LSU’s Kendell Beckwith is a highly athletic linebacker prospect who flashes the ability to make impact plays. He’s looking to build his stock for the 2017 NFL Draft.
Kendell Beckwith is an explosive athlete who features quick-twitch ability. This allows him to quickly get up to full speed and close on the ball carrier. He’s able to use this skill to make plays behind the line of scrimmage and sideline to sideline.
His size and bulk are in line with what evaluators look for in a linebacker prospect. Beckwith is capable of meeting blockers in the hole and holding his ground. However, he doesn’t consistently use his hands to generate a pop and work off blocks.
Beckwith is more of a flash player who struggles with consistency. He’s someone who’ll fly into the backfield and drop the running back for a loss then on the next play fail to attack.
His struggles can be tied to hesitation and poor reads. He doesn’t have quick reaction skills and is often late to locate the football. Those flash plays typically come when he guesses gets in motion before the ball is handed off.
Beckwith also needs to play with more tenacity as there are occasions where he’s too willing to be blocked. Coaches want their linebacker to be a high motor guy who is always in pursuit of the football. Failing to purse opens up the defense to big plays.
In the passing game, Beckwith shows the athleticism and balance to hold up. He can swivel his hips, close on the ball and run with tight ends/running backs. The issue is he struggles to identify the developing routes and makes poor reads.
He needs to do a better job feeling the receiver in his zone and reacting.
The lack of consistency in effort and overall production will keep Beckwith’s stock down a little. He needs to improve in the mental part of the game and overall feel. Beckwith has the athleticism to be a big-time playmaker; he just needs to do it on a play-by-play basis.
Current Draft Stock: 3rd Round