I find it surprising how many of us still have reservations on Davis. He is a different type QB than Bradford, in that he has strengths that Sam doesn't have. He is a starting level talent in the NFL, there is no doubt of that in my mind. The only question is can he be a top ten QB.
Sam has the better arm. Sam throws a more accurate ball, in straight terms of ball placement. Sam probably knows the offense better. Sam is more careful and patient in terms of checking down too, and that has burned Davis in the INTs he has suffered when pushing too much. Sam has better general mechanics too, particularly footwork and whatnot.
Where I think AD is better than Sam?
His ability to feel the rush and reposition to give himself time, for starters. He is very underrated around here IMO in regards to that.
His general calmness. I think Sam is easier to rattle, AD has a more tenacious personality in that way judging purely from body language when things aren't going well.
His touch on passes. Go back and look at that pass to Givens against Seattle. That ball was floated on a flat trajectory, like an apple hanging from a tree that Givens could just snag out of the air. Or the deep ball to Quick vs Dallas. That pass, btw, was the one that made me say to myself "Holy $h!*" this kid can play. He throws a catchable ball and it shows in drop rates.
His release point. This isn't talked about much with regards to QBs and AD gets flak about footwork and mechanics but I love how high his release point is, that is something that is actually a strength in his game.
His boldness in decision making. The same thing that is a weakness in comparison against Sam is also a strength. He takes shots that Sam will just not take. The question here is can he start limiting the INTs? His performance against the Seahawks give me a lot of hope that yes he will as he continues to develop.
Lastly, we're comparing Sam, who is a veteran high draft pick, to him. That is a strength for AD in and of itself because he should get better.
Bottom line is we should be forming an effin conga line over how this kid is playing. I'm proud of him and hope he keeps it up. I think he will.