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Combine Capsule: Kaevon Merriweather

Originally posted on Iowa Hawkeyes on SI  |  By Rob Howe  |  Last updated 3/6/23

Kaevon Merriweather's NFL Draft process began in December. The Iowa safety sat out the team's Music City Bowl game to begin training. 

His first chance to impress professional scouts came during Senior Bowl week in late January/early February. Last week, he worked out at the combine in Indianapolis. 

Merriweather (6-0, 205) put together solid film in his three seasons starting with the Hawkeyes. As a senior in 2022, he earned first-team All-America recognition from Pro Football Focus, landed on the Sporting News and Associated Press second-team, and was named third-team by Phil Steele. He totaled 47 tackles (34 solo, 2.0 for loss), intercepted three passes and defended six, and forced a fumble. 

The Belleville (MI) High graduate served as a permanent team captain last Fall. He was selected for the team's player leadership council three times. 

Scouts and analytics praise Merriweather's college play. 

Merriweather did not participate in the 3-Cone Drill, the 20-yard shuttle or the bench press at the combine, instead leaving those drills for his Iowa pro day later this month. Still, his Next-Gen Stats rating (5.97) placed him ninth among safeties at the event. 

He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.62 seconds, which ranked 16th among safeties in Indianapolis, tying with Notre Dame's Brandon Joseph. His 10-yard split (1.58) ranked 15th, his vertical jump (35.5 inches) placed ninth and broad jump (9 feet, 10 inches) tied Joseph at 16. 

RAS (Relative Athletic Score) rates draft prospects based on their overall scores at the combines. Merriweather's RAS card views most of his scores as "Okay" and "Good".

Here's what NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein wrote about Merriweather: 

Merriweather has the size and toughness of an NFL safety but needs to improve his consistency to finish tackles near the box. He could struggle to keep up with wide receivers who get matched with him in space. He might have the tools necessary to cover tight ends, but he could be at his best playing short zone as a dime safety. Overall, Merriweather has physical traits that give him a chance to find a home as a backup safety. 

Time remains for Merriweather to improve his draft stock. He's currently a Day 2 or 3 pick. 

Most early mock drafts only predict the first couple of rounds. Here's are a few prognostications that extend beyond that:

DraftTek.com - 6th RD, Pick No. 179 overall, Tampa Bay 

DraftCountDown.com - 4th RD, Pick No. 130 overall, Buffalo

This article first appeared on Iowa Hawkeyes on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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