2022 Draft Primer, WR - Top 15

[Pckfn23]

GARRETT WILSON | Ohio State 5116 | 183 lbs. | JR. Austin, Texas (Lake Travis) 7/22/2000 (age 21.77)

BACKGROUND: Garrett Wilson, who is one of five children, grew up in Dublin, Ohio (northwest suburb of Columbus), where he won multiple youth football titles as a quarterback and starred on the AAU circuit in basketball (his favorite sport). In the sixth grade, his family moved to Austin, Texas, because of his father’s job, and Wilson attended Hudson Bend Middle School. After enrolling at Lake Travis High (alma mater of Baker Mayfield), he played varsity as a freshman wide receiver and was one of the team’s top weapons as a sophomore, finishing with 53 catches for 699 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2016. Wilson had a prolific junior season with 98 receptions for 1,774 yards and 26 touchdowns (32 touchdowns total) and was named the 2017-18 Central Texas Athlete of the Year. He missed six weeks as a senior because of a minor back injury, but still finished the 2018 season with 1,151 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns. Wilson was named a U.S. Army All-American and finished his prep career with 204 catches for 3,359 yards and 55 total touchdowns. He was a three-year member of the Lake Travis varsity basketball team and earned First Team All-Central Texas honors as a junior, averaging 21.0 points per game (didn’t play as a senior because he enrolled early at Ohio State). Wilson also lettered in track and set personal bests in the 100 meters (11.39) and long jump (21’5.25). A five-star recruit out of high school, Wilson was the No. 2 wide receiver in the 2019 recruiting class (No. 20 player overall) and the No. 3 recruit in the state of Texas (behind OL Kenyon Green and DL DeMarvin Leal). He had no shortage of suitors, with over 30 major offers before narrowing his list to two, choosing his old home (Ohio State) over his new home (Texas) and enrolling in January 2019. Wilson also received scholarship offers from several Division I basketball programs (he would have pursued basketball if he was bigger). His father (Kenny) played collegiate basketball at Davidson (1981-84) and is in the school’s Hall of Fame, ranking seventh in program history in points (1,573). Kenny played briefly with the NBA’s Denver Nuggets. His older brother (Cameron) played wide receiver at Iowa (2012-13) and Ohio (2014) before legal troubles. His older brother (Donovan) played running back at Bowling Green (2013-17). Wilson elected to skip his senior season, including the Rose Bowl, and enter the 2022 NFL Draft.

STRENGTHS: Elite body control and ball skills to make fluid midair adjustments ... explosive twitch in release package ... defenders better get their hands on him quickly, because he has the short-area explosion to create separation in tight spaces ... rare understanding of route leverage for his age ... snatches without breaking stride and instinctively sets up his cuts ... decelerates on command to give tacklers the slip ... plays bigger than he is, and shows the reflexes and contortion skills to win when covered (impressive 61.8 percent success rate in contested situations) ... physical with the ball in the air to high-point with his long arms, strong hands and terrific hand-eye coordination ... responsible for four plays of 50-plus yards (three receptions, one rush) in 2021 ... punt return experience, averaging 5.9 yards per return (35/205/0) ... impressive competitor with the intangibles desired for the next level (NFL scout: “The OSU coaches say he carried himself with the demeanor and work ethic of a professional when he was a freshman.”) ... played primarily in the slot in 2020 and outside in 2021 ... production improved each season, and he leaves Columbus ranked top-10 in school history in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.
WEAKNESSES: Has a slender, lean-muscled frame and lacks ideal body mass ... loose route runner, and needs to be sharper with his body movements and footwork ... plays physical but not powerful, and needs to continue improving his functional strength to fend off aggressive NFL cornerbacks ... average sustain skills as a perimeter blocker ... for a player with tremendous ball skills, drops too many easy passes ... build will lead to durability questions; missed one game as a junior because of concussion-like symptoms (November 2021); missed more than a month of senior year in high school because of a back injury (October 2018).
SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Ohio State, Wilson was the X receiver in head coach Ryan Day’s multiple spread offense, lining up primarily outside in 2021 after spending 2020 in the slot. Despite never leading Ohio State in receiving in any of his three seasons, his production increased each year, and he was one of only six FBS pass catchers to average more than 95.0 receiving yards and 1.0 touchdown per game in 2021. A Division I basketball recruit out of high school, Wilson credits basketball (his favorite sport) for developing the route athleticism and fluidity in and out of his breaks that makes him a true three-level threat on the football field. With his long arms and uncanny adjustment skills, he catches the ball well outside his frame and is comfortable operating with bodies around him. Overall, Wilson needs continued route refinement, but he makes the playbook come alive with his ability to get open before and after the catch thanks to his athleticism and instincts. With his slender frame, elite body control, and catch-point skills, he reminds me of CeeDee Lamb.

image.png (41.56 KiB) Viewed 725 times

Rating: 91.77 (All-Pro)

Pro Comparison: Chad Ochocinco

Strengths:

Springy, creative receiver with high-end speed and flashes of brilliant full-extension grabs. More of a juke-based yards-after-the-catch asset than one who'll break tackles or bounce off defenders. Leaping ability stands out. Glides on the field. Will run past many corners. Good, not great releases. Athleticism is there for him to consistently win off the line in time. Impressive route runner because of his athleticism. Should have quick transition to the NFL and become a star down the road.

Weaknesses:

Smaller size but fits the modern-day NFL. Some concentration drops on film. Not a physical marvel in jump-ball scenarios; won't dominate when a corner is in the vicinity and it's a 50-50 situation.

Accolades:

2021: All-Big Ten second team (70 rec, 1,058 yards, 12 TDs)
2020: All-Big Ten first team (723 rec yards, six TDs in eight games)

Wilson grew up around Columbus but his family moved to Austin, Texas, for his dad's job in 2011. He starred at Lake Travis High School and earned the All-American Bowl Man of the Year Award as a senior (1,151 yards, 19 TDs despite missing time due to injury) for his community service, education and athletic distinction. He also received Division I college basketball scholarship offers. His father, Kenny, is among the top scorers in Davidson's storied history. The five-star prospect enrolled at Ohio State a semester early and played in all 14 games as a key reserve true freshman in the fall (30-423-14.4, five TDs receiving: 14-86-6.1 punt returns). Wilson started all eight games for the Buckeyes in 2020, receiving first-team All-Big Ten Conference accolades (43-723-16.8, six TDs receiving; 7-51-7.3 punt returns). He was a second-team Associated Press All-American and second-team all-conference selection in 2021 after tying for eighth in the FBS with 12 receiving touchdowns in 11 starts (70-1,058-15.1) and returning punts (13-68-5.2). Wilson missed one game in concussion protocol during the 2021 season and then opted out of the team's bowl game to prepare for the NFL draft.

Overview
Wilson's game is lacking in polish, but some scouts believe his play strength and run-after-catch ability make him a more valuable draft commodity than Ohio State teammate Chris Olave. He's a linear, inside/outside receiver with trouble eluding press cleanly and is very inefficient with routes over the first two levels. His long speed is good, but the acceleration burst is what makes him such an effective separator in space. He might not be smooth getting there, but he has eye-popping ball skills when it's time to go make a play. Wilson needs to work on his ability to consistently uncover on all three levels, but he has the traits to become a very good WR2 if he tightens up areas of concern.
Strengths
Made 27 catches for 371 yards and 6 touchdowns over his last three games.
Deceptive speed seems to surprise single coverage.
Instant acceleration creates his "plays fast" profile.
Shows feel for mixing up speed inside the route.
Play strength to fight through route pressure and get back on track.
Consistent to separate on deep ins, posts and go routes.
Hands are instinctive, sudden and strong.
Good hand extension to pluck throws away from his frame.
Hang-time leaper and mid-air contortionist.
Brings in really difficult jump balls and 50-50s.
Slip-and-go talent after the catch.
Experienced as punt returner.
Weaknesses
Linear release will get touched up by press.
Takes off without a clear route plan.
Needs better route adjustment in traffic.
Route-running is raw and segmented.
Sloppy footwork in and out of intermediate break points.
Hindered by elongated stem and excessive stutter-stepping.
Suffered from focus drops near the sideline.
Average win rate in battle for positioning.

Ohio State wide receiver Garrett Wilson is a dynamic threat with the ball in his hands and offers the kind of run after catch ability that is sure to command a role at the NFL level. Wilson, who is a part of the crowded wide receiver room in Columbus and has enjoyed a career year in 2021, projects best to the NFL game as a slot receiver, where his short-area agility will afford him more room to work and create space and he can be more naturally crafted quick touches for an offense that commands spacing issues with a prominent vertical passing attack. Those conditions parallel what Wilson often works with at Ohio State and would help to both maximize his immediate impact and allow the same creative touches he sees in college to follow him to the pros. I appreciate Wilson’s versatility as an offensive weapon and would hope to see him placed into a role that features him in the RPO game as a bubble/glance threat, as a jet motion option to get him leverage to the perimeter quickly, and as an underneath receiver that utilizes his burst to carry across the middle of the field in mesh/drive concepts as the underneath target.

Ideal role: Slot receiver (in a high-volume passing offense)

Scheme tendencies: Vertical offense, shallow crossers, option routes, play-action kill shots

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Kyle Crabbs

Games watched: Penn State (2020), Nebraska (2020), Indiana (2020), Michigan State (2020), Northwestern (2020), Clemson (2020), Minnesota (2021), Oregon (2021), Purdue (2021), Michigan State (2021)

Best Game Studied: Purdue (2021)

Worst Game Studied: Northwestern (2020)

Route Running: It is easy to be impressed with the snap Wilson showcases on the route step when he’s charged with working back down to the LOS and converting his vertical push on comeback routes. He does showcase a high-level amount of burst at the top of his rounded breaks, too—on-time throws against soft coverage (which he’s seen a lot of in college) should be routine pitch and catch opportunities. He’s comfortable working in traffic and across the middle of the field, but Wilson often gets his looks on quick throws on the perimeter and isn’t a consistent threat in the vertical game as a downfield target despite a strong 40-time at the NFL Combine

Hands: Wilson’s game is littered with some frustrating concentration drops that feel easily avoidable and will need to be addressed if Wilson is going to maximize his opportunities. Eye discipline to see the ball into his hands needs to be better, but when he is committed to extending and catching out in traffic, he’s capable of plucky catches and has some tremendous hands-catches on back-shoulder throws on his resume. His hand strength to squeeze in contested situations is only sufficient, however.

Separation: Wilson’s work when provided a cushion at the snap is excellent. He’s a frantic and chaotic runner who does well to sell false breaks and keep defenders in space on their heels before driving and using that initial pop to run away from leverage and into space. On the perimeter, particularly when facing press coverage, Wilson’s ability to stack quickly is hit or miss and will contribute to some quiet stretches in play. This is a big reason why I favor a slot projection and role for Wilson in the NFL.

Release Package: Wilson showcases high-level short-area quickness and foot fire, which allows him to quickly push free and release cleanly if he’s charged with working away from press leverage. Forcing false steps and manipulating the base of corners in press is consistent with his game, but showing the functional strength to play through lateral contact in press isn’t as persistent as you’d like it to be. Transitioning to stack DBs working to clear and open his strides, particularly on the outside, continues to be a work in progress.

Run After Catch: Good luck corralling him in short spaces if you’re the first arriving defender. This is comfortably Wilson’s best trait and allows him to stress tacklers in one-on-one situations effectively. The open-field speed Wilson shows if he’s catching throws in stride are capable of breaking pursuit angles, too—although his long speed in long-distance footraces lacks the same pop that his initial acceleration in the first 10 yards does. He has good contact balance to parlay off of contact and adjust to further gain ground.

Ball Skills: Wilson showcases effective body adjustments at the catch point to open himself back to the football and ensure he’s properly square to the ball when afforded opportunities further downfield. I do think that Wilson has shown notable and important improvement in this phase in 2021, with impressive catches on the back shoulder, on throws placed low and away from his momentum, and on fade routes in the red zone (Purdue, 2021). But his ability to elevate above the rim and win through contact isn’t where you’re going to see Wilson shine at the pro level.

Football IQ: Wilson is a savvy talent with the football and shows very good open-field instincts. Field vision to identify angles and defeat them with speed or wiggle is a great asset to his game. There are instances where I do think Wilson, particularly in vertical opportunities, gets squeezed too often and compromised throwing windows, but he’s much more effective in the MOF where he can press his stem away from the break and then work back underneath soft coverage.

Versatility: I’m not overly confident in a perimeter role for Wilson in the NFL, but this is a player who will not be short of opportunities to touch the football. Creative play-callers will love brewing up a package of plays for him in addition to traditional routes, and Wilson also has been a persistent option in the punt return game during the course of his time at Ohio State. Not sure you’ll love his results in a vertical offense as an option with a deep ADoT, but being the counterpunch to said receiver (which Chris Olave was at Ohio State) will put him in the best position to find success.

Competitive Toughness: Wilson showcases admirable competitive toughness with the ball in his hands, and his opportunities to drive down into the box and seal on safeties and nickel defenders have often helped to supplement the Buckeyes’ ground game and spring big runs on the perimeter. You do wish there was equal urgency to all of his releases and routes, although that may be a coaching point. He shows visible energy and enthusiasm for successful reps from teammates and he plays with a good level of scrap; likes to chat up opponents at the whistle.

Big-Play Ability: Wilson is capable of taking quick touches the distance in the right environment. He’s not a consistent downfield home-run hitter, but getting him isolated in space with a single defender, either in the screen game or as a late-developing underneath option, can create great amounts of return on investment for low-risk touches.

Prospect Comparison: Diontae Johnson (2019 NFL Draft, Pittsburgh Steelers)

SCOUT GRADES

TDN Consensus: 84.67/100 (Second Round Value)

Crabbs Grade: 84.50/100

Marino Grade: 84.50/100

Harris Grade: 84.00/100

Sanchez Grade: 83.50/100

Weissman Grade: 87.50/100

Parson Grade: 84.00/100

[Pckfn23]

JAMESON WILLIAMS | Alabama 6014 | 179 lbs. | JR. St. Louis, Mo. (Cardinal Ritter) 3/26/2001 (age 21.09)

BACKGROUND: Jameson Williams, who is one of four children, was born in St. Louis and grew up in a track family. He started playing football at the youth level andlater enrolled at Cardinal Ritter College Prep, a Catholic high school in St. Louis. After seeing immediate varsity action as a freshman and sophomore, Williamsrecorded 36 catches for 1,062 yards (29.5 average) and 15 touchdowns as a junior, adding three kick returns for touchdowns. As a senior, he led Cardinal Ritter to the2018 Class 3 state championship game, finishing the season with 68 receptions for 1,626 yards (23.9 average) and 22 touchdowns to earn All-State honors. Williamswas even more prolific on the track team with a 37.28 in the 300-meter hurdles, which broke Ezekiel Elliott’s state record. He led Cardinal Ritter to the 2018 state title as a junior, winning state titles in the 300-meter hurdles (37.47) and 400 meters (48.68). During his prep career, he set personal bests in the 100 meters (10.54), 200 meters (21.23), 400 meters (47.23), and long jump (22’11.5). A four-star recruit out of high school, Williams was the No. 13 wide receiver in the 2019 recruiting class (No. 82 overall) and the No. 1 recruit in the state of Missouri. His first scholarship offer came during his sophomore year from Syracuse, and he received almost 50 offers in total. His final choice came down to Alabama and Ohio State, and he chose the Buckeyes. After two seasons and only 15 catches in Columbus, Williams found himself behind Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson and Jaxon SmithNjigba and elected to enter the transfer portal during the spring of 2019. After less than a week in the portal, he announced his transfer to Alabama and joined the Tide in summer of 2021. His father (James Sr.) ran track collegiately at Abilene Christian. James Sr. met his wife (Tianna) on the track team at Sumner High in St. Louis. Jameson’s older brother (James Jr.) ran track at Northwest Missouri State (2013-17). His older sister (Ja’Ianna) ran track at Wayland Baptist. His younger brother (Jaden) currently runs track at Western Texas College. Williams elected to skip his senior season and enter the 2022 NFL Draft.

STRENGTHS: Track sprinter with “see-ya” speed ... light feet to beat press and explode upfield ... makes sharp, 90-degree route cuts without gearing down ... quick to sink hips and stop on a dime at the top of his stem, creating opportunities for comebacks, double-moves, etc. ... runs with a long, fluid gait to track and adjust to the football, especially on deep passes (set Alabama single-season record and led the FBS with four touchdowns of 70-plus yards in 2021) ... has the length to pull down throws and snatch the ball in stride ... impressive body control to contort and make midair adjustments ... deceiving run power after the catch to keep balance through contact ... has springs in his calves to make wide, lateral cuts and force missed tackles ... speed destroys pursuit angles in the open field ... talented gunner on punt coverage, and finished his career with 279 special teams snaps and nine tackles ... averaged 35.2 yards per kick return with two touchdowns (10/352/2) ... coaches speak highly of his preparation habits (Bill O’Brien: “I can’t say enough about his competitiveness. He’s a player that goes out and practices every day like it’s a game.”) ... elite receiving production as a junior, finishing as one of only three FBS players to reach 1,500 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns catches in 2021.
WEAKNESSES: Slight frame with skinny limbs and minimal bulk ... will rely on his body and wrists to finish catches ... needs to cut down on focus drops ... can be late to recognize coverages ... marginal ball security because of tendency to hold the ball loose and away from his body (two fumbles in 2021) ... limited blocker right now and must improve play strength and want-to ... only one season of production ... suffered a torn ACL in his left knee in the National Championship Game (January 2022), which sidelined him during the draft process (underwent surgery on January 18, 2022).
SUMMARY: A one-year starter at Alabama, Williams was the Z receiver in offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien’s scheme and caught passes from Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Bryce Young. After he was blocked on the Ohio State depth chart for two years, he transferred to Tuscaloosa for the 2021 season and made a tremendous impact in his six months with the Tide, becoming the third player in school history to reach 1,500 receiving yards in a season. Williams was born into a track family and shows elite speed in his routes and with the ball in his hands (responsible for 10 of Alabama’s 11 longest plays in 2021). He might not be a natural
hands-catcher, but he has outstanding tracking skills and can flip his hips with balance to make easy adjustments on the football. Overall, Williams is rehabbing a torn ACL, but if healthy, he has the field-stretching speed and ball instincts to be a big-play weapon. He projects as an NFL starter with a chance to be special in a downfield passing offense.
GRADE: 1st Round (No. 13 overall)

image.png (53.55 KiB) Viewed 721 times

Draft Scouting Report:

Rating: 90.47 (All-Pro)

Pro Comparison: Jerry Jeudy

Strengths:

Sleek, fast, spindly wideout with a bouncy, flexible game. Changes gears in his route and has high-end downfield speed. Above-average separator because of his ultra-light feet. Was used in the jet sweep/screen game often, and was typically productive there. All that is a testament to his dynamic athletic traits. Showcased the ability to track the ball away from his frame. Won on the outside and in the slot. Nice releases off the line. Can be a WR1 eventually but should start as deep threat who gets some jet sweep action.

Weaknesses:

Occasionally body catches the football. Can get outphysicaled at times against press coverage. Tore his ACL in the national title game in January. Only one year of big-time production.

Accolades:

2021: Led SEC in rec yards (1,572) and rec TDs (15)
2021: Led country in 30-plus-yard TDs (11) and 70-plus-yard TDs (four)

Williams is a St. Louis native who not only scored 22 touchdowns as a senior at Cardinal Ritter College Prep but also broke Ezekiel Elliott's state record in the 300-meter hurdles. He signed with Ohio State and played in all 14 games as a reserve and on special teams (6-112-18.7, one TD) in 2019. Williams started six of eight games played in 2020, but caught just nine passes for 154 yards (17.1 per rec.) and two scores in a deep receiver rotation including Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson. He decided to enter the transfer portal and signed with Alabama for 2021 -– a school he strongly considered during his high school recruitment. Williams starred in 2021, grabbing 79 passes, ranking fifth in the FBS with 1,572 receiving yards and tying for third with 15 receiving touchdowns in 15 starts. He was named a first-team Associated Press All-American, first-team All-SEC receiver and Co-SEC Special Teams Player of the Year (10-352-35.2, two TDs kick returns), and a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, which honors the nation's top receiver. Williams' season did not end on a high note, however, as he suffered an ACL tear against Georgia in the national title game.

Overview
Linear route-runner with electric long speed to impact a game as a home-run hitter or decoy drawing defenders away from other elements of the offense. Williams ruins man coverage but faces some limitations. He has issues getting off press cleanly and might require some scheming to help get off the mark cleanly against certain corners. Catch toughness can be inconsistent when contested or in heavily trafficked areas. He has all the juice to find consistent separation on vertical, over and post/corner routes and could see monstrous production if paired with a high-end talent at quarterback. The ACL tear could play a role in determining his ultimate draft destination, but it's unlikely to change his game.
Strengths
Record-breaking high school hurdler.
Smooth route take-off with instant gas.
Able to eviscerate the cushion and blow by corners.
Extra burst before route break forces coverage to bail out.
Separation feels inevitable on long-form patterns.
Posted FBS-best 11 touchdowns of 30-plus yards in 2021.
Long-limbed with expansive catch radius.
Plays with sudden hands to stab and secure high throws.
Opens hip to extend and grab back-shoulder/hip ball.
Good YAC stack when catching on the move.
Returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in 2021.
Weaknesses
Long but lean and lanky.
Suffered ACL tear in the national title game.
Press release is narrow and indecisive.
Strider requiring extra time getting in and out of breaks.
Competitiveness diminishes near the noise.
Instances where he failed to finish routes.
Below-average play strength when battling for catch space.
Inconsistent tracking and working back to underthrows.
Sources Tell Us

"How does a player with this kind of talent catch only 15 balls at Ohio State? That's the question our coaches are going to ask when they get involved." -- Pro personnel director for AFC team

Jameson Williams is an Ohio State transfer that saw minimal playing time due to a loaded WR room. He transferred to the Alabama program this year and emerged as a top WR for the program. In a year where there was inexperience amongst the Alabama receiver corps, Williams has emerged as the No. 1 guy. Williams is a smooth route-runner that has the quickness to win early in route progressions and quickly makes himself available for the quarterback. He’s a quick accelerator that pushes routes vertical then has the ability to sink his hips and quickly snap off routes. Excels at running deep routes. He understands how to properly leverage defenders on deep routes and then make a cut and use his speed to run away from them. Williams is a big play waiting to happen that seamlessly made the transition into the Alabama offense.

