Why Curtis Weaver deserves more attention

In Saturday’s updated tier list, I put Boise State’s Curtis Weaver in tier five.

He deserves a lot more attention but I understand why it isn’t happening. He’s dropped from 300lbs to 265lbs. Lance Zierlein says he has a ‘soft frame’ in his NFL.com scouting report. He’s not a svelte, long and lean pass rusher.

He does have great agility though and that counts for something.

In our big combine review we mentioned the focus Seattle has placed on the short shuttle for pass rushers.

The ability to change direction quickly, pivot and accelerate is naturally a key component for any edge defender.

Despite being a 265lbs EDGE, Weaver tested with the linebackers at the combine. It’s strange how they separate the defensive tackles and defensive ends but then still have clear pass rushers working out with middle linebackers.

Weaver ran a 4.27 short shuttle at the aforementioned 265lbs. Had he worked out with the defensive linemen, that would’ve been the fastest time:

Curtis Weaver — 4.27
Alex Highsmith — 4.31
Alton Robinson — 4.32
Jonathan Greenard — 4.34
Derrek Tuszka — 4.34
Jason Strowbridge — 4.37

His time also beat Willie Gay Jr’s 4.30 at 243lbs and Zack Baun’s 4.31 at 238lbs. Gay was celebrated for his fantastic workout in Indianapolis (rightly so) while Baun is often projected as a top-40 prospect as a rush linebacker. Weaver’s 4.27 has received a lot less attention — despite the fact he’s much heavier than both Gay and Baun.

So how does a 4.27 compare with other players who recently entered the draft?

Joey Bosa (269lbs) — 4.21
Shaq Lawson (269lbs) — 4.21
Curtis Weaver (265lbs) — 4.27
Solomon Thomas (273lbs) — 4.28
Jordan Willis (255lbs) — 4.28
Rashan Gary (277lbs) — 4.29
Dante Fowler (261lbs) — 4.32
Chandler Jones (266lbs) — 4.38

Bosa, Lawson, Thomas, Gary, Fowler and Jones were all first round picks — while Willis is one of the top testers in recent memory.

The time is also in Seattle’s wheelhouse for the positon. Cassius Marsh — whose weight was up and down at college depending on where he was asked to play — ran a 4.25. Obum Gwachum ran a 4.28.

What about the three cone?

Weaver’s 7.00 was identical to Zack Baun’s and was marginally quicker than Willie Gay Jr’s 7.08. Again, Weaver is a significantly heavier player.

It would’ve also been the second fastest time among defensive linemen this year:

Derrek Tuska — 6.87
Curtis Weaver — 7.00
Jonathan Greenard — 7.13
D.J. Wonnum — 7.25
Alex Highsmith — 7.32
Alton Robinson — 7.32

Here’s how his three cone compares to the veteran players listed earlier:

Jordan Willis (255lbs) — 6.85
Joey Bosa (269lbs) — 6.89
Solomon Thomas (273lbs) — 6.95
Curtis Weaver (265lbs) — 7.00
Chandler Jones (266lbs) — 7.07
Shaq Lawson (269lbs) — 7.16
Rashan Gary (277lbs) — 7.26
Dante Fowler (261lbs) — 7.40

Last week we noted Seattle’s focus on pressure percentage. In the last two seasons, Weaver’s number is 18.4% — tied for first among draft eligible prospects alongside Julian Okwara. I don’t have the specific 2019 number but his pressure percentage in 2018 was 21.6%.

In terms of career pressures in college, Weaver recorded 147. Only Chase Young had more (150) among 2020 draft prospects.

He’s also in the top-five for pass rush win percentage in 2019:

Chase Young — 27.2%
Joshua Uche — 27%
Julian Okwara — 23%
Curtis Weaver — 22.9%
Alex Highsmith — 21.7%

His pass rush win percentage in 2018 (when he was fully healthy) was an incredible 31.1%.

These are all appealing numbers. It’s just the frame that makes you pause.

The Seahawks haven’t drafted anyone who looks like Weaver. He’s only 6-2 but quite heavy for the height. He has short 32 3/8 inch arms. Cassius Marsh had arms just shy of 33 inches and they brought him in but generally they stick to the +33 inch arm bracket.

It’s not just a Seattle thing either. I can’t think of anyone he really looks like or compares to. The league is always suspicious of players who fit that description.

What he did in college, albeit against relatively weak opponents, is top level. His agility testing paints a clear picture as to why he succeeded. Yet there are physical limitations and an unnatural pass rush frame to balance things out.

