2021 NFL Draft Prospects: Wide Receiver

2021 NFL DRAFT PROSPECTS - WIDE RECEIVER

Click on the names of the prospects below to see their draft profiles:

Height: 6’1”. Weight: 175lbs

PRO’S: The ultimate route runner. So smooth out of his stance and quickly into his route. Graceful through the stem, with perfect footwork and timing to break sharply and garner separation with ease. Sneaky speed off the snap - excellent twitch to surprise man coverage or eat up space in off-man. Long legs and accelerates quickly with little wasted steps or inefficiency. Has the long, straight line speed to beat defenders vertically and command attention from safeties, but even in short area situations will distance himself from his opponent. Excellent, graceful hands that seem to feather the football. Long arms help him attack the ball at the high point, and despite slender frame is more than able to compete at the catch point for contested balls. Impressive wingspan has given him some highlight reel catches. Elusive to avoid press at the line of scrimmage and also with the ball in his hands, evading the first tackle before racking up the YAC. Crazy production in an ultra-competitive receiving corps at Alabama.

CON’S: His size is problematic. Smith has done an excellent job of avoiding injury issues at the collegiate level with his intelligence and positioning, but in the NFL where everyone is bigger and faster he might not have the same fortune. His frame looks maxed out at 175lbs and he won’t be able to add more functional strength to his game. Competed as a blocker but will be less reliable in that role at the next level. Maintaining the redline and being able to box bigger bodied cornerbacks out look to be his biggest challenges as an outside route runner.

SIMON CARROLL: “The size concerns might be legitimate, but it only takes a few games of tape to understand that it is highly unlikely that they keep DeVonta Smith from succeeding in the NFL. Uniquely focused on perfecting his game, Smith’s route running and pass catching ability is off the charts and when you put that with his elite athleticism then it’s no wonder this kid set multiple NCAA records and won the Heisman Trophy. He’s competitive but clever, and thriving amongst names such as Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs and Jaylen Waddle tells you just how good he is. I think his size, as well as the feeling he is already at the top of his game, means he goes after Waddle and Chase. But whichever team is lucky to get Smith will have a multiple Pro Bowl receiver on their roster.”

NFL COMPARISON: MARVIN HARRISON

PROJECTION: TOP 10 PICK

Height: 5’11” Weight: 189lbs

PRO’S: Electric, versatile weapon that exploded onto the scene his final season in Gainesville. Shifty as hell, and trying to keep him in your sights is a nightmare. Quick twitch speed straight off the snap, and has the elite speed to challenge seams and sidelines vertically. Pace is so dangerous that opponents are forced to give him too much cushion, and he makes them pay with crazy short area agility. Can change direction on a dime, with little in the way of loss of motion. Dynamite, game changing ability with the ball in hand, and if you give him open field it’s game over. Tuned in endzone radar; scored 10 touchdowns in just 11 games as a senior. Ultra-versatile and multi-dimensional; can line up in the backfield, inside or outside, used on trick plays and is also a dangerous punt and kick returner.

CON’S: Raw. Lack of finesse to his route running; shows good deception to create space, but fails to stay on a disciplined line or attack his breaks to compliment his agility. Really rounds out his cuts to try and maintain speed rather than maximise separation. Improvement has been seen as a senior, but wasn’t trusted with a full route tree. Ad lib, off script style of play is as problematic as it is advantageous, and he struggled to create chemistry with the QB until Kyle Trask broke out in 2020. Slightly undersized and has had a tough time staying out of the treatment room at Florida - missed gametime with ankle, wrist, shoulder and shin injuries during his four years as a Gator.

SIMON CARROLL: “Dynamic doesn’t come close to describing Kadarius Toney. He’s one of those rare elusive jitterbug receivers that stands to make a massive impact in the NFL if he finds himself in a creative offense. Persistent injuries notwithstanding I actually think his frame looks pretty solid for an undersized weapon, and hopefully they are a thing of the past. He certainly showed no ill-effects in a truly incredible senior year, and has forced his way into first round consideration. He needs to be used in every role imaginable to get the most out of him; he even took handoffs in Florida and some wildcat packages shouldn’t be out of the question. But more conventionally jet sweeps, screens etc will be where a team can give him the ball in space and let him go do his thing.”

NFL COMPARISON: PERCY HARVIN

PROJECTION: 1ST ROUND PICK

Height: 6’3”. Weight: 200lbs

PRO’S: Physically gifted receiver. Tall and long, Marshall provides a big downfield target for a quarterback. Attacks down the sideline with zeal, driving at the hip of the cornerback before turning on the jets and breaking into the deepfield. Long strider who covers ground quickly and has the long speed to be problematic for man coverage. Goes up for the football and ALWAYS comes down with it; 50-50 jump balls just aren’t even contests. Positionally aware when the ball is in the air, maintains his frame between ball and opponent, and is a natural at tracking the football as it comes over his shoulder. Long arms help him bring in errant passes way outside of his frame. Showed positional versatility after dominating on the outside as a sophomore before playing the majority of the snaps in the slot last season. Stupid productivity with 23 TD’s and almost 1,400 yards in his last 19 games.

CON’S: Inconsistent motor, and a flurry of instances on tape suggest he’s checked out on plays: allowed top speed to fall off if he didn’t think he was getting the football and didn’t consistently attack the breaks in his route with 100% effort. Significant increase in dropped passes in his final season in Baton Rouge. Very tall and slender, which may make him susceptible to bigger bullies on his routes at the next level - although he is growing into his frame and it looks to be able to hold more muscle mass. Route running in general was exposed as a work in progress in the slot last year. Blocking currently hit and miss, although he doesn’t shy away from his duties in this area.

SIMON CARROLL: “Terrace Marshall, at twenty years old, is more of a man than i’ll ever be, and he’s still got some way before he’s the best version of himself. That should be a scary thought for NFL defenses; if you watch the way he physically dominates in one on one situations then his upside is off the charts. Raw and sometimes undisciplined in his approach to every snap, Marshall isn’t quite the finished product, and his route running in particular will want to get much crisper if he’s going to get more slot duties and truly diversify the portfolio he brings to the next level. Likely a bigger impact in year two rather than year one, Marshall is a high floor, high ceiling prospect who has the potential to sneak into the first round with a team happy to aid his development.

NFL COMPARISON: DEZ BRYANT

PROJECTION: 1ST ROUND PICK

Height: 5’7”. Weight: 170lbs

To read Oli Hodgkinson’s interview with Rondale Moore, click here:

PRO’S: Incredible playmaking ability, liable to explode in any scenario at any time. I’d be surprised if there was a quicker and more athletic prospect in this year’s draft class; Instant twitch speed off the snap and straight to 100mph. Fast throughout his routes - literally no dropoff in acceleration in and out of his breaks. That makes him a dangerous customer to deal with; already adept at nuanced route running, it’s impossible for opponents to know when he’s changing direction. Separation comes easily to Moore. Incredible athleticism in short areas, but also attacking the football in the air; Moore gives sometimes six inches to DB’s yet routinely closes that gap with his vertical leap to compete at the catch point. Rocked up frame and he isn’t intimidated by contact. Allow him the ball in space and you’re asking for trouble. Unrivalled versatility who can line up anywhere as a receiver or in the backfield as a ball carrier/gadget guy. Humble team leader at Purdue, who showed up in the biggest of moments.

CON’S: Diminutive height and weight; already considered undersized, Moore clocked in an inch shorter and 7lbs lighter than advertised at his pro day. Teams will rightly be concerned about his ability to stay on the field; he only played seven games in the last two years after a thigh injury in 2019 and an undisclosed lower body injury in the COVID-shortened 2020 season. With just twenty games on the clock Moore has spent a significant percentage of his college career on the sidelines. Still working on his timing with downfield passes, and tracking the ball over his shoulder needs development

SIMON CARROLL: “With one of the greatest freshman seasons in college football history, Rondale Moore was an instant star at Purdue. Almost 1,400 all purpose yards and 14 touchdowns that year, he will be fondly remembered for how he single handedly pulled Ohio State’s pants down. But read Oli’s interview with him and you will know he has the competitiveness and confidence to insist that standout performance is just an ordinary day’s work as far as he is concerned. Bringing incomparable game changing ability, Moore can play anywhere you want him to play, but excels with the ball in his hand and the field in front of him. The size is problematic - more so after he spent significant time in the treatment room during his college career - and he might have to wait until day two to hear his name called. But if he can stay healthy, he’s going to be a production machine and a fan favourite.”

NFL COMPARISON: CURTIS SAMUEL

PROJECTION: 2ND ROUND PICK

Height: 5’11”. Weight: 193lbs

PRO’S: Competitive, productive outside receiver with consistent success as a downfield threat in Stillwater. Slightly undersized but plays much bigger, challenging defensive backs with his body for premium position down the sideline and ripping contested balls out of the air at the catch point. Won 43 contested catches since his sophomore year - more than any other FBS receiver. Safe, strong hands and a natural receiver; single focus on reeling in the football; frequently making impressive catches under duress. Consummate route runner with good ankle and hip fluidity to execute clean breaks in his route and work himself some separation. Exploded onto the scene in 2018 with 12 scores and nearly 1,500 yards, and maintained those heady levels in his final two years at Oklahoma State.

CON’S: Slightly undersized, but more problematic has short arms. Not been an issue at the college level but there is doubt as to whether his ball skills and determination can overcome it against bigger and better cornerbacks. Speaking of; Big 12 defenses are notoriously leaky, and Wallace took advantage against some shoddy coverage, yet went into his shell a little out of conference. Lack of positional versatility demonstrated at college, aligning predominantly on the right side of the offense (as a ‘z’ receiver) and rarely saw game time in the slot. Not the quickest receiver despite success as a vertical threat, and there are instances on tape of him being railroaded off the line by handsy press corners. Showed no ill effects from an ACL tear as a junior, but NFL teams will want to check it out.

SIMON CARROLL: “Tylan Wallace exploded onto the scene as a sophomore in 2018, and despite maintaining that production and offering The Pokes an elite weapon on the outside he seems to have got lost in the shuffle somewhat in an overcrowded position group full of dynamic threats. Wallace doesn’t quite have the game changing ability with the ball in his hand as the likes of the Moore’s, Toney’s and Eskridge’s of this world, but I would argue his game is more diverse; despite being used vertically his crisp route running is underrated and his feisty attitude could serve well from the slot or running a lot more crossers where the game gets more physical. Sometimes his athletic or physical profile brings you hesitation but he routinely outperforms any supposed limitations, and at some point you just have to admit the kid has got the lot. He’s NFL ready and one of my favourites to make an instant impact as a rookie.”

NFL COMPARISON: STEVE SMITH

PROJECTION: 2ND ROUND PICK

Height: 5’9”. Weight: 184lbs

PRO’S: Dynamic receiver with huge playmaking ability. Lightning release that eats up ground in the blink of an eye. Dangerous deep speed, and clocked a 4.32 second 40-yard dash at his pro day. Agility is off the charts, and makes his route breaks look effortless. Creating separation on both deep and short routes comes naturally, able to sink his hips and explode into a different direction. Sure-handed pass catcher who dropped just ten catchable passes in his 199 targets. Excellent vertical leap and able to challenge taller opponents at the catch point. Comfortable operating over the middle and willing to put his body on the line to make the catch. Elusive; a huge endzone threat and game changing ability with the ball in his hand. Impressive production at Ole Miss and exploded in his final year in Lane Kiffin’s offense. Added value on jet sweeps, screens, manufactured touches in the backfield and as a returner on special teams.

CON’S: Small for the position. Rarely faced press coverage at Ole Miss, and with diminutive frame might struggle to maintain release - some teams will view him as a slot receiver only. Pre-snap recognition needs work; Moore needs to show better understanding of defensive coverage schemes and how best to attack them, particularly zone where he ran into trouble sometimes. Is elusive but takes some jarring hits across the middle, and needs to learn to be a bit more savvy in those situations to maximise longevity. Little offering as a run blocker, as his short arms and lack of anchor make it difficult for him to sustain contact. Production inflated in his final year in Oxford as he was constantly found ways to be given the ball in space.

SIMON CARROLL: “Electric on the field, Elijah Moore is one of those guys your eyes naturally gravitate to when watching the tape. Much like Kadarius Toney and Rondale Moore, Elijah Moore has splash play written all over him, but like those peers mentioned he comes with size concerns. It somewhat irritates me that some teams will discard him from their board without watching the tape, because Moore has displayed no durability concerns at the college level despite routinely reeling in suicide passes across the middle that inevitably mean his frame is taking a big hit. With his savvy, sharp route running and deep speed he should also be able to offer production outside the numbers, even if it isn’t on a full time basis. There are lots of things you can do with this kid on the football field - he might sneak into day one but the second round is as late as he will go.”

NFL COMPARISON: KJ HAMLER

PROJECTION: 2ND ROUND PICK

Height: 5’9”. Weight: 189lbs

PRO’S: Absolute burner who cannot be matched when it comes to linear speed. Quick twitch off the snap who, if he gets a clean release, will chew up ground in the blink of an eye. Just too fast to be controlled, simply ghosting past defenders in off-man coverage with little need for nuance to separate. Understands the danger his quickness possesses and is able to manipulate corners because of it; sets up his man with his eyes and head fakes, which they bite on early to increase their chance of staying in phase. Clever use of speed adjustment to lull opponents before turning on the gas and searing past them. Excellent timing at the catch point, meeting the ball with full extension without tipping off the DB early. Creates panic in a defense with the ball in his hands, and has huge plays littered throughout his college career. Dynamic punt and kick return ability. Shone at the Senior Bowl.

CON’S: Undersized and lack of functional strength to his game. Does a good job hiding his pads against press corners, but if they get their hands on him his release is significantly interrupted and he doesn’t get into his route stem with the same acceleration. Rarely used outside of a deep threat role; limited route tree run at Western Michigan. Small examples of short to intermediary work highlight some issues on sharp breaks - a noted lack of fluidity and doesn’t really sink his hips or maintain velocity through changes in direction. Hasn’t demonstrated consistent ability to make difficult catches, either errant passes or having to fight in traffic, and had some focus drops as a junior.

