’re all similar to my body size, so I kind of watch them and see what they do,” Davis said. “I model my game after them.”
The Packers have closely monitored Davis’ college career and were among a slew of teams, including the New York Giants, Tennessee Titans and San Francisco 49ers, to formally interview him at the Combine.
Davis’ showings at the Combine and Washington’s Pro Day clearly indicated he’s fully healthy after playing just seven games last season while being hampered by rib and hamstring injuries.
In his two previous seasons, while attending Arizona, Davis didn’t miss a game.
“I like him; I think he’s really good,” said a veteran NFL scout. “I’ve seen where’s he’s been (mocked) in the fourth round. No way.
“When you got a cornerback that tall and he has the quickness and reaction skills of a smaller guy … holy cow.
“I personally think he’s a second-rounder. He’s a talented cover guy.”