For that reason, he might not go as early as he otherwise would. Yet there will come a point in the draft when someone will take a shot on him in the hope that the agility testing and college production will translate.

And it’s not like players don’t overcome limitations. Za’Darius Smith was 6-4 and 274lbs at his combine with 32.5 inch arms. He ran a 4.66 short shuttle, a 4.83 forty and jumped a 29 inch vertical. In 2019 he was one of the NFL’s top pass rushers after signing a big contract in Green Bay as a free agent.

I suspect the team that does take him will do so with the intention of making him a pass rush specialist. That’s probably why he ultimately worked out with the linebackers. Like the two Smith’s in Green Bay — his best role might be suited to playing aggressively in space on key passing downs. He’s not a dominant run blocker and it might be a stretch, with his physical profile, to imagine him operating as an every-down DE in a 4-3 formation.

It shouldn’t be a surprise though if he excels in the role of a situational, specialist rusher in a 3-4 and turns it into a big second contract.

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96 Comments

  1. Mark Souza

    Nice write up. I like the kid. He has the “want to”, there’s no doubt about that. And he has some tools and quicks. I don’t know that a comparison to Marsh for arm length is a good one. Marsh was drafted as a DT, then pulled a quick one and dropped 30 pounds between the draft and training camp because he wanted to be a DE.

    • Rob Staton

      Eh? The point on Marsh is simply that they drafted him with the arm length as it was. And they didn’t draft him as a DT. He’d been playing there but they had him lose weight to be a rush end / LB type.

      • aBark

        Intrigued by Weaver. Completely intrigued by who might be the successful outliers? As more time passes since you’ve identified the stat. probabilities in our draft board, I’m so curious if and where we can make a selection that might be short five eighths of an arm inch.
        Really love this time of the sporting year. Combine to the draft, free agency, salary caps & negotiating magic! Combine it with the awe that can be March Madness & I’m enveloped with memories of elation & heartbreak. Perhaps this year will be a Jimmy V/Curt Warner year!?!

  2. cha

    Interesting analysis on this guy Rob. Thank you.

    Where do you see his best value at in the draft? For a potential situational rusher that has questions about his frame, it would seem a first round pick might be too rich. Even early second. But late in the 2nd and into the 3rd he could be a great value pick.

    • Rob Staton

      He’s in tier five which is late two.

  3. Will

    Great article Rob. I really liked Curtis Weaver’s film. He played against lower competition but he pops on film like you would want a prospect to do against that level.

    Anfernee Jennings didn’t run at the combine but I see some traits on his film that seem Seahawky as a SAM. Have you looked at him much or are you waiting for his pro day?

    • Rob Staton

      I’ve never been a big fan of Jennings. The injuries have taken a toll and I just don’t see a lot to get excited about.

  4. Sea Mode

    Is this for real…?

    https://twitter.com/CharlesRobinson/status/1236770999053541378

    If so, looks like they are trying to combine the Rams and Chargers into one LA logo so they can sell to both fanbases… 😂🤣

    • Rob Staton

      What on earth are they thinking with that? Awful.

    • cha

      Looks like an arena league logo. The Ram isn’t prominent enough to know who you’re supporting. I mean, people will figure it out but still…

    • SoCal12

      That reply calling it the ‘The Jared Goff of Logos’ has me wheezing. 😂😂

    • Henry Taylor

      Just one more reason to hate the Rams.

    • Group captain mandrake

      That logo looks like a camera lens iris. It makes no sense.

      • Sea Mode

        Someone said it looks like Trump’s hair and now I can’t unsee it…

        • Group Captain Mandrake

          I think I prefer the camera iris. Now I can’t unsee that combover. Also kind of looks like the Aperture game logo.

  5. DW

    Frame wise he seems similar to Brandon Graham, granted, Graham is considerably more rocked up than Weaver looks. Similar arm length too

  6. drewdawg11

    I was wondering what weaver would do against Washington in the bowl game, but I didn’t notice him that much, Trey Adams and Jarred Hilbers handled him fairly easily. For a situational rush player… I wouldn’t take him in the second round, but that’s me.

    • Rob Staton

      He played with an injury

  7. Barry

    Oh the irony.

    I was just talking about Weavers cone and shuttle. They are elite.

    • Rob Staton

      I wouldn’t say elite but certainly very good.

      Frank Clark ran a 4.04 short shuttle. That’s elite.

