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Marcus Davenport's size and athleticism make it easy to see why he was a top prospect in this year's NFL draft, but there's another aspect of his game that could make him a special player for the New Orleans Saints.

Before coaching Davenport at UTSA, Frank Wilson spent six years at LSU. He said Davenport's pass-rush skills reminded him of Barkevious Mingo while his run-stuffing ability reminded him of Tyson Jackson.

Because Davenport is a well-rounded defensive end, the non-LSU names Wilson mentioned as comparisons were Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney, two top edge prospects in recent years.

But when providing his evaluation of Davenport, Wilson also mentioned a player who didn't play along the defensive line. Former LSU defensive back Tyrann Mathieu is the most instinctive player Wilson has ever seen, and the coach thinks Davenport is "a lot like" the Honey Badger.

"He just happens to find the ball all the time and then puts himself in position to affect the play," Wilson said of Davenport, who batted eight passes and forced six fumbles the past three seasons.

Defensive end was the Saints' top need going into the draft, which is part of the reason they traded next year's first-round pick to the Packers to go from No. 27 to No. 14 this year to get a player with 21 1/2 career sacks.

Davenport also grew up a Saints fan because his father, Ron, is from New Orleans East, but neither of them thought he would end up with the Saints as they picked 27th.

"He's got the black and gold around him," Ron Davenport said. "I got the emblems around my car. I'm Saints all the way, always have been."

And even though Davenport is still considered a bit of a project coming from UTSA in Conference USA, Wilson thinks the Saints are the perfect team to develop him. Wilson is close friends with Ryan Nielsen, the Saints defensive line coach who previously worked with Wilson at Ole Miss.

"I'm just overjoyed by the opportunity that's been bestowed upon Marcus," Wilson said. "I think he's the right fit for the New Orleans Saints, and I think the New Orleans Saints are the right fit for him."

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Analytical was the first word Wilson used to describe Davenport's personality. He gets that from his father, who served nine years in the Air Force and now works as an information technology contractor there.

Davenport graduated early from UTSA, receiving his bachelor's degree in multidisciplinary studies in December. He fulfilled a promise he made to his father to get his degree before focusing on the NFL.

"If you know my son, he doesn't specialize in just one thing," Ron Davenport said. "He likes all different fields."

Davenport's analytical nature showed during the past two seasons on the field, too. Wilson, whose staff took over in 2016, said Davenport had the freedom to rush from either a three- or two-point stance.

Even though Davenport worked from the three-point stance in his first two years, he primarily stood up as a junior and senior because he thought it kept offensive linemen guessing. The adjustments worked for Davenport as he improved his sack total each year in college, including posting 61/2 as a junior and 81/2 as a senior.

With the Saints, Davenport likely will play with his hand down, but coach Sean Payton said his staff will determine the best way to utilize Davenport once he arrives.

Wilson also described Davenport as smart, diligent, tough and someone who pays attention to detail. Davenport, meanwhile, described himself as calm and methodical.

Leading up to games, Wilson thinks Davenport's ability to break down film will help him learn the strengths and weaknesses of his opponents in order to find an edge.

"He will know that opponent inside out, and he will find an advantage," Wilson said.

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