Breaking down UCF DT Kalia Davis to the 49ers

With their second sixth-round selection on Saturday, the 49ers elected to focus on their defense, selecting defensive tackle Kalia Davis out of UCF with pick No. 220.

The 49ers have been busy on Day 3 of the NFL Draft, taking UTSA offensive lineman Spencer Burford with their fourth-round selection at pick No. 134, Toledo defensive back Samuel Womack with their fifth-round selection at pick No. 172, and Fordham offensive lineman Nick Zakelj with their first sixth-round selection at pick No. 187.

Those three selections came after the 49ers drafted USC edge rusher at pick No. 61, LSU running back Tyrion Davis-Price at pick No. 93, and SMU wide receiver Danny Gray at pick No. 105.

Davis provides additional depth at the position that the 49ers value the most: defensive line. The 49ers lost multiple defensive linemen in the offseason, including the likes of longtime defensive tackle D.J. Jones and edge rusher Arden Key.

While Davis has had injury concerns and sat out the 2020 season due to COVID-19, the UCF product provides a combination of quickness and power at the defensive tackle position, and best profiles as an interior defensive lineman, which the 49ers value in their defensive line rotation.

Davis's torn ACL likely slid him down draft boards, but his combination of traits makes Davis an intriguing potential pick should injuries not hinder his NFL career.

Davis is a linebacker-turned-defensive lineman with good bend and athleticism for his size, making him a player with high upside, especially with Kris Kocurek at the helm.

With the selection, the 49ers still have yet to address the safety or center position in the draft, but continue adding depth at their most important position of value.

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