Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rookie expectations vs. performance
By Rob Leeds
Khalil Davis
Expectations
Khalil Davis was the sixth-round pick for the Buccaneers and was a selection that the analysts also applauded. Davis had a decent college tape and a better combine performance, so falling to the sixth round was somewhat surprising.
Tampa Bay already had a great defensive line, but Davis’s addition was a step in the right direction to building some depth. The Buccaneers do switch players out consistently, so having six or seven proven linemen benefits the defense.
Davis wasn’t expected to be a starter or to play a massive role in his first year, but this was still a decent pick by the Buccaneers in a round where very few proven players remain.
Performance
Khalil Davis’ performance so far this season has not matched his previous expectations, but this has been based on injuries and not on his on-field actions.
Davis has not yet made his NFL debut due to persistent injuries but should be on track to get some playing time before the year ends.
If Davis does end up reaching the field, that enough should show that Davis lived up to his expectations. Sixth-round picks are a long shot in the NFL, and making it into a game would show that Davis was worth the draft pick.