  8. Moose

    Does weaver have the same body type as Dwight Freeney?

  9. Lewis

    I wonder if he dropped weight because nfl teams advised his agent that’s what they wanted to see.

    I sure wonder what his agility numbers would have looked like at a heavier weight.

    • Rob Staton

      He dropped weight a long time ago — not ahead of the combine. He switched from DT to DE very early in his time at Boise State.

      • Lewis

        Ah, gotcha.

      • Lewis

        Dude looks bigger on the field than I would have thought.

  10. CHawk Talker Eric

    I’ve been a Weaver believer since V12 first shouted him out about halfway through the CFB season.

    I’ve also mentioned previously that Weaver plays in a way that reminds me of Avril. He kinda looks like Avril, at least in stature. I guess he’s a little thicker in the middle, only 10lbs heavier than Avril. But his game quicks, first step and hustle all remind me of Avril. Especially the way he gets after the QB.

    Now that I can, I just compared their agility and explosion numbers and they test remarkably similar.

    Avril ran the SS in 4.31*
    Weaver ran the SS in 4.27

    Avril ran the 3C in 6.90
    Weaver ran the 3C in 7.00

    Avril vertical jumped 36.5″*
    Weaver vertical jumped 32.5″

    Avril broad jumped 9’09”
    Weaver broad jumped 9’08”

    For Avril, * are pro day numbers. Let’s see if Weaver runs the 40 on his pro day, let alone if he betters any of his Combine results.

    Anyway, I like this post and I’m glad you highlighted his agility, because you see that on the tape and it’s always a good thing to see testing back up what you see on the field.

    Fertile ground for interesting, informative articles these days. Good time to be a SDBer

    • CHawk Talker Eric

      Guess I should’ve finished my thought…

      Weaver provides what SEA need: pass rush, QB pressures, occasional run play TFLs

      He may not be the twitched up athlete we’ve been wanting. Or maybe he is. He tested reasonably explosive and exceptionally agile relative to this class. Maybe he has a 1.5s range 100 yard split. Even a low 1.6s would be pretty good. I hope he runs at his pro day. Though if he does and he has a good time it’ll just mean he goes too early for SEA.

      If he’s still on the board, I’d strongly consider him with either late R2 pick (59 or 64).

      • CHawk Talker Eric

        *10 yard split 🙄

      • Simo

        Since the term “twitchy athlete” gets tossed about quite a bit here on SDB, wondering if there’s a good definition of what it takes for guys to be considered “twitchy”? Now I understand in general terms it means they are quick off the ball and probably fairly explosive athletes, but can it be quantified? Is the 10 yard split the best metric, or vert and broad jumps, or all of these combined?

        You suggest Weaver may not be twitchy, or he might be. Do his testing numbers suggest that he is? Does his game film? The numbers compare pretty favorably to Avril, who by all accounts was a twitchy athlete.

        I’ve watched a lot of Weaver’s games, and he consistently shows out. He’s got excellent bend and body control coming off the edge, and a pretty solid motor. He’ll be a quality player for some team, and likely continue to develop and improve in time. Happy Rob did a piece on him!

        • Rob Staton

          Twitchy means quick-twitch. Cliff Avril ran a 1.50 10-yard split — not sure that’ll ever be topped by a defensive end. Bruce Irvin ran a fantastic forty and split. That’s generally what you’re looking at for ‘quick-twitch’. Weaver didn’t run a forty so we don’t know his time or split.

          • CHawk Talker Eric

            And the only reason I’m even entertaining him as a possible selection for SEA is because his agility numbers are surprisingly good AND those numbers back up what you see from him on the field.

            He doesn’t have an epic get off, but his first step is decent. I’m interested to see what kind of 10 yd split he can put up. As well as 40 time.

            Ultimately, and regardless of where his SPARQ numbers end up, I don’t see a twitchy DE/LEO as much as I see a high motor hustler with solid college production. BSU don’t face the best CFB competition every week, but the Mountain West is far more competitive than it used to be. Also, Weaver was the only impact player on the BSU DL. It’s not like he was cleaning up someone else’s gravy. He was generally making his own rain.

            Like I said, I’ll be interested to see his pro day numbers.

  11. Spencer

    How are his coverage and LB abilities? Could he fulfill the old Bruce Irvin role, or would he be strictly a Leo.

  12. STTBM

    Wow, Rob! Really nice find! He really does look like a tweener with his best fooball ahead of him! Would not surprise me to find Seattle likes him alot….