Ideal Role: As a Z or slot where he can use his quickness to get open quickly

Scheme Fit: In a spread system that aligns him in the slot or runs bunch sets that he can get free releases.

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Keith Sanchez

Games watched: Miami (2021) Texas A&M (2021) Arkansas (2021) LSU (2021)

Best Game Studied: Arkansas (2021)

Worst Game Studied: Miami (2021)

Route Running: Jameson Williams is a quick-twitch runner. He has the ability to quickly snap off routes underneath. Can run routes with tempo and find the soft spot in zone coverage and sit down. On deep routes, he’s a very impressive route-runner and has the ability to change direction without losing speed. Excels at climbing vertically on safeties and giving great fakes as the top of routes that allow him to consistently get open on vertical routes. Has the speed to run away from defenders consistently.

Hands: Williams displays good hands and the ability to pluck the ball out of the air. Displayed confidence in his hands and his ability to catch the ball away from his body. Understands how to adjust his hands depending on ball location. Had a couple of drops that were due to concentration more than ability.

Separation: Williams uses his quickness and fluid route-running ability to create separation. His ability to accelerate and stop on a dime allows him to uncover defenders. Excels at pushing routes vertically to threaten defenders deep and then quickly snapping off the routes.

Release Package: At Alabama, Williams lined up in the slot or in bunch sets a good bit of the time, which allowed for him to have free releases and win with his quickness. Displayed a quick hand swipe on defenders that tried to press him at the line of scrimmage. His lack of overall strength showed itself at times in his ability to get free from defenders who were able to successfully get hands on him early in his release.

Run After Catch: Williams excels running after the catch. A slippery ball-carrier that is a tough tackle for defenders. Can make multiple defenders miss in a condensed area. Has exceptional short-area quickness and elusiveness to make defenders miss in the open field. Also has enough vertical speed to run away from defenders once he has the ball in his hands.

Ball Skills: Williams displayed good ball skills. Great at tracking the deep ball and adjusting his trajectory to catch the ball in stride. Would like to see him improve on contested catches and catching balls in traffic.

Football IQ: Williams shows a good understanding of the game through his route-running. Understands when to throttle down his routes against zone coverage and when to run away from defenders against man. Also understands what leverages defenders are trying to play against him and does a great job of stemming defenders to get to the spot that he needs to get to.

Versatility: Williams has athletic traits that can make him a versatile offensive weapon in the NFL. His ability to quickly accelerate and push routes vertically make him an instant deep threat in the NFL, and his short-area quickness and elusiveness allow him to be a run after the catch threat when you get the ball in his hands quickly.

Competitive Toughness: Willams competes as a route-runner and in his effort to uncover defenders. His run after the catch yardage is also an indicator of him wanting to compete. Would like to see him compete more as a run blocker.

Big Play Ability: Williams is a big play waiting to happen. His ability to properly stem defenders and uncover on deep routes makes him a consistent big-play threat. Possesses great deep speed to flat-out run away from defenders.

Prospect Comparison: Jerry Jeudy (2020 NFL Draft, Denver Broncos)

SCOUT GRADES

TDN Consensus: 87.08/100 (First Round Value)

Crabbs Grade: 87.50/100

Marino Grade: 87.00/100

Harris Grade: 87.00/100

Sanchez Grade: 86.50/100

Weissman Grade: 87.50/100

Parson Grade: 87.00/100

[Pckfn23]

DRAKE LONDON | USC 6037 | 219 lbs. | JR. Moorpark, Calif. (Moorpark) 7/24/2001 (age 20.76)

BACKGROUND: Drake London, who is one of two children, was born and raised in Ventura County, Calif., just north of Los Angeles. His family moved to Moorpark (50 miles north of L.A.) in 2004, and he played every sport he could but always gravitated toward basketball (his first love) and football. London started playing tackle football in fifth grade and starred on the AAU circuit for hoops. He attended Moorpark High, where he played both basketball and football all four years. As a junior, London led the team to the Division 5 championship and earned Second Team All-Area honors with 51 catches for 1,032 yards and 11 touchdowns. He finished with 62 receptions for 1,089 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2018 and took home numerous All-American and All-State awards. Also as a senior, London led the basketball team to the 2018-19 Division 3AA quarterfinals with 29.2 points, 11.9 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game (his 42 3-pointers as a senior rank No. 3 all-time in Ventura County for a single season). He earned All-County honors in both basketball and football. A four-star recruit out of high school, London was the No. 35 wide receiver in the 2019 recruiting class and the No. 33 recruit in the state of California. He was also a three-star basketball recruit and ranked as the No. 30 shooting guard in the country. London received more than 20 scholarship offers for football, including Notre Dame and Oregon, but USC and Virginia were the two programs that committed to him in both sports. Growing up a USC and Reggie Bush fan, he committed to the Trojans the summer before his senior year (his scholarship was for football, not basketball). After his freshman football season, London joined the basketball team and logged three rebounds (no points) in six minutes over two games. After his breakout sophomore season in football, he decided not to join the USC basketball team for the 2020-21 season. His older sister (Makayla) is a model and social media influencer (around 400,000 followers on Instagram). London elected to skip his senior season and enter the 2022 NFL Draft.

STRENGTHS: Long, rangy frame with growth potential ... basketball background with impressive leaping skills and high-pointing instincts ... large, accepting hands with the focus to win contested catches and play through contact ... fluid ball adjustments to snatch and quickly get upfield ... long-striding route runner, and creates underneath cushion by pushing deep routes ... uses lower-body flexibility to sink and cut at the top of routes ... gains proper depth and works back to the ball, securing catches away from his frame to keep defenders at bay ... back-shoulder throws are automatic ... college defensive backs didn’t want to tackle him, and he provides YAC skills thanks to his toughness and ability to stay afloat ... not shy banging as a blocker ... lined up in the slot as a freshman and sophomore before moving outside as a junior ... voted a team captain for the 2021 season ... described by coaches as a “humble homebody” with a blue-collar attitude ... remarkable production as a junior prior to his ankle injury — joined Texas Tech’s Michael Crabtree in 2007 as the only Power 5 players to average 11.0 catches through eight games.
[49]
WEAKNESSES: Inconsistent route pacing ... ran a basic route tree in college ... break quickness is crisp, but not explosive ... will have frustrating drops (eight in 2021) ... not shy pushing off defenders downfield (sometimes more obvious than others) ... aggressive after the catch, but doesn’t have much make-you-miss ability in the open field ... needs to continue adding bulk and developing his body ... willing, but sloppy on-the-move blocker ... lined up almost exclusively to the left of the formation on his 2021 tape ... missed the final four games of his junior year and most of the pre-draft process because of a broken right ankle (October 2021).
SUMMARY: A three-year starter at USC, London was the X receiver in former offensive coordinator Graham Harrell’s scheme, lining up outside (left of formation) after being slot-only the previous two years. He was on pace to smash Marqise Lee’s USC single-season receiving records in 2021 before his ankle injury but was still recognized as the top offensive player in the Pac-12. The ultimate respect for a wide receiver is when everyone knows the ball is going to him, yet the defense can’t stop it. That sums up London’s junior season (15 targets per game), which was his first as a football-only athlete in his life. Formerly a two-sport athlete, his basketball background is evident with his elite high-pointing skills to play through contact and thrive above the rim. Overall, London needs continued development with his route running, but he provides big-play ability with his outstanding size, athleticism and ball skills, including extraordinary instincts when the ball is in the air.
GRADE: 1st Round (No. 15 overall)

image.png (58.69 KiB) Viewed 718 times

Draft Scouting Report:

Rating: 90.3 (All-Pro)

Pro Comparison: Tee Higgins with better YAC skills

Strengths:

Tall above-the-rim player with deceptive separation skills who's a menace after the catch. Doesn't have frame that would indicate he'd star after the catch, but he plays with high-end power and contact balance. Refuses to go down to the turf on first contact. Insane body control and sideline awareness. Makes catches well outside his frame with ease. Still a vertical threat because of his size, leaping ability and ball skills. Ready to be a WR1 in the NFL, and will get even better with more weight and power in his upper half.

Weaknesses:

Had occasional concentration drops in 2021. Not a dazzling separator but don't confuse his height with an inability to create space. Downfield speed may be an issue; doesn't look overly fast on film against Pac-12 cornerbacks.

Accolades:

2021: Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year
2021: Led Pac-12 in rec (88) and rec yards (1,084) in eight games

London was an all-state pick in football and basketball for Moorpark High School in California and also played AAU hoops. He suited up for two games for the USC basketball team in the 2019-20 season, though he missed five games with a viral illness in January. His football prowess is what has turned heads, though, beginning with a strong true freshman season in 2019 (93-567-14.5, five TDs in 13 games, nine starts). London led the Trojans with 502 receiving yards (33 receptions, 15.2 per rec., three TDs) while starting all six games in 2020, receiving second-team All-Pac-12 accolades from league coaches. London missed the end of the 2021 season with a fractured right ankle but impressed Associated Press voters (who selected him as a third-team All-American) and league coaches (Offensive Player of the Year, first-team all-conference) by leading his squad with 88 receptions and 1,084 receiving yards (12.3 per rec.) and tying for the team lead with seven scores in just eight starts. -- by Chad Reuter

Analysis
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
NFL Comparison
Ed McCaffrey
Overview
Big, long possession receiver with the ability to play outside or from the slot. London lacks desired top-end speed and separation quickness to open clear throwing windows but plays a mature, savvy brand of ball. The game slows down for him when the ball comes out. London was a top-flight basketball player so angles to the ball, body positioning and high-pointing come very naturally to him, turning a 50-50 ball into a 70-30 advantage. While he has the size and skill to dominate the catch phase, his one-speed route-running and lack of separation burst means a career full of contested catches. London's pro career would benefit from playing with a diverse receiving corps that allows play-callers to play to London's strengths.
Strengths
Elite size and length offers mismatch potential.
Workmanlike with a pro demeanor.
Extensive experience as outside and slot target.
Thrashes through inside leverage for in-breaking routes underneath.
Feel for moving the coverage with downfield routes.
Manufactures space with tight angles out of route cuts.
Takes control of the catch space on all three levels.
Uses strength to create ample space for bucket throws near the boundary.
Finds deep ball quickly and alters positioning for optimal tracking.
Works back to the ball using block-out angles on defenders.
Meets contested throws with arm extension and strong hands.
Aerial specialist with impressive leap timing and catch radius.
Weaknesses
Lacks desired foot quickness out of release.
Will live with route squatters crowding him underneath.
Trouble eluding route redirections in space.
Slow-developing downfield routes require plus pass protection.
Will struggle to find desired separation from breaks and turns versus man.
Runs and moves like an athletic tight end.
Below-average toughness as run blocker.
Not a get-away guy in run after catch.
Sources Tell Us

"I think he is going to test better than people think but I doubt he runs. I don't care how fast he is, I wouldn't be against him because his ball skills are really special." -- Area scout for AFC team

Drake London is a former multi-sport standout who has also competed on the USC basketball team, and that skill set has certainly transferred over to the field. He is an excellent athlete with regards to jumping ability, body control, and agility for a big receiver. In the run game, he has the potential to be a dominant run blocker due to his toughness, length, and competitive spirit. He is surprisingly very good as a runner after the catch. In the passing game, he is excellent. He has outstanding body control and agility as a route-runner and uses his bigger frame to “big boy” smaller receivers. He is excellent in contested-catch situations and uses his strong hands to secure the football in traffic. His separation ability at the top of the route is sufficient but bigger receivers should be assessed differently than shorter, more agile ones. He is a downfield threat in the passing game and even if the corner is in phase, London will likely win the contested-catch situation. While he has played outside, playing this receiver as a big slot or off the ball at Z could free him to maximize his outstanding physical ability.

Ideal Role: Starting Outside WR

Scheme Fit: Vertical passing offense

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Drae Harris

Route Running: He uses some creativity and nuance when running routes. While he won’t have elite separation quickness at the top of the route because he is a high-cut player, he is creative enough to get separation on intermediate routes. He also uses his body to out-physical smaller defenders and create separation.

Hands: He has strong hands to secure the football in contested-catch situations. He also does an excellent job contorting his body to catch off-target throws. He also displays a good ability to track the deep ball and secure the catch.

Separation: On the surface, you may not think he is a good separator due to his big frame. However, bigger receivers should be judged on a different platform than smaller ones. He can separate at the top of the route and has good speed to win vertically as well.

Release: He has improved his release in 2021. He has shown the ability to beat press with upper-body strength. He also has the foot quickness to get vertical and stack a defender.

Run After Catch: He is surprisingly good running after the catch. For a bigger receiver, he is elusive and can get positive yardage. Because he’s also a bigger-bodied guy, he is difficult for smaller defenders to tackle.

Ball Skills: He has outstanding ball skills. He has an uncanny ability to track the deep ball. He also has an outstanding catch radius and jumping ability. So even off targeted throws he can clean up and make the QB look good.

Football IQ: His football IQ is good. He knows how to adjust his route to get to the sticks in situational football. When he is underneath, he is cognizant of coverage and knows how to “sit his route down.”

Versatility: He brings some versatility to the position. He has aligned both outside and in the slot. While he has improved his releases off the line in 2021, his skill set also suggests that he would work well off the ball.

Competitive Toughness: London plays with competitive toughness. He catches 6 routes when contact is imminent. He will run block and is tough to get down when he has the ball in his hands.

Big Play Ability: He is a big-play threat whenever his number is called. He has the speed to beat you vertically and he will likely win the contested catch. He’s a surprisingly dangerous runner with the ball in his hands, as well.

SCOUT GRADES

TDN Consensus: 85.00/100 (First Round Value)

Crabbs Grade: 84.50/100

Marino Grade: 86.00/100

Harris Grade: 85.00/100

Sanchez Grade: 85.50/100

Weissman Grade: 85.00/100

Parson Grade: 84.00/100

[Pckfn23]

CHRIS OLAVE | Ohio State 6003 | 187 lbs. | SR. San Ysidro, Calif. (Mission Hills) 6/27/2000 (age 21.84)

BACKGROUND: Chris Olave (oh-LAV-aye), who is the youngest of three boys, was born in San Ysidro and spent his freshman and sophomore years at Eastlake High in Chula Vista, a suburb of San Diego. With his parents looking for a stricter education, the family moved to north San Diego and enrolled Olave and his older brother at Mission Hills High (alma mater of San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner). However, the state athletic board ruled them ineligible for the 2016 season, and Olave was forced to sit out his junior year of football. As a senior, he set San Diego section records with 1,764 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns on 93 receptions, also playing defensive back on defense and adding a punt-return touchdown. He also lettered in baseball, basketball and track at Mission Hills, running personal bests in the 100 meters (10.82), 200 meters (22.36) and long jump (23’6).
A three-star recruit out of high school, Olave was the No. 68 wide receiver in the country and the No. 47 recruit in the state of California. College programs frequented Mission Hills in 2017, but mainly to see quarterback Jack Tuttle, who is Olave’s best friend. Ohio State’s Ryan Day (then in his first season as offensive coordinator) visited to see the quarterback, but it was Olave catching passes during practice who stole the show. After not playing as a junior, Olave was underrecruited, and Ohio State was one of the first schools to offer him a scholarship. He grew up an Oregon fan, but they entered the picture too late, and Olave committed to the Buckeyes over UCLA, USC and Utah (where Tuttle committed). Olave was the third-lowest-ranked recruit of the 26 enrollees in Ohio State’s 2018 class. His older brother (Isiah) played cornerback at FCS-level UC Davis (2014-18). His older brother (Josh) played cornerback at Azusa Pacific (2017-19) before transferring to FCS-level Weber State for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Olave graduated with his degree in consumer and family financial services (December 2021). He opted out of the Rose Bowl and declined his invitation to the 2022 Senior Bowl.

STRENGTHS: Skilled at tracking and adjusting to the football, especially when he has the defender in a trail position ... uses late, crafty hands to mask the arrival of throws ... above-average route acceleration to eliminate cushions and create conflict for zone or off-coverage ... wins early with his release package and has the speed to be a legit deep threat ... controlled, linear route angles and doesn’t drift ... smooth body movements in and out of route breaks with minimal gear-down needed ... remarkable along the sideline, dragging and toe-tapping like a dancer ... always working back to the ball and keeping plays alive ... played on punt coverage all four seasons (95 snaps) and had two blocked punts his first two seasons ... humble by nature and considered the “big brother” in Ohio State’s talented wide receiver room (former Ohio State teammate Jameson Williams: “Chris is an excellent person ... just the big bro to everybody.”) ... led team in receiving touchdowns three consecutive seasons ... leaves Columbus ranked third on the school’s all-time reception list (176) and fifth in receiving yards (2,711).
WEAKNESSES: Slender, lean-muscled body type ... unimpressive build hinders success rate in contested situations ... will brace for contact and doesn’t have the body strength to routinely break tackles ... very average after the catch, and forced missed tackles were rare on his senior tape ... plays faster in his routes than as a ball carrier ... skill set isn’t ideal for quick game and underneath throws ... has a bad habit of relying on his body at times to finish catches ... didn’t fumble in 2021, but fumbled four times in 2020 ... able to stalk block and latch onto corners, but lacks the power to move or sustain his man.
SUMMARY: A three-year starter at Ohio State, Olave was the Z receiver in head coach Ryan Day’s multiple spread offense. Despite never reaching 1,000 yards receiving in a season, his production was steady, and he finished his career as the Buckeyes’ all-time leader in touchdown catches (35), passing David Boston. Olave is a smooth route runner with the downfield speed and tracking instincts to consistently win as a deep threat. He knows how to create spacing in his routes and won’t waste steps out of his breaks, but he isn’t a tackle-breaker and doesn’t show the same elusiveness after the catch. Overall, Olave has an average body type and marginal play strength, but he is a polished pass catcher with dependable ball skills and a unique feel for pacing coverage. He projects as a starting Z receiver and a productive WR2 on the depth chart in the NFL.
GRADE: 1st Round (No. 17 overall)

image.png (69.63 KiB) Viewed 716 times

Draft Scouting Report:

Rating: 87.95 (Long-term starter)

Pro Comparison: Chris Godwin

Strengths:

Great top-end speed. Great route runner who does not tip off his break at the stem. Quick feet at the snap allowing him to create good leverage. Does a great job tracking the ball over his shoulder and has been very productive for the Buckeyes in the red zone.

Weaknesses:

Thin-framed boundary receiver who needs to be more physical through his routes. Explosive testing was average to below average. Can do a better job of creating yards after the catch.

Accolades:

Two-time All-Big Ten first team (2020 and 2021)
Ohio St. all-time rec TD leader (35)

Olave (pronounced oh-LAH-vay) showed glimpses of his talent as a true freshman in 2018 (12-197-16.4, three TDs in 14 games), just one year after excelling (1,764 yards, 26 TDs) as a senior at Mission Hills High School in California -- he was ineligible to play his junior year due to a transfer issue. He gained 15 pounds of solid muscle between his freshman and sophomore seasons at Ohio State, and there was an immediate benefit. Olave garnered third-team All-Big Ten accolades, becoming an essential target for Heisman Trophy finalist quarterback Justin Fields as the team leader in receiving yards and touchdowns (48-840-17.5, 12 TDs in 14 games, six starts). Olave showed maturity at the end of the season, taking the blame for slipping on a route where Fields threw an interception at the end of the national semifinal game against Clemson. He was the Buckeyes' top receiving option in 2020, finishing the season among the national leaders in receptions and receiving yards (50-729-14.6) while starting all seven games to earn first-team all-conference honors for the FBS runner-up. He received second-team Associated Press All-American and first-team all-conference notice in his final year, tying for sixth in the FBS with 13 receiving TDs to become the school's all-time leader in the category. His 35 beat out NFL stars David Boston, Cris Carter and Santonio Holmes. Olave caught 65 passes for 936 yards (14.4 per rec.) in 12 starts for the Buckeyes, opting out of the team's bowl game to prepare for the NFL draft. He was also named a finalist for the Senior CLASS Award for excellence on and off the field. -- by Chad Reuter

Analysis
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
NFL Comparison
Terry McLaurin
Overview
The quiet storm of the Ohio State wide receiver corps, Olave is smooth, steady and makes things happen. His movements are fluid and easy from snap to the catch and all points between. He's fast but efficient and plays with the bend and foot agility to uncover on all three levels. Olave possesses natural, well-rounded ball skills but needs to add play strength to ward off the physical challenges that are headed his way. His play traits should allow for success beyond the scheme and talent advantages surrounding him at Ohio State. He is an inside/outside hybrid appealing to offenses looking for a field-stretcher with the ability to take on a sizable catch load.
Strengths
Buttery smooth mode of operation.
Able to jab and juke press doors open.
Top-end speed creates vertical opportunities.
Glider with ability to route coverage up.
Burst for separation on all three levels.
Able to sit and settle quickly for hitch/curl.
Alters weight and direction for balanced route turns.
Effortless in the air and can create a highlight.
Adjusts speed to ball flight.
Ball skills feature plus focus and well-timed, sudden hands.
Scrambles with his quarterback.
Blocked two punts during career and has gunner talent.
Weaknesses
Scheme provided a lot of room for free play.
Lack of desired play strength could become a concern.
Room for more manipulation as a route salesman.
Average hand strength to finish the catch.
Inconsistent working back to the throw when needed.
Failed to hold onto would-be touchdown catch in first quarter of loss to Michigan.
Average in run-after-catch mode.
Gets run through as run blocker.
Sources Tell Us

"I love the ball skills and the speed but I don't love the frame and strength. He will get neutralized by certain corners." -- Area scout for AFC team

Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave is one of college football’s most refined route-runners. A true route technician, Olave has illustrated high levels of football IQ and is the latest product of an Ohio State Buckeyes program that is churning out high-level prospects under the watch of wide receivers coach Brian Hartline. Olave lacks the physical stature to be a dominant possession receiver in traffic and his worst moments do seem to come when contested or looking to high-point footballs in traffic, but an accurate passer will be able to feed him the football on schedule and allow Olave’s high-end separation skills to shine in the pro game. Olave took advantage of a higher market share of targets in 2020 and was the clear and obvious preferred target of quarterback Justin Fields in the passing game, alongside teammate Garrett Wilson. Those trends continued in 2021 with a young quarterback in C.J. Stroud taking over the offense and Olave has continued to shred opposing defenses on his way to setting the OSU career record for receiving touchdowns. Olave’s route-running and releases will offer him a strong chance to translate to just about any passing system in the league—it will be more so a preference of whether or not Olave plays inside or outside depending on team-by-team preferences for measurables on the perimeter. Expectations for Olave should fall in line with some of the other successful rookies in recent years: an immediate impact player on his new team once he finds out his landing spot.

