Why Undrafted?: Quartney Davis, WR, Texas A&M
By Charlie Campbell, @draftcampbell
Six years ago, we started a series of articles on why certain prospects went undrafted. In that series, I reach out to sources with NFL teams to find out why their organizations passed on drafting a given player, and/or, what were the reasons for other teams to pass on that prospect. We got a lot of positive reader feedback about the series, so we decided to expand in the genre to investigate why some prospects slid in the draft. Four years ago, we started the Why the Slide? series, and this year it is back. Feel free to email me requests for Why the Slide? and Why Undrafted? at [email protected]. I can’t promise to get to all of them, but I will do my best and definitely will respond to the email.
During the 2019 season, many in the scouting community thought Texas A&M wide receiver Quartney Davis had a shot at being a mid-round pick and maybe even a second-day selection in the 2020 NFL Draft. After a solid start, Davis finished the year with some underwhelming performances, and that continued with a ho-hum Senior Bowl. Still, some where surprised when Davis went undrafted and fell to the free agent ranks.
Team sources say there were a number of reasons that all contributed to Davis going undrafted. Going quiet around mid-season and late in the year definitely hurt him. Teams felt he didn’t stand out a the Senior Bowl and did not work well before the draft. He does not have an impressive body for the next level, which was made worse by a reputation from Texas A&M of not being tough and not liking to work out. The feedback that teams got from the staff at College Station was not good in terms of Davis’ makeup and football character. All of that combined to Davis not getting selected in the 2020 NFL Draft.
After going undrafted, Davis signed with the Minnesota Vikings, and that was a mixed landing spot for him. On the plus side, the Vikings need a third receiver and depth to emerge behind their starting duo of Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson. Davis also has a Texas A&M legend and potential advocate in offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak. The Vikings are an organization that is wiling to give mid-round, late-round, and undrafted players a legit chance at making the roster and playing. All of that bodes well for Davis.
However on the negative side, the issues that caused Davis to go undrafted could cause him to have a short stay in Minnesota. Head coach Mike Zimmer is a no-nonsense type, so Davis’ attitude issues could get him cut quickly if he shows up with the same work ethic, toughness, and football character that he displayed in college. Thus, Davis will have to have a great attitude and work ethic to make the most of his opportunity with the Vikings.
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