The San Francisco will be without starting defensive tackle Arik Armstead against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 14. While much of the burden to fill the void left by their 2015 top pick will fall on their first-rounder from 2020, Javon Kinlaw, a significantly lower-profile player looks set to also have a considerable role to play.
A sixth-round pick in 2022 out of UCF, Kalia Davis has had to wait extremely patiently for his opportunity to make an impact. He spent his rookie year on the non-football injury list as he recovered from a torn ACL he sustained in college.
Prior to last week’s 42-19 win over the Philadelphia Eagles, Davis had been a healthy scratch for every game this season. However, he got his chance in the Niners’ biggest game of the season so far, and he made sure to grasp it in a hugely exciting performance.
With the game already out of hand, Davis marked an overdue debut with his first NFL sack, which saw him disengage from the block of future Hall of Fame center Jason Kelce and surge to his right to bring down a scrambling Jalen Hurts, sparking wild celebrations on the 49er sideline.
It was a richly deserved moment for Davis, who in 19 snaps flashed promise as a pass rusher.
Kalia Davis is likely to have an even bigger role today vs. Seattle. Love the sideline celebration for his first sack. pic.twitter.com/AcmgDMxQ6f
— Nicholas McGee (@nicholasmcgee24) December 10, 2023
Indeed, Davis ended the game as the 49ers’ highest-graded pass rusher by Pro Football Focus, displaying quickness off the snap, power and some encouraging hand usage in an intriguing 49ers bow.
And he will have the chance to immediately build on that performance when the Niners face Seattle with Armstead ruled out because of foot and knee injuries.
Speaking about Davis during his Thursday press conference, defensive coordinator Steve Wilks said: “Kalia has really the whole time when he wasn’t in there, he kept that mindset of just waiting for his opportunity.
Nice two-hand swipe move from Kalia Davis vs. Cam Jurgens. He's quick off the snap, can get push and already has some variety to his game. Encouraging. pic.twitter.com/KLHOgZAkG5
— Nicholas McGee (@nicholasmcgee24) December 10, 2023
“For him to seize it the way he did this past week was glorifying for not only him, but for everybody.
“Good pad level. He’s very strong. I love the way he comes off the ball, uses his hands well, and good lateral movement where he can shed and get down the line of scrimmage and chase things down. So, he’s going to be getting a lot of reps here coming up soon.”
The 2022 draft will already go down as one of the most significant in recent 49ers history because of the player they picked a round after they selected Davis.
Now, with the 49ers on the brink of a playoff spot, Davis can have a big hand in helping them achieve their first goal of the 2023 season as Brock Purdy attempts to lead them to a long-awaited sixth Super Bowl title.
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