  13. charlietheunicorn

    Small school kid who is lined up to do big things.
    I would have no problem with Seattle dropping a late 2nd or 3rd on him, if they thought he would fill out a pass rush line-up as the 3rd wheel / bring him along slowly and develop him the right way. Pro training régime, might increase his strength and functional play weight. 265 isn’t bad, since he can move pretty well.

    Some of the pre-draft write-ups are really down on his “explosiveness” and he is a liability in run defense….

    I guess this balances it out.. “Word spread about his talent during 2019, and the accolades piled up: second-team Associated Press All-American, first-team All-Mountain West, MWC Defensive Player of the Year, Ted Hendricks Award finalist. Weaver led Boise State and finished among the national leaders with 18.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks (52 total tackles, one interception, three pass breakups).” That is very nice production, especially the TFL portion of this write-up.

  14. Donger

    I don’t see it. Edge rusher but no bend or explosion. Great hustle, respectable athlete. R4-5. I know, I’m an idiot. Dumb as the day is long. Have at me.

    • Rob Staton

      He’ll go earlier than 4-5.

    • Zane

      No bend?? That’s his one undeniable strength. You see it immediately in the highlights above.

      That’s why I’m high on him- one of the only players in the class that can bend the edge like a proper LEO.

  15. john_s

    I think Curtis Weaver is build perfectly for the Steelers 3-4 Rush end. I agree with Rob that i would not be surprised if he got a big second contract depending on where he ends up.

    Hopefully this is true of Okwara

    “The 6-foot-4, 252-pound defensive end is itching to show the rest of his athleticism at Notre Dame’s Pro Day. Last spring, Okwara said, he was clocked with a 40-yard dash of 4.53 seconds, and he believes he can do even better now. Okwara recently started running again while training at EXOS in Phoenix before working his way back to timed sprints.”

  16. Sea Mode

    I don’t like Weaver. He’s not going to be able to just run right past over-matched, unathletic RTs in the NFL like he did in those highlights above, and his bend is really not that great. I don’t see much else in the arsenal as far as technique with his hands that he can use to win at the next level and we already know his lack of length will hurt him even more against pro Tackles. He did have one nice spin move to the inside, so credit where credit is due for that.

    Went against low level competition and padded his 2019 #s with 4 sacks + 4 TFL vs. Portland St. and 3 sacks + 3 TFL vs. Nevada-LV. Sure, you can only go up against the guy in front of you, but my personal opinion is that he won’t find success vs. real competition at the next level.

    Nice agility numbers, but I’m not really interested. Would have liked to see him stay at his heavier weight and hone his craft as a pass-rushing 3T using that quickness. IMO that would have been a better path to long-term success than what he did/was asked to do.

    • dcd2

      While I tend to agree with most of this, there does come a point where he’s worth a shot in my opinion. Teams will likely discount him for the reasons you mention. The talent level he faced was clearly not very high.

      Last year there was a small school EDGE who fell to the 4th round. It took him until week 5 to work his way into a 3-down role, but he ended up with 10 sacks, 16TFL, 4 forced fumbles and was the runner up to Bosa for defensive ROY.

      Here’s how Weaver stacks up to Maxx Crosby:

      Weaver: 6’2, 265lb, 32 3/8 arms, 32.5 vert, 116.0 broad, 7.0 3-cone, 4.27 short shuttle
      Crosby: 6’5, 255lb, 32 7/8 arms, 36.0 vert, 122.0 broad, 6.89 3-cone, 4.13 short shuttle

      Not saying that Weaver will come in and make that impact as a rookie, but there are some similarities. I doubt you get him in the 4th, as the DL group is considerably worse than last years’. If he’s there at our 3rd I think he’s worth considering. Of course our 3rd is #103 and Crosby was taken at #106, so not really far off.

      • Sea Mode

        Oh, for sure, someone will and should take a shot on him day 3. I just don’t think he will be even much of a consideration for the Seahawks, though.

        His build is just a lot different than Crosby’s, despite the similar (though less explosive) testing numbers. That weight distributed on a 6’5″ frame gives him a lot more length than a 6’2″ guy. Just look at any picture of him and you see what I mean.

        • dcd2

          Yep. I would be surprised if he’s high on our priority list as well.

          I just meant that Crosby was somewhat (not tit for tat) similar in testing and was from a small school. Lots of people questioned whether that would translate, as beating RT’s from Coastal Carolina and Central Connecticut State was a far cry from the talent he’d see on Sunday’s.