SIMON CARROLL: “Deep speed is a theme of this wide receiver class, but no prospect possesses the track speed of D’Wayne Eskridge. In fact, he’s a three-time state track champion in short distance running. Eskridge has utterly dominated MAC opponents during his time in Kalamazoo, routinely breaking off huge gains down the sidelines as cornerbacks failed miserably trying to stay in touching distance of him. He’s an intelligent receiver whose time moonlighting as a corner earlier in his Bronco career has helped him understand the best ways to mislead his opposite number. The lack of variance in his route tree was an unfortunate byproduct of WMU relying on his ability to take the top off a defense, but he answered some movement questions at the Senior Bowl and significantly improved his draft stock. He’ll be predominantly used in the slot at the next level to attack the seams, particularly early in his career, but offers outside versatility too and will be off the board early on day 2.”

NFL COMPARISON: TYLER LOCKETT

PROJECTION: 2ND ROUND PICK

Height: 5’10”. Weight: 211lbs

PRO’S: Impressive, twitched up speed off the line and into his route. Vertical threat from the slot with good straight line speed. Shaped like a running back and acts like one with the ball in his hands; low centre of gravity, difficult to tackle and can turn on the jets to maximise yardage. Stocky frame with plenty of muscle mass, and unperturbed by press coverage off the line of scrimmage. Is a savvy route runner with a good feel for zone coverages and where he needs to sit to open the passing window for his quarterbacks. Has good agility and sharp, sudden movements which make aid him in creating separation coming out of his breaks. Makes a point of extending his arms back towards the football and minimising the chance of someone jumping in on the reception. A multi-faceted playmaker at Clemson who was moved around and even given touches in the backfield.

CON’S: Lack of length and body style make him less of an effective threat on the perimeter. Won’t challenge longer, taller corners at the catch point no matter the effort - won on just five contested catches in his Clemson career. Straight line speed is good but won’t help him enough against off-man coverage enough to close the gap on his opponent and create separation deep; requires early victories on his route to be able to use his stout body to keep defenders out of phase. Limited playbook in Death Valley - strictly deep routes from the slot and manufactured touches, and will need to develop a much more varied and nuanced route tree. Suffered from a torn ACL as a junior which will need to be checked out. Struggled to impose himself on the depth chart behind the likes of Tee Higgins, Hunter Renfrow and Justyn Ross, only achieving a breakout season as a senior.

SIMON CARROLL: “I find it telling that Amari Rodgers took some handoffs at his pro day; he looks every inch a running back, and whilst some teams might feel a full-time transition to that position is on the cards I would suggest a hybrid role as an ‘offensive weapon’ would make the most of the Clemson receiver’s skillset. He’s primarily a slot receiver with excellent initial twitch to get a good foothold into his route and never gives his opponent the opportunity to get back involved; he immediately brings the ability to challenge the seams and with a bit of polish looks to have the agility to master a full route tree in time. The Kyle Shanahan’s and Sean Payton’s of this world will love manufacturing touches for this guy, who is a problem with the ball in his hand. He opens up the playbook for an offense, and I expect him to come off the board on day two.”

NFL COMPARISON: DEEBO SAMUEL

PROJECTION: 3RD ROUND PICK

Height: 6’4”. Weight: 215lbs

PRO’S: Prototypical size for an outside ‘x’ receiver in the NFL. Physically dominant and loves to impose his size and aggression on a cornerback. Relentless at the point of catch, bullying his body into favourable position and ripping the ball away from his opponent. Excellent length gives him a monster wingspan which he is adept at using, reeling in footballs that are headed out of bounds. Excellent focus on the football when being contested at the catch point, and doesn’t allow DB’s hands to interfere with the reception. Good acceleration and speed; elite twitch off the snap, often ignoring attempts to press him at the line of scrimmage. Gives himself enough separation on deep routes to put himself in the driving seat for the football. Ability to attack deep at speed forces defenders to respect his threat, opening up shorter comeback routes. Offers strong blocking skills from the perimeter.

CON’S: Something of a one trick pony; played a predominantly vertical route tree with little in the way of double moves or mid-level breaks. Doesn’t sink his hips into his breaks, rather arcing his route and telegraphing his destination to the defender. Lack of lateral movement and agility, and won’t provide value as a slot receiver unless he offers a mismatch to attack down the seam. Could be ‘found out’ at the next level, if faster DB’s just play him deep and then pounce if he sits or breaks towards the football. Isn’t dynamic with the ball in his hand, with little YAC ability - most of Collins’ yards come through the air before the catch.

SIMON CARROLL: “COVID seems to have thrown a real spanner in the works for Nico Collins, who would have hoped to showcase a little more diversity to his portfolio. Instead he opted out of 2020, and as such determining his progression is a bit blind at this point. Already something of a projection after enduring substandard quarterback play during his time in Ann Arbor, Collins excelled where he could; attacking the defense downfield and dominating defenders with his size and speed. Much like former teammate Donovan Peoples-Jones, Collins may be punished for being part of an underwhelming offense but he has already demonstrated traits that will be valued in the NFL. Whether or not his game has grown - or has room to grow - will split scouting opinion. But there’s no doubting that on his day he is unplayable, and I can see a team gambling a late day two pick on him.”

NFL COMPARISON: MIKE EVANS

PROJECTION: 3RD ROUND PICK

Height: 6’1”. Weight: 195lbs

PRO’S: Vertical threat with the deep speed to challenge the deep field against the quickest of secondaries. Release from the line of scrimmage is as clean as they come; quick up to speed and effortlessly into his route stem. Thrives against off man coverage on the outside, where he can swallow up the space immediately, leverage the corner by attacking his hip, and bending his line to create the space to run past. Excellent pass catcher of the deep ball with good tracking skills whilst the ball is in the air. Natural hands to reel in balls over his shoulder, extending them out late so as not to alert his opponent too early. Got some feistiness to him; loves the handfighting to compete at the catch point, and is committed as a blocker, looking for extra work when the ball unexpectedly flows his way.

CON’S: Almost solely used as a deep threat; the rare instances of sorter routes or slot duties showed less consistency creating separation. Linear speed not matched by short area agility; hips a little stiff and footwork heavy, whilst sharper breaks need a little more suddenness. Little in the way of danger with the ball in his hand, routinely being brought down by first contact. Lack of shiftiness in the open field reduces opportunity to maximise yards after the catch. Competitiveness not quite backed up by physical attributes; bigger corners will disrupt the contested catches when both are in good positions, and he finds it difficult to sustain blocks until the end of a play.

SIMON CARROLL: “Dyami Brown didn’t take long to start lighting up the stats columns once Sam Howell became quarterback at Chapel Hill; two 1,000 yard seasons with a total of 20 scores alludes to how the big arm of his QB unlocked his downfield potential. An ascending prospect, Brown has some skills that will give him the immediate opportunity to be a WR3 and take the top off a defense - if it’s a straight line route, such as a go route, or even a slant across the middle where he can open his legs, he’s going to be a nightmare to cover. Brown starts to encounter difficulties bringing consistent success with a more varied route tree, where his lack of agility is more pronounced. Polishing up his route running will improve his chances of having a more diverse role at the next level; his floor as an NFL receiver is established, and with some development he could be much more.”

NFL COMPARISON: TED GINN JR.
PROJECTION: 3RD ROUND PICK

Height: 5’9”. Weight: 165lbs

PRO’S: Unnatural speed; human beings just shouldn’t move that fast. Absolute pocket rocket who turns on the jets from the snap. Immediate release and instantly up to full speed, which allows him to fly past defenders and be uncovered with the smallest of route running nous. In three years at Louisville recorded 25 deep catches. Clever at the line of scrimmage against corners trying to jam him and slow him down; keeps his chest concealed and away from long arms and is elusive before and after he receives the ball. Forces the opposition to account for his whereabouts on every single snap, and has played all over the field for The Cardinals. Run after the catch ability is deadly - if he has any semblance of space he’s going to punish a defense. Amped up agility allows him to turn on a dime with no gearing down, particularly effective on comebacks or curls.

CON’S: Light as a feather; literally no healthy weight on his frame at all. If he can’t use his speed to win, he won’t win - any form of contact is to his detriment. Corners who give him a healthy cushion and can come down to the football and challenge the catch point are going to physically outmuscle him in the air. Anyone who can stay in phase long enough will be able to bully him, either boxing him out or squeezing him to the sideline. If defenders are able to initiate press contact then he just doesn’t have the strength to battle through it, and will likely be used solely in the slot where press is seldom used. Lack of any short or intermediary routes to his portfolio, and isn’t fond of working in traffic across the middle. As imagined, a liability as a blocker close to the pocket, but offers fair effort on the outside.

SIMON CARROLL: “Tutu Atwell comes off the line like he’s been fired out of a cannon and maintains that velocity down the field. A true home run threat, teams will be salivating at the thought of what he could bring to their passing game. There’s always the same ‘but’ with this style of receiver, and Atwell is no different in that his size makes you worry about his longevity in the league, and have you questioning how high a draft pick you can justify on an asset that might have a shorter than desired shelf life. But it goes further with Atwell; his tiny frame is actually a hindrance to his performance as well as being a magnet for injuries - he simply doesn’t have the play strength to compete on the outside at the next level. That makes him a slot receiver who won’t want to be doing the dirty work. His value to an NFL team is boosted with gadget plays, screens, jet sweeps, and maybe even operating out of the backfield, but in a class full of similar candidates, I struggle to see him going before the end of day two.”

NFL COMPARISON: TAVON AUSTIN

PROJECTION: 3RD ROUND PICK

Height: 6’1”. Weight: 195lbs

PRO’S: Well-polished receiver who has solid production each of his three years at USC. Excellent route runner; shows the ideal short area agility to sink his hips and attack breaks sharply to garner separation. Saw a lot of option routes at USC and is adept at finding soft zones to exploit, choosing the right option and being a reliable outlet for his quarterback. Working across the middle from the slot was his bread and butter where his fluidity and short area athleticism could be showcased, but also has good experience playing on the outside as well. Has excellent feel for routes developing and shows good timing to turn and locate the football. Understands down and distance and adjusts the depth of his routes accordingly. Unafraid to work in contested areas and doesn’t appear to hear footsteps at the catch point. Plays with good balance and a calm control over his movements.

CON’S: Doesn’t possess elite speed. Struggled to create separation on deep routes when moved to the outside. Unable to consistently break away with the ball in hand, making his YAC numbers underwhelming. Struggled with his release outside the numbers when corners were able to play press and jam him at the line of scrimmage, and if they delay him early they are able to stay in phase throughout the route. Final season saw some drops that were uncharacteristic the rest of his Trojan year. Doesn’t play fearful but isn’t physical; won’t initiate the contact and strive for the hard yards, and isn’t particularly committed as a blocker.

SIMON CARROLL: “Coming from a football family, Amon-Ra St. Brown follows his brother Equanimious into the NFL. He will hope to emulate what his brother has achieved in Green Bay with a game that looks suited to the role of slot receiver at the next level. Playing with excellent football smarts and knowledge of defensive schemes, St. Brown always seems to find space in the tightest area of the field, and whilst he doesn’t have the deep speed to be a consistent vertical threat he does have enough shiftiness to make a living in the short to intermediate areas. He’s far from a fully accomplished receiver, and teams will want to see more physicality and effort in the less glamorous aspects of the position. But he knows where the chains are and he should prove to be a valuable asset to an NFL offense.”

NFL COMPARISON: EDDIE ROYAL

PROJECTION: 3RD ROUND PICK

Height: 6’1”. Weight: 210lbs

PRO’S: Elite pass catcher. Some of the grabs he makes seem impossible; phenomenal body control down the sideline, holding the redline even if the ball is a little further outside the numbers than desired, widening the catch window and trusting his extension to reel it back in. Has a splash play in him, with the ability to make something out of what seems a lost cause or errant pass. Feisty and competitive - refuses to be manipulated as he works through his route, keeps his eye on the football, shows a good internal clock and relishes making contested catches. Considered a team leader and sets the tone with effort levels, particularly as a blocker. Sneaky long speed, and with most of his routes coming back towards the football has dropped a devastating double move once or twice during his time in Knoxville. Showed he can compete with the best of his peers at the Senior Bowl.

CON’S: Missing the quick twitch at the line of scrimmage to really kill off-man coverage from the get go. Little attention paid to the refinement of his route running, instead winning on natural talent, and as such separation is hit or miss and usually at a premium. Not a particular threat with the ball in his hand with poor yards after the catch averages every year at Tennessee, although his route tree having him break back towards the football more often than not could be a factor in that. Struggled to challenge the likes of Jauan Jennings and Marquez Callaway on the depth chart, and production as a Volunteer was underwhelming. Didn’t really pose an endzone threat until his senior year, and even then registered just 4 scores in 10 games.

SIMON CARROLL: “Each year you see prospects from schools such as Ohio State, Alabama and Clemson who have inferior natural ability but better production get drafted higher than their skill merits, and it’s because they are excellently coached, surrounded by talent and given roles that allow them to flourish. Josh Palmer at Tennessee had the complete opposite of that; coaches just threw him out there with a subpar surrounding cast and let him lean on his determination and excellent hand skills rather than doubling their return by refining his route running or ability to release off press. Naturally Palmer’s development is behind where it should be, but there are enough flashes to suggest that he could have a much better pro career than his collegiate one. He stands up at the biggest moments and his professionalism, competitiveness and catching ability should see him earn a roster spot alone. With some dedicated coaching an NFL team could unlock his true potential as a starting ‘x’ receiver.”

