Atlanta Falcons’ Edge Options: Closer Look at Vic Beasley
Feb 22, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive lineman Victor Beasley runs the 40-yard dash during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
To The Degree The Combine Matters…
There will always be a running debate on whether there is any intrinsic value in the NFL Combine.
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Those arguments stem from players participating who are superior players, but have a bad day, or inferior players who get an adrenaline boost and have a good day. In short, how much can the combine really tell us?
Take it for what you will, but the combine does give scouts and coaches a bit of a baseline to collate their numbers and make decisions. The NFL is a machine, a monster, and you have to feed it!
Below are some of Vic Beasley’s Combine stats:
- 40 Yard Dash: Beasley led all linebackers in the 40 yard dash with a time of 4.53, which is not far off the recent best of of 4.40 set by J. Alston in 2006. Conclusion: Beasley is pretty fast!
- Benchpress: Beasley also led all linebackers with a total of 35 reps in the benchpress, which was just behind the most recent number of 36 set by Ronnell Lewis of Oklahoma in 2012. Conclusion: Beasley is what we like to say in the south, a total hoss!
- Vertical Jump: Beasley put out a #3 result on the VJ at 41 inches, behind Davis Tull of UT Chattanooga, and Bud Dupree of Kentucky. Conclusion: If he’s an edge rusher, it won’t matter a great deal how high he can jump.
- Broad Jump: Beasley again placed #3 behind Dupree and Tull here. Conclusion: I’m not sure even scouts really care!
- 3 Cone Drill: A much more useful metric, Beasley has quick feet and reaction time, but still at a time of 6.91 (4th) fell just .23 seconds behind the leader, Ben Heeney of Kansas. Conclusion: Negligible difference.
Overall Combine Conclusion
Vic Beasley had a fantastic showing in the combine, and whether you think the combine useful or not, it does factor in. Beasley will be highly sought by teams who want an athletic and versatile linebacker, and my hope is the Atlanta Falcons will be highly interested.
Next: Final Analysis and Conclusion?