Some things will never change — like Marlon Davidson's relentless desire to be the best.

That burn for greatness kept Davidson tossing and turning when he tried to sleep after Thursday night of the draft. He awoke at 4 a.m. Friday morning and couldn't fall back asleep because he was so upset that he wasn't a first-round pick, like he obviously thinks he deserved to be.

He wasn't going to kick that restlessness until he and his family received a call on Day 2 of the draft. When Davidson's phone finally rang before pick No. 47 in the second round, he immediately smiled before answering. He recognized the nearby area code.

"I've been waiting on this call, and I got it, and now I'm going to give everything I can to the organization," Davidson said after being taken by Atlanta on Friday night. "I'm going to give everything I possibly can and leave everything on the field, every game, and show that they did not mess up by picking Marlon Davidson at all. They didn't."

Davidson easily could have heard his name called in the first few rounds last year, as well. He was a talented defensive line prospect as a junior. But he wasn't great enough, in his own words, and he felt he missed on too many sacks. He had to return to the Tigers and take those back.

And Auburn's charismatic and kind-hearted senior did just that, leading Auburn in sacks with 7.5 while racking up 12.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble en route to a first team All-SEC selection.

In the process, Davidson showed his ability to play both inside and outside on the defensive line, something the Falcons value immensely about their new rookie.

"I can do it all," Davidson said. "Coming from off the edge, I can do whatever move you want me to. I just feel like I'm that type of athlete. I feel like I'm that type of player -- when I step on the field, I feel like I'm the best. Going to get the best out of me every snap."

With his draft selection, Davidson fulfilled a childhood promise he made to his late mother, Cynthia Carter, who passed when Davidson was in middle school. Even as a boy, Davidson ensured her that, one day, neither he nor her would have to worry about money or work.

"Her dream" is now realized, Davidson said, and he plans on making sure the Falcons know how much he appreciates their welcoming of him into their franchise.

"I'm going to go out there, and I'm going to be Marlon," he said. "... I'm here for the Falcons and the Falcons only. I'm ready to go out there and dominate.

"Now I'm in a position to show everybody that y'all shouldn't have passed up on me in the first round."

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