Chargers wide receiver Darius Davis is not an intimidating figure at first glance. He stands at 5-foot-8, 165 pounds and while his frame may seem small, his impact was huge in 2023.
Despite a down year for the team, Davis was a second-team All-Pro selection behind his game-changing speed and wizard-like abilities with the football in his hands.
Impacting the game as a pass catcher, ball carrier, and returner, Davis was utilized in a variety of ways within the Chargers’ offense. Like Tutu Atwell, Davis struggles to be an effective threat as a straight-up receiver so the Chargers found creative ways to get the ball in his hands and he made defenders look silly in open space.
The “Derius Davis role” isn’t a new concept. We’ve seen it be used at various levels with players like Tavon Austin, Eric Metcalf and to an extent, Marquise “Hollywood” Brown from time to time.
A modified “H-back,” the Derius Davis role allows offenses to get the ball into the hands of a player quickly and typically with an advantageous matchup against a linebacker instead of a defensive back, while still giving the player the ability to flex out into the slot if the offense so chooses.
You'll need multiple watches on this Derius Davis run because there are so many players who execute their roles to perfection in order to make this such an explosive play, including Davis of course. Jamaree Salyer and Will Clapp in particular do a fantastic job creating alleys. pic.twitter.com/rblvulBlEQ
— Steven Haglund (@StevenIHaglund) October 3, 2023
For Atwell, his development has been stunted by his health but also his inability to break through in the current offensive structure. It’s clear he’s the odd man out in the Rams’ receiver room so perhaps it’s time to play to his strength.
Atwell is eerily similar to Davis from a measurables perspective. Both men are virtually the same height and weight, both ran their 40-yard dash in under 4 seconds and both suffer from a lack of in-game opportunities.
Atwell’s increased presence would spread the field horizontally and vertically, opening up more pockets of space to throw the ball downfield. It adds a new element to an already potent offense and when you consider the injuries suffered to the Rams’ running back room last season, having another option is never a bad thing.
It’s time for the team to get innovative with their special talent before Atwell’s rookie contract goes to waste.
