Tag: Curtis Weaver

2020 NFL Draft: Bills add second round pass rusher in mock

The Bills will have to wait until pick No. 54 to bring in a new prospect at the upcoming draft. Thankfully Draft Wire’s latest mock draft extends to the second round

The lead up to the 2020 NFL Draft will be a little drier for Bills fans. While excited for Stefon Diggs’ arrival, the Buffalo won’t have a first-round pick thanks to that trade.

The Bills will have to wait until pick No. 54 in Round 2 to bring in a new prospect at the upcoming draft. Thankfully Draft Wire’s latest mock draft extends to the second round

With their new first pick, Buffalo selects Boise State edge defender Curtis Weaver.

Weaver is a bit of a hybrid player like Lorenzo Alexander was for the Bills. His scouting reports say the defender can lineup as a defensive end with his hand in the dirt or as a standup linebacker. That’s some of what Alexander did for the Bills. Over the past three seasons, Weaver recorded 34.5 sacks and 47.5 tackles for loss. At the combine, he posted a 7.0 time in the 3-cone drill and a 4.27 second short shuttle time.  He was the 2019 Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year.

Early in free agency the Bills lost Shaq Lawson at the defensive end spot, but added Mario Addison. While the Bills might enjoy that and consider it an upgrade, Addison is 32 and Jerry Hughes is 31. Plenty left in the tank for than, hopefully, but the Bills need a promising young player added to that group.

Here’s Weaver sacking Bills quarterback Josh Allen back in the day:

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2020 NFL draft: Curtis Weaver scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Boise State edge defender prospect Curtis Weaver

Curtis Weaver | EDGE | Boise State

Elevator Pitch

An ultra-productive pass-rusher with intelligence, a high motor and a nice array of techniques in his game, Weaver has the potential to develop into a solid starter at the next level. While he doesn’t have the highest ceiling in the world, he does have a high floor and should be a solid defender in the NFL.

Vitals

Height | 6-2

Weight | 265

College Bio Page

Career Stats

Strengths

If you want a proven sack artist in this year’s draft, there aren’t too many better options than Weaver.

After redshirting his first year at Boise State, Weaver picked up 34 sacks and 47.5 tackles for a loss in the three seasons he played there. He never had fewer than 9.5 sacks in a single season, and his tackle for a loss numbers went up every single year. When you turn on the tape and watch him go up against Mountain West competition, that dominance is apparent. He’s a polished pass-rusher who uses his hands well and packs a powerful punch at the initial point of attack. He has shown that he can string moves together to beat the opposition, as well as execute a few counter moves, and he does a good job of consistently getting inside leverage with his hands.

Weaver plays with good pad level and has the hip flexibility to sink into contact and maintain leverage in that regard. He has solid acceleration off the snap and times his jumps appropriately. He was also a versatile defender in Boise State’s defense, having taken some snaps in coverage and playing in an off-ball role from time to time.

Weaknesses

While Weaver had plenty of production in college, his athletic limitations could prevent him from being the double-digit sack machine he was with the Broncos. He’s not a very fluid athlete in space, as he struggles to change direction and can be a bit stiff-hipped at times. His timing and instincts allow him to get good acceleration off the snap, but he doesn’t have particularly impressive speed in pursuit.

Weaver can also stand to improve as a run defender. He can occasionally have issues with balance, which allows him to be pushed around by run blockers and sealed off easily. He can get better at setting the edge and standing his ground when taking opposing blockers head-on. His frame, while muscular, is also pretty stout for an edge rusher; he doesn’t have ideal length for his position.

Projection: Day 2

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How adding Jamie Collins impacts the Lions roster

Examining how agreeing to terms with hybrid linebacker Jamie Collins impacts the Detroit Lions roster.

The 2020 tampering period is just over a day old and the Detroit Lions have already agreed to terms with several players, including hybrid linebacker Jamie Collins.

Early predictions for where Collins will play in the Lions scheme are all over the map. And for good reason. Of the game film I studied when trying to ascertain where Collins would play, I arrived at one answer — everywhere.

Collins played for the New England Patriots last season, and because their scheme is as close to the Lions as there is in the NFL, it was easy to do an apples-to-apples comparison of how he would be used in Detroit.

In 2019, Collins lined up at all four of the Patriots linebacker spots, even shifting over the slot on occasion. In the games that I watched, he rarely lined up at the same position on back-to-back plays, illustrating his true versatility.

Collins is able to play at all these spots for three major reasons. He has a freaky level of athleticism, can effectively rush the passer, and is one of the better coverage linebackers in the NFL. This combination of skills makes him a unique player and one that fits the Lions like a glove.

Like in New England last season, I don’t expect Collins to stay put at any one position, and honestly, that will complement the way the other Lions linebackers are trending as well.

