2013 NFL Draft Prospects: Kwame Geathers Scouting Profile

With the expiring contracts of Justin Bannan, Kevin Vickerson and Ty Warren, the interior of the Defensive Line for the Denver Broncos is in flux. While it is entirely possible that Bannan and/or Big Vick are re-signed for another campaign, Ty Warren’s tenure in Denver has run it’s course. In a tight Cap era, the return of investment becomes much more important and Ty has been injured for most of his time with the team.

Either way, through Free Agency or the draft, new blood must be introduced and the Broncos have made inroads on a few prospects. Andrew Mason spoke about the Broncos meeting with a Defensive Tackle during the Combine:

Georgia DT Kwame Geathers, the latest draft-eligible member of the Geathers clan, says he has met informally with the #Broncos in Indy.

— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) February 24, 2013

Kwame Geathers is a 6’5", 342 lb. behemoth out of Georgia. A Redshirt Junior, Geathers was a 2 year Letterman for the Bulldogs. He is ranked 16th out of 218 Defensive Tackle prospects nationally and 184th overall. Kwame is projected as a 5th-6th round draft pick in April.

BIO

#99 Kwame Geathers
Born: 10/04/1990 (22)
Major: Housing

Geathers attended the Combine and participated in all but the Bench Press. Georgia’s Pro Day will be held March 21st and I expect the Broncos to have a contingent present, especially because (WR) Marlon Brown,(CB) Sanders Commings,(DT) John Jenkins, (DE) Abry Jones,(LB) Jarvis Jones,(WR) Tavarres King,(LB) Alec Ogletree,(SS) Bacarri Rambo,(LB) Cornelius Washington and (SS) Shawn Williams will be working out and Denver has shown interest in a couple of those players.

COMBINE
Arm Length-35 1/4"
Hand Length-9 1/2"
40 Time-5.44
Bench-DNP
Vertical Jump-26.5"
Broad Jump-96"
3-Cone-8.11
20 Yd Shuttle-5.27
Production Ratio-0.22
Explosion Number-INC
Lateral Agility Score-0.17

During his 3 seasons at Georgia, Geathers played 34 games and started 8. He totaled 61 Tackles, 6.5 Tackles For Loss, 1 Sack, 1 Pass Breakup, 1 Fumble Recovery and 10 Quarterback Pressures.

This past season, Kwame appeared in 14 games, with 5 starts. He finished with 40 Tackles, including five Tackles For a Loss and one blocked Field Goal. He had a season high 6 Tackles vs. No. 2 Alabama in the SEC Championship.

In 2011: He played in 12 games, with three starts and recorded 14 Tackles, 2 QB Pressures, 1 Pass Breakup and a Fumble Recovery. Geathers also earned the team's MVP award for defense at the conclusion of spring practice.

During 2010, Kwame saw his first action, appearing in 8 games. He made 7 Tackles and 1,5 TFL’s earning a selection to the SEC Coaches All-SEC Freshman Team. His season-best effort came against Louisiana-Lafayette where he had three Tackles, including one for a loss.

In the 2009 season, Geathers was Redshirted and he earned one of Georgia's Outstanding Scout Team awards for defense. He also was named to the Fall 2009 Athletic Director's Honor Roll.

DRAFT PROFILE

NFL.COM DRAFT GRADE-60.0

The Geathers family doesn’t lack representation in football. Kwame's brothers Robert and Clifton play in the NFL. His father Robert Geathers, Sr., uncle Jumpy Geathers and cousin Jeremy Geathers also played in the NFL.

STRENGTHS: Geathers is simply an enormous specimen and he carries the weight well. Tall with the arm length to go along with his height. Kwame has good quickness off the snap and shows the kind of burst that can surprise the Center, ruining plays before they begin. He packs a powerful punch that can knock Offensive Lineman back on their heels.

Strong enough to plant his feet and simply lean to the side to occupy two gaps, Geathers showcases the ability to lock his arms out and use quick, active hands to shed blocks. Uses his arm length to extend and wrap up ball carriers. When he fires off the ball low, he can hold the point of attack. For a big man he is surprisingly light on his feet and possesses impressive straight-line speed.

WEAKNESSES: The trouble with Kwame is that he is inconsistent. Sometimes he gets lazy and will come off the ball high, losing his leverage and allowing defenders to get into his pads. He tends to rely on his size and doesn't play as big as he looks. Needs to improve his Hand technique and quickness because he struggles to disengage when blockers get into his chest.

Geathers does not get his hands up into passing lanes as much as he should and offers next to nothing as a pass rusher. He elected to leave Georgia after his junior season with a starting role likely assured to him in 2013, raising questions about whether his improved play in 2012 was strictly financially motivated. His limited starting experience will be under question.

COMPARES TO: Paul Soliai (Dolphins)

BOTTOM LINE: With potential first round pick John Jenkins earning most of the starting duty, Geathers struggled to find consistent playing time until 2012 -- and that was only due to the fact that defensive end Abry Jones got injured, causing the Georgia coaching staff to slide Jenkins over from nose guard and allowing Geathers to use his great size to occupy blockers in the middle.

Though he only started 8 contests over his career, he played a critical role as part of Georgia's rotation over three seasons. His stats might not seem too impressive, but NFL teams will value his size, strength and bloodlines.

Kwame was forced to play a lot of End in a 3-man front and rotate in at Nose Tackle when John Jenkins needed a breath. The latter is Geathers projected position, since he sports a mammoth frame. He may even end up better than the veteran John Jenkins in the long run.

NFLDraft Scout

VIDEOS

Kwame Geathers vs Georgia Tech (2012)

Georgia Bulldogs Defense 2011-2012 Highlights