Player: Darrian Beavers

School: Cincinnati

Height and Weight: 6’4, 237

Combine Results:

• 40: DNP
• Bench: DNP
• Vertical Jump: 36.5”
• Broad Jump: 10’5”
• 3 Cone: 6.91
• 20 Yard Shuttle: 4.28
• Other Notes: I’m not sure why Beavers decided to skip the 40 and the bench, but outside of that Beavers had a solid day at the combine. His jumps were right around the average for linebackers, but his agility drills were off the charts, especially for someone of his size

Strengths: Versatility, run defender, patient/good vision, zone coverage

Weaknesses: Speed?, not typical pro linebacker, man coverage

Projected Draft Day: Late Day 1/Day 2

Player Comparison: Anthony Barr/Dont’a Hightower

Player Summary: Darrian Beavers is a very intriguing prospect to say the least. Beavers may be one of the bigger linebackers we’ve seen come out recently. His size doesn’t exactly fit the mold of a typical pro linebacker these days, but there is certainly a team who could use a player like Beavers. The big question around Beavers for me right now is how fast is he? Obviously Beavers isn’t going to be the guy to break records in the 40 yard dash or anything, but on film he doesn’t look as slow as you would think. Beavers was a force for Cincinnati in the middle of the defense who could make plays sideline to sideline. My problem is that pros don’t play at the same speed as college players. NFL players are the best of the best. Obviously a 40 yard dash can’t make or break a player, but I’m just curious if he has the speed to continue to be an every down, sideline to sideline off-ball linebacker.

I was very impressed with Beaver’s when I turned on his tape. His strength was definitely being a run defender. Beavers is a solid block shedder and does not fear offensive lineman. The nice thing about Beavers being big is lineman can’t bully him in the same way they can smaller linebackers. Even when Beavers can’t shed the block he does a nice job of holding his position. Beavers is also a really solid tackler from what I saw. Beavers is also a very smart, very patient backer. It seems like Beavers knows he’s not the fastest guy on the field and he tries to erase that weakness through his play style. He trusts his eyes and his ability to make the right read on the play. I thought Beavers also looked pretty good dropping into zone coverage. Again, it speaks to his vision reading his keys as well as his football IQ.

The biggest issue I had with Beavers was how he played man coverage. I felt like at times he gave his man way too much space. It looks like he is afraid to get beat, and again without knowing what kind of speed he has it makes sense. The only aspect that I like about him playing man coverage like that is that I feel safe knowing he will come up and make the tackle if he gives up the catch underneath.

I draw the comparison to Barr/Hightower because first off Beavers is built similar to them. Beavers also inhibits the same type of versatility where he could play as a 3-4 ILB or OLB or a 4-3 LB. All three guys are more known for their play against the run than in pass coverage, but can do that when needed as well.