Curtis

Weaver

Weaver’s (6’2/265) production as a three-year starter with the Broncos was inflated due to the below-average blocking he faced in the Mountain West, but his 34 career sacks did impressively rank as the second-most in Boise State’s school history and eclipse Jerry Hughes’ total for the all-time conference record. A first-team All-American after compiling 13.5 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss in 2019, Weaver primarily stood up off the edge and was a patient, crafty pass rusher. He profiles as a low-end starter or depth option with the Dolphins despite high-end production against below-average competition.

Weaver was exceptionally productive with the Broncos, and Renner notes that he was the first player to get grades above 90 as a pass-rusher from PFF since Myles Garrett. They rank the Boise State star 26th overall, and third among EDGE rushers. “His exceptional hand usage combined with better bend than you’d expect got him consistently in the opposing quarterback’s lap,” he writes. The concerns with Weaver come from his lack of size (6'2/265) and bend, but as Renner writes in his summary, he was as good as any pass-rusher not named Chase Young.

Weaver (6'2/265) said during his media availability on Thursday that his first formal visit was with the Cowboys. The former Boise State standout is considered by some analysts to have a shot at hearing his name called during Day 1 of April’s draft, and with Dallas currently holding the 17th overall pick. NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein wrote in his analysis of Weaver that the EDGE rusher “is a naturally instinctive counter-rusher who uses synchronized hands/feet to attack both inside and outside edges as a rusher, but his lack of explosiveness and athletic traits could dull his rush production against NFL offensive tackles.”

Weaver (6'3/266) plays with a ferocious explosion and quickness off the snap and has a real chance for a Day 1 selection with a strong evaluating process. He has posted double-digit tackles for loss each of the past three seasons, with double-digit sacks in two of the last three seasons. Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox slotted Weaver in to the Raiders with the No. 18 pick in his mock draft put out earlier this week.

Weaver (6'3/266) needed assistance to get off the field and immediately went to the medical tent and then the locker room. He was able to return to the sideline in sweats and a walking boot on his right foot. Weaver is second in FBS with 12.5 sacks, so this would be a big loss for the Broncos if he is unable to return. The Broncos continue to suffer key injuries, but they have been able to chug right along. Next up is a trip to Utah State next Saturday.

Weaver (6'3/266) lost ground in the battle after posting a sack-less Week 4 showing and Boise State going on a bye in Week 5. However, Weaver made up the gap and then some by picking up three sacks against a struggling UNLV offense. Somehow, three sacks is not the most he has had in a single game this season. Weaver picked up four sacks early in the year against Portland State. It’s clear that Weaver’s quality of production is not as impressive as Young’s, but the volume is something to be proud of nonetheless.

Weaver is not just putting up the numbers, either. Pro Football Focus graded Weaver with the fourth-best pass-rushing grade in the country and the fifth-highest pass-rush win rate. At 6-foot-3 and 266-pounds, Weaver has rare flexibility and quickness for someone his size. Assuming he continues to play at a high level for the rest of the season, Weaver is going to be a coveted player come NFL Draft season.

Portland State isn’t a fair opponent for Weaver, but the mark of a great player is beating up on lesser competition and Weaver did just that. Weaver’s (6'3/266) four sacks on Saturday propelled him into a tie for first-place in the country with six sacks on the season. It’s unlikely Weaver matches his four-sack game against Air Force next week, but he is well on his way to outpacing the 9.5 sacks he recorded last season. Weaver is making a convincing push to be one of the top pass-rushers in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Weaver (6'3/266) already received a bit of preseason love on this front earlier this month, with the Mountain West Wire likewise naming the redshirt junior their pick for DPOY. He logged 43 tackles (15.0 for loss), 9.5 sacks and a forced fumble last season while recording a conference-leading 56 quarterback pressures. Per Pro Football Focus, Weaver’s pass-rush win rate of 26.8% last season stands as the third-best mark among returning players in the FBS. You’ll be hearing Weaver’s name during the evaluating process should he declare for the draft this winter. He has Day 2 or even Day 1 upside.

Weaver (6'3/266) had a pass-rush win rate of 26.8% last season. He posted 56 quarterback pressures, the top mark in the MWC. In terms of traditional statistics, the redshirt junior racked up 43 tackles (15.0 for loss), 9.5 sacks and a forced fumble for the campaign. He has landed as an All-Mountain West first-teamer each of the last two seasons and cannot be ruled out for Day 1 next spring if he opts to declare.