NFL DRAFT PROSPECTS - WIDE RECEIVER
Click on the names of the prospects below to see their draft profiles:
Height: 6’1”. Weight: 192lbs
PRO’S: Elite route runner who is so smooth off the line of scrimmage and into his routes. When playing against press he will quickly get separation on the shallowest of routes. No better receiver in this class coming out of their breaks. Extremely intelligent and uses footwork and deception to distance himself from the press corner. Great acceleration and phenomenal top end speed - lost count of the number of times he’s caught the ball within ten yards of the line of scrimmage and gained fifty more. Show him the open field at your peril.
CON’S: Below average play strength. Evident mostly in blocking duties, but sometimes found out-muscled in contested catches. Tape shows concentration lapses where he drops catchable balls, or hears footsteps at the catch point.
SIMON CARROLL: “Jerry Jeudy has long been considered the premier receiver in college football. Just because it’s a deep class and we’ve almost seen too much of Jeudy by this point doesn’t mean we should over-think it. Top end speed coupled with insane route running equals top tier wide receiver prospect”.
NFL COMPARISON: AMARI COOPER
PREDICTION: 1ST ROUND PICK
Height: 6’2”. Weight: 189lbs
PRO’S: Maybe the most natural pass catcher in the draft. Terrific ball skills - will catch EVERYTHING in his radius regardless of difficulty. Elite receiver on outside throws - over the shoulder or on comeback routes. Plays with aggression - loves to dominate smaller corners with his physical presence. Enjoys fighting for the football and comes down with it more often than not. Physical with the ball in his hands too - not afraid of contact and fights for every yard after the catch. Excellent route runner - quick off the line and sharp out of his breaks. Lined up predominantly on the outside at Oklahoma, but also showcased his abilities in the slot and backfield (screens, sweeps).
CON’S: Not slow by any means, but doesn’t possess elite quickness - that’s not his game. He might be slightly on the lean side, particularly his lower body, but it’s not a major concern.
SIMON CARROLL: “Quiet, understated and lethal; CeeDee Lamb is already playing like an NFL receiver. He’s a true #1 threat that has the hands to be an instant hit as a rookie. He won’t stretch defenses vertically but he’ll do everything else. Just throw him the ball and he’s guaranteed to come down with it”.
NFL COMPARISON: DEANDRE HOPKINS
PREDICTION: 1ST ROUND PICK
Height: 6’0”. Weight: 190lbs
PRO’S: Hope you like speed. This kid is about to run a world record forty yard dash time at the NFL Combine. There isn’t a more dangerous receiver with the ball in his hands in all of college football than Ruggs. Even when defenders look like they have the angle to get to him, they don’t. His acceleration and top end speed cannot be overstated. Not just a speed merchant - can battle with cornerbacks for the football and has made some spectacular catches away from his body. Suddenness off the line of scrimmage gives him separation early in his route, and the defender never claws it back. Aggressive in the blocking game - plays every part of the game with a chip on his shoulder.
CON’S: Route tree running needs refinement - relies on his speed to garner separation rather than clean breaks. So used to being open for catches he tends to bring the ball into his body - those windows might be a little tighter at the next level. Some teams will tab him as a deep threat, one-trick pony but I don’t think that’s a fair assessment of his skillset at all.
SIMON CARROLL: “Generally considered at the top of the ‘second tier’ of receivers in this class, Ruggs doesn’t get enough love for me. People look at his forty speed and see it almost as a negative, like it’s all he can do. Watch the tape and it’s far from the reality - he can line up inside or out, be utilised on gadget plays and in the backfield, and will be a terrific weapon on special teams. He’s three players rolled into one and if married to a creative play-caller will be a devastating weapon in the NFL”.