Ideal role: Featured receiver

Scheme tendencies: Vertical offense, shallow crossers, option routes, play-action kill shots

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Kyle Crabbs

Games watched: Wisconsin (2019), Michigan (2019), Clemson (2019), Penn State (2020), Nebraska (2020), Indiana (2020), Michigan State (2020), Minnesota (2021), Oregon (2021), Penn State (2021), Michigan State (2021)

Best Game Studied: Michigan State (2021)

Worst Game Studied: Clemson (2019)

Route Running: Olave should be considered one of the best route-runners in the 2022 NFL Draft. Whether he’s working on the hard-breaking routes back to the line of scrimmage, implementing double moves to work vertically, or working across the middle with deep over/cross patterns, Olave has the savvy in selling false breaks and taking winning angles to maximize his availability to the quarterback. He’s considered a three-level threat, and as a result, will have appeal to just about every offensive system in the league.

Hands: When he’s tasked with extending and catching the football away from his body, you’ll get some inconsistent results—especially when he’s involved in a collision at the catch point. You wish he had a little bit more “snatch” of the ball to his game, but he’s so often open and detached from coverage that it’s more often than not a non-issue. If the throw is on the body, the expectation should be a catch; he’s not someone who has concentration drops littered throughout his tape.

Separation: He creates easy separation thanks to hard sells on his route stems, patience to work away from his break and manipulate defensive backs, and also his burst and agility at the top of the route. He showcases strong footwork to gear down or roll through softer angles with pace and snap off his trajectory effectively. He’s found a lot of pitch-and-catch scenarios due to soft coverage courtesy of both the Buckeyes’ system and his own vertical dynamics.

Release Package: Olave has seen his fair share of clean releases, but when he is pressed at the line of scrimmage or threatened in the contact window, he’s been able to turn defenders inside out with lateral quickness and loose shoulders to get skinny through a jab step. Short-area acceleration accentuates these nuanced bits of his game and allows him to stack defenders quickly who do miss their collisions. Olave illustrates strong lateral quickness to dip across leveraged jams as well.

Run After Catch: There is plenty of upside to Olave’s RAC game when taking into consideration how well he sets up deeper patterns and how much separation he can craft in such instances. There’s not a great deal of imagination or eye-popping jukes in his game once he’s established the ball in his hands, but he'll win foot races if he’s hit in stride. Don’t consider Olave a player who will play through contact or run through tackle challenges in the secondary. He’s a tough competitor but functional strength isn’t a hallmark of his game.

Ball Skills: Olave does well here when tracking the ball vertically down the field and adjusting his pace and trajectory to ensure he’s well-positioned to secure the catch. That said, his high-point skills are often negated when dealing with throws that pull him back into defenders and he’s not overly prone to finishing those repetitions. His catch radius when throws test him outside the frame is adequate.

Football IQ: I’m impressed with Olave’s sideline awareness and ability to see the ball near the boundary and still feel where to get his feet down. He’s a master route salesman and should have little issue with translating to the pro game quickly—teams that need immediate impact players shouldn’t be shy. He played against some of the best of the best at the college level, including taking reps against superbly talented corners every day at practice at Ohio State.

Versatility: Olave has logged only one kick return and two punt returns over the course of his time in Columbus, so there’s not an established track record of special teams upside to bet on. That said, he did serve on the hands team and would be a worthwhile piece there in the pros as well. He’s quick and fluid enough to win from the slot but refined enough to win on the perimeter for teams that aren’t so steadfast on having a certain level of physicality on the outside.

Competitive Toughness: Olave’s functional strength could best be described as adequate. He’s not overly dominant in box-out situations nor when called upon as a playside run blocker—you’ll have more luck with having him run corners off the line of scrimmage and creating room that way. He’s a high-effort player and rarely, if ever, gives up on a ball.

Big-Play Ability: Olave is an explosive play waiting to happen, thanks in large part to how Ohio State spaced the field and took their shots with double moves to the isolated side of the field. Any team that wants to do the same in the pros will have success too; he’ll force false steps and find room over the top. Olave averaged more than 15.5 yards per reception for his career. I wouldn’t endorse selling him exclusively on slants and asking him to break tackles in traffic to find the big play, however.

Prospect Comparison: DeVonta Smith (2021 NFL Draft, Philadelphia Eagles)

SCOUT GRADES

TDN Consensus: 85.25/100 (First Round Value)

Crabbs Grade: 86.00/100

Marino Grade: 86.50/100

Harris Grade: 82.50/100

Sanchez Grade: 85.50/100

Weissman Grade: 85.50/100

Parson Grade: 85.50/100

[Pckfn23]

TREYLON BURKS | Arkansas 6020 | 225 lbs. | JR. Warren, Ark. (Warren) 3/23/2000 (age 22.10)

BACKGROUND: Treylon (tray-luhn) Burks was born and raised in Warren, Ark., (about an hour north of the Arkansas-Louisiana border) and is an avid hunter (deer, hogs, etc.) and fisherman. He attended Warren High and was a four-year varsity letterman, becoming the first freshman starter for Bo Hembree, the longtime head coach (Hembree on Burks: “As a football player, he’s the best I’ve ever coached.”). Burks lined up at quarterback and wide receiver on offense, linebacker on defense
and handled kicking, punting and return duties on special teams. As a sophomore, he helped Warren to the 2016 Class 4A Championship. As a junior, he finished with 45 catches for 1,090 yards and 11 touchdowns and 114 carries for 936 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns. He added 84 tackles, 14.0 tackles for loss and five interceptions (three returned for touchdowns) on defense and four touchdowns (three punt returns, one kick return) on special teams. As a senior, Burks posted eight catches for 244 yards and four touchdowns, along with three passing touchdowns, before a knee injury ended his 2018 season. He finished his prep career with 151 catches for 3,403 yards and 43 touchdowns. Burks also lettered in baseball and basketball. A four-star recruit out of high school, Burks was the No. 16 wide receiver in the 2019 recruiting class (No. 103 overall) and the No. 1 recruit in the state of Arkansas. He received offers from Clemson, Florida State, LSU and Michigan, but he decided to stay in-state and signed with Arkansas, following in the footsteps of past Warren wide receivers Jarius Wright, Greg Childs and Chris Gragg. He elected to skip his senior season and the bowl game to declare for the 2022 NFL Draft.

STRENGTHS: Large, sturdy frame with body thickness and fluidity ... dangerous with the ball in his hands thanks to his acceleration, vision and competitiveness ... above-average body control and ball skills to make impressive adjustments to passes... out-rebounds opponents, and defenders on his hip don’t disrupt his concentration ... draws defensive penalties thanks to physicality and ability to play through contact ... tracks the ball naturally over his shoulder ... effective deep target (slot fades, go routes, etc.) — caught 12 of 18 targets of 20-plus yards in 2021 (zero drops) ... uses jab steps to quickly enter his routes and stack corners ...
doesn’t lose speed out of breaks, and has the juice to run away from pursuit ... maintains route balance while hand-fighting for position ... waits until the final moment to attack back-shoulder throws ... competes with warrior toughness and often plays through injuries ... effective blocker, and play strength is the result of his work in the weight room (380-pound bench press, 500-pound squat, 320-pound power clean) ... averaged 10.8 yards as the team’s featured punt returner as a true freshman (12/130/0) ... experienced lining up outside, slot, inline and in the backfield ... became the fourth player in school history to record a 1,000-yard receiving season.
WEAKNESSES: Helped by high volume of screens and quick targets — 45 of 66 catches in 2021 (68.2 percent) came within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage ... novicelevel route runner ... need to see improved urgency with route setup and tempo ... didn’t face much press coverage in college and was helped by pre-snap motion ... most (77.0 percent) of his snaps came from the slot in college ... still learning how to effectively use his body to shield defenders ... physical blocker but will fall asleep at the wheel at times, allowing defenders to gain leverage ... impressive ball skills but will needlessly attempt one-hand catches at times ... physical style of play leads to durability concerns — tore the ACL in his left knee (October 2018) as a senior in high school.
SUMMARY: A three-year starter at Arkansas, Burks was the slot receiver in offensive coordinator Kendal Briles’ up-tempo, RPO-based scheme. With 82.9 percent of his career snaps coming in the slot, inline or in the backfield, he was deployed across the formation to create mismatches and led the Razorbacks in receiving yards each of the past three seasons. With his vision and acceleration, Burks has the skills to turn quick-hitters into big plays, breaking tackles with his balance, body strength and competitive toughness (led the SEC with 22 plays of 20-plus yards in 2021). He can also track the football downfield with his large catch radius, although
his separation skills can be mitigated by his undeveloped rhythm as a route runner. Overall, Burks is underdeveloped as an outside route runner, but he is a dynamic weapon with the ball in his hands and boasts the unique blend of size, athleticism and ball skills to grow into an NFL team’s No. 1 receiver. He compares to a linebacker-sized Deebo Samuel in a similar scheme.
GRADE: 1st Round (No. 21 overall)

image.png (60.07 KiB) Viewed 706 times

Draft Scouting Report:

Rating: 89.88 (Long-term starter)

Pro Comparison: A.J. Brown

Strengths:

Great combination of size and speed. Size allows him to bully smaller cornerbacks trying to press him at the line. Speed allows him to get around cornerbacks playing off. Does a great job of creating yardage after the catch. Great body control down the field. Soft hands. Uses his body to create separation like a power forward boxing out. Good foot quickness. Capable of throwing deep on a trick play. Great production over the past two years.

Weaknesses:

Primarily used in short-to-intermediate routes, so that limited his exposure to jump-ball opportunities. Average burst. Can improve his footwork into breaks. Disappointing combine testing.

Accolades:

2021: All-SEC first team (66 rec, 1,104 rec yards, 11 rec TDs)
Career: 2,399 rec yards; second in SEC in span (Devonta Smith)

Burks was a four-star recruit who chose his home state Arkansas over Clemson, Florida State, Michigan and many other schools. He showed toughness during his days at Warren High School, playing with a cast on his right hand as a sophomore but still managing to catch 11 passes for 285 yards and three scores with one hand after one of the team's other receivers was injured. That talent showed through as a true freshman with the Razorbacks in 2019, as he led the team with 475 receiving yards (29 catches, 16.4 per rec.) and returned kicks (10-226-22.6 kickoffs; 12-130-10.8 punts). SEC coaches named him second-team all-conference in 2020 as he again paced his squad in receiving (51-820-16.1, seven TDs). Burks finished his career as a first-team All-SEC selection in 2021 (66-1,104-16.7, 11 TDs in 12 starts), setting a school record with six 100-yard receiving efforts. He opted out of the team's bowl game to prepare for the NFL draft. -- by Chad Reuter

Analysis
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
NFL Comparison
A.J. Brown (with more wiggle)
Overview
Big, smooth and natural, Burks possesses the versatility to operate from wherever you want and get to wherever you need no matter the competition. He's a mismatch receiver combining size, strength and competitiveness similar to the Titans' A.J. Brown, but his speed testing at the NFL Scouting Combine did not meet expectations. Arkansas benefitted by putting the ball in his hands from a variety of alignments and there is no reason to believe NFL play-callers won't benefit from doing the same. The tape is extremely exciting with real NFL skills jumping off the screen, but his potential to become a high-volume, three-level target is a little more cloudy after a relatively disappointing showing at the combine.
Strengths
Premium size/speed ratio.
Huge hands with rare weight-room power for a wideout.
Has size and body control to mismatch cornerbacks.
Made 8 catches for 179 yards and two touchdowns against Alabama.
Quick and urgent in slipping past press attempts.
Releases into route with forward lean and hard push to threaten.
Suddenness to turn and present to passer underneath.
Smooth for his size when gliding through space.
Runs routes with proper leverage and turn acceleration.
Access to a second gear when he needs it.
Former all-state outfielder with skill to track and snag deep ball.
Sells his body out to make the catch.
Leaps and plucks it way up the ladder with strong hands.
Stiff-arm and build-up speed to make a short catch a long gain.
Weaknesses
Will need to maintain his best playing weight.
Needs to become more consistent with contested catches.
Allows coverage too much leeway on 50-50 balls.
Takes time slowing and getting into intermediate breaks.
Occasionally makes unnecessary one-handed catch attempts.
Average physicality after the catch for his size.
Sources Tell Us

"He's such a natural athlete for being so big but that's what we usually see from guys who play three sports in high school. They learn to move differently than football-only guys." -- Personnel executive for AFC team

Treylon Burks is a former 4-star recruit that was the No. 1 player in the state of Arkansas during the 2019 recruiting cycle. Burks is a three-year starter for the Arkansas Razorbacks. In 2020, Burks was the Razorbacks’ No. 1 receiving threat, leading the team in both catches and yards. Burks lines up as an X receiver, slot receiver, and in the backfield at times for the Arkansas offense. This allows for the coaching staff to find unique ways to get the ball into his hands. When he has the ball in his hands, Burks is a tough tackle for defenders. Burks uses his big frame to power through arm tackles and is rarely brought down by the first defender. Burks also uses his big frame to shield defenders away from the ball and on in-breaking routes. Burke's most dynamic trait is his natural ability to go up and over defenders to win 50/50 balls. He thrives at contested catches because he has an in-depth understanding of body positioning. Burks is a big-bodied receiver that understands how to use his body in multiple different ways to be a versatile weapon for the Razorback offense.

Ideal Role: A possession receiver that can use his big frame to shield defenders from the ball and consistently catch 50/50 balls

Scheme Fit: A system that can get the ball in his hands quickly so he can use his frame to break tackles and fight for extra yardage.

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Keith Sanchez

Games watched: LSU (2020), Texas A&M (2021), Auburn (2021), Alabama (2021) LSU (2021)

Best Game Studied: Auburn (2021)

Worst Game Studied: LSU (2021)

Route Running: Burks is a spot route runner in the Arkansas offense. Doesn’t show the ability to make precise cuts. Most routes are rounded off at the top, lacking the detailed nuisances that the best route-runners possess in the NFL. Burks alings mostly from the slot where he is asked mostly to identify open spaces in opposing defenses’ zone coverage.

Hands: This is the best trait for Burks as he would be considered a sure-handed receiver. Low drop rate at Arkansas. Has strong hands that allows him to secure difficult passes. Showed the ability to pluck the ball out of the air and made difficult catches look routine. Understands hand positioning based on the location of the pass.

Separation: Burks’ ability to separate can be an issue in the NFL. In the slot where he has free releases he can get into his routes and find spacing in coverage consistently. When lined up on the boundary, there are inconsistencies in his ability to get separation quickly during his routes—which is why his ability to make contested catches will be key to his career.

Release Package: In the Arkansas offense, Burks lines up in the slot for the majority of his snaps. This allows for him to have free access releases which don't require him to have a versatile release package. When lined up on the boundary, he uses his strength to get vertical releases on defensive backs. This is a trait that Burks needs to further develop on the next level.

Run After the Catch: After the catch, Burks is a physical runner. Uses his 6-foot-3, 230-pound frame to run through arm tackles. A very difficult receiver to bring down in the open field. Occasionally uses a strong stiff arm that adds another element of physicality to his run after catch ability.

Ball Skills: Burks’ ball skills are impressive. Consistently wins 50/50 balls at the catch point. Has an aggressive mentality going up for the ball and wins most times. Thrives at body positioning and tracking the ball to make difficult catches. Shows the ability to make difficult one-handed catches.

Football IQ: Due to his usage at Arkansas, Burks has to have a high football knowledge. Understanding routes and spacing is a good trait of his. Burks has the ability to play multiple positions and also shows his in-depth knowledge of the playbook.

Versatility: Burks’ versatility was on full display at Arkansas. The Razorbacks often lined him up in the slot, in the backfield, and as a boundary receiver. This allows for the coaching staff to take advantage of his exceptional run after the catch ability. His movement skills are not that of a traditional offensive weapon, but the strength that he plays with running after the catch makes him a versatile player.

Competitive Toughness: Burks shows his competitiveness through his ability to win at the catch point on 50/50 balls and his physical run after the catch style. Would like to see Burks become a more physical blocker. Routinely missed blocks when blocking players on the perimeter—mainly due to effort.

Big Play Ability: At Arkansas, Burks is a high-volume player that has multiple 10-plus touch games. He has big-play ability down the field in one-on-one opportunities. He is not a vertical threat running away from defenders, but his ability to adjust to the deep ball and come down with the pass gave him opportunities to make big plays for the Arkansas offense.

Prospect Comparison: Alshon Jeffrey (2012 NFL Draft, Chicago Bears)

SCOUT GRADES

TDN Consensus: 83.17/100 (Second Round Value)

Crabbs Grade: 84.00/100

Marino Grade: 81.50/100

Harris Grade: 80.00/100

Sanchez Grade: 82.50/100

Weissman Grade: 86.00/100

Parson Grade: 85.00/100

[Pckfn23]

JAHAN DOTSON | Penn State 5105 | 178 lbs. | SR. Nazareth, Pa. (Nazareth Area) 3/22/2000 (age 22.10)

BACKGROUND: Jahan (JUH-han) Dotson, who is the youngest of two boys, was born in Newark, N.J., before his family moved to Nazareth, Pa., (70 miles north of Philadelphia) to live in a safer environment (his parents commuted to New Jersey for work). He started playing football at age 4 and began his prep career at Nazareth Area High, where he combined for 125 catches for 1,866 yards and 25 catches as a freshman and sophomore. Dotson also played cornerback on defense and had four interceptions in 2015 as a sophomore. He transferred to The Peddie School in Hightstown, N.J., for his junior year and posted 23 catches for 503 yards and three touchdowns in five games before an injury ended his 2016 season. Dotson returned to Nazareth Area High for his senior season and recorded 62 catches for 889 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2017, earning First Team all-state honors. Over his three years at Nazareth, he set school records for receptions (187), receiving yards (2,755) and receiving touchdowns (40). Dotson also lettered in basketball and track, winning the state championships in the 4x100 relay (41.86) and the long jump (24’4.5) as a sophomore in 2016. He set personal bests in the 100 meters (11.04) and 200 meters (21.78). A four-star recruit out of high school, Dotson was the No. 36 wide receiver in the country and the No. 6 recruit in the state of Pennsylvania. He received offers from all of the top programs, including Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State and USC. Dotson originally committed to UCLA at the start of his senior season, but he backed off that pledge in December after Jim Mora was fired as head coach. He flipped to in-state Penn State (recruited by then wide receivers coach Josh Gattis) and was part of an impressive recruiting class that included several future pros, including Micah Parsons, Jayson Oweh and Pat Freiermuth. His mother (Robin) was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer that affects bone marrow, in 2019 and again in 2021 after two years of remission. Dotson skipped the 2021 bowl game. He accepted his invitation to the 2022 Senior Bowl, but later pulled out of the all-star game.

STRENGTHS: Outstanding speed before and after the catch ... uses lower-body suddenness to release and separate mid-route ... crafty route runner and nestles in the corner’s blind spot ... executes double-moves very well and is often left waiting for the ball to arrive downfield ... big, strong hands and plays through the football (only two drops on 138 targets in 2021) ... excellent tracking skills and displays the “my ball” confidence of a much bigger player ... body control and hand-eye coordination make spearing the football mid-stride a breeze ... 10 of 21 career touchdowns were 40-plus-yard receptions ... served two seasons as PSU’s main punt returner, averaging 14.0 yards per return with one touchdown ... experienced across the formation (slot and outside) ... wasn’t a team captain, but coaches speak highly of his veteran presence in the receiver room ... production increased each season in Happy Valley — catches (91), receiving yards (1,182) and touchdown catches (12) in 2021 each rank second in a single season in school history.
WEAKNESSES: Smallish frame with limited bulk ... marginal body strength and can be knocked off his route path by defenders ... had a low success rate in contested situations vs. Big Ten corners, and it will only be tougher vs. NFL defensive backs ... occasionally allows the ball into his body ... guilty of tipping his routes based on the coverage ... missed tackles were surprisingly uncommon on his film ... doesn’t have the length or play strength to sustain blocks in space.
SUMMARY: A three-year starter at Penn State, Dotson lined up across the formation in offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich’s offense. He became the fourth player in school history to reach 1,000 receiving yards in a season and finished his career second in school history in catches (183) and touchdown grabs (25) and fourth in receiving yards (2,757). A polished pass catcher, Dotson puts defenders in conflict with his twitchy speed to defeat press and manipulate coverages at the stem. Although he is undersized, he has above-average hands and natural body control with maybe the largest catch radius of any sub-5-foot-11 receiver I have ever scouted. Overall, Dotson isn’t a tackle-breaker, and his marginal play strength will be more noticeable vs. NFL defenders, but his dynamic speed, route instincts and ball skills make him a difficult player to cover one-on-one. He is an NFL starter in the Diontae Johnson mold with better hands and punt-return skills.
GRADE: 1st-2nd Round (No. 25 overall)

Draft Scouting Report:

Rating: 86.52 (Long-term starter)

Pro Comparison: Diontae Johnson

Strengths:

Smaller, slippery, deceptively good ball skills/catch radius wideout with sneaky speed. Body control is high end. Loose hips. Hands catches with ease. Runs super-sharp routes. Can make multiple cuts in a route to separate; that part of his game is NFL-ready.

