Colts: 3 mistakes Chris Ballard made in the 2021 NFL Draft
By Mike Luciano
2. Drafting Florida DB Shawn Davis in the fifth round
Davis was a complete schizophrenic on the field for the Gators last season. On one play, he’d look like the second coming of Joe Haden. The next, he’d look like a JUCO transfer that was going to be benched for making a mistake. That style of play didn’t stop Ballard from using his fifth-round selection on him.
Davis will likely line up at the safety position (yes, another safety!), though he has the versatility to play inside in dime packages (but the Colts already have Kenny Moore and TJ Carrie doing that!). Those are great traits for a late-round defensive back, but these aren’t traits that will necessarily make him stand out on a Colts team that is pretty well-versed in that area given their current roster.
Shawn Davis is a risk (and redundant addition) for the Colts.
Davis has good ball skills, but that won’t make him stand out on a Colts defense that already has Julian Blackmon and Xavier Rhodes. He can play inside, but the presence of Kenny Moore means that he isn’t going to get a ton of time for Indianapolis this season given the totality of the circumstances.
His best shot at immediate playing time is on special teams. While picking an ace special teamer and backup at a time when some teams are drafting players who will be cut in training camp is a solid idea, it isn’t as prudent a strategy to adopt when this team had much bigger holes to fill.