Saints: Marcus Davenport showing flashes of potential in training camp
After not living up to his draft status through the first three years of his career, it was good to see Marcus Davenport put on a show during the New Orleans Saints practice on Thursday.
Davenport was a surprising pick by the Saints in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He was from a smaller school and didn’t have a ton of buzz surrounding him entering the draft so yeah, that pick was a bit of a shocker. Not only that, but the Saints traded up to nab the Texas-San Antonio product.
To this point, Davenport hasn’t lived up to where he was drafted. After looking like he was rounding the corner in 2019, the former first-round pick regressed in 2020. Even with that being the case, the Saints picked up his fifth-year option and plan to give him more than enough chances to prove that he was worth taking in the first round three years ago.
Well, Davenport shined bright during Thursday’s practice and this is a great sight for Saints fans.
Mike Triplett noted that “Davenport was the standout player in Thursday’s practice” because he had 3-4 sacks. Yes, he didn’t have to face Terron Armstead, as the veteran left tackle had the day off, but James Hurst is no slouch. He’s probably one of the better backups in the league.
Saints DE Marcus Davenport was the standout player in Thursday’s practice with a potential 3-4 sacks in full-team drills. Lined up primarily against backup OT James Hurst with Terron Armstead getting a veteran rest day.
— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) August 5, 2021
Marcus Davenport having a much-needed explosive practice for the Saints
It’s only camp and we’re still several weeks out from the start of the regular season but isn’t it better to see Davenport playing well than to fade into the background? He made the most of his situation on Thursday, facing the backup left tackle and this is a situation he could find himself during the season.
While Davenport’s fifth-year option was picked up, that doesn’t mean he’s safe for another two years. He needs to shine brightly in 2021 and these flashes during camp are a great sign of hopefully what’s to come for the Texas-San Antonio pass-rusher.
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The Saints’ defensive line has a new look this year and Davenport plays a role in that. If he can play to the potential the Saints expected of him when they took him in the first round, there’s a good chance he goes from bust to boom in just one season’s time.