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Kendell Beckwith, LB, LSU: 2017 NFL Draft Scouting Report

By Henry Payne

Sep 3, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; LSU Tigers linebacker Kendell Beckwith (52) celebrates following a play during the third quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; LSU Tigers linebacker Kendell Beckwith (52) celebrates following a play during the third quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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LSU is renowned for its production of defensive talent. Safety Jamal Adams and Leonard Fournette are the premier prospects coming out of Baton Rouge, but Kendell Beckwith was a lynchpin in the middle of the Tigers defense

Former LSU standouts Deion Jones and Kwon Alexander have both found success in the NFL with their respective teams. While Beckwith may not be as athletic as his former teammates, he brings a lot of things to the table.

Strengths

Coming in at a sturdy 6’3″ 247lbs, Kendell Beckwith played on all three downs whilst in college and was highly regarded amongst teammates. On the field, the senior showed incredible patience and the ability to diagnose, shoot the gap and make a play.

A sure tackler who is not afraid to lay a hit, the Louisiana native is also unafraid of offensive lineman. Not only will he take them on, Beckwith showed the ability to work through the mess with surprising quickness and find the ball carrier.

Beckwith is comfortable in zone coverage. He plays from sideline to sideline and is always around the football. Was asked to do a variety of things besides marshall the defense and play zone coverage. An effective blitzer from the ILB position, a QB spy on certain occasions and was even used as an edge rusher.

When blitzing from his ILB position, Beckwith showed great timing. Whilst working as an edge rusher, he showed good effort and the ability to bend around the corner and penetrate the pocket.

Weaknesses

Athletic ability is the biggest question surrounding Beckwith. Whilst Deion Jones and Kwon Alexander are able to effectively man-cover running backs and tight ends, Beckwith is not. He has sufficient speed but struggles in space and lacks quickness.

I mentioned his patience earlier. While it can be a strength, it can also be a problem. Too often while diagnosing a run play, a lineman will engage Beckwith and drive him back.

Even though he was asked to rush the passer from the outside, Beckwith should not be utilized from that spot at the next level. Despite the fact he showed the ability to dip around the corner, his pass-rush arsenal revolves around effort, and he rarely makes a worthwhile contribution in this facet. He also fails to set the edge when working on the perimeter.

Next: Deyshawn Bond, C/OG, Cincinnati: 2017 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Projection: Round 4-5

Whilst Kendell Beckwith played an every-down role in college, he’d be better suited to an early-down role in the NFL. Solid and dependable, he could turn out to be a productive NFL starter, but I don’t foresee him replicating the young careers of LSU alumni Deion Jones and Kwon Alexander.

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