Raiders: 5 prospects to watch during 2022 Senior Bowl week

MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 30: A general view of a flag with the Reese's Senior Bowl Logo on it before the start of the 2021 Resse's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus of the University of South Alabama on January 30, 2021 in Mobile, Alabama. The National Team defeated the American Team 27-24. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 30: A general view of a flag with the Reese's Senior Bowl Logo on it before the start of the 2021 Resse's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus of the University of South Alabama on January 30, 2021 in Mobile, Alabama. The National Team defeated the American Team 27-24. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 30: Darrian Beavers #0 of the Cincinnati Bearcats in action against the Tulane Green Wave during the second half at Yulman Stadium on October 30, 2021, in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 30: Darrian Beavers #0 of the Cincinnati Bearcats in action against the Tulane Green Wave during the second half at Yulman Stadium on October 30, 2021, in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Raiders: 5 prospects to watch during 2022 Senior Bowl week

Darrian Beavers: Linebacker, Cincinnati

Given the move to bring in former Patriots Dave Ziegler and Josh McDaniels, we can’t help but think they will go after some of the styles of players they had in New England. And if that is the case, Cincinnati’s Darrian Beavers fits that versatile skill set they have always loved from their linebackers.

If Gus Bradley remains the defensive coordinator, this may not be a good fit, but Beaver’s can bring a ton of value if they opt for a more versatile scheme. He is huge for a modern linebacker at 6’4 and 254 lbs, but his length and ability to diagnose are what allow him to win. Beavers can play as an ordinary in-the-box linebacker, drop down to rush off the edge, and provide coverage as a zone dropper. And most of all, he plays with a non-stop motor.

He is not the speedy linebacker that can run from sideline to sideline, which is why he isn’t amongst the top prospects in the draft. But he can do a lot to help a football team, and he can show that in Mobile this week. The Raiders don’t have a long-term answer at linebacker, so Beaver is worth looking at.

(video courtesy of Breakshot Media)