Willie Beavers NFL Draft 2016: Scouting Report, Grade for Vikings Rookie

POSITIVES

A 40-game starter at left tackle, Willie Beavers has the experience and motor to draw the notice of NFL scouts.

The drive and effort from Beavers are as good as his footwork and agility. He’s a fighter and a finisher at the point of attack, often going right to the whistle in both run- and pass-blocking situations. A confident lineman with a stout, strong body, Beavers is able to position his feet to counter his lack of length. Choppy feet and great balance are the highlights of his tape. He’s rarely beaten with speed to the outside because he’s able to slide and cut off the corner.

With fast hands and an equally fast processor to read and react on an island, Beavers can handle inside pass-rush moves. He can also contain linebackers crashing the run game. That fire that fuels his game shows up on rushing downs. Beavers wants to win, and he wants to dominate, and that is seen when he’s sustaining blocks throughout the play.

NEGATIVES

Beavers moves like a tackle, and he has the bulk of one, but his production was subpar as a pass protector. Beavers’ 39 pressures allowed were the most of any ranked tackle prospect this year, per College Football Focus. By comparison, Notre Dame's Ronnie Stanley allowed 14 pressures on three more snaps against better competition.

Despite good athleticism, Beavers doesn’t play strong. Powerful rushers will dump him, and defenders who know how to use their own length to drive through him will lock him out too easily.

Because Beavers is so amped up, he’s often tipping his hand as a blocker in pass protection way before he needs to. NFL pass-rushers would have a field day reading his body and hands and then reacting to them, because he gives up this information immediately off the ball.

Once Beavers is on an NFL roster, his best move would be to spend his free time in the weight room. With impressive feet and toughness, Beavers has the look of a future starter if he takes to pro-level coaching and conditioning.

COMBINE RESULTS

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 324 lbs.

40 Time: 5.28s

Arm Length: 33 ½"

3-Cone: 7.96s

Short Shuttle: 4.71s

PRO COMPARISON: Ja'Wuan James, Miami Dolphins
FINAL GRADE: 5.99/9.00 (Round 4—Future Starter)