  17. Sea Mode

    “Teams” really advised him not to, or his agent…? Whatever, as if it really mattered anyways. Would have been nice to see him show some fire and decide to compete anyways.

    https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1236981934682566656

    FWIW, I timed him at 7.47-7.52.

    • Rob Staton

      I had the same

      • CHawk Talker Eric

        I have it in the 7.5 range too. Not bad for someone who’s 6’4″ 325lb.

        Also think he moves through the drill well for his size.

        His biggest disappointing test result was his vertical. Would feel so much better about him if he broke 30″. Doesn’t change things much. He’s still the top DT prospect in the draft, followed very closely IMO by Kinlaw.

        I really want to see Kinlaw tested. Does anyone know if he’s planning on participating at SC’s pro day?

  18. Sea Mode

    lol. How is letting him hit the market actually considered a possibility at this point? Maaaaybe a tag and trade at most if some team unexpectedly steps up with a really good offer to recoup what they traded for him. Otherwise, why would they just let him walk? (then again, we are talking about the Giants here, I guess…)

    Ian Rapoport
    @RapSheet
    ·3m

    The #Giants have an interesting decision to make late this week: Do they franchise tag star DL Leonard Williams? Sources say the two sides are not close on a contract extension and Williams will have a strong market. The tag is a possibility, but so is letting him hit the market.

    • Ukhawk

      I like LW

      Great example of good but not yet franchise players.

      I think this is the chat in this but please correct if wrong:
      I’ve read the G-men don’t feel he is worthy of a big contract and they are apart on this. They don’t want to franchise him and pay the 16apy for 2020 so they may transition tag him at a lower figure, say 12-13. But that means they wouldn’t get compensation if they don’t match the offer. If no tag is used, they possibly get a 3rd back depending on the contract he signs. If that happens their downside is the 5th pick they used to trade for him as the 3s offset.

      Bear in mind they have a decent rotation already in Lawrence, Tomlinson and Hill

      I think they are in a pickle

      Tag and trade may be an option.

    • Rob Staton

      ‘The tag is a possibility but so is letting him hit the market’

      ‘It might rain tomorrow but it could also not rain’

      • Ukhawk

        With all due respect, you predicted it’d rain yesterday by saying they’ll 100% resign him but that’s not necessarily the case.

        • Ukhawk

          I think there is a more fundamental question I was trying to ask for a view about Leonard Williams yesterday.

          Should JSPS consider him and be interested in LW as an alternative to Campbell or Reed?

          If so, what would be prospectively be an cost to tag and sign? A 3rd for LW and less/more for Campbell? If they cost us the same is there a preference? The giants may go for this to recoup on their trade last season and get a pick this year rather than next.

          What also happens if say, Reed signed elsewhere at same rate as LW. Would we get our 3rd back next year? I’m not sure how it works exactly

          Anyway I do think it id a possibility as there are rumours that NYG like D Brown who would be a lot cheaper than resigning LW

          Hence I was hoping to discuss LW as a possible signing to consider

          • Ukhawk

            Sorry to bang on with this but below is what is concerning as we focus (rightly) on edge rushers:

            Jarran Reed is another big name that is hitting the market this year. He is a player I want in Seattle, however, he showed significant regression from the previous year in pass rushing. His sack percentage dropped from 2.3% to 0.9%. His hurry percentage dropped from 6.1% to 3.6%. Lastly, his broken tackle percentage increased from 10% up to 15%. These stats are right in line with Al Woods this year, who is a player we paid just $2.25 million to. I would offer Reed a 1-year, prove it deal worth $9 million. The defensive tackle free agency class is sneakily stacked, with his down year, he may have no choice but to try and redeem his value with the prove it contract.

            • Rob Staton

              If it’s a prove it deal, players very rarely stay with their original team to prove it. They often feel slighted and move on. Or they see a more preferable scheme to produce. It might be multi year or nothing with Reed. We’ll see.

              • Ukhawk

                Agreed. Thx rob. If we keep him, hopefully it’s on our terms. I’m afraid we will need to backfill with other guys. Bit worrying considering Fords the only proper DT who’s been retained so far

        • Rob Staton

          I’m telling you now… they’ll tag him even if it’s the transition.

          No way they spend a R3 plus for half a season during a rebuild year. No way. That would be nuts.