NFL COMPARISON: DOUG BALDWIN

PROJECTION: 4TH ROUND PICK

Height: 5‘10”. Weight: 182lbs

PRO’S: Game-changing speed. Embarrassed off-man coverage with his burst off the snap, leaving them for dust as he attacked the seam from the slot. Excellent stop-start quickness which poses all sorts of issues for coverage; forcing them on their heels as he threatens a deep route before effortless breaks at speed create comfortable separation. Manufactured touches highlighted Stevenson’s threat with the ball in his hands at Houston, accelerating away from pursuit the moment he has the ball under control. Turns ordinary looking plays into touchdowns and has a knack for getting in the endzone. As quick mentally as he is physically; understands how defenses are trying to control him and adjusts on the fly to avoid it. Excellent tracker of the football and is comfortable playing with his back to the ball and bringing it in over his shoulder. A special teams ace with three kick return TDs in his final two seasons as a Cougar.

CON’S: Over-reliant on his speed to win out, and the rest of his game needs some serious polish. Maintains a good line throughout his route but doesn’t add to the separation his quickness provides with body language or head tilts. Not a bad weight for his size but isn’t particularly physical in any aspect of play; big effort as a blocker and fighting on contested catches but both exercises are an uphill battle, getting overpowered at any point of contact. Can be nullified if press corners get their hands on him at the line of scrimmage and might need to be schemed open with bunch formations etc. to match his effectiveness in the NFL. Significantly injury prone; Redshirted his freshman year after a broken clavicle cut it short after just two games, and a torn ACL meant he didn’t see the field at all in 2017. Two better seasons followed until persistent ankle injuries as a senior restricted him to five contests.

SIMON CARROLL: “There are so many burners in this draft class that inevitably some of them are going to fall through the cracks. Marquez Stevenson, despite the lengthy injury history, should not be one of them. What I see on tape is a dangerous weapon whose speed stresses defenses to breaking point, and whilst he has sure hands and can stick his foot in the ground and change direction there are still plenty of things that can be cleaned up and take his game to another level. That’s the definition of upside, but it gets better - whilst you’re waiting for the final pieces to be put together, he’ll add special teams value and be one of those kick and punt returners who teams end up kicking the ball away from him he’s so dangerous. Without doubt medical teams will have to do their due diligence, and it behooves offensive coordinators to be careful with his snap count to maximise his longevity. But if he can stay on the field you’re getting an incredible return on an early day three investment.”

NFL COMPARISON: DEVIN HESTER

PROJECTION: 4TH ROUND PICK

Height: 6’4”. Weight: 227lbs

PRO’S: Long, well-proportioned outside receiver. Very physical demeanour, with good upper body strength to dispose of press coverage and win at the catch point. Dominates his space and bodies out any defender trying to get a look in. Underappreciated speed; very quick off the snap and closes the gap to off-man coverage very quickly. Has the long speed to test defenses vertically although there wasn’t much evidence of that on tape. Excellent tracker of the football and uses his length extremely well to highpoint the football out of his opponents reach. Impressive wingspan and he has some highlight reel moments down the sideline where he brings in wide balls one-handed. Understands situational football and adjusts the depth of his routes to move the chains. Has the strength, grit and determination to be a factor as a blocker and on special teams.

CON’S: Still very early into his football development; college career began in 2018 and he played just 16 games at Stanford - five as a starter - with modest production. Hasn’t quite developed his route running skills, showing poor positioning through his stem and a lack of suddenness at the top of his route. Short area athleticism not as impressive as his deep speed; changes of direction are tardy and he rounds out his breaks, altogether forcing him to rely on his physical presence to win contested catches rather than gain separation. Shows lapses in concentration and maddeningly has focus drops on simpler catches, trying to get upfield too quickly. At 23 he is a little older than most other prospects.

SIMON CARROLL: “ Simi Fehoko is an ascending talent whose ideal blend of size and speed make him a handful for defenders. A little behind on his progression arc, Fehoko had a delayed career with the Cardinal after going on a two year Mormon mission to South Korea. This does show throughout his tape - he really hasn’t had rough snaps to master the finer nuances of the position such as route running, and earning separation is by far his biggest challenge. It seems like even he isn’t aware of the speed he possesses or how best to use it, but it’s definitely there - a yards per reception average of 23.6 as a sophomore (18.5 in his college career) shows just how dangerous he can be. Add to that the bristling physicality he brings, the positional versatility to line up as a big slot, the special teams bonus he likely offers, and you’ve got yourself a serious investment opportunity. The way he destroyed UCLA in his final game alone should raise some eyebrows. Fehoko has sleeper written all over him.”

NFL COMPARISON: JUJU SMITH-SCHUSTER

PROJECTION: 4TH ROUND PICK

Height: 6’2”. Weight: 186lbs

PRO’S: Vertical threat receiver who has track speed outside of the numbers. A challenge for any defensive back to stay in phase with when he’s attacking the deep third of the field; once he opens his legs it’s a matter of when, not if he gets separation. Maintains speed with the ball in hand and is decidedly tricky to bring down in the open field. Excellent feel for the football in the air and is comfortable working with his back to the ball and reeling it in over his shoulder. Terrifying pace allows him to stack defenders and hit them with killer double moves to maximise separation and widen the catch window. Has some big rushing numbers courtesy of manufactured touches, particularly screens and jet sweeps where Iowa could get him up to full speed before finding contact. Has plenty of kick and punt return experience in all four years of his Hawkeye career.

CON’S: Despite impressive top speed, he can take a little longer than desired to reach it. Quicker in shorts than in pads. Quite leggy release from the line of scrimmage, and despite ability to make defenders miss with the ball in hand doesn’t offer the same elusivity off the snap. Press coverage is problematic for him to overcome efficiently. Slightly undersized despite adding a bit more weight to his frame as a senior, and this coincided with a drop in production. Contested catches will never be his forte, although he does show good perseverance and balance to maintain his route line under duress. Hands are a bit circumspect; too many body catches or juggled footballs despite catching uninterrupted, albeit with some poor QB play giving him errant balls to reel in.

SIMON CARROLL: “I really like Ihmir Smith-Marsette, predominantly because it is easy to project an effective role for him at the next level. ISM is the quintessential ‘x’ receiver, making a living on the perimeter and stretching the field for an offense. His speed will be what everyone talks about, but it is his sneaky misdirection and ability to make defensive backs look foolish as he creates separation that excites me the most. Being a part of a ground and pound football team with inadequate QB play has shielded his abilities to the college football world, and if he’s still on the board on day three he could be a steal. ISM’s game isn’t a fit for every offense; he’ll need a strong (Iowa strong!) offensive line with a QB who can hang in the pocket and give him time to work his magic in the deep third. And if he can be a little more savvy evading press, his career could surprise a few people.”

NFL COMPARISON: PAUL RICHARDSON

PROJECTION: 4TH ROUND PICK

Height: 6’3”. Weight: 224lbs

PRO’S: Big bodied pass catching machine, who reels in footballs for fun. Ridiculous leap on him; just goes up high and hauls in the football above everyone else’s head. has a good wingspan and frequently makes circus catches outside of his frame. Unbelievable hands; so many moments on tape where the ball came early and he had the quick response to make the reception. Big, strong torso has defensive backs just bouncing off him as they try to challenge him at the catch point, and well built arms aren’t affected by attempts at hands trying to get in and disrupt. Ultra competitive and likes to intimidate his opponent. A huge redzone target who is adept at offering an outlet and comfortable operating in confined spaces. Not quick but difficult to bring down once on the move. Smart football brain who understands coverage concepts he is facing and makes the necessary adjustments.

CON’S: Limited athleticism. Sluggish release, with a lack of twitch off the line and won’t eat up space quickly. Surprisingly meek against press coverage despite possessing the strength to compete, and needs to develop his hand usage in that regard. Has some stiffness in his hips, and doesn’t show consistency sinking them in and out of his breaks. Lack of separation as a result, forcing him to fight for the football when he wouldn’t have to. Tardy route-running, failing to keep a tight clean line and too easily lured into a disadvantageous position by his opponent. Long speed missing from his game, and he won’t be taking the top off a defense or forcing them to shade a safety in his direction.

SIMON CARROLL: “In a class full of explosive speed merchants, it’s nice to find a good old fashioned possession receiver to scout! Williams doesn’t have a complete skillset - far from it. His lack of quicks and short area agility make you want to keep him on the outside, but without the elite speed he’s not going to require serious gameplanning from a defense. That being said, all the man does is catch the football and move the chains; you throw it up there, and regardless of circumstance Seth Williams is coming down with itl. It might not be pretty but it’s mightily effective. For an imposing, strong, competitive wideout the lack of physicality he shows before the football arrives is alarming, and it might be the difference between him being a day two and a day three pick. But he does have the ability to start in the NFL.”

NFL COMPARISON: ALSHON JEFFREY

PROJECTION: 4TH ROUND PICK

Height: 6’3”. Weight: 215lbs

PRO’S: Physically dominant receiver with impressive ball skills that make him a vertical threat on contested catches. Excellent size and well built frame that he knows how to manipulate perfectly. Perfect body control allows him to attack his route tree with aggression, stacking the defender into an unfavourable position before smoothly flowing into his vertical breaks. Play strength and clever hand usage at the line of scrimmage allow him to fend off press coverage and get into his route stem in a timely manner. Stamps his authority at the top of his route, finding advantageous positioning and narrowing the opportunity for the defender to interfere. Able to high point the football and bring it down, even with unwanted attention. Has aligned both inside and outside at Wake Forest, and shown good production at all three levels.

CON’S: Doesn’t fire off the snap, instead building up his acceleration into his route. Doesn’t possess the long speed to take the top off a defense or beat coverage in a foot race, and won’t be commanding extra attention from single high safeties. Lack of suddenness to his breaks on sharp in or out routes, and fails to garner separation. Lack of wow or splash plays, and despite bringing good aggression with the ball in hand is simply not going to fly into space or pull away from trailing defenders. Physicality at the top of the route might bring some unwanted attention from stricter NFL referees; likes to put his hands on DB’s to help maintain his position between them and the football. Opted out of the 2020 season, meaning his progression from the breakout sophomore campaign and his recovery from a shoulder injury remain unknowns.

SIMON CARROLL: Something of a throwback perimeter receiver, Sage Surratt lived up to the hype during an extremely productive 2019 campaign that saw him break 1,000 yards and reel in 11 touchdowns. There is no denying that Surratt brings a limited offering as a wide receiver in today’s NFL; he has a modest athletic profile that removes any dynamic threat to his game, and teams wanting someone to stretch the field or uncover early from the line of scrimmage best look elsewhere. But he has maximised his strengths to create a very effective skillset that gets the job done. He owns the route, neutralises the threat of cornerbacks, and routinely brings the football in. An expert at manipulating the sideline to his advantage, Surratt also looks to project well as a ‘big slot’ receiver, meaning OC’s can move him around to find mismatch opportunities. He’s not a sexy pick, but he works his socks off to get every yard possible, and his draft range sits as a borderline day two/day three prospect.”

NFL COMPARISON: COLLIN JOHNSON

PROJECTION: 4TH ROUND PICK

Height: 6’0”. Weight: 179lbs

PRO’S: True track speed; Schwartz has set a litany of sprinting records, including a youth world record 100 meter time of 10.15 seconds three years ago. Scary straight line speed strikes fear into defenses, and he must be accounted for with safety help. Speed is at the heart of every aspect of his game; blazes off the line with a track style start and consumes the distance between him and off-man coverage in the blink of an eye. Runs right by press coverage, routinely avoiding hands to his abdomen. Stacks the cornerback so quickly they don’t know which way to try and lead him, then plants one foot in the ground and drives past them, opening up the deep field. Very little loss of speed or energy coming out of his breaks. Breakaway ability with the ball in his hand.

CON’S: Plenty of work to be done to improve his game. Route running is tardy, and he is too reliant on his athleticism to beat corners rather than maintaining route discipline. Catching the football seems something of an afterthought, and he routinely loses track of the football, something his foot quickness can sometimes get him out of jail on. Has a remarkably low yards per catch average considering his burner profile, although this may be due to an inconsistent passing game during his time at Auburn. Poor choice of direction after the catch has limited his number of big plays. Hands are sloppy; has had some crucial focus drops, and can disappoint you when a big play is there for the taking. Slender frame makes him ineffective as a blocker, and lack of core strength costs him when contesting at the catch point.

SIMON CARROLL: “The classic Al Davis line ‘you can’t teach speed’ is well known, and whilst it simplifies the other virtues of the position it is as true today as it was back then. Anthony Schwartz is currently nothing but speed; a straight line streaker who not many people on this earth can keep up with. That obviously creates advantages downfield, with separation for himself but also opening up the rest of the field for his teammates. But this isn’t a track meet, and Schwartz needs to add a lot more to his portfolio before he can truly claim to be a wide receiver. He’s yet to learn how to beat anyone with anything other than speed, and his hands are circumspect at best. That gives him room to grow and a high ceiling, but a low floor as you just don’t know, after 33 games at Auburn, whether he’ll ever put it all together. A boom or bust prospect who will polarise scouting opinion.”

NFL COMPARISON: DARIUS HEYWARD-BEY

NFL PROJECTION: 4TH ROUND PICK

Height: 5’11”. Weight: 184lbs.

PRO’S: With eight straight playoff appearances, the Jackrabbits are a leading FCS program, featuring a strong offense. Over the past twenty years though, Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert is the lone offensive draft pick out of SDSU. That surely changes in 2021 however, with Johnson looking worthy of a mid-round selection. The standout small school receiver may lack size but ticks most other boxes.

Johnson has put together two seasons of proven production and dominance over the competition faced. He backed that up by excelling against a higher talent level at the Senior Bowl. The former walk-on consistently separated from coverage over the week and finished at the catch point. His high positional IQ and quick-twitch athleticism rounds out the skills set on offer. A dynamic returner, he brings added special teams value. Pro day testing included high 4.4 to low 4.5 speed, 35” vertical, 9-6 broad jump and 11 bench reps.

