Prospects for Jags fans to watch: Cal LB Evan Weaver

One player I would like to see the Jacksonville Jaguars take a peek at in the later rounds is California LB, Evan Weaver.

Along with the never-ending hole at the tight end position, the linebacking corps has been the Jacksonville Jaguars’ biggest weakness in 2019. It all began with the loss of Telvin Smith in the offseason, and then there was also Myles Jack’s concerning decline in the regular season. Additionally, injuries also plagued the unit, sending Jack, Quincy Williams, Jake Ryan, and several others to injured reserve.

The team has been forced to rely on newly acquired free-agents to just get by until the end of the season. While players like Donald Payne have certainly stepped up in recent weeks, the position is no doubt one that the front office will have to prioritize in the offseason. With extra picks thanks to some trades, the team will have their pick of the litter come April.

One player I would like to see the Jaguars take a peek at in the later rounds is California linebacker, Evan Weaver.

While Weaver is not the top caliber prospect that I generally have covered the last few months, he is the type of player the Jaguars need. Weaver is a physical tone-setter and a run stuffing, tackling machine, wrestling down 172 ball carriers in 2019 alone. With 11.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks to go along with his NCAA leading 172 tackles, Weaver has certainly caught the eye of many national scouts.

The Senior linebacker recently accepted his Senior Bowl invitation, cementing himself as a legitimate draft prospect. Any team looking for a thumper on the inside will be swooning over this 6-foot-3, 235 pound linebacker. Weaver may not possess elite athletic traits it is his instincts and knack for finding the ball-carrier that will make him an enticing prospect in April.

 

Weaver has adequate range and would fit well in a Jags defense desperate for help in the run game. The team has also struggled mightily with tackling. According to Pro Football Focus, as of Dec. 10, the team was second in the NFL in missed tackles.

I believe Weaver could play a role on the defense similar to that of former linebacker Paul Posluszny. Both are strong, physical, run-stuffing, tackling machines who lacked the athleticism to become consistent three-down playmakers on the defensive side of the ball. I don’t expect Weaver to be a Top-50 player in the 2020 class, but he has the ability to be an impact player for a team.

Here is just an example of the physicality that Weaver brings to his game:

If Weaver is available as a late Day 2/Day 3 selection, I would expect the Jaguars to be salivating over the thought of getting a pro-ready, defensive asset like Weaver. A sure tackler and a polished player, Weaver would be a natural fit at the MIKE position, shifting Jack back to his more natural position at weak-side linebacker. He may be a two-down player, however, he would help sure up the biggest hole on the roster.

The Jaguars run defense needs an overhaul and Weaver might just be who piece that brings it all together in 2020.