Lions LBs trending towards positional fluidity

After the conclusion of the 2019 season, I did a film study, examining how the Lions linebacker roles were changing. The results showed that while Jarrad Davis and Devon Kennard — who was released yesterday — held static roles, Jahlani Tavai and Christian Jones’ roles were more fluid.

Now the Lions have three fluid linebackers all signed to multi-year contracts. Collins just signed a three-year deal, Tavai’s rookie contract expires in 2022 and Jones got a mid-year extension that expires in 2021.

Meanwhile, the static off-the-ball linebackers that remain, Davis and Jalen Reeves-Maybin, are in the final year of their contracts. Reeves-Maybin has consistently made the final roster based on his special teams ability, while Davis began to expand his duties to the WILL position in the latter parts of the season, something he may need to do more moving forward.

Will the Lions add more LBs?

If they do, it will surely be a player who is positionally fluid so that they can mesh with the other linebackers currently on the roster.

The most obvious name remaining in free agency is Kamalei Correa, formerly of the Tennessee Titans, who was directly coached by new Lions’ linebacker coach Tyrone McKenzie over the last two seasons. Correa has experience playing the JACK linebacker role, can rush the passer and drop into coverage. He has been a career rotational player, but on the Lions roster, that’s what they likely need right now.

If the Lions look to the draft, there are four top-100 players they are surely watching. Zach Baun (Wisconsin) is an off-the-ball linebacker who has shown a knack for rushing the passer. Josh Uche (Michigan) is lightning quick off the edge and can drop into coverage better than most JACK linebackers. Bradlee Anae (Utah) is primarily a pass rusher but has shown the ability to win from his feet. While Curtis Weaver (Boise State), who at 6-63, 265-pounds, is physically as close to a Dont’a Hightower clone as you will find. Weaver is a junior, but Baun, Uche, Anae were all on the North roster at the Senior Bowl and were coached by the Lions staff.

Adding any one of these players would give the Lions front a significant boost in 2020, even if they are in a limited role to begin the season.

Steelers getting a closer look at 2 former Boise State stars

Steelers setting up workouts with two Boise State players.

Offensive line and outside linebacker are both pressing offseason needs for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Outside linebacker Bud Dupree could exit in free agency and the offensive line is aging and needs an upgrade. The Steelers are looking at two players from Boise State that could fill both spots.

According to Draft Wire writer Justin Mello, Pittsburgh is planning to have private visits with offensive tackle Ezara Cleveland and edge rusher Curtis Weaver.

Cleveland is an interesting developmental prospect. He’s athletic and light on his feet but is very raw in terms of technique and needs to get some quality time in an NFL strength program to stand up to massive 3-4 defensive lineman in the league.

Weaver is a big, strong edge defense who might want to slim down a bit to help with his flexibility and bend. But his technical tools are elite, especially his hand usage and football IQ.

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8 draft prospects the Cardinals might value because of PFF rating

It seemed last year Arizona borrowed heavily from Pro Football Focus – here are some players they may like this year if they do so again.

It’s no secret that many believe that Arizona borrowed heavily from Pro Football Focus’ draft rankings in the 2019 draft: 

Kyler Murray was the top-ranked player on PFF’s board when they selected him first. Byron Murphy was the top-ranked player at the time Arizona took him at pick 33 and other players like Zack Allen and Andy Isabella were highly rated. 

If they follow this model again, here are several players the Cards could value more so than others. Here are some. 

Utah RB Zack Moss

Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports

 The Cardinals have already met with Moss at the combine, and one of the reasons may be his high marks from PFF, who have him rated as their top running back over such household names as DeAndre Swift and Jonathan Taylor. 

Moss gets these high marks for his tackle-breaking ability, his hard running style and his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. Some have even compared him to Marshawn Lynch.

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12 defensive combine standouts for the Bills to consider

12 defensive standouts at the 2020 NFL combine for the Buffalo Bills to consider at the 2020 NFL Draft.

The 2020 NFL Scouting Combine wrapped up in Indianapolis over the weekend. Potential rookie prospects took center stage while every team in the league watched. The Bills among them.

At the event, there were several defensive prospects who stood out. Could the Bills bring some of them in to fortify their stout defense?

Here are 12 defensive prospects who impressed at the combine that the Bills could consider adding at the upcoming draft:

Boise State linebacker Curtis Weaver. Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

DE Curtis Weaver | Boise State

Curtis Weaver is a bit of a hybrid player like Lorenzo Alexander was for the Bills. His scouting reports say the defender can lineup as a defensive end with his hand in the dirt or as a standup linebacker. That’s some of what Alexander did for the Bills. Over the past three seasons, Weaver recorded 34.5 sacks and 47.5 tackles for loss. At the combine, he posted a 7.0 time in the 3-cone drill and a 4.27 second short shuttle time.

