In this first week of February, the nation’s top seniors practiced for and competed in the annual Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. Two standouts on the National team were Miami (Ohio) safety Sterling Weatherford and Cincinnati linebacker Darrian Beavers.

Weatherford is listed on the roster as a linebacker, which, as you’ll read, isn’t much of a surprise given his versatility and knack for making plays regardless of where he lines up on the field. He can do a lot of things well and could be a great get for the Ravens, especially considering the potential loss of undrafted free agent DeShon Elliott.

Beavers is one of the more impressive contact players I’ve seen in this draft—meaning he’s not afraid of contact, he’s smart about his approach to the ball, and has a plan to execute the tackle and not allow yards after contact. The only issue with the Ravens selecting him is that, since inside linebacker isn’t their biggest need, Beavers may not be on the board after they’ve reinforced weaker areas of their team.

With over two months and a combine left before the draft, a lot has yet to fall into place. But when you watch these two studs play football, they play a fast, physical brand of it that is really enticing to anyone who’s a fan of a team with championship aspirations.

NFL Draft Player Profile: Sterling Weatherford, Safety, Miami (OH)

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 215 pounds

2021 stats: 66 tackles, 6 passes defensed, 2 INT, 2.0 tfl, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble

Key traits: Enforcer. Alpha. Captain. Plays with outstanding leverage, whether as a force (outside-in) or a spill (inside-out) defender. Feet are never outside his frame. Always looks composed. Has good range and timing when making a play on the football. Has some Tyrann Mathieu and Eric Weddle in him.

Ideal position: MOF (middle of field) safety or hole defender near LOS (line of scrimmage)

Potential draft spot: Round 2, Pick 45

Why he’d be a good fit: While the Ravens don’t need a safety, adding someone like Weatherford can only improve their defensive backfield. Whoever the new defensive coordinator is, he will enjoy moving Weatherford around and causing a lot of problems for the offense. He can pedal, plant, and trigger on downfield routes as well as he can toward perimeter runs. Even at 6’4”, he doesn’t show mobility concerns when taking different angles, which will help against big receivers the Ravens will face like Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Chase Claypool.

Cool side note: While most players gain weight in college, Weatherford lost five pounds while at Miami (OH), going from 220 to 215 pounds.

Bottom line: A captain in the making. He’s not a need but his performance jumps off the tape as someone who absolutely plays like a Raven.

NFL Draft Player Profile: Darrian Beavers, Linebacker, Cincinnati

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 255 pounds

2021 stats: 99 tackles, 12.0 tfl, 5.0 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 interception

Key traits: Quintessential MIKE linebacker. Patrols the middle. Strong hitter and tackler (which you don’t always see). Effective blitzer. Shoots gaps with conviction. Inspires confidence in his teammates. Massive for a linebacker, which lends me to think he’d be able to rush off the edge on passing downs (or fake a blitz and drop into short coverage areas). Saw a pulling lineman try to block him in the Indiana game and the lineman got launched to the ground.

Ideal position: MIKE linebacker

Potential draft spot: Round 3, Pick 76

Why he’d be a good fit: Beavers would fill the void the Ravens have been trying to fill since losing Ray Lewis. C.J. Mosley was good at times, but not good for the team in the long run. Patrick Queen is getting better, but his best position isn’t as a true middle linebacker. Beavers can be that guy. His physicality and demeanor are perfect fits for the Ravens and the AFC North. Watching him, it just feels like he’s going to make the play. It doesn’t ever seem like he’s overwhelmed. He can get handsy defending receivers down the field, but that’s why you have Queen, Marlon Humphrey, or Chuck Clark.

Cool side note: Played basketball and ran track in high school, where he achieved a 4.0 GPA in his senior year.

Bottom line: Drafting Beavers would fortify a linebacker corps that, in all honesty, can use a bit of help.

Michael Fast
Michael Fast

Born in Baltimore, Mike had long been drawn to sports of all kinds. Growing up watching Cal Ripken play ever day gave him a great example for which to attack every endeavor he undertakes.

When the Ravens came to town, though, that’s when Mike found his passion. Since that time, he’s tried to gain every bit of knowledge he could. Now as a high school coach, Mike is able to take his film study and appreciation of the game to a new level.

To engage with Mike on social media, follow him on Twitter @MikeFastNFL.

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