          • Ukhawk

            Ok but it’s only a R5 if they recoup a R3

            • Rob Staton

              And they only recoup a round three if they don’t sign anyone in free agency. How likely is that do you think, with $77.8m to spend, a bad roster and a new staff?

              This is what people forget about comp picks. You can have them, if you don’t make any similar signings yourself.

              So let’s be realistic here. What’s more likely? That they simply hand him one of the two tags to keep a player they clearly like — or they let him walk with the idea of getting a round three pick in 12 months time, so long as they don’t do anything in free agency?

              • Ukhawk

                Defo more likely they sign him. Agreed

                Does point out same conundrum JSPS have with Reed. Not good enough to tag but probably good enough you’d want to be on good terms and match any reasonable offer.

                • Rob Staton

                  The difference though is they actively traded for him half way through a season to be part of their future. With Reed, he’s been here four years and it’s a more natural free agency situation.

                  For the Giants to let Williams walk would be an unacceptable error. And before anyone mentions Sheldon Richardson — the Seahawks were at the end of the LOB Championship window and made an aggressive trade to try and win a title that season. They also got Richardson for a full season. The Giants weren’t competing for a Super Bowl when they made the move mid-season for Williams. They made that move with the future in mind, not the present.

    • Lewis

      I’m not sure how resigning Williams is any more or less a foregone conclusion than resigning Clowney.

      • Rob Staton

        I suppose because New York can tag him while we can’t tag Clowney.

        • Lewis

          True, of course he need not sign it. They have more say in where Williams ultimately lands. I guess I was thinking of shopping his services on a tag as “hitting the market”, but the quote presented those as either/or (which they really aren’t).

  19. Matthew Weber

    It is starting to seem that the more we analyze pass rush options the more it kind of becomes apparent that there is no simple solution to fixing the one thing that would so obviously make us a better team and make us a serious contender. I mean the free agents other than Clowney are likely going to be overpriced, and none really fits what we need to the point we risk overpaying. Plus the draft looks like shit. The free agents all have some caveats and we are still

    Pete wants a Leo which seems obvious and yet there just doesn’t seem much available that fits what we need and is not a risk to be overpaid.

    Signing Clowney seems so obvious but even if we step up there and pay the Danegeld we are essentially still sitting where we were last year. (Ok maybe he won;t be hurt). Not signing him is kind of scary actually.

    But after that it just looks like we are going to need a combination of improved play with the guys we have, paying Clowney what he asks, and getting lucky on a free agent on prove it deal like Clemons.

    Give the guys credit because they saw the problem last year and went for it and it didnt work but they went down swinging. Also give em credit we didnt get stuck with a bunch of dead money or an overpriced vet. They will step up again but this year seems like they are going to have to take a bigger risk with actually less options available than last year.

    If they could count on Collier stepping up it would just be so much more simple and that was obviously what they were hoping last year. He fills the 3t and 5t Michael Bennett thing and they just need a speedy Nascar guy. Maybe Collier steps up this year and the thing improves organically but as of now they are in a big bind because the whole thing is so up in the air.

    As nice as it would be if this was as simple as just writing a couple of big ass checks,especially since we finally have the money. But fixing this thing may require another JS masterstroke that comes from a combination of several smaller moves on top of backing the Brink’s truck up to Clowney’s garage.

    I will say this though, it is nice to literally feel we are that close to being back and what we need to do is so straight forward. Its a credit to the JS/PS that we are in this position to be sure.

    • Rob Staton

      There’s never a simple solution. But a lack of an obvious option doesn’t mean it isn’t comfortably achievable.

    • Sea Mode

      I see what you mean, but you can also look at it in a different way that makes it quite simple:

      Cut Dickson: $4m
      Cut/extend Britt: $9m/$4m
      Cut KJ: $8m

      Voilà, there’s $16m for Clowney’s partner in crime.

  20. TJ

    As a Boise State alum, I have watched every game of Weaver’s career. I agree 100% that you don’t look at him and think “there is a future NFL player.” I don’t remember which game it was, but there was a point this last season when I though “man, they call Weaver’s name a lot!” He may not be an elite prototypical prospect, but he is a really good football player who makes a lot plays.

    • JC3

      A good football player is a good football player, despite the measurements, this guy is what I want @27 from the beginning. Unlike Clowney, this guy know how to bend around the corner and get to QB.

      • Sea Mode

        Yikes. Disagree big-time on that one.

        First of all, a good college player does not automatically make a good NFL player. Guys like him and Willekes can have success against college Tackles in a smaller conference and then simply not have the tools to get past Tackles at the next level.

