WHAT TO EXPECT FROM DAVON HAMILTON IN 2020

DaVon Hamilton (Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire)

What should you expect from the Jaguars' third round pick in 2020?

BY JORDAN DE LUGO

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The Jaguars selected 12 players in the 2020 NFL Draft this past weekend. I've broken down what to expect in 2020 from the top three so far.

Here's what to expect from the Jaguars' first-round picks.

​Here's what to expect from their lone second-round pick, Laviska Shenault. 

Today, I'll be breaking down Jacksonville's third-round selection, the 73rd overall pick, DaVon Hamilton. 

Hamilton had a MASSIVE breakout in 2019, earning his first gig as a full-time starter for the Buckeyes at defensive tackle. He was a more effective pass rusher than — you guessed it — Derrick Brown, who went seventh overall to Carolina AND Hamilton was highly impactful against the run. He racked up six sacks, 9.5 tackles for loss, and 28 total tackles during his senior season. 

Hamilton impressed during Senior Bowl week, continuing to build momentum after a strong senior season. A hulking 6'4" and 320-pound human, Hamilton did well for himself at the NFL Combine, running a 5.14 40 yard dash, putting up a combine-best 33 reps on the bench (with 33" arms), and also posted a 29.5" vert. 

His combo of height, weight, and strength shows up in a big way on tape. Hamilton has a quick first step and uses it to get past more sluggish interior offensive lineman. He regularly uses his hands effectively, helping him to get into the backfield and blow plays up. But he's also super effective when it comes to eating up space, and can hold the point, even against double teams. Hamilton will fit well as a nose tackle in the Jaguars new 3-4 base scheme and as a penetrator in nickel sets. 

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The Jaguars' run defense needed a major facelift heading into 2020 and got it in the form of Al Woods and DaVon Hamilton. Woods, a 33-year-old vet, has been an excellent run-stuffing defensive lineman in the NFL and will be a significant impediment when it comes to DaVon Hamilton finding meaningful reps early on in 2020. But Hamilton will serve as a rotational piece from the jump during his rookie year and should help the Jaguars hold up better against the run while also supplying at least a pressure or two every game. As the season continues, Hamilton should earn more playing time and could ultimately take the lion's share of the reps at nose tackle by seasons end. 

Hamilton is willing to do to whatever the Jaguars ask of him, and is well-versed when it comes to disrupting the flow of an opposing offense:

"I'm just trying to create as much disruption in the backfield as possible, even without the tackle, or sack or anything. That was my role at Ohio State and hopefully I can continue that in the league. I'm doing whatever the team needs for me to do. Honestly, I really could care less what I'm supposed to do as long as I add value to the team."

2020 Stat Projections (are silly): 33 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 32 pressures, 2 passes defended 

Follow Jordan on Twitter for all the latest Jaguars news and analysis. ​