Johnson excels at getting open through his suddenness in short areas, burst and sharp footwork. Adding in the combination of route-running savvy and situational awareness contributed to his consistently high production. From his initial acceleration off the line to dropping his hips and effectively breaking down at the top of his routes, he is tough to keep in check. The Jackrabbits receiver stands out for his ball tracking, hand-eye coordination, timing and reliable hands.

A factor all over the field, Johnson impresses as a downfield target on deep passes, making plays over the middle, taking short receptions and running after catch. He finds space versus zone defense as effectively as he works off man coverage. Executing a varied route tree, he contributes with chain-moving quick-hitters and breaking big-gain plays. Johnson transitions efficiently into a ball carrier after securing the catch. In addition to separating as a route runner, he shows the shiftiness to make defenders miss as a runner with the ball in his hands.

Though small, there is no questioning the toughness that Johnson plays with. He’s a high effort blocker when asked and shows no fear catching in traffic. The regularity with which he outfought bigger DBs at the catch point is noteworthy. Prior to becoming the leading target, the FCS All-American returned two kicks for touchdowns as a freshman.

CON’S: While he makes up for it elsewhere, Johnson’s frame will likely limit how early he is drafted. In addition to being under 5’10, he measured in at the Senior Bowl lacking ideal length. His 29” arms and 71.5” wingspan results in a reduced target window and catch radius on offer. Though tricky in space and willing to take hits, he also has a limited physical presence. Johnson is unlikely to break too many tackles at the NFL level once defenders get contact on him.

REBECCA RENNIE: “After initially considering a Power 5 transfer following the cancellation of SDSU’s 2020 season, Johnson chose instead to enter the draft. While scouts might have liked to have seen that happen, he impressed vs Minnesota in 2019 and stood out consistently at the Senior Bowl. His smart instinctive execution, sharp movement and outstanding hands will offset some concern over his smaller frame. An early Day 3 pick should yield a fantastic return on investment.”

PROJECTION: 4TH ROUND PICK

Height: 5’9”. Weight: 170lbs

PRO’S: Elusive, jittery receiver who’s production grew every year in Denton before skyrocketing as a senior. Extremely quick in short spaces to eek out some separation with well-timed, fluid movements into his breaks, with quick feet on the way out to open up the passing window. Catches you off guard with how ad hoc and sneaky his route running is; one second you think he is boxed in, the next he’s accelerating away with the football in his hand. Twitched up at the line of scrimmage, and if he is afforded free release will glide over turf and get up to top speed immediately. Remarkable tracker of the football, able to adjust the angles and speed of his routes on the fly to be in the right position to go up for the ball. Another deadly weapon with the ball in his hand, and will make would-be tacklers look silly by juking them out of their cleats and grabbing extra yardage.

CON’S: Small. Common theme in this draft class, but Darden is lean and rake-like, with underwhelming muscle mass to his frame. Anything physically competitive will result in Darden being beaten on the play; release against press, if they get their hands on him, hinders his ability to get into his route. Needs some daylight for him to go up for the ball, because any kind of contact at the top of the route means an incomplete pass. Easily manipulated towards the sideline by quicker corners on outside go routes and is likely to be a slot-only receiver at the next level. Not the cleanest of catchers - body catches from time to time, juggles at other moments, and doesn’t have the wingspan to be a consistently dangerous pass catcher when the ball is outside of his frame.

SIMON CARROLL: “How many different ways of saying ‘elusive, athletic, dangerous receiver but undersized and struggles with physicality’ can I come up with?! Well, Jaelon Darden is a little different in that he’s not as polished as the other undersized speedsters in this draft class, but maybe has the quicker mental processing to adjust on the fly. A former quarterback, Darden can expose the holes in zone coverage and knows the moments for best success against man, even if the odds are stacked against him. He’s a slot only prospect who will need to be aligned off the line of scrimmage to avoid press and work the middle of the field, but teams will also get value out of him on screens, jet sweeps and special teams, where he has the skillset to turn the field. Almost 1,200 yards and NINETEEN TD’s in just 9 games last year speaks to his game changing ability, and he’s proven remarkably durable during his Mean Green career. He’s a high value day three prospect and one of my favourites in this draft.”

NFL COMPARISON: RYAN SWITZER

PROJECTION: 5TH ROUND PICK

Height: 6’2”. Weight: 207lbs

PRO’S: Former JuCo product who transferred to The Blazers as a junior in 2018, redshirting his first season after playing just four games before exploding onto the scene in 2019. Ultra productive in his two full years in Birmingham, racking up nearly 1,600 yards in just 21 games. Physical possession receiver who catches EVERYTHING thrown his way - and I mean everything; just one drop in his entire college career. Excellent hand eye coordination, throwing his arms up at the last minute to snag the football and minimise interference. Strong at the point of catch, routinely fighting for preferred positioning and bringing in 50-50 balls, often outside of his frame. Intense and competitive, and refuses to be outhustled. Impressive RAC ability; becomes like a running back with the ball in his hand and has good early acceleration to peel away from tacklers.

CON’S: Still raw, and has to work on some of the subtle aspects of the position. Has moments in his route running, but generally inconsistent maintaining a disciplined line and maintaining motion in and out of his breaks. Strong enough to compete against press at the line of scrimmage, but is surprisingly sluggish off the snap and doesn’t possess a repertoire of moves to evade early contact yet. Gets up to top speed pretty quickly, but that top speed isn’t scary - defensive backs remain in phase with him and are there to challenge for the ball. Uninvolved in special teams at the college level, something he might need to show proficiency at if he ends up at the bottom of a roster. Not much evidence of production against elite competition on tape.

SIMON CARROLL: “The cousin of Sammy Watkins, Austin Watkins plays like every game is his last. He competes on every snap and is intimidatingly physical in every aspect of the position. A true alpha dog on the outside, he rips the ball out of the air and away from the defender as if the air space at the catch point is his territory, and his alone. Watkins has an all-round game that makes him likely valuable lined up across the formation, although there are still some rough edges that need polishing for him to be consistently productive at the next level. His lack of elite deep speed hasn’t hindered his ability to play as an ‘x’ receiver at UAB and I see no reason why that would change in the NFL. Proving his worth as a blocker and special teams asset would go a long way to helping him cement his place on a roster whilst he hones the rest of his craft.”

NFL COMPARISON: COOPER KUPP

PROJECTION: 5TH ROUND PICK

Height: 6’0”. Weight: 194lbs

PRO’S: Aggressive, competitive receiver who poses a problem for defenses as a deep threat. Carrying reasonable stature and healthy weight to his frame, Darby brings every ounce of juice to winning at the catch point, boxing out defensive backs and thrusting those arms away from his frame to claim the football. A natural with the ball in the air; has a good internal clock, knows where the ball is, and times his jump to highpoint the ball at a spot the defender cannot interfere with. Maintains physicality and aggression with the ball in hand, bulldozing through contact to get the hard extra yards. Surprising, impatient burst off the line of scrimmage and confident in his ability to defeat press coverage. Takes good lines in his route running and knows where best to attack to keep defenders guessing as to his intentions. Dedicated team-first character with little diva about him that has had to play second fiddle to some star names during his time in Tempe and done so with professionalism and 100% effort.

CON’S: Lack of true speed to test secondaries down the sideline. Every ball caught, every yard gained is a hard fight for Darby, and whilst he relishes the challenge it will be a tougher task in the NFL. Only truly gets a step ahead of his opponent when he defeats them off the line; if they stay in phase early in the route he’s going to be covered throughout the remainder of it. Smart route runner but doesn’t have the fluidity to kill coverage in and out of his breaks and get some separation. Little in the way of acceleration speed after the catch. Scary lack of focus when the ball arrives, with too many examples on tape of body catches or him juggling the football.

SIMON CARROLL: “A blue collar, roll up your sleeves receiver, Frank Darby has earned every yard and every reception of his Sun Devil career. Not the most naturally gifted wideout in this class, his determination to succeed as an outside weapon has helped him cultivate something of a possession receiver skillset which can definitely translate to the NFL. His athleticism restricts his draft stock and he’s not going to be someone who the defense will ever game plan around, but he will rip the soul out of a cornerback who tries to match his intensity and physicality for sixty minutes. A disjointed final season at ASU did little to help his draft projection, although a good week in Mobile at the Senior Bowl raised some interest in his services. I think he’s scheme agnostic, can line up at any position across the formation and will bring leadership and desire to a receiving corps.”

NFL PROJECTION:5TH ROUND PICK

Height: 6’2”. Weight: 215lbs

PRO’S: Long, big-bodied receiver who has phenomenal vertical skills and the consistent ability to go up and come down with the football. Unverified 46.5” vertical leap at Illinois’ pro day backs up what you see on tape; an outside receiver who will attack the hip of a cornerback and drive upfield, then beat the tallest of them at the catch point. Excellent hands that feel no interference from desperate DB’s, and huge wingspan makes him an attractive target for a quarterback under duress. No problem catching away from his body, even when occupied by a defender. Like his attention to the flight of the ball and shows the ability to make subtle route adjustments off the hoof. A real bully on the field; dominates the redline and boxes cornerbacks out of routes, runs right through attention from press coverage at the line of scrimmage, and relishes outside blocking.

CON’S: Shows some athletic deficiencies. Big, long legs mean a lack of real burst off the snap, and acceleration quickness is a touch slow. Top speed is reasonable but not deadly, and being slow into his stem makes every catch down the sideline a jump ball rather than one which will drop into his hands when in behind the coverage. High cut, linear frame adds a bit of stiffness to his hips and quick cuts or route breaks aren’t a part of his repertoire, although he does create good separation when stacking a corner before coming back to the football. Needs to play with a sideline and won’t offer anything from the slot. Didn’t make the grade at USC and had underwhelming production during his time at Champaign, failing to reach 300 yards as a senior after a promising 2019.

SIMON CARROLL: “Looking for a late round, big bodied possession receiver who can get your QB out of a hole as a sideline target and help keep the chains moving? Then you could do a lot worse than Josh Imatorbhebhe. You could drape three defensive backs on this guys big, strong frame and he’d still be the one to come down with the football. An obvious redzone asset, no opponent is going to relish playing against Imatorbhebhe, whose dominance in the air no matter how good the coverage is must be demoralising. He comes with a limited ceiling; his movement is subpar and he’s not a weapon you can move around to take advantage of mismatches. He also didn’t do his draft stock any favours as a senior when there were high hopes of a dominant season. But with some acclimatisation he has the ability to become a WR2 in a vertical NFL offense.”

PROJECTION: 5TH ROUND PICK

Height: 5’11”. Weight: 190lbs

PRO’S: Sneaky quick receiver with good vertical speed and plenty of short area agility to complement it. Mastered the art of separation; knows his deep speed has to be appreciated by his opponent and leverages that against them, selling more linear routes before quick breaks leave them on their heels. So smooth when changing direction, with good acceleration out of his breaks to stretch the gap. Can challenge the deep field and get behind any man coverage, and maintains the speed with the ball in hand. Composed in traffic and trusts his technique to find himself space to operate, and has good awareness of gaps in zone coverages presented to him. Doesn’t shy away from the physical aspects of the position, challenging for jump balls and being an effective contributor as a run blocker.

CON’S: Lack of play strength inhibits his effectiveness without separation, despite the effort and tenacity he brings. Operated predominantly as a slot receiver, off the line of scrimmage, to disguise his trouble releasing cleanly against press coverage. Opens his numbers to the defensive back, and has a hard time swatting away to get into his route. Sometimes struggles to maintain the redline on sideline routes as stronger corners muscle in on his track, putting him at a disadvantage when the ball is in the air. Outmuscled at the catch point, although doesn’t go down without a fight. Reduced route tree at Chapel Hill, although with his agility a more expanded remit shouldn’t be too much of an issue.

SIMON CARROLL: “Dyami Brown might get all the plaudits when it comes to North Carolina receivers, but don’t sleep on Dazz Newsome, who had almost the exact same number of his yards as his teammate in 2019 despite operating out of the slot. Newsome projects to the same role in the NFL, and his skillset makes you believe he will thrive in a pass-happy, vertical offense that allows their guys to get open and attack through the air. His lack of functional strength makes it unlikely that he will have a significant role as an outside receiver, which puts him a little further down the pecking order than some similar slot prospects in this class. And it remains to be seen if he enjoys a similar return of separation at the next level. But as a day three guy who can attack all three levels of the field between the numbers, he’s very effective.”

PROJECTION: 5TH ROUND PICK

Height: 6’3”. Weight: 182lbs

PRO’S: Tall, fast receiver who has feasted on MAC opponents the last two years at Kent State. Serious deep threat; twitchy at the line of scrimmage and into his release, accelerating to top speed fairly rapidly. Rampages at the cornerback, stacking them until the last possible moment to widen the passing lane for his quarterback. When he opens his stride he’s gone - speed that strikes fear into the heart of DB’s, give him a little more cushion than desired and forced MAC defenses to shade him with a safety. Produced across the middle when running slants, drags or crossers where he could pin his ears back and torture man coverage. Dangerous playmaker with the ball in his hands. DId not go missing in the big moments or against power 5 competition, starring versus Auburn (85yds, 1TD) and in the Miami Beach Bowl vs Utah State (103yds, 1TD).

CON’S: Catch issues. Had a 16.7% drop rate as a senior, mostly focus drops. Predominantly used as a straight line burner for The Golden Flashes, and has an underdeveloped route tree - although with his fluid movement it should be within his remit to expand his playbook. Ill-disciplined and can lose his composure on the field, and was responsible for some key penalties his team had to endure for his petulance. Quite slender for a wideout and clocked in at 182lbs, a full 20lbs lighter than advertised. Isn’t shy at the catch point or against press coverage, but won’t dominate physically, instead relying on speed, separation and position to get the job done. Blocking is a work in progress. Didn’t test well at his pro day, recording a 4.58 second 40-yard dash and benching just 12 reps at 225lbs.

