Kalia Davis might be a relatively unknown name for 49ers fans who don’t pay close attention to Day 3 of the draft, but the defensive lineman from the University of Central Florida could quickly become a key player for San Francisco in his second season.
The 49ers selected Davis in the sixth round with pick No. 220 overall. His draft stock took a hit because of an ACL tear he sustained in mid October during the final year of his college career.
Landing with the 49ers allowed Davis to effectively redshirt his rookie year with three weeks of practice late in the season after the team opened his 21-day practice window.
While he didn’t contribute as a rookie, there will be plenty of opportunities for Davis to crack the defensive line rotation in his second year. He can play multiple spots along the interior of the defensive line and his athleticism should earn him snaps right away on a defensive line that doesn’t have a ton of depth. Davis may not start in his second season, but it’s easy to see him carving out a significant role.
