6 safeties the Vikings could select in the 2020 NFL Draft

Ashtyn Davis (California)

Measurements:

• Height: 6-foot-1 | Weight: 202 pounds

2019 Stats:

• 55 tackles (1 for a loss)
• 4 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble, 2 interceptions

Ashtyn Davis is an impressive safety prospect out of the University of California. He’s got good size at 6-foot-1 with a rangy build and top-end speed. Davis is a former walk-on who had to fight to make the team and that grit shows in every single game he’s ever played in.

Davis is quick to diagnose a play and he is a bit of a heat-seeking missile type of safety who will fly in and attack a ball carrier. While he does lay a big hit, he doesn’t always wrap up the opposing player, instead opting to try to punch the ball out. This does result in a lot of forced fumbles, but it can also lead to some missed tackles.

Davis was extremely productive in his career as a Golden Bear. He started 32 games and totaled 166 tackles and seven interceptions. It’s a little surprising that he never registered a sack in college, but perhaps he wasn’t used that often as a blitzer.

Davis is coming off a leg injury that didn’t allow him to run at this year’s NFL Scouting Combine, so teams will have to go off of his tape to get a sense of his overall speed.

Another thing about Davis that the Vikings will find tempting is his versatility. He has played some corner and he was also an excellent kick returner in college.  Minnesota needs help at both positions and taking Davis would help provide depth in the team’s defensive backfield.

If the Vikings want to draft Davis, it will probably have to be in the second round. His injury could push him down the board a bit and it’s entirely possible he’s actually still there at pick No. 58 for Minnesota.

The Vikings do have plenty of ammunition to move up and get Davis if they want him badly enough. That could be a good decision, as he’s a player who will likely have an impact as a rookie whether it is at safety, cornerback, or on special teams.