Weaknesses:

Despite the looseness in his midsection and lower half, he's not a YAC specialist. His tiny frame will leave him susceptible against bigger, more physical corners. Faster than he is quick.

Accolades:

2021: All-Big Ten second team (91 rec, 1,182 yards, 12 TDs)
PSU all-time ranks: 2,757 rec yards (fourth), 25 rec TDs (T-second)

Jahan (pronounced juh-HAHN) Dotson made an outstanding one-handed catch against Ohio State during the 2020 season, saying afterward: "I approach that (ball) as a million dollars. It's a million dollars in the air. If you want it, you go get it." Big Ten coaches appreciated his financial acumen, voting him third-team all-conference at receiver (PSU leader with 52 receptions, 884 yards, eight scores with 17.0 yards per catch in nine starts) and honorable mention as a punt returner (8-197-24.6, one TD). Dotson capped off his career with 2021 third-team Associated Press All-American and second-team All-Big Ten accolades at receiver, leading Penn State with 91 receptions and 1,182 receiving yards and tying for eighth in the country with 12 receiving scores in 12 starts (opted out of the team's bowl game to prepare for the NFL draft). He also received third-team all-league notice for his return abilities (14-104-7.4 punt returns). Dotson initially committed to UCLA as a top 150 overall recruit nationally but eventually decided to stay close to Nazareth, where he grew up. He played in eight games (12-203-15.6) with starts in the final four contests as a true freshman before starting all 13 appearances in 2019 (27-488-18.1, five TDs; 2-39-19.5 punt returns). Gloria Bigelow, Dotson's grandmother, with whom he was very close, passed away in April 2020. He wears a T-shirt with her image on the front for each game. -- by Chad Reuter

Analysis
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
NFL Comparison
Emmanuel Sanders
Overview
Finesse wideout with good speed and great athleticism who is fully operational on all three levels of the field. Dotson's passing scheme was well-designed and allowed for clear access to space for most of the season. His route-running is smooth but features speed changes and his in-air athleticism and ball skills look effortless. His confidence and competitiveness are just average against physical coverage and he's likely to see a lot more press looks as a pro. Dotson has inside/outside starting talent but a lack of physicality could prevent him from taking over games at the same rate we saw at Penn State.
Strengths
Instant acceleration to stem-and-go in his release.
Early juice creates earlier hip turn from coverage.
A single route can feature three-speed variance.
Slick and smooth on the move.
Talent to work all three levels of the field.
Potent second gear finding and maintaining deep-ball separation.
Agile, quick feet used on shake routes underneath.
Graceful leap-and-adjust when playing above the rim.
Gets to full extension for sudden grabs with large, strong hands.
Phone booth wiggle after the catch.
Talented punt returner with big-play potential.
Weaknesses
Not as comfortable working between the hashes.
Some stumble when upper body gets ahead of feet.
Drifting route breaks allow coverage to undercut.
Needs additional steps to break off intermediate comebacks.
Labors in adjustments to off-target throws in tracking phase.
Play strength issues show up against clingy coverage.
Allows too much intrusion into the catch area.
Brought down by arm tackles in open field.
Sources Tell Us

"He's got some weaknesses that are going to give him trouble in the league, but you can't really crush him for them because he can really run and he's a very smart player." -- Scouting director for NFC team

Jahan Dotson was a 4-star recruit coming out of Nazareth Area High School. According to 247sports, he ranked as the No. 192 recruit in the nation, No. 36 receiver, and No. 6 recruit in Pennsylvania. He was a three-time letterman and senior captain. Earned a first-team spot on USA Today’s All-USA Pennsylvania Football Team as a senior. Dotson was a three-sport athlete: basketball, football, and track & field. Averaged 16 points and 4 assists as a sophomore. Won the state championships in the 4x100 relay and the long jump in 2016. He won the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference crown in the 100 and 200 meters, as well as the 4x100 relay in 2018. His speed and big-play ability are evident. He is a crafty route-runner that creates natural separation with good route pacing, speed, and leverage. Dotson offers alignment versatility and flexibility for an offense.

Ideal Role: Perimeter/Boundary receiver

Scheme Fit: Spread offense, vertical passing attack

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Damian Parson

Games watched: Ohio State (2020), Michigan (2020), Wisconsin (2021), Michigan (2021), Ohio State (2021), Maryland (2021)

Best Game Studied: Ohio State (2020)

Worst Game Studied: Michigan (2020)

Route Running: Dotson is a crafty and nuanced route-runner. He executes his routes with good suddenness and explosiveness. Every route is a mirror image of its counterpart. Dotson sells routes with his entire frame. His double moves are run with precision and patience to force the defender to commit.

Hands: Dotson rarely drops passes. He has been charted with only two this season. He is a well-rounded pass-catcher that reels in passes with his body and away from his frame. His strong grip is evident when he attacks the ball in the air. He has a highlight reel of incredible handsy receptions.

Separation: Dotson is known for his ability to create natural separation with his route-running ability. His oily and loose hips allow him to sink his hips with ease and break off his stem. His vertical presence creates opportunities to snap off routes that come back to the quarterback. He wins reps with his innate change of direction skills. His basketball background appears when he wants to crossover defenders with a smooth and crip rocker step.

Release Package: Dotson is sufficient at defeating press coverage at the LOS. He properly uses his feet to work upfield and close the space to the DB. His quick hands can be an advantage to swipe, club, and rip through contact before entering his route. He deploys a track stance with his hands and arms down. As a result, he is inconsistent with physicality in the contact window. He has the one-step jab and speed release in his repertoire to win quickly at the LOS.

Run After Catch: He does not pose the same physical threat as his bigger receiving counterparts. He has some elusiveness in tight quarters to force missed tackles for extra yardage. His burst and speed put stress on defenders to bring him down before he gears up and pulls away. There is potential as a run after catch threat off his slippery ability to evade defenders.

Ball Skills: Dotson is fearless with the ball in flight. He attacks it with arrogance and confidence at its highest point. He has a great feel for his surroundings and opponents’ leverage. He does a great job patiently tracking the football’s airborne path before elevating. The combination of his leaping ability and great hands provides confidence in his transition to the league.

Football IQ: Dotson is an intelligent route-runner that knows when to attack the leverage of the defense. He has 58 receptions for first downs this season, showcasing his knowledge of down, distance, and the required route depth to convert. He does a nice job detaching from coverage and making himself available for his quarterback when he is pressured. Post-snap recognition to find and sit in the soft spots of the defense’s zone coverage.

Versatility: Dotson adds a versatile moveable receiving option. He is seen at the X, Y, and Z receiver positions based on offensive formations. He has a pair of snaps lined as the running back to create defensive confusion for assignments. He adds punt return value and special teams with 72 snaps this season.

Competitive Toughness: Dotson is a competitive and willing blocker in the running game. Against physical corners, he will fight through contact to make himself available to his quarterback. Ultra competitive in contested-catch situations—12 contested targets with five receptions.

Big Play Ability: Dotson can strike a defense for big gains. His vertical speed is enough to take the top off the defense. Whether on a deep route or converting a short pass, Dotson is capable of generating explosive plays.

Prospect Comparison: Diontae Johnson (2019 NFL Draft, Pittsburgh Steelers)

SCOUT GRADES

TDN Consensus: 84.83/100 (Second Round Value)

Crabbs Grade: 85.00/100

Marino Grade: 84.00/100

Harris Grade: 84.00/100

Sanchez Grade: 87.00/100

Weissman Grade: 85.00/100

Parson Grade: 84.00/100

[YoHoChecko]

Did you synthesize The Beast, NFL.com, and The Draft Network into a super-scouting report for each guy? Nice! Thanks for taking the time!

[Pckfn23]

SKYY MOORE | Western Michigan 5095 | 195 lbs. | JR. New Kensington, Pa. (Shady Side) 9/10/2000 (age 21.63)

BACKGROUND: Skyy Moore grew up in Steelers’ country just outside of Pittsburgh in western Pennsylvania. He attended Shady Side Academy, where he was a fouryear letterman as a dual-threat quarterback and cornerback (teammates with WR/CB Dino Tomlin, the son of Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin). After missing most of his sophomore year because of an ankle injury, Moore was named the 2017 Allegheny Conference Player of the Year on offense and defense (four interceptions) as a junior. As a senior, he led Shady Side to a 9-0 regular-season record, the 2018 conference championship and No. 1 ranking in Class 2A. However, Moore suffered a fractured ankle in the first round of the playoffs, ending his high school career. He earned First Team All-State and Conference Offensive Player of the Year (second consecutive year) honors as a senior with 1,412 passing yards, 1,590 rushing yards and 44 total touchdowns (22 passing, 22 rushing). Moore finished his prep career with more than 100 total touchdowns and became the first player in league history to run for 1,000 yards and pass for 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons. He also earned All-Conference honors as a point guard in basketball and ran track as a senior, setting a personal best in the 100 meters (11.86). A three-star recruit out of high school, Moore was the No. 217 cornerback in the 2019 recruiting class and the No. 44 recruit in the state of Pennsylvania. His recruitment picked up steam after his junior season with 15 offers, but much of the attention came from the FCS, including offers from the Ivy League. Moore committed to Western Michigan over Buffalo and Rice and moved from cornerback to wide receiver shortly after he enrolled. He elected to skip his senior season and enter the 2022 NFL Draft.

STRENGTHS: Displays the short-area quickness to win at the line or out of his breaks ... large, sudden hands to quickly find and stab the football (largest hands among receivers at the Combine) ... has mastered pulling in throws behind him without breaking stride ... wasn’t targeted deep very often, but showed the tracking skills to do it ... runs strong, balanced routes ... uses stutter steps and functional strength to fight through the jam ... quickly leverages routes with his ability to defeat press ... instinctive with the ball in his hands ... compact body type and physical after the catch, slipping or breaking the first tackle after the catch ... competes with a massive chip on his shoulder, both on and off the field ... a two-way player in high school, always thought of himself as a natural defensive guy, and brings that toughness to the wide receiver position ... one of only five FBS players to average at least 7.9 catches per game in 2021 and one of only four with at least 95 catches, 1,200 yards, and 10 touchdowns.
WEAKNESSES: Doesn’t always play up to timed speed ... needs to continue honing his setup and stem skills to create separation vs. NFL-level cornerbacks ... 85 percent of targets came within 20 yards of the line of scrimmage ... average-sized target for the quarterback ... willing as a blocker, but it is not a strength ... tends to drop his eyes and lunge, missing his block ... minimal special teams experience, and wasn’t used as a regular returner or coverage player ... missed two games because of injury the past two seasons and had a history of ankle injuries in high school: suffered a fractured left ankle as a senior (November 2018), requiring surgery, and missed almost all of his sophomore year because of a broken ankle (September 2016).
SUMMARY: A three-year starter at Western Michigan, Moore was a boundary wide receiver (slot and outside) in offensive coordinator Eric Evans’ RPO-based scheme. A quarterback and cornerback in high school, he made the switch to receiver at WMU, learned under Dee Eskridge and became the first 1,000-yard receiver since Corey Davis (2016), averaging 5.7 catches per game over his 30 games for the Broncos. A physically and mentally tough competitor, Moore creates route leverage with his foot quickness and is extremely reliable at the catch point thanks to his large, sticky hands and quick-reaction ball skills. Although he isn’t an explosive YAC threat, he flashes natural instincts with the ball in his hands and makes it a chore for defenders to get him on the ground. Overall, Moore might have trouble creating sizable passing windows vs. NFL coverage, but he has outstanding hands and reflexes with the detail-oriented mindset to grow into a three-level threat. He projects best as an NFL slot receiver.
GRADE: 2nd Round (No. 39 overall)

image.png (56.02 KiB) Viewed 701 times

Draft Scouting Report:

Rating: 85.07 (Long-term starter)

Pro Comparison: Odell Beckham Jr.

Strengths:

Eye-popping traits galore. Efficient and lightning-quick off the line. Feet and hands work in unison to easily free him from press in almost every situation. Elite-level explosion out of his stance. Sharp cuts in his routes. Flashes of physicality after the catch but is mostly good there due to his suddenness. Tracks it naturally down the field, will make difficult grabs outside his frame/diving for the ball.

Weaknesses:

Speed will get him open deep, not a track star but close. A few drops on film on easy throws. Played against lesser competition in the MAC.

Accolades:

Two-time first-team All-MAC selection
2021: T-ninth in FBS with 95 rec

Moore was a two-time first-team All-MAC selection for the Broncos during his three years in Kalamazoo. As a true freshman, he earned the first honor by starting the final 12 games of the year, playing in all 13 contests, tying for the team lead with 51 receptions and leading his squad with 802 receiving yards (13.6 per rec.) while scoring three times. He was a second-team all-conference pick in 2020 (25-388-15.5, three TDs in five starts) before ascending to the top of the league in 2021, tying for ninth in the FBS with 95 receptions for a team-high 1,292 yards (13.6 per rec.) and 10 scores in 12 starts. -- by Chad Reuter

Analysis
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
NFL Comparison
KeeSean Johnson
Overview
Productive three-year starter with decent athleticism and good ball skills but just average separation potential. Moore is courageous working into the teeth of the defense and tenacious to come up with contested catches from anywhere on the field. He's a one-note route-runner lacking acceleration out of break points but showed off impressive vertical speed at the NFL Scouting Combine. His ball skills and toughness create opportunities as a reliable target and capable route-runner from release to whistle. His best fit is from the slot, but long-term success will depend on his ability to keep fine-tuning his craft.
Strengths
Consistently productive in all three seasons.
Plays with good overall pace.
Ability to tilt coverage with his press release.
Efficient footwork in snapping off stop routes.
Creates space with route leverage.
Quick to snap eyes to the quarterback after his break.
Squares to the throw and secures catch through contact.
Weaknesses
Below-average special-teams value if he lands on the bottom end of a roster.
Needs to manipulate defender without losing route momentum.
Won't burn it up down the field.
Modest burst to separate coming out of breaks.
Routes require more crisp angles to prevent undercuts.
Held to two catches for 22 yards versus Michigan.
Average acceleration for run after catch.

Western Michigan wide receiver Skyy Moore enters the 2022 NFL Draft process as an impressively productive prospect. Moore, a redshirt sophomore, burst onto the scene in 2019 with more than 800 receiving yards as a true freshman in the Broncos offense. He became just the third MAC receiver to be named First-Team All-MAC as a true freshman since 1982. Ever since, he’s been a high volume and big-play target in the passing game, winning on fades from the slot, in-breaking patterns into the teeth of the defense, and on rhythm throws in the RPO game. I saw a lot of Sterling Shepard of the New York Giants in his game—from his quickness to his release package to his stature and how he wins after the catch. Moore appears to be yet another strong option on day two of the 2022 NFL Draft, which is loaded with quality wide receiver prospects. In order to get the best of Moore’s game, I would like to see him step into a spread offense where he can attack defenses from the slot and use his agility and sharp breaks to snap off separation. When you consider Moore was recruited largely as a two-way athlete with a background in playing both quarterback and defensive back, his film resume becomes even more important. If he’s only scratching the surface of his technical prowess at the position, then the sky could be the limit (no pun intended) for Moore at the NFL level.

Ideal role: Starting slot receiver

Scheme tendencies: Spread offense

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Kyle Crabbs

Games watched: Michigan (2021), Pittsburgh (2021), Northern Illinois (2021), Nevada (2021)

Best Game Studied: Northern Illinois (2021)

Worst Game Studied: Michigan (2021)

Route Running: I was impressed to see the short-area agility and efficiency Moore showed on his route breaks. Hard angles were created with suddenness and his footwork economy was proficient to gear down quickly. I saw him run a slew of routes, too—working slants, fades, corners, speed outs, and hooks from various alignments. Given how new he is to receiver, this is an exciting development.

Hands: Moore made a number of impressive catches away from his frame. He snagged a number of throws in traffic over the middle and showed good ability to focus and see the ball all the way into his frame amid contact. He plucked one over the shoulder touchdown that tested the limits of his radius and showed very good hand-eye coordination. This is a plus trait.

Separation: His ability to stack vertically against press is something that offered some mixed results, but he’s got ample skills at the top of his stem to snap quickly off his path and I appreciate how he doesn’t telegraph his breaks. He’s got good speed but even better agility for when he’s got a defender trailing on his inside hip.

Release Package: I really enjoy the instances where he gets to work against press to see his creativity in his releases. He’s not the biggest or strongest, so press corners with length who can get a piece of him have been able to bubble him and ride him and disrupt timing, but his foot-fire and hand usage both allow him to force missed punches.

Run After Catch: I don’t necessarily think from a functional speed standpoint he’s a true burner but he gets plenty of action after the catch. Western Michigan did a good job isolating him in man-to-man coverage and letting his ability to win both at the line of scrimmage and at the top of the route create a high-stress tackle environment. He broke a fair bit of them for chunk gains.

Ball Skills: I’m plenty comfortable with his catch radius given his frame but I don’t think he’s ever going to have success playing above the rim with consistency. He’s not an accuracy eraser and quarterbacks who don’t throw with timing are going to test his ability to make an impact and play through contact.

Football IQ: This is still a very green football player in the grand scheme of playing receiver! Three years of experience at the position and showing this kind of versatility as a player is a testament to his natural instincts and the ceiling he presents. He showed good ball skills and body awareness along the sideline too, providing tight-window catches with momentum carrying into the boundary.

Versatility: Moore handled four career kicks throughout his three seasons but I think this is an area where he could continue to grow and improve and add value. He’s a natural with the ball in his hands and has been schemed touches in the WMU offense courtesy of jet motion, RPO glance routes, quick smoke throws, and more in addition to his resume as a three-level threat.

Competitive Toughness: The contact balance here is impressive. He’ll absorb contact fairly well and play through contact to drag tacklers. He’s built dense and it shows when he’s challenging you with power. He blocks his ass off, too—I’m impressed to see a player of his stature stepping down and sealing defensive flow.

Big-Play Ability: He’s made a lot of big plays and averaged a healthy clip per reception over his career at WMU. That said, I do think he’d benefit a great deal from being a complementary piece of the puzzle. He’ll win his one-on-ones and shows good but not great functional speed in the open field. Good for one tough as nails catch over the middle per game.

Prospect Comparison: Sterling Shepard (2016 NFL Draft, New York Giants)

SCOUT GRADES

TDN Consensus: 81.75/100 (Second Round Value)

Crabbs Grade: 83.00/100

Marino Grade: 82.00/100

Harris Grade: 79.00/100

Sanchez Grade: 82.50/100

Weissman Grade: 82.00/100

Parson Grade: 82.00/100

[Pckfn23]

GEORGE PICKENS | Georgia 6032 | 195 lbs. | JR. Hoover, Ala. (Hoover) 3/4/2001 (age 21.15)

BACKGROUND: George Pickens Jr., who goes by his middle name “Malik” with his family, grew up in central Alabama and attended Hoover High. After playing on the freshman team in 2015, he starred on the junior varsity team as a sophomore and moved up to varsity as a backup later in the season. As a junior, Pickens earned First Team All-State honors with 46 receptions for 735 yards and five touchdowns, adding a pair of punt-return touchdowns. He helped lead Hoover to the 2018 league title and finished his senior year with 69 catches for 1,368 yards and 16 touchdowns, along with a kick-return touchdown. Pickens earned Under Armour AllAmerican and First Team All-State honors and was a finalist for the Class 7A Player of the Year award. A five-star recruit out of high school, Pickens was the No. 4 wide receiver in the 2019 recruiting class (No. 24 overall) and the No. 1 recruit in the state of Alabama. He started receiving scholarship offers as a sophomore (before he became a varsity starter as a junior), and Auburn made him a priority from the start. Pickens committed to the Tigers in July 2017 while also considering offers from Georgia, LSU, Miami and Tennessee. After a year-and-a-half commitment to Auburn, he surprised many by flipping to Georgia on signing day. It marked back-to-back years that the top-ranked recruit in Alabama left the state for college (Justyn Ross in 2018). Pickens’ older brother (Chris Humes) was a defensive back at Arkansas State (2012-16) and spent time with the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent before playing two seasons with the CFL’s Winnipeg Bombers. Pickens elected to skip his senior season and enter the 2022 NFL Draft.

STRENGTHS: Tall, long athlete with growth potential ... has both short-area quickness and deep speed ... wins over the top with the ball-tracking skills to go and get the football ... graceful in midair to make full-extension grabs ... comfortable catching the ball away from his frame ... makes tight, 90-degree cuts to square off routes ... sinks and snaps hips on comebacks ... fluid at the stem to hit another gear on post or corner routes ... works back to the ball at all three levels ... 71.1 percent of career catches resulted in a first down or touchdown ... powers through press and plays with some dog to him ... looked like he belonged in the SEC the moment he arrived in Athens as a true freshman ... experienced lining up inside, outside and all over the formation.
WEAKNESSES: Lean-framed, and would benefit from continuing to add bulk ... will lose body position to physical cornerbacks downfield ... still learning how to be a more precise route runner ... has some wasted steps or momentum in route setup, and needs to develop better consistency ... excessive steps vs. press, and learning how to be more efficient at the line ... occasionally allows throws to get on top of him ... only average post-catch acceleration, and not very elusive ... willing blocker, but falls off contact quickly ... had several immature moments early in his career: ejected from a game as a freshman for trading punches with a Georgia Tech defender, and was suspended for a half the following game (November 2019); was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct for spraying water on a Tennessee player on the sideline (October 2020) ... missed most of the 2021 season because of a torn ACL in his right knee during 2021 spring practices (March 2021).
SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Georgia, Pickens was the X receiver in offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s balanced scheme. Shortly after he enrolled, Bulldogs’ coaches said he was the most talented receiver on the roster, and he didn’t disappoint (led the team in receiving in 2019 with several freshman receiving records), but his past two seasons were marred by injuries, most notably his 2021 ACL tear. Pickens is a balanced athlete, with fluidity at the stem and the wheels to win vertically, skillfully tracking the deep ball. While his competitiveness is a plus, he lacks discipline in several areas of the position and lost a year of on-field development because of his injury. Overall, Pickens has a discount sticker on him after missing most of the 2021 season, but he is a graceful athlete with outstanding ball-tracking and 50-50 finishing skills. He has WR1 traits and potential if he returns to pre-injury form and continues to refine his routes.
GRADE: 2nd Round (No. 47 overall)

image.png (59.28 KiB) Viewed 696 times

Draft Scouting Report:

Rating: 87.58 (Long-term starter)

Pro Comparison: Keenan Allen

Strengths:

Tall, good-framed outside wideout with athleticism galore. Great combination of suddenness and speed. Always looking to turn an easy comeback into a big gain. Quicks free him on those plays. Knows how to beat press at the line and has the length/quicks combination to become outstanding in that area eventually. Lean on vertical routes helps him separate down the field and plays with reckless abandon when trying to find the football. More of a vertical separator than someone who'll get open underneath. Snaps out of his breaks at the intermediate level. Huge catch radius and a flair for the highlight-reel grab. A lot to like about his game. Flaws are few and far between.

