NCAA Scouting – Player Profile: Travis Beckum, TE, Wisconsin by Jody Jamieson 21/2/2009
What happened to Travis Beckum’s Draft stock? Before the 2008 college football season, Beckum was the top tight end on a lot of peoples draft board, and in mock drafts was slated as a top 20 pick. True, he’s a little undersized, but does that mean he wasn’t undersized in 2007 when everyone loved him? The 2008 season was a tough one for Beckum as he missed the first two games of the season with injury. He came back for the next 6 and put up decent numbers (23 catches for 264 yards) before breaking his leg against Illinois and missing the rest of the season. Everyone wants to forget about Beckum because he’s “undersized” but that would make Dustin Keller undersized too and he was a first round pick last year of the Jets. Keller didn’t set the world on fire, and still has blocking issues, but had a nice first season. Keller was an upgrade for the Jets, and Beckum would likely be an upgrade for more than a few NFL teams.
Beckum originally came to Wisconsin as a highly touted linebacker but after bombing on defense, the Badgers saw some potential to play him at tight end and the rest is history. I write this the day before the combine, so forgive me if I was completely wide of the mark, but the combine will remind everyone who Travis Beckum is and at the very least will assure he’s an early third round pick. Beckum does project as more of an H-back in the pros but that doesn’t take away from his natural ability to be a receiving threat.
What we like about Beckum
Beckum is one of the better athletes at tight end in this draft and has excellent speed. Can be a fabulous receiver at the next level. Sophisticated route runner who can get open anywhere on the field. Goes up and gets the ball at it’s highest point. Tough runner who is tough to bring down and is fairly elusive in the open field. Hands are very good and hold on after contact.
Question marks about Beckum
Blocking is more than suspect and must improve. Was used as a slot receiver a lot by Wisconsin in a Dallas Clark-like role and should have been playing closer the the line of scrimmage. Had a few too many injuries in college. Wasn’t particularly impressive in the red zone in college.
Highlight of his college career
Beckum set numerous tight end receiving records at Wisconsin, and had seven 100 yard receiving games in college.
Other snippets
6′ 4″ tall and weighs in at 236 lbs. In his 3 seasons with the Badgers he had 159 catches, 2,149 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. Was a second team All-American in 2006 and 2007. Will be a good fit in an offense that likes to spread it out, like New England or Philadelphia. Kansas City would be the best fit of all, but only obviously if Tony Gonzalez is dealt.
NCAA Scouting – Player Profile:
Beckum originally came to Wisconsin as a highly touted linebacker but after bombing on defense, the Badgers saw some potential to play him at tight end and the rest is history. I write this the day before the combine, so forgive me if I was completely wide of the mark, but the combine will remind everyone who Travis Beckum is and at the very least will assure he’s an early third round pick. Beckum does project as more of an H-back in the pros but that doesn’t take away from his natural ability to be a receiving threat.