DE Alton Robinson | Syracuse

Syracuse isn’t exactly the powerhouse type of football program a team will find an immediate impact-maker, but Alton Robinson could become a solid edge addition. With the pending loss of Shaq Lawson via free agency and the rotation the Bills play at the defensive end position in mind, Robinson put up positive combine numbers that the Bills could like. His 4.69 seconds in the 40-yard dash was the third best among all defensive linemen in the draft. Robinson also posted 25 bench press reps and a 35.5-inch vertical jump, making him Cuse’s best defensive prospect since Chandler Jones.

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Boise State’s Curtis Weaver has ‘a lot to like’ about Titans

Boise State prospect Curtis Weaver could be the perfect fit for Tennessee.

If the Tennessee Titans are looking to go edge rusher in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Boise State prospect Curtis Weaver could be the perfect match.

He’s been pinned to the team in a number of mock drafts, and said himself on Thursday that there would be a lot to like if he were to join a linebacker corps. with fellow ex-Bronco, Kamalei Correa.

This wouldn’t be the first meeting between the two, either.

Weaver brings a lot to the table for any team who drafts him with a high floor/high ceiling, versatility and he provides plenty in terms of size at 6-foot-3 and 265 pounds.

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His 2019 sack total of 13.5 speaks for itself, and he also accounted for 52 tackles, three passes defensed, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one interception on the season.

In three seasons at Boise State, Weaver racked up 128 total tackles, 72 solo, six passes defensed, three forced fumbles and two interceptions.

If the Titans do select Weaver in April, he’ll join a front composed of Harold Landry, Jurrell Casey, Jeffery Simmons and DaQuan Jones — quite the formidable combination.

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Who and what to watch at the 2020 NFL Combine: EDGE rushers

The Lions Wire staff has identified which EDGE rushers Detroit Lions fans should be watching at the 2020 NFL Combine.

The 2020 NFL Combine on-field workouts begin Thursday, February 27th in Indianapolis but the EDGE rushers won’t take the field until Saturday, February 29th.

This is the latest in a series of articles leading up to this year’s NFL Combine, where the Lions Wire team has identified players they will be tracking in order to determine potential fits within the organization.

If you missed the previous articles in this series, be sure to check out our quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive linemen, and interior defensive linemen previews.

EDGE rusher traits to evaluate

There are several on-field drills that emphasize a player’s abilities and the main areas Lions’ scouts will likely be focusing for the EDGE rushers are:

  • Bend, can they maintain speed when turning the corner?
  • Can they maintain balance when gearing up speed?
  • Reaction time, how quickly they transition.
  • Hand quickness and placement.
  • Head up. See the target, hit the target.

Chase Young, Ohio State

Suggested by: Bryce Rossler and Sonja Greenfield

The best player in the draft. If the Lions get lucky and Young falls to pick No. 3 — which is looking more and more like a possibility with the quarterbacks in this class — the Lions will likely run to the podium and turn their card in.

Young has a rare combination of traits. Size, speed, balance, bend, hand usage, and play recognition are all elite.

Young would line up at the down defensive end (DDE) position in Detroit with the option to rush from a standing JACK-like role at times. Despite the Lions just spending big money on Trey Flowers last offseason, the position is designed for two players to rotate through — creating constant pressure off the edge — with their additional snaps coming elsewhere (i.e. inside at 3-technique or at JACK).

Last season Flowers and Romeo Okwara rotated through the down defensive end position with Flowers seeing 62-percent of snaps and Okwara 53-percent. If the Lions land Young, they would split time between him and Flowers at DDE 100-percent of the time, while also being able to line them up next to each other around 25- to 30-percent of snaps.

A.J. Epenesa, Iowa

Suggested by: Jeff Risdon, Zack Moran, and Derek Okrie

A bigger version of Trey Flowers, Epenesa is expected to check-in over 6-5, 284-pounds and like Flowers, Epenesa can dominate from the DDE and 3-technique positions. He understands how to use his incredible length, is sound in his gaps, attacks with power, and is stout against the run. There may not be a better stylistic match between player and scheme in this entire draft than Epenesa and the Lions.

Bradlee Anae, Utah

Suggested by: Matt Urben

Anae played DDE under the Lions coaching tutelage at the Senior Bowl and absolutely dominated. Anae is more in the mold of Okwara, rather than Flowers, as he is capable of rushing from a standing position as well as with his hand in the dirt. He wins primarily with his first-step quickness, and while he will get knocked for his length (31.88″) he understands how to bend his body to maximize leverage. Once he establishes his front hand, he follows it with a variety of pass-rushing moves that keep offensive linemen guessing.

