2020 NFL Draft Scouting Report

December 5, 2019 1:00 PM EST

Evaluated by: Mike Diffin
mwdiffin@gmail.com
December 5, 2019

Prospect Overview

Junior OLB from Boise State; very disruptive EDGE player who set the Mountain West all-time sack record, formerly held by former TCU Horned Frog, and current Buffalo Bill Jerry Hughes (34 versus Hughes 28.5). At 6'3", 265 lbs, Weaver possesses a thick, balanced frame, long arms and fluid lower body movement. Lined up as 5 and 7-Tech coming off the EDGE and rushing through the B gap. From various team reporters, and quotes from teammates, Weaver is considered a good-hearted guy that brings a lot of humor to the team and is a favorite in the locker room amongst teammates.

Positives

Not the most athletic guy, but Weaver keeps good balance when initiating contact, and plays with natural body lean, leverage and explosiveness. Is a different player when lined up as a 5-tech and plays with great competitive toughness when heads-up or shading the Tackle on either side of the LOS. Good play strength, pushes the pocket as the 5-tech and does a good job not getting deeper than the QB and takes away the ability to roll-out. Solid bend around Tackles, but needs to show more consistency in that area. Terrific use of hands to keep himself clean and uses his hands and explosiveness to setup inside counter moves to win through B gap. Good strength to set the EDGE in the run game, and a good ability to diagnose runs and pursue.

Areas For Improvement

Athleticism lacks playing 7-tech. Not a quick twitch player and can't be trusted to consistently win lined up outside 5-tech. From that position, Weaver lacks a counter move; tries to win with his rip and bend alone and lacks to speed to make up for the times he gets hung-up on Tackles. Playing the 7-tech he has a tendency to get deeper than the QB and gets blocked out of the play. Coming off the LOS it looks as if he's thinking too much rather than reacting and his play speed suffers. Weaver needs to translate the tenacity and quickness he shows at the 5-tech and use it when he's lined up outside the Tackles as a 7-tech or wide-9.

Draft Stock/Player Comparison

Weaver may not "wow" people with his combine times but will be a very intriguing prospect if he can perform well in tests that measure explosiveness. He might be more of a Derek Barnett/Jordan Jenkins type 3-4 OLB that can set the EDGE in the run game, and win 1-on-1's as a big 5-tech against the pass. I think he's a mid-first round talent, but a loaded EDGE free agent class could hurt his value.

Scouting Video Courtesy of JustBombsProductions