SIMON CARROLL: “Isaiah McKoy has been by far and away the best outlet for QB Dustin Crumb and this Kent State offense. I don’t care what the forty time says; he must be quicker in pads than he is in shorts because on the field he’s ghosting past corners and enjoying open field every game you watch. Suggesting it’s the level of competition doesn’t hold much water either considering he absolutely balled out versus Auburn as a junior. Separation and yardage come too easy to McKoy, and he’ll have to work much harder for it at the next level. But a team that has the luxury of time will be able to utilise his quicks to further open up the route tree and maximise his potential. He reminds me so much of former Toledo (MAC) receiver Diontae Johnson, and if his career arc is anything like his then as a day three pick he’ll prove to be a serious value for the price point.”

NFL COMPARISON: DIONTAE JOHNSON

PROJECTION: 5TH ROUND PICK

Height: 6’3”. Weight: 197lbs

PRO’S: Big sideline target with otherworldly production as a sophomore and junior at Memphis. Coxie makes catching the ball - and everything that goes into it - look easy. Smooth if not quick out of his break, attacking his route stem with quickening pace and eating the cushion given to him in off-man coverage. Seen a lot of press coverage in the Tigers’ spread offense and has learned to match physicality with physicality; excellent hand usage and some smarts to restrict access to his numbers keep him free and allows him to release cleanly. Love his body control down the sideline, and can’t be hustled; maintains his desired line and rarely reacts to contact on the move. Makes his own presence felt at the catch point, boxing out corners and opening the window as wide as possible. Impeccable ball skills - has a wide wingspan and catches everything that comes his way, and is adept at reading the flight of the football and adjusting with just the fleeting of glances back to the quarterback. Excellent blocker.

CON’S: Football for Coxie now isn’t what football is like in the NFL, and there’s going to be a steep learning curve for him. Lack of experience running anything other than vertical routes. Isn’t a particularly quick receiver - downfield targets tend to be contested unless schemed open, and winning at the catch point will be much tougher against bigger and better cornerbacks. Tardy movement in and out of his breaks don’t generate any separation, and elongated strides make it difficult for him to accelerate away from coverage or tacklers. Near enough zero experience playing out of the slot, and a lack of short area quickness and unrefined route tree makes him a bad fit there anyway. Wasn’t tasked with any special teams duties at Memphis. Opted out of 2020 two games into the season.

SIMON CARROLL: “Damonte Coxie will go down as one of the greatest receivers in Memphis Tigers history, and brings an impressive resume to the NFL. Between 2018 & 2019 Coxie went for 2,450 yards and 16 touchdowns in Mike Norvell’s vertical passing game, providing a deep threat that the quarterback could just launch the ball towards, knowing that nine times out of ten he will come down with it. Yes, he is a product of his environment, but that’s not to say his game can’t translate to the pro level - his former teammate Anthony Miller had similar gaudy numbers at Memphis and has carved himself a career out with the Chicago Bears. Coxie isn’t as fluid or quick as Miller and doesn’t offer you close to everything you require to be a multi-faceted receiver in the NFL, but he has enough to be a WR4 who can make big plays when necessary to keep the offense on the field. Providing use as a special teams guy should see him make a roster once training camp is done.”

PROJECTION: 5TH ROUND PICK

Height: 6’0”. Weight: 205lbs

PRO’S: Well-honed, all round receiver with a good size and sturdy frame. Good explosiveness off the snap, showing burst into his route tree. Accustomed to press coverage and handled it fairly well for the most part, but thrives against off-man coverage where he can attack the hip of his opponent before breaking for separation. Very secure with the football and demonstrates good hands with little ball movement as it lands in his mitts. Competitive at the catch point, he understands how to maximise his chances and extends back to the football. Excellently coached and shows some fairly polished route running skills, making changes of direction look effortless - he has a natural fluid motion to his movement. Has enough speed to compete downfield and is elusive with the ball in his hands. Shows resilience, both on the field and staying the course through a difficult collegiate career.

CON’S: Where has Powell been the first four years at Clemson? Just forty catches between 2016 and 2019 with 330 yards and 3 TD’s - some of his peers in this draft class have three times those numbers in one season. Couldn’t fight his way up the depth chart and had to wait until a host of names headed to the NFL and Justyn Ross suffered a season ending injury to finally make his mark. Surprisingly prepared for his moment, but there are definite areas that require tweaking - footwork off the snap, hand usage against press coverage, route adjustments to account for down and distance etc. Is shifty and quick but doesn’t have the top end speed of some other prospects to get behind a defense, instead his deep plays being one as contested catches.

SIMON CARROLL: “Considering Cornell Powell took so long to make his mark in Death Valley, I was quite surprised he didn’t take the COVID opportunity afforded to seniors to have another year of eligibility. But then I suppose five years at college is a long time, and older prospects have their own draft stock issues. So it’s one season of work he brings to the NFL, and whilst there are plenty of questions regarding his belated development what a season it was - Powell showed competence and even excellence at pretty much every facet of the position. His readiness is a testament to his own mental resilience as well as Dabo Sweeney and his staff, and he plays with a point to prove and a chip on his shoulder. If he only had one more year of production he’d be one of the top receiver prospects in this class, but the lingering doubt will likely make him a day three pick. He could be an absolute steal.”

PROJECTION: 5TH ROUND PICK

Height: 6’4”. Weight: 205lbs

PRO’S: Big, long frame with good weight and excellent speed for his size. An excellent blend of power and pace, Terry wins from his release, using a mixture of speed or strength moves to evade press and get into his route immediately. Turns on the jets through the stem, pressuring the hip of the cornerback and forcing them to flip early before he tips his route. Has his man in trail very quickly, at which point he’s in command. His terrifying speed help him get enough separation coming out of his breaks. Like a wild animal with the ball in his hand, and will cover grass quickly and lower his shoulder into unavoidable contact in equal measure. Big time playmaker and had five touchdowns of 70+ yards in his Seminole career. Played predominantly on the perimeter but appears to have slot potential to attack the seam.

CON’S: Totally inconsistent results at the catch point. Has long arms but routinely drops catches he should be making in his catch radius. Physicality at the top of his route non-existent compared to what he shows at the line of scrimmage or with the ball in his hands - has a size and length advantage in contested catches but wilts under aerial contact. Arms not strong enough to dismiss defenders attempts to play the ball. Lack of detail paid to the timing of his jump, and his route tree needs some real finesse - particularly utilising his agility more to sink his hips and explode out of breaks. Not a particularly subtle receiver and telegraphs his intentions to his opponent. Breakout sophomore campaign was followed up with a disappointing 2020 where both himself and the team failed to achieve anywhere near the standards they demand - just 289 yards and 1 touchdown in six games.

SIMON CARROLL: “Tamorrion Terry was a bright spot in an otherwise miserable 2019 season in Tallahassee, and big things were expected from him last year. They failed to materialise as FSU once again underwhelmed, but Terry needs to wear some of the responsibility after allowing sloppiness to creep in to his game, to the point that I was surprised he didn’t return to Florida State for his senior year to make amends. Already behind the curve due to a lack of coaching attention regarding route running and positioning fundamentals, Terry started dropping passes and being subdued at the catch point. It’s a downward trajectory, but there’s no denying that Terry has the raw tools to be a ‘z’ receiver in the NFL. If he can eradicate the errors and embrace a heavy gym regime, he should be able to come close to reaching his potential.”

PROJECTION: 5TH ROUND PICK

Height: 5’10”. Weight: 186lbs

PRO’S: Quick, shifty receiver with excellent burst off the snap. Quick into his route and on top of the corner early, getting good position on his opponent and maintaining it through his stem. Does an excellent job of consistently releasing effectively, regardless of the coverage he’s facing: Able to avoid press coverage by hiding his chest from defenders and taking angled trajectories off the line. Able to utilise his early leverage to create enough separation on early breaking routes, and does most of his good work when he gets the football in his hands in the short to intermediate levels of the field. Shows positional versatility lining up at slot or on the outside, and has enough dog in him to compete amongst the traffic on the interior. Noted ability to take the football in stride and maintain his momentum - generally shows good hands, particularly if he doesn’t have company.

CON’S: Quick but not fast - top end speed is a notch below where you expect it to be for a smaller, lighter receiver. Speaking of; Smith has learned to evade contact, but when it happens he frequently comes off second best. Not strong enough in the bottom half to be a factor as a run blocker, nor in the top half not to get pushed around at the catch point. On the odd occasion press corners do get their hands on him at the line of scrimmage, he’s neutralised. Disappointing ability with the ball in his hands, showing a lack of decisiveness and tends to go down after first contact. Not many big plays at South Carolina, and total production was consistent but unspectacular in all four years in Columbia.

SIMON CARROLL: “Shi Smith has been a mainstay of this Gamecocks program for the last four years, and WIll Muschamp didn’t ever seem to get the best out him. That’s not so much a criticism of Smith so much as the coaching and his surrounding cast - South Carolina just haven’t been a very good football team, and that’s probably contributed to the receivers borderline average numbers he produced. Smith’s skillset sits in between two established roles; he doesn’t quite have the top speed to be considered a burner, nor does h have the presence or power to be a possession receiver. What he is good at is making things happen close to the line of scrimmage and being a valuable safety net for his quarterback. Something else that feels overlooked is his kick return ability, which was dangerous in 2019 in particular. That should bump him up a round on day three and help him lock down a roster spot.”

PROJECTION: 5TH ROUND PICK

Height: 6’0”. Weight: 190lbs

PRO’S: Excellent route runner that projects as a slot receiver at the next level. Utilises various releases off the line of scrimmage to keep defenders on their toes and evade press, although he has shown a proficiency to use his hands to disengage from contact if he gets caught by the corner. Hustles into his route stem, showing aggression as he targets the corner’s hip, and has devastating cutting ability. Short area athleticism and loose hips allow him to sink and explode in and out of breaks, gaining good separation on the quickest of routes. Phenomenal hands, showing an ability to cling onto the football with his fingertips. Excellent tracker of the football over his shoulder and has some impressive highlight reel catches on his resume. Tweaks his route line to widen passing windows for his quarterback. Exploded as a junior with almost 1,200 yards and hauling in 8 touchdowns.

CON’S: Underwhelming straight line speed. Hasn’t shown an ability to beat defenders down the sideline, and will be viewed as a slot-only prospect in the NFL. Most of his production came on underneath routes or crossers where Milne was able to attack the first and second levels of the field. Physical with the ball in his hand, but yards after the catch were hard to come by with little acceleration to pull away from tacklers. Underwhelming numbers outside of last year, with questions as to whether playing an easy schedule with an elite quarterback inflated his stats. Plays rugged and is unafraid to compete, but core strength can betray his tenacity and there are moments on contested catches - and blocking particularly - where he is defeated by the opponent in power vs power situations.

SIMON CARROLL: “Calling a pass catcher a slot receiver used to be a little insulting, but in today’s pass-happy league the position is almost a permanent fixture in an offense. Dax Milne has the skillset to thrive in that role at the next level; an ultra-competitive and a junkyard dog mentality in the middle of the field, Milne will get you the hard yards that others won’t. His ridiculous ball skills are complemented well with the effort he has put in to perfecting his route running, and what it has produced is an elusive but tough receiver to whom denying the reception is extremely difficult. His lack of true play speed will be exposed more in the NFL, and you do wonder how much of a product of his environment he was during his final year in Provo, but I can think of much worse ways to spend a day three pick,.”

NFL COMPARISON: HUNTER RENFROW

PROJECTION: 6TH ROUND PICK

Height: 6’4”. Weight: 217lbs

PRO’S: Huge receiver who dominates the air space at the catch point. So tall and long, and offered Kyle Trask a valued escape valve as a guy he could throw high to and he would come down with it. Long, galloping strides remove the cushion between himself and the cornerback, attacking their hip, making it difficult for them to work out which way to transition. Extremely disciplined to maintain the redline, and even against press coverage where he has to initially divert he gets back on track quickly. Once in the box seat he’s reluctant to give any inch, maximising the catch window with excellent body positioning. Simply out jumps everyone when it’s time to go up and get it, and rips the ball out of the air. Quite something with the ball in his hand and is a difficult man to tackle, willing to lower his shoulder and run over defenders for the hard yards.

CON’S: Grimes suffered a torn ACL in his final year at high school, and it has affected his college career; he only saw two games as a freshman at Ohio State and decided to transfer to Florida. Since then he has remained injury-free but the promise he offered as a four-star recruit has sadly never been realised. His production has grown steadily each year, but even as a senior he only had 589 yards, albeit with 9 touchdowns. A notable lack of burst off the snap, and doesn’t particularly have quick foot speed. Grimes relies on his long strides to move at pace, but that doesn’t help him in changes of direction, and his route breaks are predictably sluggish as a result. On standard routes separation is hard to come by, with Florida resorting to scheming him open to get the ball in his hands.

SIMON CARROLL: “There is little doubt that Trevon Grimes has lost a step since his knee injury in high school. The twitch and elusiveness he demonstrated for such a big receiver just hasn’t been there in his college career, and the numbers back that up. But credit should be given to Grimes and the Florida coaching staff for moulding his game and their gameplan to take advantage of what he does have in his locker, namely size and strength. Even though he’s not immediately fast, Grimes can cover ground. He’s always in position to make the catch and invariably comes down with the football, and once he’s got the ball in his hands there’s a definite Derrick Henry vibe. He plays tough and committed and became a chain mover and redzone threat for the Gators. These are attributes that will translate to the NFL, even if it is a limited offering. He’ll be a late round pick that a team will use in choice moments, and likely find more playing time as they begin to trust his consistency.”

