2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: J.J. Weaver, DE, Kentucky

Player Data

Name, Jersey #	J.J. Weaver, #13
School (Code)	KYUN
DOB, Class Yr	N/A, RS Senior
Height, Weight	6045v, 242v
40 Yd Dash	4.76v
Position/Depth	EDGE/Starter
Honors/Captainship	Team Captain (2022)
Season Viewed (yr)	2022
Games Watched	UGA, @ Missouri, @ Tennessee
Scout Name / Date	Jake Kernen 8/13/2023

Per Year Stats (Most Recent First)

2022	Played in 11 games, started 8 games. Had an arm injury early in the year. 47 total tackles, 6 TFLs, 3 sacks, 1 PD, 3 FR, 2 FF.
2021	Played in 12 games, started 6 games. 34 total tackles, 10.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks, 2 INTs, 1 PD, 1 FF.
2020	Played in 9 games. Torn ACL against UF, DNP final 2 games. 33 total tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 0.5 sacks, 1 PD.
2019	Played in 3 games. 6 total tackles, 1 TFL, 2 PDs. Redshirted.

Player Summary:

RS Senior from Louisville, KY. Stand-up EDGE player, almost exclusively working out of a 2-point stance. Borderline elite level length. High waisted. Long, muscular frame with some room to continue adding bulk. Large brace on the left arm for multiple games in 2022, would need further medical evaluation. Born with 6 fingers on his right hand, a condition called polydactyl. Finger functions normally. Lacks high-level quickness, not overly twitchy. Limited flexibility, shows some stiffness in pass rush. Strong at the POA and has great hands. Knows how to attack blockers and prevent them from getting inside his chest. Strong bullrush, but has a diverse collection of pass-rush moves. His athleticism limits his ability as a pass rusher, but shows high-level technique. Can play out of control and get swept out of the play at times while rushing the passer. Does a very good job of taking on double teams in the run game. Tracks the ball carrier well through traffic in supporting the run. Fails to stack and shed blockers consistently, frequently missing opportunities to make a play because of it. Struggles with finishing tackles (which could be related to the previously mentioned left arm injury), but arrives with power. Needs to do a better job of wrapping up to bring ball carriers to the ground. Motor is questionable at times, will chase horizontally down the LOS but fails to pursue downfield as the play develops. Plays with scheme discipline, and contains ball carriers well when asked to set the edge. Proves to be a liability in pass coverage. Clunky in his backpedal, stiff hips, and slow feet. Shows discomfort in coverage and holds to stay close to receivers. In order for him to be successful at the next level, his coverage drops need to be extremely limited or avoided altogether. Best game – Tennessee, worst game – UGA

Scheme Fit:

Projects to play with his hand in the dirt as a traditional 5 technique player in a defense that primarily plays out of odd fronts

Power Statement:

Weaver is a safe bet to be a rotational depth player at the next level based on measurables and football IQ, but his upside and potential are limited without high-level pass-rushing ability. I expect him to be a late day 2 to early day 3 draft pick