Curtis Weaver, Boise State

Suggested by: Scott Bischoff

Boise State used Weaver all over their defense, rushing him from the EDGE, from the interior, and routinely dropping into coverage, making him a true JACK linebacker. At roughly 265 pounds, he’s not as athletic or explosive as some of the lighter JACK linebackers in this class, but his intelligence, work ethic, and positional versatility will make him very appealing in the right scheme.

Julian Okwara, Notre Dame

Suggested by: Max Gerber, Scott Warheit and Ty Finch

Big things were expected from the brother of Lions EDGE rusher Romeo Okwara in 2019, but Julian had an underwhelming season that was cut short due to a broken leg, leaving a sour taste in the mouths of evaluators. Like his big brother, Julian is long, fast, quick, and athletic. Julian is expected to check-in under 250-pounds, and while he has the frame to add more weight, right now it negatively impacts his ability to set the edge. The lighter weight does allow him to drop into coverage, so depending on the team that selects him, he may need to maintain or gain weight. For the Lions, he would assuredly be a backup in year one with the upside to see significant snaps or start in year two.

Alton Robinson, Syracuse

Suggested by: Erik Schlitt

Like Okwara, Robinson was fantastic in 2018 but took a step back last season. He is a bit of a sleeper who the Lions got a long look at as part of the North squad at the Senior Bowl. Right now, Robinson can both rush the passer and set the edge but both need refinement. Like with Okwara, if the Lions grab Robinson, expect him to be a pass-rushing specialist in year one with the potential to play serious snaps or start in year two.

2020 NFL Draft: 4-round mock gives Bills Laviska Shenault at top

The Buffalo Bills in The Draft Wire’s latest 2020 NFL Mock Draft.

Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr.. Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Draft Wire released their latest four-round mock ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft this week and the Bills have an even split in it.

Right at the top, Buffalo addresses their top-two needs with a receiver and pass rusher. Then their next two picks are also split between offense and defense as well.

Starting at the top with their first pick at No. 22 overall, the Bills select wideout Laviska Shenault from Colorado:

22. Buffalo Bills
Laviska Shenault, Jr. | WR | Colorado
The Eagles passing on a Shenault here is a big win for the Bills, who are also in desperate need of a true No. 1 target for Josh Allen. Shenault is a physical player with a well-built frame who puts it to good use, both at the catch point and after the catch. He’s the complete player this offense needs to take their game to the next level in 2020 and beyond.

In this mock draft scenario, Shenault is the fifth first-round receiver selected. In total, six go in the opening round of the draft. The 2020 wideout group has long been touted as one of the best in recent memory, so that comes as no surprise.

While the Eagles do allow Shenault to get to the Bills, some might still be a little bummed out with their pick. Clemson’s big-bodied target Tee Higgins comes off the board one pick before the Bills. He’s another popular mocked player to the Bills because of Buffalo’s need for size at the position.

Shenault is slightly shorter than Higgins, but at 6-foot-2, still does have size and plays big, too. He’s a physical target with some quickness in his game. According to Pro Football Focus, Shenault led college receivers with 46 missed tackle over the past two seasons. In a draft class that’s not as a deep at the position, Shenault could easily be one of the top wideouts selected in another year. Shenault did recently have a small injury scare as he’s dealing with an inflammation of the pubic bone, however, it was also announced he won’t need surgery to repair the issue.

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2020 NFL Draft: Why Curtis Weaver is a good fit for Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks need more help off the edge, and former Boise State DE Curtis Weaver could be a great fit out of the 2020 NFL draft.

It’s no secret the Seattle Seahawks need more help on the defensive line in 2020. Even if they somehow re-sign free agents Jadeveon Clowney, Jarran Reed and Quinton Jefferson, the Seahawks had just 28 sacks last year with those three in tow and could use reinforcements both on the inside and the outside.

Unlike the 2019 draft, 2020’s class is not nearly as ripe with talent off the edge, which will make it that much more difficult for Seattle to add talent at a key position of need.

However, there are still a handful of players they could target with one of their first two round picks, and chief among them is Boise State EDGE defender Curtis Weaver.

Weaver was already mocked to Seattle by Vinnie Iyer of the Sporting News last month, and it’s not hard to see why he would be a good fit in the Emerald City.

At six-foot-three and 265 pounds, Weaver is a prototypical five-tech at the next level, with above-average technique and a strong anchor in run coverage.

While some have Weaver as a late first rounder, right where the Seahawks will be picking, others consider him more of a second or even third round pick, a spot that might suit them a little better considering his rawness.

He’s a bit of a project, much like Rasheem Green two years ago, but the potential for Weaver to be an impact defender off the edge is tantalizing, and makes him a worthwhile target for this team on day two.

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