NFL COMPARISON: DONOVAN PEOPLES-JONES

PROJECTION: 6TH ROUND PICK

Height: 6’2”. Weight: 215lbs

PRO’S: Ultra competitive receiver whose nomadic college career has seen him play ball for three different programs in three different conferences. Hazelton has made a career out of winning contested catches. Big, strong and an excellent tracker of the football; makes impressive adjustments to his routes to reel the football in. Huge arms and a ridiculous catch radius that makes him a viable target on any type of throw. ‘Baltimore tough’ and has an inner steel that allows him to play with a controlled aggression and physicality; dominant at the catch point and dictates terms throughout his route - corners are in for an uncomfortable time trying to leverage best position against him. Proficient against all coverages; outmuscles man, knows where to sit against zone and competes robustly against press. Dedicated to developing hs game to as good as it can be.

CON’S: “Underwhelming athleticism. Isn’t a burner who will stretch the field, cause defenses to amend their gameplans or have DB’s on their haunches. Needs to build up speed off the line of scrimmage, and his release is elongated as a result. Shows some stiffness in lateral movement, and doesn’t cultivate a lot of separation. Isn’t an elusive or shifty receiver, won’t offer you much after the catch, although is physical and will fight through contact. Likely just an ‘x’ receiver, as lack of quicks will remove the possibility of a big slot role in the NFL. Three different stops in his collegiate career have maybe harmed his stats as he builds a rapport with his new teammates. Final season at Mizzou was supposed to be his showcase year on the biggest stage, and whilst undoubtedly hampered by COVID his production tailed off with less than 400 yards and just one score for the Tigers.

SIMON CARROLL: “When you see Damon Hazelton’s collegiate career you’d think he had some kind of disciplinary or academic issues, forcing him to find a new home twice. It couldn’t be further from the case; Hazelton was under-recruited out of high school, wanted to prove he could do it at the highest level, and balled out as a Hokie. He earned his degree and decided to take an even bigger jump to satisfy his competitiveness. Each coaching staff and teammates rave about his character and workrate, so there are no concerns on that front. On the field, Hazelton is a limited but effective prospect, who has maximised his attributes to become a tough, feisty ball winner. He proved to be a chain mover and a redzone threat at VT, and whilst the move to Mizzou didn’t quite go as he hoped he has delivered a - albeit disjointed - portfolio of work that will intrigue NFL scouts. You can’t get away from his athletic deficiencies, but a late round pick on a guy who can be a WR4 on your roster looks to be his range.”

PROJECTION: 6TH ROUND PICK

Height: 6’0”. Weight: 222lbs

PRO’S: Stout, powerful slot receiver who has hands like glue. Can bring in the football under the heaviest of duress, showing excellent extension back to the football and plenty of circus catches outside his frame. Simply unperturbed by physicality and more than holds his own at the catch point, maintaining dominant position and fighting through hands to haul it in. Played predominantly from the slot at UCF but ability to fight through press off the line of scrimmage suggests a minor role on the outside could be added to his duties. Option route king; extremely aware of what the defense is doing and is able to alter course to better attack it. Behaves like a running back with the ball in his hand and will lower the shoulder to fight for YAC. Offers the potential to have some backfield snaps as a true ball carrier at the next level.

CON’S: Modest agility suggests diversifying his route tree might be difficult. Not particularly crisp or quick off the snap, and gears down into his breaks. Not one to create separation; his bread and butter is winning contested catches, and that success should reduce when going up against bigger and better defensive backs. Lack of deep speed to challenge vertically, and all of his work will come in the form of underneath receptions or manufactured touches. The majority of his yards from big plays come with the ball in hand - whilst not a negative in of itself, it shows a lack of plays made deeper down the field.

SIMON CARROLL: “Marlon Williams decided to return to Orlando for his senior season and it paid off big time. His production took a major jump, with over 1,000 yards and ten touchdowns in just eight contests for UCF. The Knights have done an excellent job of making the most out of Williams’ unique skillset, essentially carving out a ‘big slot’ role for him where he can be a reliable outlet for the quarterback and take short to medium plays and turn them into big ones. He will be viewed one of two ways by NFL teams; traditional offenses may find him too one-dimensional and just an interior pass catcher who - at best- can keep the chains moving, whilst more creative playcallers might be dreaming of getting him the ball in space and mixing him in as a running back. He’s a day three guy with a wide draft range, and if he sticks in the NFL could provide some highlight reel moments.”

NFL COMPARISON: DEVIN DUVERNAY

PROJECTION: 6TH ROUND PICK

Height: 6’3”. Weight: 190lbs

PRO’S: Long perimeter receiver whose ability to haul in the football on a consistent basis was undervalued - and somewhat wasted - during his time at Iowa. Excellent ball tracking skills; has an innate feel for route adjustments, accurate mental clock to know when the ball will arrive, and the physical capability to outjump his opponent and high point the football at the catch point. Good wingspan and soft hands allow him to make difficult catches almost a routine occurrence, and has some big-time plays on tape. Has perfected running the go route; able to hold the redline under pressure, stack the cornerback long enough to attack his outside, and give himself the ideal positioning with excellent body control. Not a burner but DB’s have to respect his ability to go up and take it from them, giving him a little more cushion which he effectively uses against them on comebacks and curls.

CON’S: Doesn’t hold elite speed - any separation comes from positioning, physicality and body control. Lack of burst on his release, and is a little predictable with his hands and movements. Can get jammed at the line of scrimmage and corners will sit on his route the rest of the way. Lateral movement is stiff, and he doesn’t show the ability to plant his foot, sink his hips and change direction at the top of his route. Escapability with the ball in his hand is modest, and for an outside receiver didn’t have an awe-inspiring career yards per reception figure (11.4). Not the same aerial prowess in the endzone as he does down the sideline with just nine touchdowns in his Hawkeye career. Outside receiver only with little to offer in the slot or on special teams.

SIMON CARROLL: “Being a possession perimeter receiver on a run first, run second offense is something of a fool's errand to begin with, but ending up as part of one of the deepest draft classes at the position in history just compounds the issues Brandon Smith has standing out from the crowd. As a pure pass catcher you couldn’t really ask for better - as long as it’s within his postcode he usually finds a way to bring it in. But as far as offerings go that’s pretty meek, and without the athleticism to open up the playbook or polished route running to help across the middle, he really is going to struggle sticking on a roster. He has enough intrigue surrounding him for a team to think he was a victim of circumstance and use a day three draft pick on, but I fail to see the upside and where the growth is coming from.”

PROJECTION: 6TH ROUND PICK

Height: 6’2”. Weight: 216lbs

PRO’S: Scrappy, physical receiver who competes for every football thrown his direction. Impressive body strength, with long powerful legs and a well built upper half that allows him to ignore contact at the catch point. Shrugs off corners who drape themselves on him as if he was flicking a fly off his shoulder. Big strides through his route stem close the gap between him and cornerback in good time, and he knows how to stack a defensive back, keep him guessing and open up the passing lane for his quarterback. Doesn’t mind press coverage and can power through contact at the line of scrimmage. Does well to withstand early challenges when he has the ball in hand. Proficient and powerful blocker who can seal off corners for the inside run game.

CON’S: A one-season wonder after finally putting stats down as a senior following a broken leg that robbed him of approximately two years of his college football career. Medical reports will be of utmost importance to McKinley, as he also suffered a foot injury in his 2019 season in South Bend, forcing him to miss four more games. Potential character concerns; assaulted two Notre Dame security guards after being found drunk in a taxi on campus, was suspended from the team and settled out of court. Distinct lack of speed and movement skills - his only real example of winning with quickness is on linear routes where he gets on top of his opponent early in the route and can open his legs. Separation is rare and usually found on busted coverages. Limited route tree and experience playing anywhere other than outside the numbers. Just sixteen games in his college career.

SIMON CARROLL: “When kids dream of a college career i’m pretty sure it looks the total opposite to what Javon McKinley’s experience at Notre Dame has been like. Struggling to see the field and suffering adversity both on and off it, the former four star recruit has shown good mental perseverance to stay the course. He was rewarded in 2020 with a career year as he and Ben Skowronek offered Ian Book a legitimate pair of weapons for Notre Dame’s run to the college football playoffs. He’s a classic possession receiver with good smarts but limited movement skills that restrict him to being a backup or rotational piece in the NFL. His misdemeanour was out of character by all accounts, and he probably gets a pass. The injury history probably hurts his draft stock more, and providing he gets a clean bill of health I would imagine he’s a late round pick with possible upside.”

PROJECTION: 6TH ROUND PICK

Height: 6’2”. Weight: 180lbs

PRO’S: Tall, long receiver with underappreciated speed who can challenge secondaries deep. Quickness demonstrated from the outset; clever and sharp off the snap, utilising an array of moves to avoid contact if up against press coverage. No wasted steps as his quick footwork gets him into his route stem, attacking downfield quickly. Familiar pattern to his contests as DB’s learn quickly he’s a danger to the deep field, then give him too much cushion which he exploits on comeback and curl routes. Excellent average yards per catch considering half of his receptions feature him coming back to the line of scrimmage, showing a determination to turn on the jets and get as much yardage as possible. Good height and length to offer a big catch radius for his quarterback.

CON’S: Very lean. Significant lack of power to his repertoire that will only be improved with more weight, and i'm not sure he has the frame to hold much more, certainly without compromising his speed. 50-50 balls don’t work in his favour - physically uncompetitive at the catch point. Bigger, stronger corners who can match his speed and stay in phase can squeeze him off the redline and towards the sideline. Really simple route tree at UCF who used him as a true burner with just a handful of breaks that saw him come back to the football - little evidence of lateral cuts or short area agility. Unreliable hands - prefers to body catch if there’s any kind of company and has some clutch focus drops on his resume as he tries to get upfield without securing the ball. Suffered a significant shoulder injury as a senior that will need to be cleared by medical teams.

SIMON CARROLL: “Seeing just one catch in one game at Ole Miss, Tre Nixon found a better situation in Orlando where he became an instant contributor on the outside to this vertical offense. He’s a dangerous playmaker who will get down the field and test the limits of a cornerback, who usually ends up getting help from a safety before the contest is over. He’s dangerous with the ball in his hand and UCF might have been better served manufacturing some touches for him in space near the LOS, although his agility and change of direction speeds are somewhat unknown after being given a watered down route tree in the Knights’ offense. Play strength is what holds his draft stock back, and it’s a dilemma that is likely to be further exposed at the next level. His savvy and twitchy route running should see him drafted, and he has a shot as a WR4 for obvious, long passing situations.”

PROJECTION: 6TH ROUND PICK

Height: 6’4”. Weight: 225lbs.

PRO’S: Not many from Division 2 find a path to the NFL but Strachan has the physical frame that is assured to draw interest. The general caveat typically applied to players at that level to immediately stand out above others and to dominate the competition are conditions comfortably met. The physical mismatches were routinely evident on film as Strachan compiled tangible production. His 2019 season included 78 receptions for 1,319 yards (16.91 average) and an eye-opening 19 touchdowns.

Self-aware, Strachan has acknowledged being highly raw early in his college career. He has worked on improving his route running in particular, though it is still a work-in-progress. His changes of direction and breaks are impressive for his build. He has seen some varied usage at Charleston, lining up on both sides of the line of scrimmage, working deep downfield and on shorter targets crossing over the middle of the field. His impact as a big-play threat included averaging almost 21 yards a catch in 2018. A track athlete, Strachan’s long speed is proven as the school record holder at 400m. He wowed at his pro day with 4.46 speed at his size.

A large proportion of Strachan’s wins heavily involve maximizing his physical advantages. He understands how to utilize his strength on contact from press coverage and control his route path. The Golden Eagles receiver may not consistently shake coverage but takes ownership of the catch point. Strachan uses his size and power as he positions himself relative to the DB. His expansive catch radius and ability to high point over most corners is a matchup that he will generally win. He frequently draws defensive pass interference calls and eagerly applies himself as a blocker for teammates.

CON’S: Though he has worked on improving technically, Strachan has a long way to go in many aspects of his receiving skills. His release, footwork and hand use do not consistently compliment his physical abilities when working off coverage. Route running remains rough, including lost momentum in his breaks at the top of routes and some unsubtle sells.

There is clear top-end speed to pull away from D2 defenders once opening his stride in straight-line situations. That said, despite the track background, he can require a bit of a wind-up to reach his peak speed. Strachan is absolutely able to win out at the catch point but separating consistently isn’t there as yet. As he develops though, it’s easy to envision being difficult to stop should his overall game improve.

REBECCA RENNIE: “Strachan clearly has well-defined and desirable physical traits centered around his size, length and strength. A developmental project, he has so much potential if his technique can be sharpened up. His position across draft boards likely will vary dependant on the level of optimistic outlook. Regardless, it would be a surprise if he did not hear his name called at some stage during Day 3.”

PROJECTION: 6TH ROUND PICK

Height: 5’11”. Weight: 185lbs

PRO’S: Jitterbug slot receiver who is difficult to get a handle on with big play threat every time he touches the ball. Athletically gifted; 0-60 from a standing start in the blink of an eye, and flies into his route stem immediately. Shows excellent hip and ankle flexion to make devastating lateral or deep breaks. Plenty of ‘wiggle’ in him, and has the head and hip shakes to leave defenders confused as to where he’s planning to go. Competent pass catcher and gets good height on his vertical leap to attack the ball at the high point, extending those arms away from his frame and maximising his catch radius. Don’t let his bouncy movement fool you - Philyor is in full control of his body and is capable of working it into advantageous positions to make the catch. Excellent tracker of the football in the air. Plays with some steel when heading into traffic on routes across the middle.

CON’S: Lightweight. Unless he’s playing off or zone coverage he’ll need to be used in creative ways at the line of scrimmage to stop himself getting jammed by longer, physical corners. When he’s manhandled, his route is over. Difficulty imposing himself as an outside receiver and maintaining the redline saw him used almost exclusively inside. Makes impressive catches but not when he’s under pressure at the catch point. Dynamism shown early in his route doesn’t always extend further down the line; Philyor can look indecisive with the ball in his hands and for a burner doesn’t have the greatest success in yards after the catch. Has all the agility in the world but struggles to slam the breaks on for comeback routes and doesn’t stack the corner enough to widen the gap before turning back, allowing them to crash the party.

