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Michigan State Football: How could 32 teams possibly pass on Felton Davis III?

By Connor Muldowney

STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 13: Felton Davis III #18 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates after catching a 25 yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter against Amani Oruwariye #21 of the Penn State Nittany Lions on October 13, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 13: Felton Davis III #18 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates after catching a 25 yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter against Amani Oruwariye #21 of the Penn State Nittany Lions on October 13, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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The 2019 NFL Draft has come and gone and Felton Davis III went undrafted. How could 32 teams possibly pass on the Michigan State football star?

Round six came and went and Felton Davis III had yet to hear his name. Surely the seventh round would provide him a new home, right? Wrong.

Davis III went seven full rounds and 254 selections without hearing his name called which, honestly, is a crime.

Then the Kansas City Chiefs committed larceny.

When the draft ended, Davis III was one of the biggest names in the undrafted free agent market and he signed with the Chiefs. He was more than just a steal, he was arguably the best signee following the selection process.

At one point in time, Davis III was considered a Day 2 talent and a guy who could quickly become a starting receiver for an NFL team. But his Achilles injury derailed that.

Davis III returned for his senior year only to suffer a season-ending injury against rival Michigan and begin a rehab process that would last throughout the pre-draft process, making him incapable of working out for NFL scouts. He is still working to get back to the field, but his rehab may have scared teams away — Achilles injuries are nothing to mess with.

But if anyone has proven that they’re capable of overcoming all odds and working hard to become the best at what they do, it’s Davis III. He went from under-utilized wide out in 2015 and 2016 to one of the Big Ten’s best in 2017 and 2018. He went from just a handful of catches as a freshman and sophomore to 86 receptions in 17 games as a junior and senior.

So why did 32 teams pass on Davis III a total of 254 times? It’s a good question, but the only reason is the injury and if he returns to the form he was at pre-injury by the 2019 season, Kansas City is going to be one of the luckiest teams in the league.

Next. 5 questions facing MSU football after spring. dark

Not many teams can snag elite receivers in undrafted free agency, but the Chiefs took a small risk due to the injury and it’s about to pay major dividends.

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