Cooper Beebe Can Be A Second Round Guard Solution For Miami
Mar 3, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kansas State offensive lineman Cooper Beebe (OL07) during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
There’s been plenty of discourse on who the Miami Dolphin should draft with the 21st overall pick. Recently I wrote an article explaining why Miami should make it a priority to trade up for defensive tackle Byron Murphy II, while other draft analysts have suggested that the Dolphins should use their first round pick on center Jackson Powers-Johnson.
While Powers-Johnson is a great player, the positional value that an interior offensive lineman provides isn’t high enough to justify spending a first round pick on one. Personally, I would prefer that the Dolphins wait until the second round pick to address the interior offensive line. One of the best guards in this draft class is Cooper Beebe out of Kansas State, and I think he’d be attainable in the second round.
What I really like about Beebe is that he excels in pass protection. That shouldn’t come as a surprise considering that Beebe is built like a refrigerator at 6 ‘4”, 322 pounds which makes it a lot easier for him to hold his own against bigger interior defensive lineman. What’s even more impressive is that Cooper isn’t just a big and slow road grader. He moves exceptionally well for his size.
That was put on full display when he ran a 40 yard dash in 5.03 seconds which puts him in the 93rd percentile amongst all guards in this year’s draft class. Cooper Beebe’s surprising mobility was on display in this play. Here, Kansas State is calling an outside zone run and Beebe does a good job of getting out of his stance and moving in space on this reach block.
https://x.com/Cristianspfc_/status/1779720814952165844
Most offensive linemen tend to specialize in either being an above average pass protector or an above average run blocker, or they’re good at both but have limited athleticism. Cooper Beebe is not your typical offensive line prospect. Cooper is a big, physical, and mobile guard who’s not only great in pass protection, but he’s a reliable run blocker as well.
In 2023, Cooper Beebe boasted a PFF pass blocking grade of 90.4 which was fourth-highest pass in the nation, and he had a PFF run blocking grade of 79.9. Beebe is also a scheme versatile player who can operate in both power and zone run schemes. His PFF gap blocking grade was 76, and his zone blocking grade was 81.2.
Although Cooper played mostly at left guard in college, I think his versatility allows him to make the switch over to right guard in the NFL. Tua Tagovailoa isn’t the most mobile quarterback in the world, so the Dolphins would be wise to draft a guy like Beebe who can give Tua a clean pocket to throw from. In my opinion, Cooper Beebe is arguably the best guard in this draft class and I think he’d be a great fit for the Miami Dolphins in the second round.
Up Next