The NFL Draft will begin on April 25, 2024. We take a look at Cooper Beebe, a mauling offensive lineman with great awareness in pass protection.
Beebe was rated as a three-star recruit by 247 Sports coming out of high school. He then decided to commit to Kansas State instead of schools like Kansas and Minnesota.
In his five-year career at Kansas State, he gave up five sacks and 39 pressures in 48 starts and 3,128 snaps. His 2023 season resulted in a Consensus All-American and William V. Campbell Trophy Finalist nod.
Cooper Beebe, Offensive Guard, Kansas State
Name: Cooper Beebe
Jersey: No. 50
Position: Offensive Guard
School: Kansas State
Class: Redshirt Senior
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 322 lbs.
Cooper Beebe lining up in between Ronnie Stanley and Tyler Linderbaum is something I’m trying to see pic.twitter.com/e3Ua9ZZ2yo
— RAMEY (@HoodieRamey) March 18, 2024
Cooper Beebe’s Strengths
Cooper uses his amazing power to singlehandedly create holes in the run game. He uses his strength and second foot to duck-walk opposing linemen in the inside zone. He takes a great first step in wide zone, giving him the necessary width to reach wide shades. As the post man in the wide zone, he turns the shoulder of the defensive linemen, letting the trailing offensive linemen get the reach. Unlike many offensive guards, he is an amazing blocker in space with great patience and path. When asked to pull, he makes sure to attack the line of scrimmage and force a kick out while causing collisions.
As a pass protector, he keeps the defensive tackle off their balance with different pass sets and initial punches. When engaged, he never stops hand-fighting with different chops, swipes, and snatches as he defends against power. If no one is in his assigned gap, Cooper keeps his eyes up to help others and pick up stunts.
Cooper Beebe’s Weaknesses
Despite the mauling strength, slanting linemen can beat Cooper over the top and make the splash play. He also has slight inconsistencies in his pad level and second foot that lead to losses.
Cooper may have great hands in pass protection, but his lack of length lets long-armed linemen get to his chest and collapse the pocket. When faced up against quick linemen, he doesn’t have the athleticism to mirror them consistently. He was not often asked to take extended, but when asked to, he was unable to keep his base while kicking.
Draft Projection: Second or Third Round
Beebe’s ability to efficiently block any run scheme will make him a highly-regarded offensive lineman in this draft. He will be the perfect plug-and-play option for any team willing to draft him. Even as an interior lineman, he is projected to be taken on Day 2 of the draft.
Defenses may attempt to target him on passing downs by placing their premier pass rusher on him, but his pass-set repertoire will let him hold his own until the ball is out.
Though a lack of physical tools limits his upside, there is no doubt Beebe can be a long-lasting starter in the NFL.
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