Weaknesses:

Not a YAC monster. More of a vertical separator than someone who'll get open underneath. Measured in with disproportionaly small hands at the combine. Tore ACL in 2021 and was limited to only four games and five catches for 107 yards. A touch on a lanky side; physical corners may be able to outmuscle him.

Accolades:

2021: CFP national champion
2019: Coaches' Freshman All-SEC Team

Pickens made an instant impact in his first year in Athens, landing on the SEC All-Freshman Team and sharing the team's Offensive Newcomer of the Year Award after leading the squad with 49 receptions, 727 receiving yards (14.8 per rec.) and eight receiving touchdowns. He played in all 14 games with two starts, though he was suspended for the first half of the Georgia Tech game for violation of team rules and then got into a fight with a Georgia Tech player that cost him the first half of the SEC Championship Game against LSU. The top 25 overall recruit nationally from Hoover High School in Alabama started all eight games in 2020, leading the team with eight touchdowns (36-513-14.2). He tore an ACL in spring 2021 practices but returned to play in the last four games (5-107-21.4) of the team's national championship season, stretching out for a 52-yard pass in the title game. Pickens was on the A.J. Green Family Football Scholarship while at Georgia, named after the former Georgia star and long-time NFL receiver. Pickens' brother, Chris Humes, played football at Arkansas State and in the Canadian Football League for Winnipeg for two years. -- by Chad Reuter

Analysis
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
NFL Comparison
Josh Reynolds
Overview
Lanky perimeter wideout with exciting ball skills but in desperate need of additional play strength and a clean bill of health. Resilient to make it back so quickly after an ACL tear, but needs to show quick-cutting ability for route-running. Pickens possesses borderline elite ball skills with in-air adjustments, strong hands and an enormous catch radius. However, he fails to put defenders on his hip and command the catch space to make his work less cluttered. The routes need more polish and physicality but he has the athletic ability to become a viable target on all three levels as a likely Day 2 draft pick with a little wider gap between ceiling and floor than NFL teams might like.
Strengths
Battled back from spring ACL tear to play late in the 2021 season.
Off-hand and burst help defeat and overtake press.
Makes quick stop-and-turn on drive routes.
Creates throwing windows with suddenness at break points.
Feel for leveraging coverage away from the stem.
Plays with an appetite for the end zone.
Displays good focus in catching in a crowd.
Catches with sudden hands and elite catch radius.
Rises, extends and snatches throws way outside the frame.
Vice-grip hand strength rarely lets him down.
Weaknesses
Wiry frame lacks desired play strength.
Effectiveness can be diminished by physical press.
Must begin to fight back against route bullies.
Slight hitch getting in and out of stems.
Leaves coverage unstacked when he gets the early advantage.
Needs to learn to carve out and protect his catch space.
Allows trespassers to tilt 50/50 balls in their favor.
Has missed time due to injury, including the 2021 ACL tear.

George Pickens is a very good athlete with downfield speed, agility, and body control. In the run game, he doesn’t provide much in terms of stalk blocking. Due to his wiry frame, he can be out-physical’d by stronger DBs who are defending the run. It’s in the passing game where he excels. He is sudden off the line of scrimmage and quickly closes the DB’s cushion. He is fluid and shows good body control as a route-runner, easily attacking leverage against man coverage. He has a very good catch radius and shows tremendous athleticism to contort his body and make difficult catches on off-target throws. He is a natural hands-catcher with strong mitts who easily catches the ball away from his body. He is a matchup problem in slant/fade situations. He can defeat press with foot quickness but will need to add mass, bulk, and upper-body strength to his wiry frame in order to play through physicality in the NFL. Because he is lean and there have been injury concerns in his past, this could affect the projection to the next level. So while the grade is reflective of the talent level, there are other factors that could factor into his projection. Ultimately, he has redeeming value in his athleticism, agility, and catch radius.

Ideal Role: Perimeter WR

Scheme Fit: Downfield passing offense

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Drae Harris

Games watched: Alabama (2021), Arkansas (2021), Kentucky (2021), Cincinnati (2020), Missouri (2020)

Best Game Studied: Cincinnati (2020)

Worst Game Studied: Alabama (2021)

Route Running: He is a good route-runner. He understands how to attack leverage against man coverage. He also has the skill set to run the entire route tree.

Hands: He is a natural hands-catcher. He easily catches the ball away from his frame. He also shows good tracking ability on deep balls.

Separation: He gets good separation at the top of the route. He has good body quickness and speed, which makes him a dangerous threat.

Release: He is best served playing off the ball. He can get off the line with foot quickness but should gain more upper-body strength and mass to project as a true X.

RAC: He displays the ability to make some yardage after the catch. He has good long speed, which makes him a dangerous deep threat.

Ball Skills: His outstanding ball skills are transferable to the NFL. He does an excellent job tracking the deep ball in the air. He also shows strong mitts to pluck the football in contested-catch situations.

Football IQ: His football IQ wouldn’t be classified as a glaring weakness. He has moments of adjusting his route depending on coverage and down/distance.

Versatility: He lacks true versatility. He’s ideally suited outside and off the ball. His skill set does not project well to playing inside in the slot.

Competitive Toughness: Physical toughness may not be his strongest attribute. However, he’s extremely competitive at the catch point. There are instances in the past of him high-pointing the football over smaller defenders.

Big Play Ability: He has the ability to make big plays in an offense, particularly on downfield throws. He also shows the vertical deep speed to take the top off the defense.

SCOUT GRADES

TDN Consensus: 79.17/100 (Third Round Valuation)

Crabbs Grade: 80.50/100

Marino Grade: 80.50/100

Harris Grade: 76.00/100

Sanchez Grade: 79.00/100

Weissman Grade: 80.50/100

Parson Grade: 78.50/100

[Pckfn23]

JALEN TOLBERT | South Alabama 6011 | 194 lbs. | rSR. Mobile, Ala. (McGill-Toolen) 2/27/1999 (age 23.17)

BACKGROUND: Jalen Tolbert was born and raised in Mobile, Ala., and was a three-sport star at McGill-Toolen High, a private Catholic school. After earning a spot on varsity as a sophomore, his playing time increased throughout his junior year as the team went 13-1 and won the 2015 7A state championship. Tolbert finished his junior year with 14 catches for 135 yards, with most of that production coming in the four playoff games. He became a full-time starter as a senior and posted 37 receptions for 696 yards and nine touchdowns as McGill-Toolen reached the 7A state championship game for the second consecutive year. He also lettered in baseball and basketball, helping lead the basketball team to the state title his junior season (didn’t play basketball as a senior). A two-star recruit out of high school, Tolbert was the No. 415 wide receiver in the country and the No. 108 recruit in the state of Alabama. He didn’t become a starter until his senior year, so his recruitment was delayed as well. Tolbert was planning to attend FCS-level Jacksonville State after committing there as a senior, but South Alabama (located in Mobile) extended a scholarship a few weeks before signing day. He strongly considered late offers from Michigan State and Vanderbilt but decided to stay close to home and sign with South Alabama, making the rare decision to choose the Sun Belt over the Big Ten and SEC. Tolbert also planned to play baseball at South Alabama but chose to focus on football. He graduated with his degree in leisure studies (May 2021) and is working on a second degree in interdisciplinary studies. Tolbert accepted his invitation to the 2022 Senior Bowl.

STRENGTHS: Smooth athlete ... skilled at releasing at the line and throttling his speed mid-route, which allows him to stack corners vertically ... brakes cleanly at the stem with sudden feet to redirect in any direction ... drives corners off the top of his routes ... above-average tracking and adjustment skills to snare inaccurate passes ... strong mitts to win 50-50 balls and finish catches through contact ... does a great job working back and high-pointing or attacking the ball with his long arms before it gets to him ... turns into a defensive back when necessary, so either he catches it or no one does ... added slot responsibilities as a senior ... faced only one Power 5 program over his final 34 games but made it count (7/143/1 vs. Tennessee in November 2021) ... rewrote the receiving records books at South Alabama, including career catches (178), receiving yards (3,140), touchdown catches (22) and 100-yard receiving games (10).
WEAKNESSES: Drop rate increased as a senior ... doesn’t have breakaway speed after the catch ... prone to drifts prior to his route breaks, tipping his path ... not elusive, and missed tackles were infrequent on film ... squeezes too tight along the sideline, allowing the corner to run him out of bounds ... half-hearted blocker, and won’t go looking for work if he doesn’t have to ... minimal experience on special teams coverages in college ... fumbled twice over his final two seasons and needs to better protect the football.
SUMMARY: A three-year starter at South Alabama, Tolbert was the X receiver in offensive coordinator Major Applewhite’s offense and lined up across the formation (unlike his underclassman tape). After bypassing scholarship offers from Power 5 programs to stay close to home, he became the most prolific receiver in South Alabama history, including the first player in school history to reach 1,000 receiving yards in a season (he did it twice). Aside from the occasional focus drop, Tolbert shows impressive catch-point timing and adjustment skills. Although he doesn’t have elite top-end speed, he has fluid footwork and uses slight hesitation in his route breaks so he can mash the gas and create pockets of separation. Overall, Tolbert needs to tighten up a few areas of his game, but he has NFL starting traits with his ability to track deep or sink and work back to the football.
GRADE: 2nd-3rd Round (No. 59 overall)

image.png (66.5 KiB) Viewed 690 times

Draft Scouting Report:

Rating: 80.32 (Long-term starter)

Pro Comparison: Denzel Mims

Strengths:

Sleek, vertical threat with effortless body contortion abilities down the field. Smooth snaps out of his breaks running routes. Was very productive in his final two seasons in college against lesser competition. Knows how to stack cornerbacks down the field to give his QB an easier throwing lane on deep shots. Has a flair for the dramatic grab, too. Decently physical and somewhat springy after the catch, and will outrun some slower DBs at the next level.

Weaknesses:

Not an elite separator by any stretch. Older prospect. Easy drops pop up relatively often. Would like to see him get more physical while running his routes but does have enough twitch to get clean releases.

Accolades:

2021: Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year
2021: Third in FBS in rec yards per game (122.8)

Tolbert was a two-star recruit out of Mobile's McGill-Toolen High School, and he didn't get a chance to prove himself during his first year at his hometown school because of an injury suffered in preseason camp. He played in all 12 games as a reserve the following year (5-60-12.0) before breaking out as a sophomore. Tolbert led the Jaguars in 2019 with six receiving touchdowns and 19.3 yards per reception (27-521 in 12 starts). His play in 2020 really grabbed scouts' attention, as he ranked seventh in the FBS with 1,085 receiving yards (64 receptions, 17.0 per rec., eight scores) to earn first-team All-Sun Belt notice. Instead of heading to the NFL, Tolbert stayed at USA to work with transfer passer Jake Bentley (South Carolina, Utah), who he already knew through working with Mobile-based quarterback trainer David Morris. His efforts paid off, as he was named the 2021 Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year and first-team all-league after setting school records with 82 receptions and eight touchdowns in 12 starts. Tolbert ranked sixth in the FBS with 1,474 receiving yards (18.0 per rec.) and also set school career records with 178 receptions and 3,140 receiving yards. -- by Chad Reuter

Analysis
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
NFL Comparison
Marvin Jones
Overview
Silky smooth athlete who has morphed into a monster over the last two seasons. Tolbert is a high-character prospect with skill elements that are dripping with NFL potential. He gave work to everyone he faced, including SEC cover corners at Tennessee. His three-sport background offers unique perspective to pull from at his position, and his route-running gives him a leg up in camp battles early on. His traits, talent and production should push him up the board, and dialing up the competitive spirit could turn him into a top-flight WR2.
Strengths
Put together big games against the best opponents.
Right at home against SEC cornerbacks (SEE: Tennessee game).
Stellar 2021 production, including seven games of 100-plus yards.
Shimmies feet and shakes press jam.
Fights through grabby coverage.
Routes are gliding and smooth.
Stick-shift route runner with excellent change of speeds.
Powerful pre-break burst fools the coverage.
Sinks hips for quick, sharp turns.
High school baseball player with natural tracking talent.
Frames up his defender and imposes his will on the high-point.
Weaknesses
Would like to see better success through catch adversity.
Undisciplined drops at times.
Can improve deep-ball positioning against physical corners.
Could use more fire in his belly on every snap.
Gains positioning but doesn't always finish the block.

Jalen Tolbert is a former 2-star prospect out of the state of Alabama. Tolbert is a fifth-year player that redshirted his first season and played sparingly until his sophomore year. Over the next couple years, Tolbert continued to develop his skills as a receiver and started to see the work pay off as his production steadily increased. Tolbert finished the 2021 season with 1,474 yards receiving and eight touchdowns. Tolbert possesses a good combination of size and speed that makes him a versatile receiver for the South Alabama offense. Tolbert has the speed to be a vertical threat and also has the strength and size to become a good run-after-catch receiver. Tolbert has a high upside as a player. If he continues to work on the small intricate details of being a receiver, like becoming a detailed route-runner, Tolbert can develop into a No. 1 receiving option in an NFL offense.

Ideal Role: X or Z receiver

Scheme Fit: Scheme-versatile traits

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Keith Sanchez

Games watched: Tennessee (2021), Coastal Carolina (2021), Georgia Southern (2021), ULL (2021).

Best Game Studied: Tennessee (2021)

Worst Game Studied: ULL (2021)

Route Running: Tolbert is an effective route-runner but still needs to become more detailed in this area. On deep in-breaking routes, Tolbert is inconsistent in dropping his weight and exploding out of breaks—oftentimes having to slightly round off routes at the top. Tolbert can also improve on selling his double moves such as post-corner and corner-post routes to move the defender off their leverage so the route can be effective. Although there are some deficiencies in his route-running, Tolbert is good at running all underneath routes and seems to have an in-depth understanding of how to get open.

Hands: Tolbert has shown to have good hands. He is good at adjusting his hands to the positioning of the ball and seems like a natural catcher. Tolbert has dropped a couple balls this season, but they seem to be concentration drops and not a result of Tolbert being a poor catcher of the football.

Separation: On most short-to-intermediate routes, Tolbert gets good separation. He has short bursts in and out of breaks that allow him to get good separation from defenders quickly. He can also smoothly turn his hips on speed-outs to make himself quickly available for the quarterback.

Release Package: Tolbert has a versatile release package. He can work quick feet at the line of scrimmage and get the defender off balance and blow right past them. He can also use his natural strength to rip right through press coverage when he has to. Tolbert has a good blend of size and speed that allows him to use different releases to get into his route.

Run After Catch: Tolbert has a good mix of size, speed, and power that allows him to be a tough tackle running with the ball after the catch. Talbot has the speed to simply run away from defenders that he knows that he is faster than and he has the strength to power through smaller defenders and arm tackles to pick up extra yardage.

Ball Skills: This player has flashed spectacular plays to showcase his ball skills. He does a good job of tracking the ball in the deeper portions of the field and if need be can use one hand to haul the pass in. He can make all of the tough catches with a defender draped over him but needs to improve on making the simple catches. At times, Tolbert has concentration drops in relatively easy pass-catching situations.

Football IQ: At South Alabama, Tolbert aligned in multiple positions. This shows his understanding of not only the South Alabama offense but what skill set comes with playing each position on the field.

Versatility: Tolbert's blend of size, speed, and athleticism allows for him to align in multiple positions on the field. Tolbert has the speed and power to play the X receiver position, but he also has the short-area quickness to align in the slot and be an effective route-runner when he has two-way option routes.

Competitive Toughness: Tolbert's competitive traits come out in two aspects of his game. When blocking, Tolbert is a high-effort guy and tries to impose his physicality on defenders. And the other trait that shows his competitive toughness is his ability to make catches with defenders draped all over him. Tolbert shows determination and toughness to absorb the contact and still compete to catch the ball

Big Play Ability: Tolbert has exceptional big-play ability. He has the speed to get on top of defenders and stack them so he can haul in the deep pass. He also is a threat on short to intermediate routes to score from wherever on the field.

SCOUT GRADES

TDN Consensus Grade: 75.25/100 (Third Round Value)

Crabbs Grade: 74.00/100

Marino Grade: 75.50/100

Harris Grade: 75.00/100

Sanchez Grade: 75.00/100

Weissman Grade: 76.00/100

Parson Grade: 76.00/100

[Pckfn23]

CHRISTIAN WATSON | North Dakota State 6041 | 208 lbs. | rSR. Tampa, Fla. (Plant) 5/12/1999 (age 22.96)

BACKGROUND: Christian Watson, who has four siblings, grew up in Tampa, Fla., and started playing football at age 3. He attended H.B. Plant High, where he played with several future FBS recruits like Whop Philyor, Thomas Allen and Micah McFadden (all three committed to Indiana). A late bloomer physically, he earned a spot on varsity as a junior wide receiver and safety and hit a four-inch growth spurt after the season. As a senior, Watson helped lead Plant to a 13-1 record, losing the 2016 Class 7A state title game to St. Thomas Aquinas. He finished his senior year with 23 catches for 393 yards (17.1 average) and eight touchdowns while also returning kicks. Watson also lettered in track and set personal bests in the 200 meters (23.66) and long jump (18’3). A two-star recruit out of high school, Watson was the No. 501 wide receiver in the 2017 recruiting class and the No. 536 recruit in the state of Florida. With very little production and film his first three years of high school, he wasn’t being recruited to play college football. But Watson was a late developer, and North Dakota State stumbled upon him in the spring of 2016 as he was physically maturing into a high-level receiver. The FCS powerhouse offered him in the summer, and Watson committed weeks later before the start of his senior year. FBS programs started to show interest, but Watson shut down his recruitment after committing to North Dakota State. His father (Tazim Wajed, formerly known as Tim Watson) played defensive back at Howard and was a sixth-round pick in the 1993 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers, spending five years in the NFL (1993-97). His older brother (Tre) played linebacker at Illinois (2014-17) and Maryland (2018) and for the Montreal Alouettes in the CFL. His uncle (Cedric) played defensive end at Marshall in the mid-’90s. His cousin (Jordin Sparks) is a Grammy Award winning singer. Watson graduated with his degree in university studies (December 2021). He accepted his invitation to the 2022 Senior Bowl.

STRENGTHS: Long, athletic frame ... accelerates with gliding strides to eat up grass and pick up speed as he goes ... uses subtle pacing to stack and separate vertically from corners ... tracks well on deep post patterns, gearing up/down to settle underneath the football ... averaged at least 18.3 yards per catch each of his four seasons at NDSU ... climbs the ladder to pull down throws ... displays the upper-body flexibility to adjust and stab throws away from his body with his large hands ... won’t slow at the catch point, and looks to finish with toughness as a ball carrier ... active weapon on jet sweeps and end-arounds, and started one game at RB as a senior (49/403/2) ... competitive as a blocker ... has kick-return experience, averaging 26.4 yards per return with two touchdowns (26/686/2) ... eighth player in school history to reach 2,000 receiving yards.
WEAKNESSES: Slender muscle tone, and needs to keep adding bulk ... mediocre play strength will be more pronounced vs. NFL corners ... allows throws to get on top of him, and must improve pass catching focus ... unusually high number of drops (12) in final two seasons ... control and balance as a route runner break down quickly vs. physical corners ... press technique lacks maturation ... has return experience, but didn’t play on coverages ... medicals will be important after multiple surgeries to repair torn cartilage in his knee (2019 offseason); missed three games as a senior because of a hamstring injury ... all 52 career games came vs. FCS competition.
SUMMARY: A three-year starter at North Dakota State, Watson was an outside receiver in offensive coordinator Tyler Roehl’s run-heavy scheme. A late bloomer who fell through the recruiting cracks, he developed into one of the best deep threats in the FCS (20.4 yards per reception during his career) with four touchdowns of at least 65 yards in 2021. With his smooth acceleration, Watson displays vertical tempo as a route runner and is quarterback-friendly with the way he works back to the ball and expands his catch radius. He never faced an FBS opponent while at NDSU and will see a sizable jump in speed and physicality when facing NFL competition. Overall, Watson is unpolished as a route runner and must improve his consistency at the catch point, but he is an intriguing size/speed athlete with the explosiveness to win vertically. He projects as a WR4 as a rookie with WR2 upside and offers kick-return experience.
GRADE: 2nd-3rd Round (No. 61 overall)

image.png (65.14 KiB) Viewed 687 times

Draft Scouting Report:

Rating: 85.27 (Long-term starter)

Pro Comparison: Michael Pittman

Strengths:

Elite combination of size and speed. Tested off the charts in speed and explosiveness at combine. Great body control and ability to track the football downfield. Will be trouble for defenders in space. Strong hands. Good range to make plays outside of his frame.

Weaknesses:

Needs to be more physical through his routes and play defense when his quarterback puts him in a position to do so. Just 88 receptions over four seasons as part of a run-heavy offense. Needs work on his breaks. Not the most natural pass catcher.

