NFL Draft 2022 - Day 2

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If we select Pickens next.

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I heard Gute mention quite a bit about Walker allowing us freedom of personnel packages. I would expect therefore a lot more 2 ILBs on the field and a lot less 3 safeties on the field.

Therefore, I would be surprised if a safety is targeted today.

[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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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]

That should be it for Round 2 WRs, but you never know. David Bell might sneak in there.

[Scott4Pack]

I saw Larry McCarren's brief interview with Guty after round one, asking Cute if there might possibly be any chance of drafting a WR on day 2. Guty's reply, "We'll let the board come to us..."

Love it! He's a real good GM.

[paco]

My targets for day 2...

Edge - Ojabo, Logan Hall, Paschal, Bonitto
DL - Travis Jones, Perrion Winfrey (Less so now with the Wyatt pick but why not)
S - Jalen Pitre, Jaquan Brisker, Cross
CB - Gordon, Booth, Woolen
LB - Troy Anderson
OL - Luke Goedeke, Abraham Lucas, Raimann
TE - Woods, Dulcich, Ruckert
WR - Pickens, Waston, Pierce, Metchie, Moore, Thornton

[YoHoChecko]

I’ll add that I think Tyquan Thornton is a third round player. Not sure what it is that pushes him to day three in most rankings.

[paco]

I’ll add that I think Tyquan Thornton is a third round player. Not sure what it is that pushes him to day three in most rankings.

I actually meant to have him on my list. I have no issues with him in the 3rd.

[NCF]

What is everyone watching tonight for coverage? Not sticking with the big networks tonight.

[Acrobat]

What is everyone watching tonight for coverage? Not sticking with the big networks tonight.

I'm going to a concert tonight, so I'll be glancing at my Apple Watch.

[go pak go]

What is everyone watching tonight for coverage? Not sticking with the big networks tonight.

CheeseHead TV and NFL Network on Mute.

[paco]

Not in love with trade up scenarios in round 2. Want to maximize picks today. If we are going to take a TE like Woods, Ruckert, or Dulcich, it probably has to be today (and I want to).

Maybe we can fleece the Colts with 53 + 132 for 42. But that doesn't seem likely. But maybe get to 44 or 45. I don't want to give up the 3rd round pick (enough with your nonsense). In fact, I may want to trade back with 59.

[paco]

Hardest day of the draft. In round 1, you know you aren't getting most of them. Day 2 is full of hope and lots of names that go to teams other than yours. You become a fan of the player pre-draft and they are immediately awful once drafted by your division rival.

[BF004]

Should be another interesting day.

Packers a trade up threat just about every point today