SIMON CARROLL: “Big things were expected of Whop Philyor in 2020 after a breakout junior season at Indiana, and whilst the COVID-shortened Big 10 season certainly had an impact, there is a feeling that perhaps he has maxed out his potential as a wide receiver. That’s a bit concerning given he has a limited projected role at the next level, and perhaps the only way to improve his game is to add some mass to his frame. Whilst that may help him have more success off the snap or battling for position, it will likely come at a cost to the one attribute that teams fear about him the most - his speed. Philyor would do himself the world of good if he could be more consistent and maximise his athleticism - for all the downfield threat he really has a lack of splash plays and his average yards per reception is underwhelming. A late-round selection by a team hoping he’s a late developer seems right.”

PROJECTION: 7TH ROUND PICK

Height: 6’3”. Weight: 224lbs

PRO’S: Prototypical height-weight-speed receiver for the NFL. Performed the possession receiver role as the WR3 for LSU behind Ja’Marr Chase and Terrace Marshall in a crowded pass catching corps. Big, sturdy frame that he knows how to use to bring an imposing brand of football to the position. Hustles at the catch point and can dismiss attempts from corners to get their hands inside his own with a strong upper torso. Rarely bullied on his route and has the physicality to operate across the middle and withstand the increased attention. Size and strength are complemented by excellent speed; McMath shows an ability to eat up the distance between himself and off-man coverage and control the route from then on in. Corners find it difficult to stay in phase on linear routes as he turns on the jets. Gets moving quickly with the ball in hand and will finish physically to get the extra yards. Special teams standout during his time at Baton Rouge, and is a capable and willing run blocker on the perimeter.

CON’S: Raw as they come. Simply not had the exposure to develop a route tree or playbook, and not enough snaps on the field to hone his technique. Buried on the depth chart behind some huge names the past few years at LSU and it shows; used primarily as a field stretcher and has zero experience of any short or intermediate routes, particularly with lateral breaks. Shows his naivety at times off the snap, offering up his numbers to press coverage and being unnecessarily delayed into his route stem. Small instances of hip stiffness and lack of fluidity suggest a role as a slot receiver would be difficult, although he does show good smarts against zone coverages and option routes from the interior would allow his decision making to shine.

SIMON CARROLL: “Can anyone say ‘sleeper’? Racey McMath’s lack of gametime at LSU makes any idea of how he will fare on Sundays a huge projection. He has unrefined technique, worked from a simplified playbook, and operated solely on the outside as a possession receiver to help move the chains. Some may say it is telling he couldn’t command more snaps of Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase, Terrace Marshall and Russell Gage, but he possesses the traits you just can’t teach, and has the size and speed of a WR1. Based on his slow development so far getting to that level is unlikely, but with time and patience he has the ceiling of a starter at the next level. It’s difficult to be sure because he was rarely called upon to use it, but his short-area speed might be problematic for an expanded route tree. He’ll come off the board late and be put to work on special teams, but he has upside that other prospects taken at a similar juncture could only dream of.”

PROJECTION: 7TH ROUND PICK

Height: 6’3”. Weight: 210lbs

PRO’S: Long, physical sideline threat who is used to catching the ball in traffic. Wingspan is phenomenal, and knows how to reel in passes of all accuracies and trajectories. Shows real concentration to bring in some balls that should be incomplete. A big bully on his route and at the catch point, physically imposing himself to maintain route discipline and favourable positioning for when the ball arrives. Has a litany of highlight reel catches where he just takes the ball away despite attention from one or even two defenders. Strong upper body that cannot be budged whilst leaping. Excellent follower of the football in the air and makes over the shoulder and back shoulder fade catches look simple. Has some trickeration and moves to shed press coverage at the line of scrimmage, and mixes it in nicely with his trusted power move to fight through the contact and get straight into his route stem.

CON’S: Something of a one trick pony; that is, ‘get down the sideline and haul in this big pass’. Was given a simplified playbook at Arkansas State, namely a handful of routes where his height would be the most advantageous; go routes, crossers between the linebackers and secondary, and of course anything at the back of the endzone. Speed is not a facet of his game; he has little burst out of his snap, doesn’t have the long speed to truly take the top off a defense, and limited fluidity in and out of his breaks to get any kind of separation. He wins by being stronger, more aggressive and longer than his opponent, and is not someone you will be finding ways to get him the ball in space. Doesn’t bring the fear factor with the ball in hand and is converged on happily by defenders with little worry of elusivity. The few times he has faced zone he’s failed to recognise the space to sit for the football.

SIMON CARROLL: “Jonathan Adams doesn’t pretend to be anything other than he is; in fact he embraced his role as the ultimate possession receiver in Jonesboro, getting better every year until he blew the doors open in 2020. Adams added a huge facet to his game by becoming a reliable redzone threat, snagging twelve touchdowns as a senior compared to just nine in the rest of his Redwolves career. His projection to the NFL isn’t about whether he can add other facets to his game, although the route tree will need to be expanded and refined - it’s about whether he will be able to take what he currently offers and make it work at the next level. It won’t be as easy to bully corners or run through press coverage, and he won’t have it his own way like he did at college. He’s got a shot at being an early WR4 on an offense, but will have to be willing to deliver on special teams to stick.”

PROJECTION: 7TH ROUND PICK

Height: 6’2”. Weight: 218lbs

PRO’S: Reliable possession receiver for the Aggies who made an instant impact as a rookie and maintained steady numbers his entire time at College Station. Has good size and excellent frame to make a living on the perimeter. Prominent ball skills and has well honed catch technique; maintains good body position and control pre-catch, elevates to the high point and plays with excellent extension, reaching back to the football to ensure he comes down with it. Catch radius is wild and will bring the football in anywhere ‘around the clock’, including passes that look to be hitting the turf. Dedicated blocker who demonstrates a good understanding of where to move or seal corners on the outside based on run destination, showing a good base and smart hand placement to maintain throughout the play. Intelligence shines on the field, particularly unlocking soft spots in zone coverage.

CON’S: Lack of aggression and physicality to his game. Has the size but rarely uses it, getting jammed at the line in press coverage and squeezed towards the sideline on deeper routes. A finesse receiver in a brute’s body and almost refuses to use strength to win at the catch point. Significant shortfall in functional athleticism; just not a deep threat down the sideline, and doesn’t possess the wiggle or slick hips to gain separation out of his breaks, making every catch a tight or contested one. Little offering in the way of yards after the catch or gamechaging plays. Improved production in 2019 but opted out of 2020, making it hard to know whereabouts on his development arc he currently is.

SIMON CARROLL: “You just want to see more tenacity from Jhamon Ausbon. Good technique and execution is one thing, but if you play with no power you better have speed to lean back on - and Ausbon definitely does not. The annoying thing is you can see a route onto an NFL roster if he had more of an alpha-dog demeanour about him; with his refined pass catching ability he could be an absolute menace of an outside possession receiver for a team at the next level. By all accounts Ausbon is a class act - his teammates and coaches love him, consider him a leader and he sets the standards on and off the field. If someone could light a fire under him and get him a little more angry it would go a long way to making him a viable depth receiver to an offense. His 2019 season saw a significant step up and he likely gets a shot at training camp.”

PROJECTION: 7TH ROUND PICK

Height: 6’1”. Weight: 192lbs

PRO’S: Sleek, smooth route runner with quick, sharp feet that helps him garner separation. Decent burst off the line, and knows to attack and stack the corner for maximum leverage on linear routes. Best at uncovering on earlier breaking routes where his foot speed helps him to maintain velocity coming out of his breaks. Gracefulness across the field is juxtaposed with an aggressive, domineering attitude towards the catch point; Jones enjoys ripping the ball away from the clutches of defenders and there is an air of ‘my turf’ attitude that intimidates his opponent. Dictates terms on sideline routes and holds the redline well. Has shown the ability to adjust to the football and is comfortable tracking the ball in the air. Turns into a running back with the ball in his hand, lowering his shoulder and always falling forward on contact.

CON’S: Modest overall athleticism. Significant lack of deep speed and will be considered a ‘big slot’ only guy at the next level. Foot speed is good and has a nice overall fluidity, but you want to see more flexibility to sink his hips and spring out on his route breaks - Jones tends to maintain momentum by rounding out his changes in direction, and his separation would improve with this tweak. Upper body strength at the line of scrimmage could improve; press coverage had his number when aligned outside, and may need to play off the line on the inside to get free release. To that end, adding some more muscle mass to a frame that looks like it could carry a little more would be advantageous. Excellent numbers at Southern Miss, but only 9 touchdowns in 4 years indicates a general lack of scoring threat.

SIMON CARROLL: “Sometimes when analysing prospects gametape we can get caught up in the finer details, trying to explain the root cause of every inconsistency so we can pigeon hole players into already established NFL roles as if they’re plug and play robots. But sometimes it’s just about whether you can play football or not, and Tim Jones certainly can. He’s had a pretty wide scope of responsibility at Southern Miss and that is very much likely to change at the next level, but as a slot receiver who finds ways to get open and offers the ability to move the chains with a safe pair of hands he’s very effective. Teams will definitely require him to get bigger and stronger, because a special teams role is almost mandatory at the end of the roster he’ll be residing. But he has the tenacity to compete as a gunner and I think a team will take a shot at seeing how he handles the step up.”

PROJECTION: 7TH ROUND PICK

Height: 6’6”. Weight: 215lbs

PRO’S: Big bodied receiver who plays with aggression. Dominates at the catch point, using his body to command advantageous position against his opponent. Shows good play strength to maintain that position, and has the big upper body to not be affected by presence when going up for the football. Big wingspan allows him to reel football in and go up and get it at its highest point. Showed positional versatility during his time at Colorado State - lining up inside and out. Strong production in Fort Collins, improving each year until the light truly came on in 2019 - 1,119 yards and eight scored in ten games. Demonstrates good football IQ, understanding defensive coverages and how best to play them. Big weapon for his quarterback at the back of the end zone. Extremely tough - played on a grade 3 AC joint sprain for more than half of his breakout season

CON’S: Lack of true speed. Hoped to come out at his pro day and deliver unexpected numbers but didn’t quite get there, running a 4.57 second 40 yard dash and 7.81 second 3-cone drill. Doesn’t catapult off the line of scrimmage more gradual and powerful long strides into top speed. Beating coverage in the deep third isn’t a part of his repertoire, and he’s a true possession receiver, either on the outside or as a ‘big slot’ receiver. Real evidence of stiffness in his hips, restricting his ability to make sharp cuts or come out of breaks with speed, and doesn’t get much separation as a result. Surprising lack of ability to get off press coverage at the line of scrimmage - he’s high cut and can leave his padds exposed for defenders to get their hands inside. Opted out of the 2020 season.

SIMON CARROLL: “Warren Jackson might not have the ‘splash plays’ that TJ Vasher does, but for two similar prospects I know which one I would choose, and without hesitation. Jackson is a vertical threat by way of his domineering size and intensity at the catch point, and would rob defensive backs of their lunch money if it was there for the taking. He’s worked hard to develop as much of his skillset as possible, and there are tangible results in the form of a fantastic junior season for the Rams. He has obvious limitations and will never be mistaken for an elusive playmaker who can run fifty yards after the catch, but he does work the slot well, particularly against zone coverage where he can use his smarts to find space rather than speed. Teams thinking of using a late round pick would be wise to utilise him off the line of scrimmage to give him as free a release as possible.”

PROJECTION: 7TH ROUND PICK

Height: 6’3”. Weight: 211lbs

PRO’S: Ultra-competitive, intelligent receiver who went home to Indiana and finished his college career at his favourite team after completing his degree at Northwestern. Full bloodied in everything he does; plays physical but smart, and has shown excellent technique throughout his game. Quick feet on release and has some nice burst to get into his route in a timely fashion. In full control of his movement with a clear picture of where he’s going, and the most efficient way to get there. Dedicated to his route running and demonstrates the little things to help gain separation, like hip suggestion and head fakes. Lulls cornerbacks into a false sense of security setting them up with slower or shorter routes before running right by them the next. Physical at the catch point, has good hands and gets every yard possible. Redzone nightmare. Blocks like a tight end.

CON’S: His lack of athleticism is notable, and it takes a carefully crafted rest of his game to compensate for it. Won’t be winning any track meets and his straight line speed is comfortable for man coverage to cope with. Needs every tool at his disposal to create space, and better opponents won’t give it him. Has preyed upon smaller defensive backs in his collegiate career, using his size to impose himself at the catch point, but that stands to be a lot less effective at the next level. Quite stiff lateral movement and gears down to change direction. Lack of dynamism to his game - manufactured touches, runs after the catch etc just not something he will provide.

SIMON CARROLL: “Plenty of people have mooted a position switch to tight end for Ben Skowronek, and it’s easy to see why; he’s a clued-up prospect who lacks the athleticism to make a living on the outside in the NFL, but has already shown some inline ability during his college career. He is clever over the middle, understands defensive coverages and their weaknesses, and blocks his socks off. The problem he will face if he does change position will be the exact inverse of the one he has now - will he be big and strong enough to handle edge rushers as a tight end? Skowronek is something of a tweener as an offensive weapon, but that won’t be a problem for creative offensive coordinators. The question will be, does his skillset and production warrant a bespoke playbook? His redzone prowess alone would encourage me to take a late round chance and see what he can do in training camp.”

PROJECTION: 7TH ROUND PICK

Height: 6’2”. Weight: 190lbs.

PRO’S: Dixon has been a popular figure on the NFL Draft All-Star circuit, including participating in the Tropical and Hula Bowls. A UConn transfer, Dixon is a well-rounded athlete who impressed as a hurdler on the track in high school. At that level he featured at quarterback, wide receiver and defensive back, and ran for over 1,500 yards as a high school senior. His college freshman season showed promise at Connecticut but transferred to Eastern Kentucky after a reduced role as a sophomore. Despite some passing game limitations in the Colonels offense, he was able to showcase his abilities at the FCS level.

