Travis Beckum, 2009 NFL Draft Prospect

Tight End/Wide Receiver
6' 4" 227 Lbs
Speed: 4.51 (estimated)
Senior
Wisconsin

Strengths: Route running, jumping ability, fast, smart, good hands

Weakness: Blocking, size

By John L. Clarke

If you look at the tight ends of even 6 years ago, they are skinnier offensive linemen whom can run and catch fairly well. Guys like Bubba Franks (6’6”, 268 lbs.), Wesley Walls (6’5”, 250 lbs.) and Chad Lewis (6’6”, 250 lbs.) were making Pro Bowls because of their ability to block first and catch second. These huge tight ends have morphed into big receivers playing the same spot. This past year, the Pro Bowl tight ends included two 6’3” tight ends. This “new” tight end is more of a receiver that occasionally throws a block, but who’s main purpose is to get first downs and touchdowns.

Wide receivers like Marcus Colston of the New Orleans Saints that measure in at 6’4” 235 lbs. and Plaxico Burress of the New York Giants whom is 6’5” 232 lbs. Compare those 2 “receivers” to the only “tight end” that went in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft in Dustin Keller whom goes about 6’2” 245 lbs. or even Chris Cooley of the Washington Redskins that is listed as 6’3” 245 lbs. and he line is forever blurred.

This (finally) leads us to Travis Beckum. As a tight end, Beckum’s size will not intimidate anyone, but as a receiver, he is huge. Production is more important than size if you put both onto a scale and production is something Beckum has in spades.

As a sophomore he caught 61 balls for 903 yards with 5 touchdowns. With offenses keying on him his junior year and no other vertical threat present, Beckum raised his level of play and caught 75 passes for 982 yards and 6 touchdowns. His greatest attribute is his route running. He has good speed and he has extremely good quickness, body control and football intelligence. Simply put, this kid knows how to get open and make plays. I am not sure he can duplicate his stats of the last 2 seasons, due to a new quarterback and not much help with the other marginal wide receivers, but he should be what he always is, productive.

In terms of value, it will really depend on what the draft order of teams is when the 2009 NFL Draft approaches. He does not fit everyone’s idea of a tight end/h-back nor a wide receiver. He has more skill and size than Keller, which is a plus, but his weight is going to be a problem. He needs to gain about 20 lbs. to be a factor in run blocking and I do not think he has the body to do it. His best bet is to really approach the draft as a big receiver. He often comes out during run plays (which Wisconsin has always done well) and that is his biggest knock.

As of now, he probably fits into the mid 2^nd round for a team that has a spread offense and can put him as a split end. He needs to either gain at the very least 10 lbs. or lose 10 lbs. so that he can fit into the TE or WR bucket, respectively. I look for Beckum to have a solid season.

Awards and Accolades

2008

First-team All-American
All-Big Ten by Athlon Sports and Lindy's ...
Second-team All-American and first-team All-Big Ten by Phil Steele ...
First-team All-Big Ten by Blue Ribbon College Yearbook

2007

Finalist for the John Mackey Award as nation’s top tight end
Named college football’s “Tight End of the Year” by the Touchdown Club of Columbus, Ohio
First-team All-American according to Walter Camp and Rivals.com and
Second-team All-American according to The Sporting News
Consensus first-team All-Big Ten
Co-winner of UW’s Wayne Souza Coaches Appreciation Award

2006

Semifinalist for the John Mackey Award (nation’s top tight end) ...
Named second-team All-American by Walter Camp and SI.com ...
Second-team All-Big Ten according to media and honorable mention All-Big Ten by coaches
Winner of UW’s Wayne Souza Coaches Appreciation Award