Despite years of standout production for NC State football, graduate defensive end Davin Vann enters the 2025 NFL Draft as one of its most overlooked prospects.
Vann proved his worth to head coach Dave Doeren over five years in Raleigh. The Cary, North Carolina native exhibited constant improvement, culminating in an All-ACC 2024 campaign in which he forced an ACC-leading six fumbles along with a career-high in sacks.
The two-time captain believes the team that drafts him isn’t just drafting a quality player, but also a quality person.
“I’m a high character guy,” Vann said. “My character speaks for itself on and off the field. I think I have a great work ethic, and I think I can bring leadership to a team, whatever my role is at the next level. I’m gonna be the best that I can be in that role. The on-the-field things, they’ll speak for themselves.”
Strengths
Vann’s profile is straightforward. He’s an athletic chess piece with notable size concerns.
In Doeren’s 3-3-5 defensive scheme, Vann primarily played as a five or three technique, depending on the context. He was quicker than most guards and stronger than most tackles, a luxury new defensive coordinator DJ Eliot will miss in 2025.
One theme throughout his game is the swipe-and-rip, a pass rush concept Vann refined to an NFL-caliber move. As a five-tech, Vann was largely responsible for containment on run downs, a difficult task in a 3-3-5. Only twitchy, athletic ends with light feet, like Vann, are able to thrive in such a scheme.
Despite the size restrictions, Vann is able to control gaps with leverage and uncanny strength. His already low base creates problems for linemen who rely on brute muscle, which is especially apparent on the Northern Illinois film.
A former state champion wrestler, his athletic ability goes beyond the gridiron. His high school background contributes to his explosiveness, footwork and dominant hands on the line.
Weaknesses
Sadly for Vann, he won’t be playing against NIU at the next level.
While it may not have made a noticeable difference at the collegiate level, he will have shorter arms than every tackle he faces, giving an opponent — like fellow draftee graduate tackle Anthony Belton — a continuous advantage at initial contact.
At least initially, Vann won’t be a three-down player, as he doesn’t have the pass-rush repertoire to compete with the elite tackles of the NFL. Coaching and development could change that, but for now, he’ll be implemented in a package rotation that relies on burst.
Pro Day
The future Pack Pro’s evaluation came to fruition at NC State’s Pro Day, as he dominated every portion of the workout. His superior athleticism manifested in every drill and measurable throughout the day, but the biggest takeaway was his leadership.
Unlike other prospects, Vann stayed and observed every position group, shouting encouragement while conversing with coaches and scouts alike. In his words, his character spoke for itself on and off the field.
Comparison
Positional tweeners — a player who has some but not all of the necessary characteristics for each of two or more positions — like Vann are difficult to compare, especially one in a scheme that’s not utilized heavily at the next level. Recently retired Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham fits the physical mold, while Denver Broncos defensive end Zach Allen fits the play-style comp. Allen’s utilization in defensive coordinator Vance Joseph’s 3-3-5 hybrid defense matches what Vann’s likely role will hold in the league regardless of the scheme, though he has a height and arm length advantage.
Projection
If Vann could pair his athleticism with the frame of similar players in his draft range, he would be a Day 2 pick. It only takes one team taking a flyer, and surely a scout from Vann’s Pro Day will get to the facility Monday raving about Vann’s traits. Most see Vann as a high-floor prospect with a late-round grade.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin values rotational interior pieces to complement linebackers TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith on the edges. Tomlin lost defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi in free agency and hasn’t found a long-term answer.
Vann could fill a rotational void and develop alongside defensive tackle Cameron Heyward. Interior rushers in the Steel City will inevitably have 1-on-1 opportunities with All-Pro caliber linebackers bookending the line of scrimmage. The black-and-gold acquired pick No. 185 — early in the sixth round — from the Seattle Seahawks, a good spot to pick up Vann should he be available.
Summary
Vann projects as a mid-to-late Day 3 selection for a team looking to add a high-energy, scheme-versatile defensive lineman to its depth chart. His athleticism, leverage and strength let him punch above his weight, but a lack of length and refined pass-rush moves could cap his upside as a three-down player.
Were he to land in a system that values hybrid fronts and develops his technique, he has the potential to carve out a role as a rotational piece. His leadership and work ethic should help him outperform his draft slot and stick on an NFL roster.
