Overview
Position: Linebacker
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 244
School: LSU Tigers
Combine Performance Data
Bench press: 20 reps
Kendell Beckwith 2017 NFL Draft Profile
Kendell Beckwith followed the lead of his cousin, Darry Beckwith, who played from 2005-2008 for the LSU Tigers. The two combined to turn Beckwith into a common name in Baton Rouge. Beckwith is a product of the state of Louisiana, going to high school in Jackson, LA. He was a four-star recruit, third in the state, and fourth in the country at the linebacker position.
Beckwith was eased in as a freshman, and saw limited snaps. However, he ended up putting in three serviceable and memorable seasons for the Tigers. He put up 77 tackles as a sophomore. As a junior, he put up 84 tackles, ten going for loss. He also recorded 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.
His senior season saw 91 tackles, six for loss and a sack. That year, combined with three strong seasons in the middle for the Tigers had Beckwith honored to the All-SEC team. Beckwith had his stock on the rise, but in the team’s last game of the regular season, against Florida, Beckwith tore his ACL. It limits his upside, questions his usage in year one, and will most certainly affect his draft status. So when is the right time to take Beckwith, and how would he compare into the NFL.
Strengths
- Good downhill runner.
- Strong in the box tackler.
- Strong awareness.
- Instinctive.
- Takes good angles.
Weaknesses
- Tore his ACL in last college game.
- Limited lateral speed.
- Not strong in coverage.
- Motor runs hot and cold.
NFL Comparison: Denzel Perryman
Teams with needs at position: Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans, New York Giants
Projection: Third round
Bottom Line
Beckwith is a classic, in the box, run stuffing linebacker. He has good instincts and can snuff out the ball in the trenches. Beckwith is a strong tackler in form, and can win as a tackler with force in power. He is a technically sound player, and health barring has a rather high floor as a prospect.
However, the big question looming is his health. As it was, his upside was limited. He wasn’t going to time as one of the faster linebackers, and the 40-yard dash would not have been his gig. He wasn’t the twitchy athlete, and it especially showed in coverage. Beckwith would be a liability against quicker running backs and slot wide receivers, and does not have a good time roaming sideline to sideline.
His game isn’t build as a hybrid type of linebacker. He is an old school linebacker, and it may have limited him to being a force on first and second down. Add in the injury concerns, and all of the sudden Beckwith is a guy looking to be taken in the middle rounds. As a talent on tape, his game was probably a third round prospect. With his health, he may be closer to a fourth or fifth round guy with upside to turn into a productive starter.
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