        Secondly, IMO the first two rounds, for the Seahawks especially, are for guys with special traits and athleticism. Unlike Willekes, at least Weaver has some solid athleticism, but IMO he still falls well short of anything we would ever consider on day 1 or day 2.

        • Simo

          I suspect some team takes a shot on him before day 3 (probably not the Seahawks since he doesn’t meet the arm length requirement). As mentioned, he is a good football player with very good, if not elite testing numbers. He was extremely productive on the field and not a problem child off the field.

          Also, the level of competition he faced is not as poor as some people think. Granted its not the SEC, but there’s quality teams and players in the MW conference.

      • Rob Staton

        If a good football player is a good football player why isn’t Colt McCoy starting?

        • TJ

          Just curious, how does Weaver compare to DeMarcus Lawrence, who had a similar career at Boise State, when he was coming out of college?

          • Rob Staton

            Good question. I liked Lawrence as a borderline first or early second rounder but have to say I can’t remember too much about why. He was certainly more orthodox in terms of looking like a classic DE. Just looking now though his short shuttle was a 4.31 —- which is good at 255lbs but not as good as Weaver’s 4.27 at 265lbs.

      • Group Captain Mandrake

        The list of good players who could not make it at the NFL level is impossibly long. II’d say that you could argue that Clemson/Alabama/LSU/etc. are brimming with good football players, and the large majority of those will not make it.

  21. HawkfaninMT

    Truman’s Johnson’s release is interesting to me. They took a huge dead cap hit to save $3M, so is he washed? As a UM alum I loved him as a player coming out of college, and he was a force with the Rams. Always felt like he had great Seahawks size for a CB, and would have been a great pick. His market was such that as a FA he was going to be too expensive, but is he now?

    Will be very interested to see where he goes and for how much. If it’s a short contract with minimal cost… 2 year 5-6APY, I wouldn’t be opposed to seeing what PC can do

    • dcd2

      He does have the look of a Hawks corner.

      He’s 30 years old and was cut from the Jets, whose secondary is pretty bad, outside of Adams though.

      If Flowers or Griffen missed any time, he would be a decent fallback I suppose. Do you want to drop $5-6M/year on that role though?

    • Rob Staton

      He is absolutely washed I’m afraid

      • Greg Haugsven

        We tried the older free agent signing with Cary Williams and it didnt work out good. That seems like a position where its either draft ot trade for a very young guy so they can properly teach there kick step. The old dudes dont learn new tricks.

  22. Kingdome1976

    To me we either get Gratos or Okwara in the draft. Other than these two guys we better look to free agency.

    • dcd2

      I’d put Zuniga in this group too.

  23. Ulsterman

    Is Greenard an option? Tested well, other than the 40, good production and has near 35″ arms.

  24. Matt

    I really like Weaver, but I think he is a guy that you trade UP for in R3 (if available).

    What is he? A very good, polished football player that should be able to stick in the NFL, in some capacity and at the very least consistently provide 5-7 sacks a year.

    What is he not? A premiere athlete who is going to be a regular 12 sack guy.

    I think R3 is the perfect spot to target elite athletes that are not great at football (yet) or great football players that are not great athletes. Weaver fits nicely into this category – whether he lasts that long is another question.

    I think R1 HAS to be a guy that gets on the field this year, no questions asked. We cannot afford another LJ Collier situation. Said player should either be plug and play like a Cesar Ruiz or someone that has a special trait that can see the field, even if it’s in a very specific capacity (ie lean speed rusher or a fast WR). Heck, I don’t even have an issue with a Kenneth Murray or Patrick Queen at this spot – they both bring speed and can get on the field ASAP.

    I’m becoming more convinced that one of the R2 picks will be used on a RB – it’s a really nice class at the top and while the team loves Carson – he has suffered major injuries and is in the last year of the deal. I like Penny as a compliment, but even he is coming off of an injury that is no guarantee for him to be what he was last year. I think Taylor (won’t be there), Dobbins, CEH, or Swift are guys they would absolutely love to have. Is it a luxury? Honestly, no. This team relies on a strong run game and we don’t have the type of OL that can manufacture a great run game.