Accolades:

2021: FCS All-America second team
2020: FCS All-America first team as all-purpose player

Watson has been one of the most explosive receivers at the FCS level since getting on the field at NDSU out of Plant High School in Tampa. As a redshirt freshman, he helped the Bison win yet another national title by contributing in 14 games (9-165-18.3 receiving; two starts). Watson was a second-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference selection in 2019, leading the eventual national champs with 34 receptions for 732 yards (ranking fourth in the FCS with 21.5 yards per reception) while scoring six times in 16 games (11 starts; also 13-162-12.5, one TD rushing; 4-70-17.5 kick returns). He was a first-team All-MVFC selection at receiver (19-442-23.3, one TD receiving: 21-116-5.5 rushing) and a second-team return specialist (10-338-33.8, two TD kick returns) in 2020, playing in 10 games with eight starts between the team's lone game in the fall and its 2021 spring schedule. Watson garnered second-team Associated Press FCS All-American accolades (43-801-18.6, seven TDs receiving; 15-114-7.6, one TD rushing; 10-227-22.7 kick returns in 12 games, 10 starts) in 2021, as well as a first-team all-conference nod. He missed the team's first three playoff games before starting in the national title game victory over Montana State. Christian's father, Tazim Wajid Wajed (formerly Tim Watson), was a defensive back at Howard and had a five-year NFL career (1993-97). His brother, Tre, played linebacker at two Big Ten Schools (Illinois, Maryland) and in the XFL, and his uncle, Cedric, played football at Marshall. -- by Chad Reuter

Analysis
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
NFL Comparison
Dontrelle Inman
Overview
A receiver prospect with intriguing measurables and a strong belief in the team aspect of the game, Watson possesses an alluring combination of size and speed. He showed off improved route running and catch strength in 2021. He is much more gifted than his opposition was at NDSU and needs to prove he can elevate his game against bigger, faster players at the next level. He plays hard and fast but needs to add a few more pounds and learn to impose his frame on the coverage. He's a field-stretching option requiring a linear route tree and projects as a capable WR3/4 with more work.
Strengths
Father played safety in the NFL.
Very good blend of size, speed and length.
Touchdown production through air, ground and return game.
Plays fast from snap to whistle.
Displays foot quickness for take-off versus press.
Added some route polish in 2021.
Leverages defender's hips before cutting the opposite way.
Maintains acceleration through route stem.
Effective separation talent in linear route tree.
Improved hand strength on contested catches in 2021.
Weaknesses
Mirror-and-match corners can trace short to intermediate routes.
Lacks deep bend for sudden sink and stop.
Needs excess steps into the top of the break point.
Occasionally mistimes leaps to the throw.
Catch focus is below average.
Needs to impose his size on coverage when the ball goes up.
Sources Tell Us

"I love the kid. ... He's going to be great in the locker room and work his tail off every day." -- Scout for AFC team

Christian Watson is a very good athlete with good speed, agility, and excellent body control. For a taller receiver, he is surprisingly dynamic and displays the ability to consistently win against man coverage. In the passing game, he is extremely tough to cover. He can defeat press with foot quickness and has surprisingly good vertical speed. His home-run speed threatens a defender's cushion quickly. He does a good job of dropping his weight while displaying the separation quickness at the top of the route. He has a very good catch radius and is a matchup problem in contested-catch situations. He can contort his body to make tough catches and is dynamic with the football in his hands. In the NFL he is an outside receiver who projects with very good ability in the kicking game both as a returner and a core special teamer.

Ideal Role: Outside WR

Scheme Fit: Any offense

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Drae Harris

Games watched: UNI, SDSU, MSU (2021)

Best Game Studied: UNI

Worst Game Studied: MSU

Route Running: He uses some creativity and nuance when running routes. While he won’t have elite separation quickness at the top of the route because he is a high-cut player, he is creative enough to get separation on intermediate routes. He also uses his body to out-physical smaller defenders and create separation.

Hands: He has strong hands to secure the football in contested-catch situations. He does an excellent job contorting his body to catch off-target throws. He also displays a good ability to track the deep ball and secure the catch.

Separation: On the surface, you may not think he is a good separator due to his big frame. However, bigger receivers should be judged on a different platform than smaller ones. He can separate at the top of the route and has good speed to win vertically as well.

Release: He has improved his release in 2021. He has shown the ability to beat press with upper-body strength. He also has the foot quickness to get vertical and stack a defender.

Run After Catch: He is surprisingly good running after the catch. For a bigger receiver, he is elusive and can get positive yardage. Because he’s also a bigger-bodied guy, he is difficult for smaller defenders to tackle.

Ball Skills: He has outstanding ball skills. He has an uncanny ability to track the deep ball. He also has an outstanding catch radius and jumping ability, so he can clean up off-target throws and make the QB look good.

Football IQ: His football IQ is good. He knows how to adjust his route to get to the sticks in situational football. When he is underneath, he is cognizant of coverage and knows how to “sit his route down.”

Versatility: He brings some versatility to the position. He has aligned both outside and in the slot. While he has improved his releases off the line in 2021, his skill set also suggests that he would work well off the ball.

Competitive Toughness: He plays with competitive toughness. He catches 6 routes when contact is imminent. He will run block and is tough to get down when he has the ball in his hands.

Big Play Ability: He is a big-play threat whenever his number is called. He has the speed to beat you vertically and he will likely win the contested catch. He’s a surprisingly dangerous runner with the ball in his hands, as well.

Prospect Comparison: Simi Fehoko (2021 NFL Draft, Dallas Cowboys)

SCOUT GRADES

TDN Consensus: 80.50/100 (Second Round Value)

Crabbs Grade: 80.50/100

Marino Grade: 81.50/100

Harris Grade: 81.00/100

Sanchez Grade: 81.00/100

Weissman Grade: 78.50/100

[Pckfn23]

JOHN METCHIE III | Alabama 5112 | 187 lbs. | JR. Brampton, Canada (St. James) 7/18/2000 (age 21.78)

BACKGROUND: John Metchie III, who is one of five boys, was born in Taiwan to his Taiwanese mother (Joyce) and Nigerian father (John). Shortly after he was born, his family moved to the capital city of Accra in the West African country of Ghana for six years before moving to Brampton in Ontario, Canada. Metchie, who also played lacrosse and soccer growing up, didn’t start playing football until middle school, when he joined the Brampton Bulldogs. Hoping for better opportunities academically and athletically, he left his family and moved to the United States at age 14, enrolling at St. James School in Hagerstown, Md., for high school. A fouryear letterman and starting wide receiver, Metchie posted 132 catches for 2,506 yards and 26 touchdown grabs, adding 825 rushing yards, 11 rushing touchdowns and five return touchdowns. He graduated from St. James at age 17 and attended The Peddie School (Hightstown, N.J.) for one final prep year. A four-star recruit out of high school, Metchie was the No. 40 wide receiver in the 2019 recruiting class and the No. 6 recruit in the state of New Jersey. He received more than 20 scholarship offers from top-level programs like Georgia, Michigan and Notre Dame. But Metchie was sold on Alabama’s demanding, no-nonsense regiment and committed to the Crimson Tide over Penn State. The Alabama coaches supported his extra year at the prep level. In a different country than his family, he was unable to see them in person for two years during the pandemic. Metchie elected to skip his senior season and enter the 2022 NFL Draft.
STRENGTHS: Athletic, detail-oriented route runner ... transitions weight well to shake free of coverage with little wasted motion in his breaks ... expansive release package to evade press, and establishes initial leverage ... quick to dissect coverage and cleverly adjusts his throttle to set up defenders ... tracks the ball extremely well, and consistently hand-catches outside his frame ... catch-point focus appears to increase in high-traffic areas ... continually works to get uncovered, and the work he puts in to create chemistry with his quarterbacks is obvious ... competitive after the catch and more slippery than expected ... graded very well as a blocker, and takes pride in his production without the ball ... already carries himself like a professional and out-works everyone (head coach Nick Saban: “This guy is the epitome of what you look for in a wide receiver. He is tough. He plays hurt. He plays physical. He gets open. He makes catches. He makes plays. He never complains.”) ... plays across the formation, and is comfortable inside or outside ... excellent production the past two seasons.
WEAKNESSES: Average-sized target ... will look to run before securing, leading to occasional concentration drops ... room to tighten up his stem skills to be more sudden with his footwork ... can do a better job stacking cornerbacks once he turns on the jets ... had two receptions of 50-plus yards in his first game in the starting lineup in September 2020, but none in his next 196 targets ... below-average touchdown rate, averaging a touchdown every 10.3 receptions in college ... medical process will be important after suffering a torn ACL in his left knee (December 2021) in the SEC Championship Game, which sidelined him for the draft process; played through ankle and shin injuries in 2020 and required separate surgeries on both after the season; was diagnosed with an enlarged heart in high school.
SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Alabama, Metchie was the X receiver in offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien’s scheme, lining up both outside and in the slot. He became a starter for the Tide when Jaylen Waddle went down with his ankle injury in the fifth game of the 2020 season and flourished catching the ball from Mac Jones and Bryce Young the past two seasons. Metchie, who has a worldly background and lived on three different continents before his seventh birthday, adopted a fierce work ethic and devotion to his craft, which is evident on film. He has outstanding body control and adjustment skills, although he is guilty of the occasional focus drop (had more career drops than TD catches). Overall, Metchie has only average size and speed, but he is a seasoned route runner who understands how to manipulate coverage and be a quarterback’s best friend. As long as he makes a full recovery from his ACL tear, he can be a quality No. 2 receiver in the NFL.
GRADE: 3rd Round (No. 71 overall)

image.png (49.94 KiB) Viewed 688 times

Draft Scouting Report:

Rating: 81.81 (Long-term starter)

Pro Comparison: Ihmir Smith-Marsette

Strengths:

Smaller, vertical-based WR with moments of choppy, separation-creating footwork. Ran a variety of intricate, downfield routes in college and was targeted frequently, especially relative to how much insane talent was around him. Tracks it well over his shoulder. In a niche role, where he's given free releases/schemed open across the field, he can be useful. Just not a 1-on-1 type.

Weaknesses:

Not a serious YAC threat but not super stiff and incapable with the ball in his hands, either. Not a contested-catch type, and his speed isn't genuinely threatening. Length and strength are average at best, and there will be hurdles for him at the next level. Tore ACL late in the year.

Accolades:

2021: Third in SEC in rec (96) and rec yards (1,142)
Seventh in program history with 155 career rec

Metchie was diagnosed with a slightly enlarged heart in high school, but doctors gave him clearance to play football. He became a four-star recruit who signed with Alabama after one year at a prep school. He contributed in all 13 games in 2019 (4-23-5.8 receiving) but then became a large part of the team's national championship run in 2020. Metchie stepped in for an injured Jaylen Waddle to start 11 of 13 games, catching 55 passes for 916 yards (16.7 per rec.) and six scores. He started 13 games in 2021, garnering second-team All-SEC honors with a team-high 96 receptions (1,142 yards, 11.9 per rec., eight TDs) before suffering a torn ACL in the conference title game and missing the team's playoff run. Metchie was born in Taiwan -- his mother is Taiwanese and his father is from Nigeria. His family moved to Ghana when he was young, then emigrated to Canada when he was 6 years old. Metchie left Canada to play high school football in Maryland. -- by Chad Reuter

Analysis
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
Overview
NFL slot projection with good polish but a lack of noteworthy elements in his game. Metchie has decent size but average play speed. He's proficient in more sophisticated routes but lacks explosiveness to separate and will have to prove he can become a more physical wideout to win contested catches at the pro level. He can play multiple receiver spots and has the ability to take what the scheme provides him. As long as his recovery from an ACL tear goes smoothly, Metchie has a chance to become a starting slot receiver with a relatively modest ceiling.
Strengths
Experience running a pro-caliber route tree.
Attacks press leverage and defeats it.
Route instincts unlock additional moves to get what he needs.
Snaps off route breaks at crisp angles.
Gets his numbers turned to passer on slants and crossers.
Good downfield focus and ball-tracking.
Improved his contested-catch success in 2021.
Works his way back to the ball on hitches, drive routes.
Possesses toughness needed for the job.
Talent to add yards after the catch.
Weaknesses
Suffered ACL tear in December.
Looks smaller than his listed size.
Average release speed into the route.
Lacks explosiveness to separate out of turns and stems.
Pre-break head turn has become a route tell.
Lacks size and length to out-reach corners down the field.
Suffers from focus drops as body-catcher.

John Metchie III is a true junior WR for the Alabama Crimson Tide. He’s played with some great WRs during his time at Alabama, including first-round draft picks DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle, and Henry Ruggs III—which has taken away from his target share in the past. This year, Metchie III has seen his target share increase and so has his production with his best performance coming against the Tennessee Volunteers, where Metchie III went for 11 catches 121 yards, and two touchdowns. Metchie III has the size and quickness that allow him to play the Z position or lineup in the slot. Metchie III is an elite athlete that has exceptional start-stop ability and also possesses electric speed that makes him a scoring threat on every play. Uses his speed to run deep overs, which have been a classic in the Alabama offense over the years. Metchie III also has a sturdy frame for a WR that makes him a difficult tackle for defenders in the open field. Metchie III’s explosive athleticism combined with his ability to break tackles in the open field can make him a dynamic playmaker in the NFL. Metchie III tore his ACL in the 2021 SEC Championship Game, which is an injury that could potentially throw a wrench in his draft valuation if teams are shaken by the medical prognosis of his recovery.

Ideal Role: Metchie has the versatility to play both Z and the slot where he can use his speed to stretch the field vertically.

Scheme Fit: A spread system that gets the ball to their players in space. Metchie will thrive in an offense that incorporates him in screens and takes vertical shots down the field.

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Keith Sanchez

Games watched: Miami (2021) Florida (2021) Arkansas (2021) MSST (2021) Tennessee (2021)

Best Game Studied: Tennessee (2021)

Worst Game Studied: Florida (2021)

Route Running: Metchie is an emphatic route-runner that uses head fakes and arm action at the top of routes to mislead defenders. Uses explosive bursts in and out of breaks to get quick separation from defenders. Has the twitch and fluid hips to run every route in the route tree. Can improve on running routes with patience so that timing can match with the QB’s timing.

Hands: Metchie for the most part is a body-catcher and has experienced drops during his time at Alabama. Metchie’s inconsistency catching the ball away from his body is an issue and it seems that he lacks the confidence to pluck the ball out of the air with his hands. This also affects his ability to catch 50/50 balls because he isn't able to get the arm extension and expand his catch radius.

Separation: The ability to get separation from defenders is Metchie’s best trait. He utilities his explosive bursts to quickly get separation from defenders. He also has the ability to quickly accelerate from defenders down the field when running go-routes and posts. His ability to accelerate and decelerate in and out of cuts allows him to uncover from defenders at an extremely high level.

Release Package: Metchie has a very versatile release package that he uses to keep defenders guessing when they are trying to press. That makes him a dangerous weapon when he’s lined up on the line of scrimmage. He can release quickly with the use of his hands if he needs to get into a route quickly or he can release off the line with patience then explode into his route. Metchie has shown the ability to get great releases even in condensed areas. His releases are very detailed and one of the best in the class.

Run After Catch: Metchie’s ability to run after the catch is one of his best traits. Once he has the ball he has the option to use his quickness and speed to make defenders miss in the open field. He has exceptional start/stop ability and change of direction. He can also use his sturdy frame and his strength to break arm tackles. His run after catch ability is what will make him dangerous in the NFL. Has multiple touchdowns this year alone from catching a short pass and using his run after the catch ability to score a TD.

Ball Skills: This is an area that Metchie needs to improve on. On the deep ball specifically, he seemed to locate the ball late in the air, which led to incomplete passes that were open. This is also another part of his game where his catch radius became an issue. His unwillingness to extend his hands away from his body lowers his cach percentage on contested catches. He is more comfortable catching short-to-intermediate throws where he can trap the ball into his body and secure it.

Football IQ: Metchie has shown to have a high IQ when running routes, Understands how to find the openings in zone and sit down where he needs to. He also showed the ability to quickly identify man coverage and accelerate from defenders when running deep routes. For Metchie, the scramble drill is also a great indicator of his football IQ. He has shown the ability to uncover and work to get into the eye sight of the QB.

Versatility: Metchie’s size and athleticism allow him to play multiple positions for the Crimson Tide. His versatility allows for play-callers to get him the ball on short passes such as quick screens, bubble screens, jet sweeps, slants, and also take deep shots to him down the field.

Competitive Toughness: Metchie is a scrappy player and this trait shows up two different ways for him. As a run blocker, he is assertive and enjoys mixing it up with DBs. And secondly, when he has the ball in his hands. Mecthie will lower his shoulder into defenders to fight for extra yardage.

Big Play Ability: Big-play ability is what Metchie brings to the table. His explosiveness and ability to quickly accelerate makes him a big-play threat every play. He has the speed to run past defenders and the short-area quickness to make multiple defenders miss in the open field on the same play.

SCOUT GRADES

TDN Consensus: 81.33/100 (Second Round Value)

Crabbs Grade: 82.00/100

Marino Grade: 81.00/100

Harris Grade: 80.00/100

Sanchez Grade: 82.00/100

Weissman Grade: 81.00/100

Parson Grade: 82.00/100

[Pckfn23]

ALEC PIERCE | Cincinnati 6031 | 211 lbs. | SR. Glen Ellyn, Ill. (Glenbard West) 5/2/2000 (age 21.99)

BACKGROUND: Alec Pierce, who is one of three brothers, grew up in the Chicago suburbs and was a standout track athlete in middle school. He attended Glenbard West High (25 miles from downtown Chicago), where he was a four-sport letterman but a late bloomer on the football field. A two-way player at safety and wide receiver, Pierce hit a growth spurt and made varsity as a junior, where he had 10 catches for 420 yards (42.0 average) in Glenbard West’s run-focused offense. As a senior, he was named the conference’s MVP with 25 receptions for 372 yards and five touchdowns, along with four interceptions and three sacks on defense. He earned 2017 All-State and All-County honors. Pierce, who also played basketball, helped lead the volleyball team to a state championship his junior season. Looking for a change, he joined the track team as a senior and helped set school records in the 4x100 (42.16) and 4x200 (1:27.53) relays. Pierce set personal bests in the 100 meters (11.20), long jump (21’2) and triple jump (45’11.75). A three-star recruit out of high school, Pierce was the No. 174 wide receiver in the 2018 recruiting class and the No. 25 recruit in the state of Illinois. With only 35 catches in high school, he was widely overlooked as a recruit, with mostly MAC and FCS offers. Upon the recommendation by Cincinnati commit Ben Bryant (a quarterback at a rival high school), the Bearcats took a look at the 190-pound Pierce and offered him a scholarship midway through his senior year. His father (Greg) played football at Northwestern, and his mother (Stephanie) played volleyball at Northwestern. His older brother (Justin) was an All-CAA basketball player at William & Mary (2016-19) before he transferred to North Carolina (2019-20) and now plays professionally in Europe. His younger brother (Caden) is a senior at Glenbard West and recently committed to play basketball at Princeton. Pierce graduated with his degree in mechanical engineering (December 2021), completing the five-yea rprogram in three and a half years. Pierce accepted his invitation to the 2022 Senior Bowl.

STRENGTHS: Tall, angular frame ... swift strider, and accelerates quickly to stack corners vertically ... accomplished prep high jumper and volleyball player with aboveaverage high-pointing and leaping skills ... tracks the football naturally downfield ... the game appears to slow down for him at the catch point, allowing him to make graceful adjustments on the ball ... gives his quarterback a large target thanks to his size and strong hands to finish over defensive backs ... sharp footwork in his releases to slip past the jam ... played extensively as a gunner on special teams his first two years (seven tackles), and coaches experimented with him at linebacker as a freshman ... made Bruce Feldman’s annual Freak List and broke Cincinnati’s skill-position record with a 675-pound deadlift ... became fifth player in school history to earn CoSIDA First Team Academic All-American honors ... named a 2021 team captain ... shows the same competitive fire as both a receiver and blocker ... ranks No. 9 in school history in receiving yards (1,851).
WEAKNESSES: Ran a basic route tree in college ... has worked hard to add good weight but has a lean frame and might be near tapped out ... average play strength and will have trouble vs. physical cornerbacks ... will use his length too liberally at times when attempting to separate at the top of routes ... average elusiveness, and didn’t have much YAC on film ... long strider, and will be slow to gather and separate in small spaces ... underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his knee (September 2020) and missed four games; injured left shoulder (October 2020) and required a brace ... only five 100-yard receiving games in 30 career starts.
SUMMARY: A three-year starter at Cincinnati, Pierce was an outside receiver in former offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock’s spread RPO offense. His development was a slow burn the first three years, including an injury-riddled 2020 season, but he blossomed as Desmond Ridder’s No. 1 option in the passing game as a senior and led the team in receiving (72.5 percent of his catches the past two seasons resulted in a first down). Pierce is physical to the football, and his heightened focus is the same at the catch point whether he is wide open or triple-covered. Although he is still honing his route running and separation skills, he is a long, limber athlete who has the ball skills to consistently win in the air. Overall, Pierce is still adding branches to his route tree, but he is a pass catching weapon who is at his best vertically with his springy athleticism and ball-tracking skills. He can be a down-the-road starter.
GRADE: 3rd Round (No. 89 overall)

image.png (58.03 KiB) Viewed 681 times

Draft Scouting Report:

Rating: 77.2 (Chance to start)

Pro Comparison: David Terrell

Strengths:

Fantastic job of tracking the football and catching it with soft hands. Willing blocker. Good footwork at the stem to create leverage. Does his best work on a vertical plane. Aggressive at the catch point. Great combination of size and speed.

Weaknesses:

Has to do a better job of creating yards after the catch. Breaks are slow developing. Below average balance. Change of direction is a bit stiff. Has to improve as an overall route runner.