Dixon is an appealing blend of frame and athletic traits. He offers a lean but toned physique and good length at 6’2” with over 32” arms. A smooth, flexible and fluid mover, Dixon impresses with his releases and quick acceleration. In addition to the initial upfield burst, there’s good top speed, eating up yardage once opening his stride. Faced with press, off, man and zone coverages, he generally copes with each sufficiently.

What frequently stood out from Dixon’s film was his releases and polished hand use off the line. He consistently finds ways to win, effectively deflecting contact and taking the early initiative. The Colonels receiver uses extension and swim moves as part of his attempts to establish separation quickly. Often an area under-developed among college prospects, Dixon appears more nuanced than many in this facet of his execution. This gives some encouragement for his game to translate, alongside his overall IQ and situational awareness.

The base-level athleticism allows for impact on multiple levels of the field. He is frequently featured on short targets, over the middle, and downfield. Dixon has shown he can work well as a runner after the catch, including a good feel for space and zones. He demonstrates sharp footwork, changing direction with minimal wasted motion at the top of routes. Though he’s shown inconsistencies with hands, he is capable of some impressive catches outside of his frame and offers a good target window.

CON’S: As hinted above, the primary negative with Dixon is a frustrating lack of consistency at the catch point. For every solidly secured reception, there is often a missed opportunity to match. There are a few too many instances of being off with his ball tracking and hand timing. When unable to separate and faced with contested situations, he can be distracted on occasion by tight coverage.

The former 2-star recruit will likely be asked about his drop off in production while competing at the FBS level. UConn has not been the most conducive environment to playing tier one football in recent years. He may well have satisfied those questions when speaking to scouts and personnel in his interviews, however. A class of 2015 recruit and redshirt senior, Dixon is a slightly older prospect.

REBECCA RENNIE: “It’s easy to be underwhelmed by Dixon’s modest production numbers (115 catches in four seasons). The traits on film suggest a skill set better than the stats that can work in a rotational role at the pro level. QB play at Eastern Kentucky factored into some opportunity limitations with the Colonels. Dixon has intriguing length and athleticism alongside some technical refinement. Were he more consistently convincing at the catch point he could have garnered a higher grade.”

PROJECTION: 7TH ROUND PICK

Height: 6’2”. Weight: 202lbs

PRO’S: Proficient route runner with a knack for getting open. Quick, choppy feet that aid his release off the line of scrimmage and get him into his route stem in a timely manner. Works his way up the stem keeping his cards close to his chest and makes the corner play on his heels until the last moment. Excellent technique at the top of his route and into breaks, and uses head tilts and hip angles to mislead the corner with regards to his intentions. This routinely gives him healthy separation to work with. Long and strong, Fitzpatrick brings physicality to the position when required, fighting through press coverage and being competitive at the catchpoint. Got good hands and a nose for the audacious, reeling in balls outside of his body with enough acrobatic catches on his resume to suggest he will make big plays in the NFL. Brings unrivalled effort to blocking like his job is on the line.

CON’S: Not enough top end speed to scare defenses into changing their approach. Has mastered other areas of his game to create separation but doesn’t have the acceleration to ghost past defenders and be a threat deep along the sidelines. Goes missing for long periods in games, and isn’t consistently offering an outlet for his quarterback. Never became the top dog at Louisville, playing second fiddle to guys like Tutu Atwell, and failed to break 1,000 yards in any of his four seasons for the Cardinals. Not a home run threat with the ball in his hands; registering just 3 touchdowns as a senior on 43 receptions. Lined up predominantly on the outside but projection at the next level is that of a slot receiver only.

SIMON CARROLL: “Dez Fitzpatrick has had an unspectacular and inconsistent career at Louisville, but that’s not to say he doesn’t provide a portfolio that can translate to an NFL offense. As a projected slot receiver he ticks some of the boxes; urgent release, excellent route running, good hands and physicality when needed - pretty much the full works for someone whose bread and butter will be working the middle of the field in tight, confined quarters. He also has the mental acumen knowledge of zone coverages to find soft spots to sit down in. What he won’t do is be able to stretch the seams from the interior, and life on the outside looks bleak. It’s a limited offering to bring when competing for a roster spot, and one that would be much better if he didn’t disappear for stretches during games. But if he dominates on special teams he’s well worth a late round investment.”

PROJECTION: 7TH ROUND PICK

Height: 6’2”. Weight: 193lbs

PRO’S: Intriguing potential slot receiver who dominated Conference USA opponents with North Texas before transferring to Hawaii for his final year in college. Burst off the line is his calling card; Bussey looks to get separation early in his routes and his quick footwork allows him that opportunity. A similar pattern emerges at the top of his route, where he uses choppy feet and swift direction changes to steal a march on the cornerback and open the catch window. Showcased a confidence with the whole route tree for the Mean, although did predominantly utilise a combination of the shorter routes even from the outside. Does a good job of reaching the catch point in stride and maintaining velocity to maximise yardage after the catch; is clever with his angles running into space and covers as much turf as possible before being hauled down.

CON’S: Just one season of elite production, in 2018. Bussey suffered a torn ACL in his senior year in Denton, missing all but two contests. He redshirted then looked to transfer elsewhere for a fresh start in his final year of eligibility, ending up in Hawaii, but a combination of rust and a COVID disrupted season limited him to just 7 games and just 274 yards. Plays quick but doesn’t have elite deep speed. Frequent focus drops throughout his career and suspect hands see body catches and bobbled footballs. A notable reticence to put his body on the line in 2020 and wasn’t getting the tough yards like he did at North Texas.

SIMON CARROLL: “It’s a real shame we haven’t seen the best of Rico Bussey since the 2018 season. He was a dynamic, reliable weapon for Mason Fine as a junior, and the knee injury undoubtedly derailed his career. Deciding to head to pastures new for 2020, there were rumours of up to 30 interested schools, with group of five powerhouse Miami mentioned, yet he ended up at Hawaii. Did these programs know something that we are only just finding out now? There is little doubt that Bussey never got back to the standards he set himself two years ago, and whether it was just knocking off rust, COVID, a bad fit or something more serious is hard to tell. At his peak he’s a smooth, capable route runner who seems to find separation with ease, and a slot role at the next level was well within his remit. I’d argue he’s a huge risk for an NFL team to use a selection on, but could be highly sought after once the draft is over.”

PROJECTION: UDFA

Height: 5’11”. Weight: 180lbs

PRO’S: Jitterbug receiver with legitimate deep speed and short-area quicks to find space on any route. Explodes off the line and cleans out the cushion afforded to him in off-man coverage quickly - defensive backs are so perturbed by his acceleration they give him much more cushion than you see even with other burner receivers. Excellent route runner through his stem; love the way he closes in on the corner, giving nothing away. On deep routes uses precise body control to suggest movement one way before planting his foot and fading the other, and knows how to position himself in close quarters to maximise his opportunity for the reception. Quick footwork allows him to create separation at the top of his routes, and is adept at slamming on the breaks to come back to the football. Spartans didn’t just use him as a deep threat and he’s seen a relatively expanded route tree as a perimeter and slot receiver.

CON’S: Awful pro day. Showed none of the athleticism you see on tape, with a 4.59 second 40-yard dash (16th percentile) and just a 28 inch vertical leap (0 percentile). Most concerning for a guy his size was his three cone drill, which he sauntered through in 7.75 seconds. For comparison that’s more than a second slower than Rondale Moore. Questions about whether his stats and big plays were accentuated by the relatively easy competition in the Mountain West conference. Undersized and struggles against press coverage, showing a little too much of his chest to corners and finding it difficult to disengage in a timely manner. Winning contested catches is all about his positioning, and if it’s a true 50-50 shot he’s likely to struggle at the catch point against bigger bodied defensive backs. No experience of playing kick or punt return as a Spartan.

SIMON CARROLL: “Tre Walker hoped to transfer to Mississippi State and take up the option of another year of eligibility but didn’t meet the NCAA criteria, so instead declared for the NFL Draft. Exploding onto the scene as a junior, Walker put MWC defenses on notice with a huge 1,161 yards in ten games, despite extra attention after showing big play ability as a sophomore. His senior year was solid considering the chaos the pandemic brought, and he looked set to be a riser on draft boards. Whilst we often put too much stock into 40 times, testing poorly across the board will really give scouts pause for thought and go back and check the tape. Did he shine against inferior competition? From an analysis perspective, he brings a much more varied skillset to the NFL than most other late round prospects and shows intelligence and nuance that adds a layer to his quick game - at least in pads. The pro day will really put teams off I feel - he’ll get a shot in training camp, but it’s likely going to be as a UDFA now.”

PROJECTION: UDFA

Height: 6’6”. Weight: 210lbs

PRO’S: Huge dude that looks a mismatch for defensive backs whoever you line him up opposite. Insane length to complement his height, giving him a ridiculous catch radius and point to which he can go up and get the football. Shows soft hands but strong arms and is a nightmare to challenge at the catch point. Capable of wow moments and made some highlight reel catches during his Red Raider career. Knows how to use his body to control route positioning and box out defenders. Excellent tracker of the ball; is extremely comfortable with the ball behind him as he attacks downfield, locates it quickly and shows good subtle adjustments to align his trajectory to the flight path. A difficult man to bring down once in space, and long strides allow him to evade close tackles and scamper for extra yards. True redzone threat.

CON’S: Very one-dimensional route tree - a ‘run down the sideline and catch this’ option only. Doesn’t possess breakaway speed and every catch is a battle, which he tends to win with his height. Long strider who needs some time to accelerate off the snap. Lateral movement really laboured; you can see him gearing down for forthcoming cuts and breaks, and horizontal breaks at the top of his route will do him no favours in creating space. Perimeter receiver only - too big even for ‘big slot’ duties. Rumours of a poor work ethic and selfish attitude have plagued Vasher during his time in Lubbock, particularly the efforts he brings to training and the weight room. Rather lean for his height and his frame could definitely hold more muscle mass to elevate his possession style game. Goes missing for stretches in contests and has modest production in five years at Texas Tech.

SIMON CARROLL: “TJ Vasher is a classic example of what could have been at the college level. Blessed with size and great ball skills, he really hasn’t taken advantage to maximise his game. He shows smarts on the field and is aware that, if he uses his body correctly along the sideline, he is unplayable on his day. Yet those days are far and few inbetween. You only need to pull up his highlight reel package to know he has something special in his arsenal - the famous one-handed grab against Ole Miss as a sophomore is the perfect case in point - and for that he might draw some attention after the draft from a team who think they have a strong enough coaching team and locker room to improve his focus and professionalism. But no team is going to use valuable draft capital on a prospect that, when it comes down to it, they cannot trust will give them everything he’s got.”

PROJECTION: UDFA

Height: 6’3”. Weight: 200lbs.

PRO’S: When the official 2021 Combine list was announced, Dixon was one of the lesser-known prospects to make the cut. An eventually recanted sexual assault charge cost him the opportunity to go to a more prominent program. He has traits worthy of exploring, following a consistently productive college career at Nicholls. His 2019 season included surpassing 1,000 yards in just nine games (over 19 yards per catch) and 8 touchdowns. Dixon has continued to play during the 2021 spring season.

Dixon features good length on a lean frame. Though not a dynamic athlete, the Colonels receiver is a smooth mover. Often a deep target for Nicholls, Dixon has the stride length to cover ground fairly well down the field. He finds success on contested catches through good concentration at the catch point. Maximizing his length on vertical jumps compliments his favorable catch radius to target. The hands are generally reliable, high pointing well and able to secure the ball away from his body.

Most outstanding from Dixon’s film was his clever route running and positional IQ. Though his routes can sharpen, he demonstrates impressive spatial awareness as he navigates space and sets up coverage. He shows excellent subtlety and timing as he sells his routes. There’s natural savvy in working through traffic over the middle of the field. He has a good knack for taking favorable positions relative to covering defensive backs. Involved across the field and on multiple levels, he can execute a relatively expansive route tree.

CON’S: Though a smooth athlete, Dixon doesn’t appear overly dynamic or explosive with solid but modest top end play speed. The physicality and strength are ok but wouldn’t say he truly owns the catch point consistently. That said, he puts in a shift as a blocker and has his share of highlight catches under tight coverage. He has the hands to catch clean with extension but is not adverse to favoring a body catch when the opportunity is there.

While the sexual assault charge was recanted, NFL teams will still do their due diligence on the incident back when Dixon was 17. They should receive positive referrals from the likes of his high school coach, who at the time talked about how little sense the accusation made relative to Dixon’s character. That all said, Dixon also has an August 2019 arrest to investigate, following a speeding traffic stop. He faced an alleged possession with intent to distribute marijuana charge. He also admitted to smoking weed and drinking alcohol prior to the traffic stop.

REBECCA RENNIE: “While his length and frame stand out at the FCS level, he might blend in a little more among NFL talent. There arguably are not any “wow” traits among his skill set to offer a significant ceiling. The impressive feel as a route runner, fluid movement and an accommodating catch window to target are positives. Modest burst and physicality are questions and potential limitations. Dixon’s Combine invite reflects the interest level as a possible late round selection.”

PROJECTION: UDFA

PREVIOUSLY THE FOUNDER OF NFL DRAFT UK, SIMON HAS BEEN SCOUTING DRAFT PROSPECTS FOR MORE THAN A DECADE. HE FULLY MIGRATED TO THE TOUCHDOWN AS HEAD OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND NFL DRAFT CONTENT IN JULY 2019. ALL THE RANKINGS ABOVE ARE HIS OWN, AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE OPINIONS OF ALL THE WRITERS AT THE TOUCHDOWN. FOR DISCUSSION OF ANY OF THE DRAFT PROSPECTS ABOVE, HIT HIM UP ON TWITTER @NFLDRAFTSI.

 5/5