Divine

Deablo

Linebacker Divine Deablo missed Week 3 with an oblique injury and did not practice on Wednesday. Crosby was limited in all three practices last week before playing through the ankle injury. The DNP today is a bit more concerning, but Crosby routinely missed practices last year while dealing with a knee injury only to suit up on Sunday anyway. Crosby is more likely to play than to sit, seemingly regardless of what the injury report says.

This is a new injury for Crosby though his Wednesday LP is a great sign for his Week 3 availability. Raiders starting LB Divine Deablo (oblique/concussion) did not participate. His status is one to watch.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be that way during the regular season, but it would make some sense. Deablo finished the year on injured reserve and the Raiders have not brought real competition in at inside linebacker. He was on pace for a 150-tackle season before getting hurt and is a name to know in IDP leagues.

Deablo was spotted on the sideline in street clothes with a cast on his right arm. Linebackers have played with casts from time to time, so it’s hard to say that Deablo will for sure miss games. But he’s definitely questionable for Week 10 against the Colts.

A wide receiver until his sophomore season, Deablo (6'3/226) made the switch to safety while at Virginia Tech and developed into a physical, YAC-killing DB for three seasons. By 2020, Deablo had propelled himself into first-team All-ACC honors, picking up four interceptions along the way. Deablo clocked a 4.42 40-yard dash at Virginia Tech’s pro day, which comes as little surprise given his propensity to fly downhill once he finally triggers. In the NFL, Deablo will need to continue ironing out his eyes and trigger in zone coverage and against the run, as well as shore up some of his loose tackling technique. Deablo’s projects as a box/slot safety but was announced as a linebacker by the Raiders. His versatility should allow him to successfully transition to lineback at the pro level but it may take some time. Deablo will likely play a reserve role on defense as a rookie and should get plenty of run on special teams.

Deablo (6'3/226) looks better the closer he is to the action. A wide receiver until his sophomore season, Deablo made the switch to safety while at Virginia Tech and developed into a physical, YAC-killing DB for three seasons. By 2020, Deablo had propelled himself into first-team All-ACC honors, picking up four interceptions along the way. Deablo clocked a 4.42 40-yard dash at Virginia Tech’s pro day, which comes as little surprise given his propensity to fly downhill once he finally triggers. In the NFL, Deablo will need to continue ironing out his eyes and trigger in zone coverage and against the run, as well as shore up some of his loose tackling technique. Deablo’s projects as a box/slot safety but was announced as a linebacker by the Raiders. His versatility should allow him to successfully transition to lineback at the pro level but it may take some time. Deablo will likely play a reserve role on defense as a rookie and should get plenty of run on special teams.

Deablo (6'3/226) moving on to the professional ranks comes as no surprise, as he had already accepted an invitation to play in the Reese’s Senior Bowl. In nine games this season, the redshirt senior safety accounted for 55 total tackles (32 solo, 2.0 for loss), one forced fumble, four interceptions, one quarterback hurry and four pass breakups. Deablo projects to be on the Day 2/3 fringe when it comes to his prospects for this spring’s draft.

Deablo (6'3/226) has had a very productive season for the Hokies, registering 49 tackles, 27 solo, two PBU, a forced fumble and three interceptions in eight games played. The big safety’s size and versatility could allow him to play strong safety or nickel linebacker at the next level. a sure tackler, he excels in run support but tightness in his hips limits his range. Most draft publications peg him in the five-to-ten range for draft eligible safeties. Deablo is currently trending as a late Day 2, early Day 3 selection in the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft.

Virginia Tech’s secondary has been hit hard by “undisclosed” absences recently, with Deablo (6'3/226) being one of many who are once again sidelined. In addition to the redshirt senior, Tyree Rodgers (listed as Deablo’s backup on the two-deep), ROVER Keonta Jenkins and backup CB Brion Murray have all been ruled out for Saturday’s matchup with the Tar Heels. That could be a major issue for the Hokies, as they look to slow down one of the ACC’s top quarterbacks in North Carolina’s Sam Howell.

In total Virginia Tech will be down 21 players and two full-time coaches, and no position group was hit harder than the secondary. In addition to Waller the Hokies will be without fellow cornerbacks Armani Chatman, Brion Murray and Devin Taylor, and starting free safety Divine Deablo. And that doesn’t even count Caleb Farley, who made the decision to opt out before the season began. The Virginia Tech defense will have its work cut out for it Saturday afternoon, even with Duke (0-3) still looking for its first win of the season.