2019 NFL Draft: Scouting Minnesota linebacker, Blake Cashman

One prospect who may interest the Denver Broncos during day two of the 2019 NFL Draft is former Minnesota linebacker, Blake Cashman. He’s a 6’1”, 237lb linebacker who is considered a late riser up draft boards. Cashman is ranked as the fourth best off the ball linebacker prospect in the draft according to The Draft Network and is ranked as the 85th overall prospect in the draft.

Cashman played a total of four seasons at Minnesota and is coming off a breakout season for them. During his four-year career at Minnesota, Cashman totaled 183 tackles, 31 tackles for a loss, 12 sacks, 6 pass deflections, and 2 forced fumbles. This past season, Cashman totaled 104 tackles, 15 tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks, 5 pass deflections, and 1 forced fumble.

Blake Cashman

Linebacker | Senior | Minnesota

Height: 6’1” | Weight: 237lbs | 40-time: 4.5 seconds

Arm length: 30 1/8” | Hands: 8 3/4”

Bench Press: 18 reps | Vertical jump: 37.5 inches | Broad jump: 124.0 inches

3-Cone drill: 6.95 seconds | 20-Yard Shuttle: 4.12 seconds

Film Room:

Scouting Report:

Strengths:

• Smooth rangy athlete
• Excellent range and is a sideline to sideline linebacker
• Consistent wrap up tackler
• Non-stop motor and tenacity who has a nose for the ball
• Smooth in coverage with loose hips
• Intelligence is there as he read and reacts quickly
• Proven to be an efficient blitzer
• Fits the mold of a new-age linebacker who excels in space
• Tested very well at the Combine
• Made multiple stops in the backfield this past season for Minnesota(15 TFL’s)
• Plays with a chip on his shoulder(Former walk-on)
• Team Captain for Minnesota

Weaknesses:

• Not the biggest or strongest linebacker
• Will need his defensive line to keep him clean
• Block shedding isn’t a strength
• Short arms which limits his tackling radius
• Not a powerful tackler

Mockdraftable Spider Graph:

Quotable:

The Draft Network’s Kyle Crabbs on linebacker, Kyle Crabbs.

“Blake Cashman projects favorably as a starting MIKE LB in the NFL. With necessary movement skills and a terrific motor, Cashman brings upside if he’s able to further hone his craft. Cashman would do well in man to man coverage in the middle of the field as a pass defender, giving him three down upside. That said, Cashman needs to be protected by his defensive line if he hopes to shine and reach his full potential as a high end contributor on defense.”

Does linebacker Blake Cashman make sense for the Denver Broncos on day two of the NFL Draft?

If they do not go linebacker in the first-round, I think he could be in play.

Cashman is the type of linebacker the Broncos are likely looking for. Not a gap-filling run stuffer which they already have in Davis and Jewell, but a sub-package linebacker who excels in space and in coverage. That is exactly what Cashman can do.

I really like Cashman’s game. He is scrappy as they come, doesn’t quit, former walk-on who has earned every opportunity given to him, and just never quits on the football field. This is the sort of football player I could see an old school coach like Vic Fangio taking a liking too.

The Broncos defensive line would have to keep him clean to have him playing at his best, but he would be an excellent sub-package linebacker for the Broncos.

I see Cashman going on day two of the NFL draft and likely in the third-round. The Broncos have an early third-round selection so I could see him being in-play there if they pass on Devin Bush at 10th overall.