Accolades:

2021 All-AAC second team
2021: 17.34 yards per catch ranks fourth in program history among pass-catcher in single season

Pierce played on special teams for the Bearcats as a true freshman in 2018, recording six coverage tackles and shifting from receiver to linebacker during bowl game practices. He got his chance to shine on offense the following fall, however, starting 13 of 14 contests and leading the team with 652 receiving yards (37 receptions, 17.6 per rec., two TDs). Pierce led UC with 18.5 yards per reception in 2020 (17-315, three TDs) but was limited to four starts in six games due to a shoulder injury. He was a second-team All-American Athletic Conference selection in 2021 as Cincinnati's top receiver (52-884-17.0, seven TDs in 14 games, 13 starts). Pierce was also named a first-team Academic All-American by the sports information directors. He lettered in football, volleyball, basketball and track at Glenbard West High School in the Chicago area. Pierce's father, Greg, played football at Northwestern and his mother, Stephanie, was on the Wildcats' volleyball squad. His brother, Justin, played basketball at William & Mary and North Carolina. -- by Chad Reuter

Analysis
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
NFL Comparison
Donovan Peoples-Jones
Overview
Pierce was a mismatch as a deep-ball target at Cincinnati, but is more likely to be tabbed as a possession receiver with the ability to create some downfield trouble as a pro. He plays a physical brand of ball and has combat-catch toughness, which is important because he's not an elusive route runner. He can work underneath or challenge a bigger, slower cornerback deep, but the route tree is going to be limited. Some players have traits that don't show up on the field, but Pierce utilizes both his physical and athletic gifts. He has backup potential with zone-beater and red-zone value, and will likely play on special teams.
Strengths
Big wideout who plays strong.
Toughness to work the middle of the field.
Finds zone voids and settles in quickly.
Play strength helps mitigate lack of short-area twitch.
Frame becomes a barrier in contested catches.
Shows ability to create late separation to make a catch.
Able to stretch and elongate to expand his catch radius.
Leaps, snares and secures with strong hands at the high point.
Traits to mismatch defenders near the goal line.
Size and strength to become a plus run blocker.
Weaknesses
Below-average release quickness.
A likely target for continuous press coverage.
Upright drive phase gives away impending route break.
Doesn't play with burst through the stem.
Ball tracking can be a little labored.
Won't add many yards after the catch underneath.
Route limitations could hinder overall usage.
Sources Tell Us

"He's a big guy who is going to test really well but I think he's going to have a hard time finding separation." -- Area scout for AFC team

A multi-sport athlete from Illinois that competed in football, volleyball, basketball, and track, Alec Pierce made his presence felt as a true freshman on special teams before commanding a big role in the offense starting in 2019. A three-year starter, Pierce’s blend of size, speed, hands, ball skills, body control, and competitive toughness made him a dynamic playmaker for the Bearcats offense. His size, speed, and ball skills are a lethal combination down the field. His ability to track, adjust, and secure the football in traffic down the field is outstanding. Pierce is a deceptive route-runner that accelerates quickly and uses his ability to generate vertical push to open up his route tree and snap off breaks on the horizontal plane in addition to winning down the field. Pierce is a receiver that “catches everything” and is an alpha in everything he does on the field. He brings the fight as a blocker and demonstrates toughness when competing against press coverage, dealing with contact as a route-runner, and winning at the catch point. While he hasn’t been overly productive after the catch in college, Pierce is decisive and physical with the ball in his hands and he accelerates quickly. When it comes to areas of growth, Pierce can still find more variety with his release package and do a better job of not offering as much surface area when competing against press coverage. He would also benefit from continuing to add functional strength to maximize his style of play at the next level. Pierce has the makings of a productive No. 2/3 receiver in the NFL and it shouldn’t take him long to produce for his offense.

Ideal Role: X receiver/big slot

Scheme Fit: Any

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Joe Marino

Games watched: Notre Dame (2021), East Carolina (2021), Tulsa (2021), Tulane (2021)

Best Game Studied: Notre Dame (2021)

Worst Game Studied: Tulane (2021)

Route Running: Pierce is a deceptive route-runner that generates strong vertical push in his stem and his ability to win down the field opens opportunities for him to sell and snap off routes. He is crisp through his breaks and I love how he bends both his stem and breaks to move defenders and create space. He makes terrific adjustments against zone coverage and knows how to make himself available.

Hands: Pierce has outstanding hands and he rarely drops the football. He routinely makes catches in traffic and squeezes the football tightly away from his frame. He is extremely natural catching the football, routinely hauling in the ball in stride, and displaying comfort in traffic.

Separation: Pierce is a sufficient separator who uses deception as a route-runner to uncover. He has terrific acceleration and is capable of getting on top of corners and winning down the field. There are some instances where his modest agility leads to some segmentation when working to get around aggressive corners at the line of scrimmage and he can be capped.

Release Package: Pierce uses a blend of foot-fire and hand technique to clear press coverage. He is physical and competitive to clear jams and get into his route. He can do a better job of reducing the surface area he offers and be more deceptive above the waist when competing against press.

Run After Catch: Pierce is competitive, physical, and decisive after the catch. Given how he was used in college, he was not provided with the most advantageous opportunities to create additional yardage after the catch. I don’t anticipate yards after the catch to be a major part of what he contributes but he is capable.

Ball Skills: Pierce makes silly catches every time you pop on the tape. He has supreme body control and does a wonderful job of putting himself in position to make a play on the ball in the air. The game truly slows down for him at the catch point. He locates, tracks, and adjusts to the football at a high level.

Football IQ: Pierce’s commitment to sound technique as a route-runner and ability to read coverage and adjust on the fly speaks to his football intelligence. He runs his routes with good pace and deception. He is decisive after the catch and was flagged for just one penalty through the entirety of his college career.

Versatility: Pierce has appeal as a traditional X receiver or big slot at the next level. I like him best in the intermediate to deep portions of the field—he doesn’t have the skill set that commands manufactured touches that are designed to allow for YAC. Pierce has never been tasked with return opportunities and hasn't played much on special teams over the last two seasons at Cincinnati.

Competitive Toughness: Pierce’s competitive spirit shines on tape. He is physical as a route-runner, at the catch point and with the ball in his hands. He brings the fight as a blocker and can be trusted to hit key blocks on the perimeter. His alpha mentality is apparent.

Big Play Ability: Pierce’s speed, ball skills, hands, and body control make him a dynamic threat down the field. He averaged more than 17 yards per catch for his college career and he was clearly the “shot play” guy for the Cincinnati offense.

SCOUT GRADES

TDN Consensus Grade: 75.83/100 (Third Round Valuation)

Crabbs Grade: 74.00/100

Joe Marino: 74.50/100

Harris Grade: 74.00/100

Sanchez Grade: 78.00/100

Weissman Grade: 76.50/100

Parson Grade: 78.00/100

[Pckfn23]

DAVID BELL | Purdue 6007 | 212 lbs. | JR. Indianapolis, Ind. (Warren Central) 12/14/2000 (age 21.37)

BACKGROUND: David Bell was born and raised in east Indianapolis and attended Warren Central High (alma mater of former NFL quarterback Jeff George), where he starred in both basketball and football. He was a four-year varsity player at wide receiver and combined for 240 receptions for 4,467 receiving yards and 55 touchdowns. As a senior, Bell led Warren Central to a 14-0 record and the 2018 Class 6A state championship, finishing his final season with 85 catches for 1,542 yards and 22 touchdowns. As a junior, he led the Warren Central basketball team to an undefeated 2017-18 season and the 4A state championship. Bell was named the 2018 Gatorade State Player of the Year and was a U.S. Army All-American. A four-star recruit out of high school, Bell was the No. 19 wide receiver in the 2019 recruiting class and the No. 2 recruit in the state of Indiana (behind George Karlaftis). He received interest from numerous national programs and whittled his options to Indiana, Iowa, Ohio State, Penn State and Purdue. Bell committed to Purdue because of proximity so that his family, specifically his disabled grandmother (Karen Butler), could see him play. He elected to skip his senior season and the bowl game to declare for the 2022 NFL Draft.

STRENGTHS: Good-sized athlete with the body control and coordination of a former basketball player ... strong hands, and drops are infrequent ... tracks and adjusts to the ball in flight to simplify difficult targets ... clears the jam with quick feet and hand swipes ... uses tempo and body fakes mid-route to attack defender’s leverage ... swift strider, and stays on the same route plane vertically ... has a physical play demeanor, and forces defenders to use proper tackling mechanics to get him on the ground ... coaches say he consistently plays through minor injuries (head coach Jeff Brohm: “I think he’s a phenomenal receiver and an even better person.”) ... highly productive, and finished his three-year career fourth in school history in receptions (232), fifth in receiving yards (2,935), fifth in receiving touchdowns (21) ... he set the Purdue record with 17 100-yard receiving performances in 29 career games.
[56]
WEAKNESSES: Lacks explosive top gear to shake defenders at the top of his routes ... average long speed and needs a few steps to get going ... long press corners can slow him off the line ... change-of-direction skills are average ... physical and balanced with the ball in his hands, but not shifty ... inconsistent vision and creativity after the catch ... averaged less than 13.0 yards per catch for his career ... willing, get-in-the-way blocker, but doesn’t control the point of attack, and his blocking isn’t a strength ... missed one game as a junior because of concussion protocol (September 2021).
SUMMARY: A three-year starter at Purdue, Bell was the X receiver in head coach Jeff Brohm’s spread scheme, lining up both inside and outside. In his three seasons in West Lafayette, the Indianapolis native led the team in receiving each season and finished his career with 101.2 receiving yards per game (No. 1 among all active FBS players in 2021). Bell is a smooth, savvy pass catcher with dependable ball skills (4.7 percent career drop rate) and flashes Michael Pittman-like ability at times. He is efficient in and out of his routes, but his ability to uncover is based more on route subtleties and not route suddenness. Overall, Bell doesn’t have ideal speed or explosive traits by NFL standards, but he is a productive ball-winner with the body control and toughness that translate to the pro game. He projects as a highfloor, low-ceiling NFL starter.
GRADE: 3rd Round (No. 95 overall)

image.png (58.49 KiB) Viewed 674 times

Draft Scouting Report:

Rating: 78.23 (Chance to start)

Pro Comparison: Keenan Allen

Strengths:

Great body control. Great catch radius. Sure-handed receiver. Eyes turn upfield quickly post-catch. Works open for his quarterback as the play develops. Does a great job of tracking the football downfield. Creates separation at the route stem. Fights through contact.

Weaknesses:

Below-average top-end speed. Shorter arms. Needs to clean up his footwork off the snap. Not explosive into his breaks. Consistent producer for three years.

Accolades:

2021: Consensus first-team All-America (93 rec, 1,286 yards)
Two-time first-team All-Big Ten (2020, 2021)

As a four-star recruit, Indiana's 2018 Gatorade Player of the Year and a star basketball player at Warren Central High School in Indianapolis, Bell could have matriculated anywhere in the country. He stayed close to home, however, to play for offensive-minded head coach Jeff Brohm. Not surprisingly, Bell got on the field immediately for the Boilermakers, starting nine of 12 games played and tying for 10th nationally with 7.2 receptions per game (86-1,035-12.0, seven TDs receiving; 3-12-4.0, one TD rushing in 12 games, nine starts) to earn Freshman All-American, Big Ten Freshman of the Year and honorable mention all-conference accolades. He was again the team's top target in 2020, garnering first-team All-Big Ten notice by scoring eight touchdowns in six starts and tying for fourth in the FBS with 8.8 receptions per game (53-625-11.8). Bell completed his career in West Lafayette as a first-team Associated Press All-American, Big Ten Conference Receiver of the Year and Biletnikoff Award finalist after grabbing 93 receptions for 1,286 yards (13.8 per catch) and six scores to lead his squad over 11 starts. He missed one game with a concussion and opted out of the team's bowl game to prepare for the NFL draft. -- by Chad Reuter

Analysis
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
NFL Comparison
Zay Jones
Overview
Inside/outside target who is more smooth than sudden in uncovering over the first two levels of the field. Bell is like a crafty pitcher with a limited fastball but a variety of pitches to get hitters out. He wins with process over speed and has an ability to keep man coverage off-balance with rhythmic route-running and detailed footwork. While the tape has several elements to excite the viewer, the lack of functional explosiveness, speed and change of direction he showed at the NFL Scouting Combine simply can't be ignored. He's a willing worker in the middle of the field and has a savvy element to his game, but he'll have to prove he's better than his testing suggested as a Day 3 prospect.
Strengths
Offers value working out wide or from the slot.
Volume target with 100-plus yards in 11 of last 17 games.
Unpredictable releases into the route.
Runs smooth routes with detailed footwork.
Balance and agility for more complex route tree.
Rhythmic route steps seem to put coverage to sleep at times.
Drifts into teeth of the defense without flinching.
Gathers and slows to protect catch from zone lurkers looking to hit.
Consistent back-shoulder adjustments when needed.
Maximizes yards after the catch.
Cuts and eludes tackle attempts.
Battles through contact with outstanding balance.
Weaknesses
Can be bounced off-balance inside the route.
Smooth but possesses average suddenness.
Intermediate and downfield routes are a little too one-speed.
Lacks optimal body type for combat catches.
Below-average win rate on downfield battles for the ball.
Build-up runner after the catch.

Purdue wide receiver David Bell projects favorably as a perimeter wide receiver at the next level. I admire the efforts put forth by the Purdue offense to ensure they manufacture enough touches for their top target in the passing game, as Bell’s menu of routes and concepts has featured quick game with stick routes and slants, designed touches in the screen game to the perimeter, and long-developing digs, posts, deep outs, and double moves vertically outside the numbers. I wouldn’t necessarily advocate for such a vast array of touches in the NFL, but I see a perimeter wide receiver with effective releases off the line of scrimmage, savvy work at the top of the route, and incredible body control and ball skills. Bell isn’t a dominant athlete and his athletic profile is one I perceive to be above average but not a mismatch problem. All the same, this is exactly the kind of receiver we see annually pass through the draft process and be available on Day 2 before making an impact and going on to have a successful pro career. Bell brought high level accolades with him from Warren Central High School (Indianapolis) to Purdue, where he helped lead multiple undefeated seasons over his football and basketball career. He’s a local legend and his upbringing, led by his mother and his grandparents, has helped to forge a highly competitive player and a person who receives high marks off the field as well. In all, I’d consider him a high-floor, high-ceiling prospect who has the football acumen to make an impact quickly as a rookie for the NFL franchise that selects him.

Ideal role: "X" receiver

Scheme tendencies: Balanced offense; he’s capable of winning in both the quick game and vertically down the field. Play-action shot concepts and MOF targets are likely his best ticket to high production.

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Kyle Crabbs

Games watched: Iowa (2020), Nebraska (2020), Oregon State (2021), Notre Dame (2021), Iowa (2021), Michigan State (2021), Ohio State (2021)

Best Game Studied: Iowa (2021)

Worst Game Studied: Notre Dame (2021)

Route Running: Bell is a route technician who affords no shortage of variety in his routes. There are ample head fakes, double moves, stutter steps, and adjusted stems in his game. Bell has been a killer against both man and zone coverage and wins to all levels of the field at the college game. I’d expect his release to afford him wins against press in the NFL as well and his savvy with hands, head, and feet at the top of routes to allow him success in the quick game. I like his resume best as an intermediate target.

Hands: He’s very “plucky” in this area and shows very good strength in his hands to squeeze the football. There were only a few throws that ate him up and most of them were perimeter routes that had the ball hot and behind him. He’s made some eye-popping grabs and I really appreciate his skill to win at the catch point and not allow defenders to break his grasp.

Separation: Vertically, I don’t necessarily see the dynamic speed necessary to consistently stack defenders and be a consistent threat, but with double moves I do suspect Bell will get some chunk gains off sluggos, out-and-ups, and stutter moves. But when he’s working routes with hard breaks, I expect that’s where you’ll see him more consistently break free and make himself available.

Release Package: There’s a fair variety of looks we’ve seen from Bell. I didn’t see a lot of pure press, although he did run through one on a crosser vs. Iowa (2021) for a big gain. His stutter release is effective and efficient to freeze DBs and his speed release to push vertically has enough juice to force defenders to sag and respect his ability to close ground and get on top of their toes.

Run After Catch: This is one of the more modest areas of Bell’s game. He’s not especially dynamic in short spaces and his long speed is fairly average. But when he draws man coverage he has shown the ability to shrug off contact and get upfield for added yardage. If he’s taking throws in stride, I do think he’s capable of making housecalls in an offense that stresses defenses with spacing and allows him enough room to get north and open his strides.

Ball Skills: Go ahead and watch his acrobatic catches downfield against Indiana (2019) and Notre Dame (2021) if you want a sampling of what he can do. He’s tremendous here and his late adjustments do well to deter defensive backs in man coverage for IDing the ball quickly, too. His catch radius is already high with strong hands but his ability to contort himself provides his quarterback with a lot of wiggle room.

Football IQ: I’m impressed with his polish as a route-runner. Bell showcases awareness to attack leverage ahead of the top of the route, boosting his passer’s throwing windows to make himself available. He does a lot of the little things: he extends and works back to the football. He navigates the sideline at a very high level. He’s effective in locating the ball vertically. He’s a natural and a technician, which is a great blend.

Versatility: I do think Purdue asked him to do more as an all-around target than what we’ll see translate, but as I previously acknowledged, I can appreciate the self awareness that he was comfortably the best option with the ball. I see little issue with working inside versus outside and his ability to work the middle of the field is a valuable piece of the puzzle if a team wants to move him at the snap with short motion or get him into stack releases and rub him clean.

Competitive Toughness: It is hard not to appreciate the fearlessness that Bell plays with. He’s got his clock cleaned several times at the catch point, including by Kyle Hamilton this past season against Notre Dame, but contact at the catch point rarely bothers him and he showcases very good focus. His effort in the run game and in the screen game for manufactured touches for teammates is notable as well—he put forth great effort in front of Rondale Moore in 2020 upon his return late in the year and busted his tail to get inside leverage as a blocker.

Big-Play Ability: Bell has had a knack for making some spectacular plays throughout the course of his career. He’s capable of winning contested catches and down the field as well. His RAC resume isn’t dominant, but he is physical and capable of bumping free for a big catch and run when working isolated in a one-on-one scenario. Concentration grabs and tough receptions in traffic with a big hit have energized and juiced his team on a number of occasions.

Prospect Comparison: Rashod Bateman (2021 NFL Draft, Baltimore Ravens)

SCOUT GRADES

TDN Consensus: 81.75/100 (Second Round Value)

Crabbs Grade: 81.50/100

Marino Grade: 82.00/100

Harris Grade: 80.00/100

Sanchez Grade: 83.00/100

Weissman Grade: 81.00/100

Parson Grade: 83.00/100

[Pckfn23]

CALVIN AUSTIN III | Memphis 5076 | 170 lbs. | rSR. Memphis, Tenn. (Harding) 3/24/1999 (age 23.09)

BACKGROUND: Calvin Austin III was born and raised in Memphis and started playing football and running track in elementary school. He attended Harding Academy, where he made varsity in track as a freshman and varsity football as a sophomore. Austin played wide receiver, defensive back and as a returner on special teams and helped lead Harding to three consecutive Division II state playoff appearances. After 482 receiving yards as a sophomore, he had his best season as a junior with 43 catches for 871 yards and 14 touchdowns, adding two rushing touchdowns to earn First Team All-State honors. As a senior, Austin averaged 153.0 all-purpose yards per game and added three interceptions on defense. He finished his prep career with 49 total touchdowns (24 receiving, 8 rushing, 6 punt returns, 5 kick returns, 4 interception returns, 2 fumble returns) and 3,492 all-purpose yards. Austin was even more accomplished in track, winning nine state championships and setting five school records. He set personal bests in the 100 meters (10.55), 200 meters (21.25) and 400 meters (48.35). A three-star recruit out of high school, Austin was the No. 88 athlete in the 2017 recruiting class and the No. 32 recruit in the state of Tennessee. His dream was to be a hometown hero and play for Memphis (also the university his father attended), but the football coaches didn’t offer a scholarship. The Memphis track and field coaches offered him a scholarship, but Austin’s plan was to run track and play football wherever he went. With the Bear Bryant rule in effect (if you play football, you cannot hold a scholarship in another sport), he joined the Memphis football team as a preferred walk-on and had to pay his way. After a standout performance vs. Houston midway through the 2019 season, Austin was officially put on scholarship. He was a part of the Memphis track team for two years and mostly ran relays (4x100, 4x400). His older sister (Cami) was a gymnast at Division III Centenary (La.). Austin graduated with his degree in political science (December 2020). Austin skipped the 2021 bowl game and accepted his invitation to the 2022 Senior Bowl.

STRENGTHS: Track athlete with above-average straight-line speed ... uses early hesitation to win over the top (five receptions of 50-plus yards in 2021) ... quick, controlled feet to collect himself at the top of routes ... has a feel for leveraging routes and finding open coverage zones ... dependable hands, and adjusts his body to scoop or dive when needed ... excellent tracking skills to adjust his route path and go get it ... quick to snatch, put the ball away, and reset his vision ... short but not slight, and runs with balance to fend off physical defenders ... averaged 11.1 yards per punt return with a pair of touchdowns (29/323/2) ... was a member of the Memphis track team for two years and finished seventh in the 60 meters (6.84) at the 2020 AAC Track & Field Championships ... tough guy, and played through a painful ankle injury most of his senior year ... No. 1 in the AAC in 2021 with 95.8 receiving yards per game.
WEAKNESSES: Undersized and doesn’t have the body type to get much bigger ... lack of length hinders him in tight coverage, leading to a low success rate in contested situations ... short arms also show with cornerbacks escaping his block attempts ... the fight is usually over when press corners get their hands on him at the line … benefited from a lot of quick game (hitches, screens, etc.) in Memphis’ offense and must continue to expand route tree ... flashes shifty skills after the catch, but struggled to consistently stack moves ... had three muffed punts the past two seasons.
SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Memphis, Austin was primarily an outside receiver in former offensive coordinator Kevin Johns’ scheme, but also lined up in the slot and the backfield. A former walk-on and member of the Memphis track team, he posted back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons and ranks top-five in program history in career receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. My favorite part of his game is how quickly he goes from pass catcher to runner — it’s seamless for him, and that immediate explosion puts added stress on coverage pursuit. For a player with his measurements and speed, I expected more missed tackles after the catch. Overall, Austin’s size will always be an issue, but his ball skills and athleticism with and without the football give him a chance to be a WR3 or WR4 in an NFL offense. His punt-return skills will help him stick on an NFL roster.
GRADE: 3rd-4th Round

image.png (64.91 KiB) Viewed 672 times

Rating: 80.25 (Long-term starter)

Pro Comparison: Isaiah McKenzie

Strengths:

Displays great acceleration and is able to create yardage after the catch. Soft hands. Shifty. Does a good job high pointing the football relative to his size. Good body control. Good field awareness. Gets up to speed quickly and does a great job of tracking the football.

