Keith Rivers, 2008 NFL Draft Prospect
 | Outside Linebacker USC Senior Ht: 6’ 3” Wt: 230 lbs. Strengths: Speed, Athleticism, and more Speed Weaknesses: Raw, Toughness Pro Comparison: Keith Bulluck, Titans Scouting report by Daryl Breault |
Keith Rivers has carried on the long tradition of #55 at USC, following in the steps of Junior Seau, Willie McGinest and Chris Claiborne. Based on physical talent alone Rivers could go down as the best of the bunch. Few players can match his sideline-to-sideline ability. In that regard he’s easily in the Urlacher bracket. Rivers has an outstanding knack for pursuit and flowing through traffic to make a tackle an instant before the back can daylight.
Completing his 3rd season as the starting weakside linebacker at talent rich USC, Rivers was named All-American, was in the running for numerous awards and named All-Pac-10 First Team for the second year in a row. He finished his career with 240 tackles, 18.5 TFL, 5.5 sacks and 2 INT. His best season came in 2006 as a junior when he posted 85 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 2 sacks and 2 pass break ups.
Rivers’ physical tools jump out anytime you watch him play. He attacks the ball, using his speed to just out quick blockers to make the play. He should test as one of, if not the top linebacker in terms of speed and agility throughout workouts. Rivers shows great potential when dropping back, he can stay with backs, tight ends and even some receivers in man to man while possessing a great burst to be quite effective in zones. His instincts are developing in these areas. Rivers plays with great intensity and fire from the first whistle to the last and never gives up on a play. Which is good since he’s fast enough to get involved in nearly every play.
Nearly every team in the league could use Rivers speed and he could potentially play in any system. He will get bigger and stronger as he grows up and gains experience. He is still fairly raw and will need to work on his tackling to take his game to an elite level. Playing on a USC defense that routinely turns out high draft picks did not require Rivers to have to work to make plays or try to create plays on his own too often. If he goes to a defense like New Orleans, Cincinnati or Buffalo he would have to learn how to deal with being the man. Rivers must learn to play within the system and not freelance in search of a play. When he’s out of control, he’s often out of position.
Rivers can be an elite weakside linebacker in the NFL. He is the top linebacker available this year and could be a strong lure for teams to move up and snag, as this is a weak year in terms of free agency. Cincinnati, New Orleans, Buffalo or Denver seems to be the most obvious choices for him to land. All three need infusions of talent on defense and the drop off after Rivers is pretty steep. After Rivers there’s Dan Connor, after Connor there’s… You get the point. Teams in the mid to bottom half will have to make a significant jump to get him and that will deter most, but Rivers could be special enough to entice someone to move up.
Even thogh he skipped the 2008 NFL Scouting Combine, Rivers had an outstanding performance at the 2008 Senior Bowl which cemented his position as an early first round draft pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.