Pro Football Focus released their Top 101 of 2014 Rankings yesterday, and several Panthers made it onto the list. We already discussed Luke Kuechly last week on CSR (PFF’s ninth best player in the NFL in 2014), so today we’ll discuss Panthers outside linebacker Thomas Davis, who was ranked as the 38th best player in the NFL in 2014, and the top overall 4-3 outside linebacker.

38. Thomas Davis, LB, Carolina Panthers (52nd in 2013) The medical marvel that is Davis shows no signs of slowing down. His 2014 season was another for the ages with his work in coverage as good as any linebacker. He might not have the picks to earn the praise, but his ability to keep things in front of him and limit the yardage after the catch. Some stellar work rushing the passer added to the notion that there aren’t many linebackers you’d rather on the field on a passing down than Davis. Best Performance: Week 11, ATL @ CAR, +4.7 Key Stat: Tied with the Broncos Brandon Marshall for the highest coverage grade of any 4-3 outside linebacker.

Thomas Davis is a rare talent. Not only is he an exceptional athlete for the position, he is also one of the most instinctive linebackers in the NFL. Davis excels in all three phases of the game -- he’s a physical downhill run defender, has exceptional range in coverage, and is one of the most efficient blitzers in the NFL.

Davis’ run defense stats might be only average (run stop percentage ranked 16th among all 4-3 outside linebackers), but his elite coverage ability in today’s pass-happy NFL is what makes him such a special talent. Davis routinely shut down tight ends in both man and zone coverage, and limited the production of running backs as pass catchers out of the backfield. Davis even showed the athleticism to occasionally match up and defend against slot receivers.

Davis is also an underrated blitzer. Although Davis only had 2.5 sacks in 2014, his 17 total pressures ranked him fifth among all 4-3 outside linebackers. Davis probably could have put up even better numbers if he played in a more aggressive defense that utilized him more as a blitzer. It’s important to keep in mind the Panthers defense under Sean McDermott is one of the most conservative in the NFL. Instead of blitzing with linebackers, McDermott prefers dropping them back in coverage, and mostly relying on the defensive line to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

It will be interesting to see how the Panthers might utilize Thomas Davis this upcoming season. The addition of Shaq Thompson to the Panthers linebacker corps (another talented linebacker in coverage), could free up Davis to be utilized more as a blitzer in 2015. One way the Panthers could play to their strengths at linebacker now is by showing more 3-3-5 looks, where Davis would be a pass rushing outside linebacker. Here’s one example of the Panthers in their 3-3-5 formation against the New Orleans Saints in 2013. In this formation, Thomas Davis and Mario Addison are both lined up as the pass rushing outside linebackers.