*Our LB grades can and will change as more information comes in from Pro Day workouts, leaked Wonderlic test results, etc. We will update ratings as new info becomes available.
My whole experience with Ben Burr-Kervin (known as BBK from here on in to save on typing) has been puzzling…an enigma.
I do not see a good or great linebacker prospect here, but he had a million tackles in 2018 and was the PAC-12 Defensive Player of the year. He didn’t look that athletic to me in preview scouting ahead of the Combine, and then he went and ran a 4.56 40-time with a 6.85 three-cone. I should like him as a prospect, but the more I study…the more I do not like/love what I see.
The best way I can describe him, from my perspective, is from my notes…I kept writing down, while watching him play – a ‘tackle vulture’. A decent athlete, though he seems a bit undersized for the position…and thus pushed around a lot… but smart enough, quick enough to chase plays and get in on tackles. He gives a good effort on the field…and that helps make him useful, but all I see is him joining in on tackles or making the obvious ones on a short pass in his area. What I rarely saw was BBK penetrating through traffic and snuffing out plays or just being a dominant player on the field. He just seemed to be there like any other player…nothing special. He played a lot of centerfield style linebacking (against better opponents)…backpedaling or staying still waiting to make a move versus racing forward and snuffing things out.
Whenever BBK got around/near blockers…he tended to get taken out of the play easily. He’s 6’0”/230 but looks like 5’10”/220. He looks like a safety playing linebacker.
…but he made a ton of tackles in 2018. 176 of them on the season. Maybe I’m the wrong guy to judge him, but I just didn’t see it. Example…I watched him against Ohio State in their bowl game, and he was a non-factor on tape. He didn’t stand out much at all, but then I see he was credited with 11 tackles, 9 solos in that contest. A great game on paper…but I didn’t see ‘it’ from my view. I didn’t see 11 tackles. He was a non-factor/non-standout when I watched.
Most of the BBK tape I’ve watched is unimpressive…thinking in terms of ‘top LB prospect’. I mean, he’s got NFL movement and athleticism. He can make some great chase plays. He gives you all he’s got. There’s a role for him in the NFL, but ‘franchise ILB’ is not one of them. He might be a better OLB, or maybe even an excellent safety if he dropped 10 pounds. I always thought he looked like a safety when I watched him...like a John Lynch-type.
A useful NFL defender is here, but a star is not born.
BBK was a great student at Washington, making several all-academic teams. He’s a smart dude who is a willing worker – I just think he’s a bit lacking to be a star ILB in the NFL.
Ben Burr-Kervin, Through the Lens of Our ILB Scouting Algorithm:
10 or more tackles in 12 of his 14 games in 2018, after just two in his previous 33 games.
Just 5.5 TFLs in his final 17 college games. You’d think with his speed he’d have more, but I think he was vulturing tackles in 2018…sitting back and waiting to make them to ring the register.
Scooby Wright had a huge tackle count season like this out of the PAC-12, got people excited, and then he flopped quickly in the NFL. I thought Wright had better (than BBK) instincts as an ILB, but much weaker measurables. Wright was also a PAC-12 Defensive Player of the Year.
2019 NFL Combine Measurables…
6’0”/230, 8.8” hands, 31.8” arms
4.56 40-time. 2.67 20-yard, 1.55 10-yard
4.09 shuttle, 6.85 three-cone
21 bench reps, 34.5” vertical, 10’1” broad jump
The Historical ILB Prospects to Whom Ben Burr-Kervin Most Compares Within Our System:
I was a Paul Worrilow fan as a scout, and I loved Worrilow immediately upon watching…and he hit the NFL with a boom (and then I don’t know what happened). I don’t see/feel it with Burr-Kirven.
|
ILB Score |
Last |
First |
Yr |
College |
H |
H |
W |
|
Tackle, Strngth Metric |
Speed, Agility Metric |
|
6.947 |
Burr-Kirven |
Ben |
2019 |
Washington |
6 |
0.0 |
230 |
|
8.01 |
9.38 |
|
8.987 |
McCarthy |
Colin |
2011 |
Mia, Fla |
6 |
1.3 |
238 |
|
8.78 |
9.21 |
|
8.816 |
Worrilow |
Paul |
2013 |
Delaware |
6 |
2.0 |
238 |
|
8.23 |
9.39 |
|
4.656 |
Poling |
Quentin |
2018 |
Ohio |
6 |
0.3 |
235 |
|
6.77 |
7.73 |
|
0.563 |
Langford |
Ryan |
2016 |
New Mexico |
6 |
3.1 |
232 |
|
4.23 |
8.77 |
*A score of 8.00+ is where we see a stronger correlation of LBs going on to become NFL good/great/elite. A score of 10.00+ is more rarefied air in our system, and indicates a greater probability of becoming an NFL elite LB.
All of the LB ratings are based on a 0–10 scale, but a player can score negative, or above a 10.0 in certain instances.
Tackle-Strength Metrics = A combination of several physical and performance measurements. An attempt to classify the LB prospect's ability to stop the run, as well as to gauge how physical the player is, and the likelihood of higher tackle counts in the NFL. All based on profiles of LBs historically.
Speed-Agility Metrics = A combination of several speed, agility, and size measurements...as well as game performance data to profile a LB for speed/agility based on LBs historically. A unique measuring system to look for LBs that profile for quickness, pass-coverage ability, and general ability to cover more ground.
2019 NFL Draft Outlook:
I’ve seen some projections of Burr-Kirven as a top 100 prospect and others show him as a 6th+ rounder. I’m guessing he’s more 5th+ round.
If I were an NFL GM, he’s not my jam. Not draftable for me really.
NFL Outlook:
Drafted, makes a team as a backup and special teamer but is forgotten over time…UNLESS, he converts to safety and finds a whole new opportunity.
4/4/2019