Weaknesses:

Below-average height and thin frame. Physically not going to be able to contend with physical cornerbacks or taller players at the catch point. Can improve footwork at the stem and into his breaks. Would like to see him get his head back to the ball quicker.

Accolades:

Fifth-fastest 40-yard dash time (4.32 seconds) at combine
2021: First-team All-AAC

Austin is a Memphis native who always wanted to play for the Tigers. He joined the football team as a preferred walk-on (just like NFL wideout Anthony Miller) and the track squad as a sprinter. He earned 2019 second-team All-American track honors in the 4x100-meter relay and several All-American Athletic Conference honors in various events. As a redshirt freshman with the football team in 2018, Austin played in 11 games as a reserve (2-24-12.0 receiving; 83-yard TD in his only carry). He played in 13 games off the bench in 2019 (17-315-18.5, three TDs receiving; 4-3-0.8, one TD rushing), finally getting his scholarship after a team win against Houston in November. Austin was a first-team All-AAC selection in 2020 after ranking sixth in the FBS with 11 receiving touchdowns and eighth with 1,053 receiving yards on 63 receptions for 16.7 yards per catch. He also scored on one punt return that season (20-188-9.4). He led the Tigers in receiving again in 2021 (74-1,149-15.5, eight TDs in 12 games, including 11 starts) to receive first-team all-conference notice while also scoring on his only rushing attempt (69 yards) and on a controversial 94-yard punt return (5-135-27.0 on punt returns for the year). Austin opted out of the Hawaii Bowl but the game was eventually cancelled as the Hawaii football program had COVID-19 issues. -- by Chad Reuter

Analysis
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
NFL Comparison
Isaiah McKenzie
Overview
Productive playmaker with below-average size but above-average heart. Austin is below the acceptable size standards many teams have at wide receiver, but he is fearless, versatile and fast. He has proven he can handle the catch-and-run duties necessary in Memphis' quick game. He has the rapid-fire foot quickness and loose hips to take on a more complex route tree as an NFL slot target. His lack of size shows up in contested catch battles so he will need to fine-tune the route-running to improve his catch windows. Austin's ability to work all three levels of the field and handle punt-return duties increases his odds of becoming a Day 3 pick.
Strengths
Posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons.
Quick stem and release versus press.
Feet are fluid and fast throughout the route.
Gliding speed surprises the coverage.
Impressive break-and-open to shake coverage on deep comebacks.
Loose hips to elude coverage on short-area routes.
Reads the defense in scramble situations and finds open grass.
Does not play with fear despite his size.
Speed to eliminate tackle angles after the catch.
Jitter-and-go punt return talent.
Weaknesses
Diminutive target.
Can be knocked off route path by physical coverage.
Badly beaten when competing for 50-50 throws.
Needs to create a cleaner catch window as a pro.
Inconsistent selling his vertical push off the snap.
Quickly tackled with modest effort by defenders.
Bad habit of fielding punts inside the 5-yard line.

Calvin Austin III had a decorated football and track career at Memphis, but don’t confuse him as a track guy that plays football—Austin is an outstanding football player that also runs track. Austin is an explosive athlete that can take the top off the defense but is also lethal with the ball in his hands. His skill set demands touches in the quick passing game, on handoffs, and in the vertical passing game. Austin isn’t just a speedster, he is a nuanced receiver that runs great routes, has terrific hands, and has excellent ball skills. He features a diverse release package where he uses foot-fire, angles, and twitch to get off the line and into his routes. I love how he controls his speed and maximizes his opportunities to produce after the catch. When it comes to areas of concern, it comes back to his size. Austin is an undersized receiver that doesn’t offer much length. The good news for Austin is that he is outstanding at creating separation but contested catches and the physical components of playing receiver will be a challenge for him. Simply put, Austin is a dynamic playmaker and big-play machine. He has the makings of an electric top-three option for an NFL passing game that can also contribute in gadgety ways and as a punt returner. He will make an NFL team more explosive, but there are some limitations to be mindful of because of his frame.

Ideal Role: No.2/3 receiver that gets touches in a variety of ways

Scheme Fit: Spread

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Joe Marino

Games watched: SMU (2020), Cincinnati (2020), UCF (2020), Navy (2021), Mississippi State (2021), Tulsa (2021)

Best Game Studied: Mississippi State (2021)

Worst Game Studied: UCF (2020)

Route Running: While Austin can run away from coverage with his speed and quickness alone, he’s also a detailed route-runner. He is explosive into his route stems and puts notable stress on defenders to stay attached. He has a wonderful understanding of leverage and makes good adjustments on the fly. He is crisp and sudden through route breaks and is deceptive with his footwork and twitch.

Hands: Austin has natural hands and he routinely catches the ball in stride and carries speed through the ball to maximize his chances to produce with the ball in his hands. I was very impressed with his ability to extend for the ball despite a small catch radius. While he isn’t immune to an occasional drop, he is mostly consistent.

Separation: Austin is a separation specialist. Not only can he run past anyone down the field and can make defenders look like they are chasing a rabbit in the short areas, but Austin is also a detailed route-runner. He knows how to settle in zone and make himself available to the quarterback.

Release Package: Given Austin’s measurables, it would be easy to assume that he was a slot-only player in college but that was anything but the truth. More than 90% of his reps in 2021 came outside and more than 77% of his reps in college overall were out wide. He uses foot-fire and twitch to clear jams, and corners have to be extremely cautious with him at the line of scrimmage because they can be left in the dust in a hurry. He does such a good job of reducing his surface area and exploding out of his stance that it just becomes very difficult for defenders to get their hands on him and create jams. Of course, he will be challenged in new ways in the NFL, but he has a diverse release package.

Run After Catch: Austin is electric with the ball in his hands. He has lethal speed and quickness that is complemented by good field vision. He consistently destroys pursuit angles and is fearless as a runner. He has the type of skill set that demands manufactured touches that’ll make the defense hold their breath.

Ball Skills: Austin does a good job of tracking and adjusting to the ball in the air and has wonderful body control. With that said, his catch radius is tiny and winning through contact is a challenge given his size. He does well to maximize his catch radius and compete at the catch point but the reality is that there are limitations. The good news for Austin is that he does such a great job of separating that those limitations aren’t often manifested on the field.

Football IQ: Make no mistake about it, Austin is a track and field star AND he’s a football star. Any notion that Austin is a track guy trying to play football is a poor assumption and not rooted in what Austin proved at Memphis. Austin has natural pass-catching instincts and good route-running technique. His heads-up punt return against Mississippi State in 2021 is a perfect example of his situational awareness.

Versatility: Austin has plenty of experience playing out wide but also projects well from the slot. He can impact an offense in so many ways including down the field, on quick passes, and on handoffs where he has the ability to produce big plays. Austin was never given a single rep as a kick returner in college. He does have some experience as a punt returner, where he has two return touchdowns but also a concerning amount of muffs across a relatively small sample size.

Competitive Toughness: Austin is an extremely undersized player but he is fearless on the field which is evident in how he competes with the ball in his hands. Obviously, his diminutive frame presents some restrictions and he isn’t going to make an impact as a blocker and small amounts of contact can take him off the menu on a given play.

Big Play Ability: Austin is a big-play machine. He is a dynamic vertical threat and yards after catch guy but he also has three rushing touchdowns on eight career carries and averaged more than 21 yards per attempt. He has two punt return touchdowns in only 29 return attempts. He is lightning in a bottle.

Prospect Comparison: Darnell Mooney (2020 NFL Draft, Chicago Bears)

SCOUT GRADES

TDN Consensus: 79.17/100 (Third Round Value)

Crabbs Grade: 79.00/100

Marino Grade: 78.50/100

Harris Grade: 78.00/100

Sanchez Grade: 79.50/100

Weissman Grade: 79.00/100

Parson Grade: 81.00/100

[Pckfn23]

KHALIL SHAKIR | Boise State 5117 | 196 lbs. | SR. Murrieta, Calif. (Vista Murrieta) 2/3/2000 (age 22.24)

BACKGROUND: Khalil (kuh-LEEL) Shakir (shuh-KEER), who is one of four children, was born in Virginia and made several moves growing up as his father (Attiyah) was a master sergeant in the Marines. After spending time in Hawaii and Japan, the family moved back to the states when Shakir was in sixth grade and settled in Southern California. His favorite sport growing up was soccer, but he fell in love with football in junior high. He attended Vista Murrieta High, where he was called up to varsity action as a freshman. He became a starting wide receiver as a sophomore and accounted for 46 catches for 914 yards and 10 receiving touchdowns in 2015. As a junior, Shakir became more of an all-purpose weapon and averaged 7.1 yards per carry with six rushing scores, adding a pair of receiving touchdowns and seeing time on defense as a safety. He had his most productive season as a senior with 149.4 all-purpose yards per game. Shakir finished the 2017 season with 906 rushing yards (8.9 yards per carry), 243 receiving yards (15.5 yards per reception) and nine total touchdowns to earn All-District honors. He finished his prep career with more than 4,500 all-purpose yards. A four-star recruit out of high school, Shakir was the No. 22 athlete in the 2018 recruiting class and the No. 44 recruit in the state of California. He started to receive scholarship offers after his sophomore season and finished with several Pac-12 offers, including Colorado, UCLA and Washington State. Shakir committed to Boise State midway through his senior season. His older brother (Attiyyah Jr.) ran track at Coker University (2015-17). His older sister (Rahni) ran track at Livingstone College (2014). His younger brother (Tyreese) is a rising sophomore defensive back at FCS-level Portland State. Shakir became engaged to his fiancé (Salyer) in March 2022. He accepted his invitation to the 2022 Senior Bowl.
STRENGTHS: Polished route runner ... uses hesitation and timing to lull defenders and shake loose at the top of routes ... doesn’t give away his route path too early ... natural hands-catcher and snatches well in stride ... can twist his body to make midair adjustments ... accounted for a first down or touchdown on 75.3 percent of receptions ... quick first step to escape press or threaten defenders after the catch ... much tougher than he looks, and can take hits over the middle while finishing catches ... one of two permanent team captains in 2021, and coaches call him “selfless” and a “true” team guy ... averaged 8.0 yards per punt return (23/184/0) and 23.8 yards per kick return (8/190/0) ... also had 71 carries and five pass attempts over his career ... finished his career No. 5 in school history in catches (208) and No. 4 in receiving yards (2,878).
WEAKNESSES: Quicker-than-fast, and lacks ideal long speed (doesn’t consistently play up to his timed speed) ... flashes some elusiveness, but missed tackles were infrequent on film ... shorter arms, and needs to add more bulk to his frame ... aggressive NFL cornerbacks will be able to out-muscle him mid-route ... will attempt to trap the ball or run before securing it, leading to easy drops ... has the same number of career drops (20) as touchdown catches (20) ... half-hearted blocker on screens and in the run game.
SUMMARY: A three-year starter at Boise State, Shakir was the H receiver in offensive coordinator Tim Plough’s offense, lining up primarily in the slot. One of the most prolific receivers in school history, he averaged 121.5 all-purpose yards during his junior and senior seasons, which was No. 1 in the Mountain West Conference over that span. While he isn’t a true burner, Shakir skillfully uses gear control to set up defenders and create pockets of separation with his short-area quickness. He has terrific body control, which is evident in his routes, at the catch point and as a ball carrier. Overall, Shakir has average triangle numbers, but he is a crafty route runner with excellent hand-eye coordination and adjustment skills. He projects best in the slot and can handle return responsibilities.
GRADE: 4th Round

image.png (62.32 KiB) Viewed 669 times

Rating: 81.61 (Long-term starter)

Pro Comparison: Golden Tate

Strengths:

Shakir ran a 4.43 40 at the combine and he showed off that speed during the season where he was frequently used on end arounds. He is regularly in the right place at the right time, excels vs. man according to PFF's metrics, though he feels like he's much better suited to have success vs. zone. Can run through arm tackles in space, and shows off flashes of big-play potential. He's at his best as reliable target on short, quick routes where he runs hard after the catch and has YAC ability off short screens.

Weaknesses:

He can struggle with drops at times and doesn't run a wide variety of routes, though that was more a function of his college offense. He can occasionally get pushed off routes and he'll need to get stronger and more physical at the next level. And while he ran the fast 40 time, and is a long strider, he doesn't appear to have an extra gear to create separation deep into routes.

Accolades:

2021: Third in Mountain West in rec yards (1,117) and fifth in rec (77)
Two-time All-Mountain West first team (2020, 2021)

In 2019, Shakir performed like the four-star prospect that recruiting services labeled him coming out of Vista Murrieta High School in California. He was an honorable mention All-Mountain West Conference selection as a sophomore, leading the Broncos with 63 receptions that covered 872 yards (13.8 per rec.) and scoring six times on the year. Shakir was a first-team all-conference selection as a junior team captain, ranking 13th in the FBS with 7.4 receptions per game in seven starts (52-719-13.8, six TDs). He contributed in one of 10 games played as a true freshman (16-170-10.6, one TD) before a knee sprain ended his season prematurely. Shakir was limited in spring 2021 practices after having surgery on a lower body injury, but that did not affect his play in the fall, as he led the Broncos with 77 receptions, 1,117 receiving yards (14.5 per catch) and seven scores in 12 games (11 starts) to once again land first-team all-league honors. He also rushed for 130 yards on 21 carries (6.2 per att.) and returned kickoffs (3-80-26.7) and punts (9-115-12.8). -- by Chad Reuter

Analysis
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
NFL Comparison
Antwaan Randle El
Overview
A coach's dream, combining competitive nature, exciting versatility and elite character on and off the field. For a short-armed player with average explosiveness, Shakir puts an emphatic stamp on games. He's more football player than prototypical slot receiver and needs to prove he can handle an increase in contested catches. He can be activated from a variety of alignments with the vision, wiggle and toughness to move the chains once the ball is in his hands. He finds a way to frequently show up on the notepad when watching tape and his will to outperform the guy across from him should not be overlooked. Shakir should become a valuable piece for a creative play-caller.
Strengths
High-character player.
Voracious competitive spirit and vastly versatile.
Receiver used on direct snaps, as a running back, on jets sweeps and in return game.
Motor rarely gives opponents a chance to catch their breath.
Laser-focused once the ball is snapped.
No down gear into the teeth of the defense as route-runner.
Low center of gravity for sudden route cuts/breaks.
Creates throwing windows with leverage, footwork and strength.
Concentration to make wild circus catches.
Relishes contact and can play through it.
Absolute menace with the ball in his hands.
Patient runner with vision and a foot hovering over the gas pedal.
Weaknesses
Very short arms and lacks explosiveness as a leaper.
Making a big step up in coverage competition.
Won't run away from defenders.
Might be quicker than fast.
Better polish and speed variance needed to disguise intentions.
Inconsistent working back to the throw.
Lacks desired physical traits some teams demand.
Sources Tell Us

"Better person than player and he is a hell of a player. You have to make your focus all the things he does well because he's going to keep doing them as a pro." -- Personnel director for AFC team

Khalil Shakir is a sufficiently proactive athlete with regards to his initial quickness and long speed. He also shows adequate run-after-catch ability with the ball in his hands. In the passing game, he has sufficient initial quickness off the line of scrimmage. He has some separation quickness at the top of the route. He needs to attack leverage better but shows a good understanding of how to sit down in zones. He has good tracking ability on deep balls and shows hand-eye coordination to secure the catch. He appears to have adequate play speed with regards to deep routes but has been effective in the short-to-intermediate range as well. He seems to lack some nuance regarding defeating man coverage. He appears to have adequate long play speed but has been effective against underneath zone coverage. Doesn't give great effort as a stalk blocker in the run game and appears somewhat disinterested in this aspect of the game.

Written by Drae Harris

FILM EVALUATION

Games watched: Nevada (2021), Fresno State (2021), SDSU (2021)

Best Game Studied: Nevada (2021)

Worst Game Studied: SDSU (2021)

Route Running: He is an average route-runner overall. This is mainly due to his lack of dynamic ability at the top of the route. He can improve at attacking leverage in man-coverage situations.

Hands: He is a good hands-catcher, although there are instances of him allowing the ball into his frame. There are not many instances of him dropping passes in games I evaluated.

Separation: He doesn't create a lot of separation at the top of the route. He tends to round off his breaks some and can become a little lazy when he isn't the primary target.

Release: He is sufficient off the line of scrimmage against press. He doesn't have elite speed to threaten deep after he clears the jam. He could afford to improve his upper-body strength to help him defeat press in a couple of different ways.

Run After Catch: He can run after he has secured the catch. He is elusive in space and is a threat to score. This is also evident in his return skills in the kicking game.

Ball Skills: He plays with good ball skills. Evidenced in his ability to adjust when the ball is in the air. He does a good job with his catch efficiency, as well.

Football IQ: He displays good football IQ. He can adjust when his man is coming off him on a CAT blitz. He plays with good awareness and keeps an eye out for zone coverage on shallow crossers

Versatility: He brings average versatility to the position. On offense, he is a one-position player who should remain in the slot. He does have some upside in the kicking game.

Competitive Toughness: He displays competitive toughness in his ability to compete in contested-catch situations.

Big Play Ability: He is a big-play threat whenever his number is called. He lacks elite speed to consistently beat you vertically.

SCOUT GRADES

TDN Consensus: 77.67/100 (Third Round Valuation)

Crabbs Grade: 78.50/100

Marino Grade: 78.50/100

Harris Grade: 76.00/100

Sanchez Grade: 78.00/100

Weissman Grade: 78.00/100

Parson Grade: 77.00/100

[Pckfn23]

Alright, here is your 1 stop shop for the consensus top 15 receivers from CBS, NFL, The Athletic, and The Draft Network.

Feel free to add more if you like!

[BF004]

[BF004]

I built up a metric here that will kind of combine Packer traits.

Kind of built off 40 threshold, height/weight, agility, jumping, age, and arm/hand size. Weighted as I saw fit.

I would say the score is most relevant at the top of the draft, it is very highly age weighted, but we have taken a fair amount of older players later in the draft.

But now you don't have to go check 3 cone and RAS and age every time you look at a WR prospect.

Code: Select all

PLAYER                COLLEGE        SUPER BF AWESOME SCORE
Kevin Austin          Notre Dame           2.47
Tyquan Thornton       Baylor               1.69
Alec Pierce           Cincinnati           1.62
George Pickens        Georgia              1.24
Drake London          Southern California  1.22
Christian Watson      North Dakota State   1.17
Romeo Doubs           Nevada               1.01
Jameson Williams      Alabama              0.99
Makai Polk            Mississippi State    0.9
Erik Ezukanma         Texas Tech           0.66
Garrett Wilson        Ohio State           0.65
Mike Woods            Oklahoma             0.64
Dontay Demus          Maryland             0.59
Chris Olave           Ohio State           0.57
Bo Melton             Rutgers              0.5
Devon Williams        Oregon               0.46
Skyy Moore            Western Michigan     0.44
Khalil Shakir         Boise State          0.38
Jayden Reed           Michigan State       0.36
Calvin Austin III     Memphis              0.31
Jalen Tolbert         South Alabama        0.26
Tyler Snead           East Carolina        0.25
Treylon Burks         Arkansas             0.18
John Metchie          Alabama              0.15
Kearis Jackson        Georgia              0.13
Danny Gray            Southern Methodist   0.1
Ty Fryfogle           Indiana              0.04
David Bell            Purdue               0.01
Jalen Nailor          Michigan State       -0.08
Calvin Turner         Hawaii               -0.09
Jerreth Sterns        Western Kentucky     -0.09
Braylon Sanders       Mississippi          -0.15
Emeka Emezie          North Carolina State -0.15
K.D. Nixon            Southern California  -0.32
Jahan Dotson          Penn State           -0.39
Justyn Ross           Clemson              -0.46
Charleston Rambo      Miami (FL)           -0.54
Jaquarii Roberson     Wake Forest          -0.61
Josh Johnson          Tulsa                -0.64
Wan'Dale Robinson     Kentucky             -0.67
Changa Hodge          Virginia Tech        -0.72
Stanley Berryhill III Arizona              -0.72
Tarique Milton        Iowa State           -0.83
Samori Toure          Nebraska             -0.83
Kyle Philips          UCLA                 -0.85
Johnny Johnson III    Oregon               -0.91
Jaivon Heiligh        Coastal Carolina     -0.97
Velus Jones Jr.       Tennessee            -0.98
Tay Martin            Oklahoma State       -1
Tre Turner            Virginia Tech        -1.13
Reggie Roberson Jr.   Southern Methodist   -1.36
Britain Covey         Utah                 -1.4
Slade Bolden          Alabama              -1.53
Dontario Drummond     Mississippi          -1.57

[NCF]

I built up a metric here that will kind of combine Packer traits.

Kind of built off 40 threshold, height/weight, agility, jumping, age, and arm/hand size. Weighted as I saw fit.

I would say the score is most relevant at the top of the draft, it is very highly age weighted, but we have taken a fair amount of older players later in the draft.

But now you don't have to go check 3 cone and RAS and age every time you look at a WR prospect.

Code: Select all

PLAYER                COLLEGE        SUPER BF AWESOME SCORE
Kevin Austin          Notre Dame           2.47

Austin was my pick in Group Mock for the Packers at the top of Round 4.