  25. WALL UP

    If not Okwara and an UFA signing, Tyshun Render as a developmental DE pick in the Rds 5-7, would be a good pick. I would be ecstatic if they got both, Okwara and Render in the draft, regardless of the FA acquisition @ DE. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqfom-KOTWA

  26. Kip Earlywine

    I’ve had my eye on Weaver for a while now. I 100% discount the stats as he’s a simple edge rusher from a small conference. But his combination of smooth play, speed, hustle, and finish does remind me some of Chris Clemons, who by the way had nearly identical arm length to Weaver. Sign me up in round 3, especially if Seattle fails to sign both Clowney and Yannick.

    Weaver isn’t quite a guy you pound the table for, but I like the idea of getting a guy like this in round 3-4 in an under-hyped DE year as opposed to overpaying badly for LJ Collier in a hyped DL year. As strange as it sounds, strong position drafts can actually have worse value in some cases because the market overcorrects to the hype. And Seattle seems to draft their best when going against the positional group hype.

    • TJ

      Agree with a lot of what you said, but have say that the Mountain West is not a small conference. I know it seems like a minor thing, but the conference plays good football and puts quality players into the NFL every year, usually including multiple first round picks, some of whom go very high. It is not the SEC or Big Ten, no doubt, but it also isn’t a small conference. I think the term mid-major is very appropriate.

      • Kip Earlywine

        Last year there was only 1 player from that conference to go in the first two rounds, and only 10 total in the whole draft. Most of them on day 3. Sometimes you can find studs from the smaller schools but it is what it is in terms of level of competition and general output to the league.

  27. Nathan M

    I’m sure JS and the scouting team are doing their homework far and wide – here’s a qualifying (32″ arms) DB to consider from the Great White North!

    https://3downnation.com/2020/03/09/canadian-db-marc-antoine-dequoy-blazes-40-yard-time-at-university-of-montreal-pro-day/

    Played in the Shrine game as well

    • Trevor

      He is a freak athlete and would have been a star at the combine. That being said unlike OL and DL the transition from the Canadian Game to the US game would be incredibly difficult because of the differences between the two games.

      He would be an awesome UDFA project though with the that type of speed and agility at his size.

      • Nathan M

        Absolutely a late round/UDFA guy but I wouldn’t get too hung up on the CFL/NFL transition. Even coming out of NCAA these kids are learning a new system in the pros and this staff knows how to coach up DBs

  28. Sea Mode

    Now even I’m voting ‘no’, and I was kind of leaning towards ‘yes’ as one of the guys paid less by the NFL ($0 😉).

    https://mobile.twitter.com/E_Reid35/status/1237026423111585792

    Also, another interesting development: Okung wants to be elected next NFLPA president and now has accused NFLPA staff of bad faith negotiating… Hard to imagine this might get messier than it already is, but here we are.

    • Aaron

      So essentially the new league year and by extension free agency can’t begin until a new CBA is agreed upon by both players and owners, right?

      • TomLPDX

        My understanding is if the CBA is voted down by the players, the current CBA will still be in affect through this year and they will try to renegotiate next year.

        • Aaron

          So the current CBA expires at the end of the 2020 league year then?

          • TomLPDX

            Yes.

    • Rob Staton

      I don’t really have a dog in this race. A lot of media just go with the players because that’s what they do. It’s a sycophantic industry at times.

      But basically we have a bunch of millionaires arguing with a bunch of billionaires and the people nobody gives a toss about are the fans — who don’t want game 17 and don’t have a voice in any of these discussions.

      All we have are two groups fighting over the bigger slice of the pie and the fans just have to lump it whatever the outcome.

  29. Sea Mode

    Hmmm. At least this would make sense. Per Breer:

    Was interesting reading the theory that the Giants could wait to re-sign Leonard Williams, and game the system so they would send a fifth-rounder, rather than a fourth-rounder, along with a third-rounder for the Jets to complete last fall’s trade. Indeed, if Williams isn’t signed before the start of the league year (March 18), then the fourth-rounder in the deal becomes a five. So Williams could agree to a deal, the Giants could put the transition tag on him to be safe, and the two sides could push a new deal over the goal line on March 19, and improve the team’s war chest of picks.

  30. Daryl

    Is he a Melvin Ingram type?

  31. Roland Jose

    I like this kid, he can move!, the Jacksonville kid is ‘6 “2 also if i am not mistaken. may need to work on his strength if he wants to be a full time DE though. We need all the help we can get, he looks hungry on every play! he might be a steel. that Okuara can move too, needs to hit the weights to get some strength too okuara has a leg injury though, would be risky with no pro day leading up to the draft, but a sleeper for sure. those two would be awesome to come out of the draft with. what is the Pen State kid like?

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