Ray Davis is Mel Kiper's RB6 in 2024 NFL Draft Big Board

Ray Davis was a terrific find for the Kentucky football program. The former tailback at Temple and Vanderbilt made a big splash as a redshirt senior in 2023. The former low three-star recruit rushed for 1,129 yards and led the Southeastern Conference in total touchdowns (21). Davis was a true triple-threat for the Wildcats. The tailback could run the ball, add value as a receiver (33 receptions), and hold up in protection.

That should translate to the next level.

The Kentucky tailback has reported to Mobile this week for the Senior Bowl. Ray Davis will be looking to solidify a draft window over the next week before the combine arrives next month. He enters the event as one of the top tailbacks in this year’s draft class.

On Friday, ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. posted his first big board for the 2024 NFL Draft and Davis was RB6.

1. Jonathon Brooks (Texas)
2. Trey Benson (Florida State)
3. Audric Estime (Notre Dame)
4. Blake Corum (Michigan)
5. MarShawn Lloyd (USC)
6. Ray Davis (Kentucky)
7. Rasheen Ali (Marshall)
8. Bucky Irving (Oregon)
9. Braelon Allen (Wisconsin)
10. Jaylen Wright (Tennessee)

This tailback class does appear to be down. Last season, we saw Bijan Robinson (Atlanta Falcons) and Jahmyr Gibbs (Detroit Lions) both go off the board in the top-10 with the running back position producing seven top-100 picks. That likely will not happen this year.

That means that Ray Davis is likely looking at becoming a Day 3 pick somewhere between round four and round five at the moment. The Senior Bowl will give the Kentucky product a chance to bolster his stock. Davis’ skill set should translate well to the next level and it’s clear that he enters the draft process with a chance to become one of the first tailbacks taken off the board in April after accumulating 3,626 rushing yards, 94 receptions, and 41 total touchdowns during his collegiate career.