NFL COMPARISON: DESEAN JACKSON
PREDICTION: 1ST ROUND PICK
Height: 6’3”. Weight: 192lbs
PRO’S: The consummate all-rounder. Line him up across the formation, send him on any route - all Justin Jefferson does is produce. Ultra-smart footballer who creates separation with sufficient athleticism but also excellent body control, route-running and innate feel for the soft spots in coverage. Elite hands - makes the quarterback look good with ridiculous catches away from his body that look simple to bring in. Physical at the point of catch and with the ball in his hands too - wins contested catches and will dog defenders with his determination for the extra yard after contact. Clever use of angle with the ball in space to make the most of yards after the catch.
CON’S: Sudden and sharp off the line, but not as good deep speed. May get dinged in the pre-draft process when it comes out his forty time. Could get pigeon-holed as a WR2 or slot receiver in the NFL. Not particularly effective at high-pointing the football despite his good hands. Brings tenacity and effort to blocking, but a lack of technique.
SIMON CARROLL: My favourite receiver in this draft class, Jefferson is a production machine who doesn’t go into hiding when adversity rolls his way. People will say his ceiling is lower than some other prospects, but I don’t care - quarterbacks will love him for what he brings to an offense. He’ll be in the league for a long time”.
NFL COMPARISON: TYLER BOYD
PREDICTION: LATE 1ST ROUND PICK
Height: 6’2”. Weight: 220lbs
PRO’S:Jacked receiver who is a physical specimen. Thick set frame and formidable lower body strength that translates to elite yards after contact - rarely if ever brought down by the first tackler. Natural catcher of the football who takes advantage of his height and length to high point the football. Comfortable lining up across the formation, with the power to play as a number one receiver outside the numbers and the toughness to mix it up across the middle. Instant speed - insane quickness off the line and can create natural separation on short routes. Good football smarts & knows the playbook inside out. Extra upside as a potential returner on special teams
CON’S: Had a much more diverse workload in 2019 but his route running still needs work. Surprisingly stale out of breaks. Poor route angles and obvious speed reduction when changing direction. Doesn’t seem to maximise his natural athleticism and physicality. Not as dominant in contested catches as you’d expect. Downright lazy in run blocking duties.
SIMON CARROLL: The phrase ‘swiss army knife’ gets thrown about recklessly at this time of year, but Shenault is truly a versatile weapon that can line up anywhere. His instant speed and strength with the ball in his hands is scary and you can just see the likes of Kyle Shanahan or Sean McVay cooking up a diverse set of plays for this game-changing talent”.
COMPARISON: DEEBO SAMUEL
PREDICTION: LATE 1ST ROUND PICK
Height: 6’0”. Weight: 201lbs
PRO’S: Another speedster in a receiver class deep with athleticism. Elite acceleration forces corners to press him at the line of scrimmage. Works the underneath and intermediate areas well, and if he gets the ball in space then he’s a big problem. Long speed is excellent, but more impressive is his innate understanding of where to run to and the angles to take to maximise yardage. Despite limited top level college career brings some of the nuances you like to see - head fakes and footwork allow him to set up his opponent before breaking to the ball. Will provide special teams value in the NFL.
CON’S: Raw - lots of work to do on his route running. Primarily release off the line - especially against press corners where they can stunt his explosiveness early. Extra sharpness in cuts required - he could be deadly if he improved his change of direction, particularly on comeback routes. Moments of concentration lapses in his catching. Engaged and good effort in blocking but you wouldn’t want him being the only one between a blitzer and the quarterback.
SIMON CARROLL: “Aiyuk’s stock is rising and the chatter is only going to intensify as scouts witness his athleticism first hand in the pre draft process. He already brings game breaking traits that NFL teams covet, and with a lot to add to his game he’ll be viewed as a high-ceiling prospect. Currently not quite the full package, but his upside could see him sneak into the first round”.
NFL COMPARISON: SAMMY WATKINS
PREDICTION: 2ND ROUND PICK
Height: 6’4”. Weight: 215lbs
Big-bodied, physical receiver who is happy to take a hit to come down with the football. Excellent length aids his contested catch prowess. Boxes out defenders with apparent ease, opening up the passing window for his quarterback. Soft hands and feathers the football in away from his body. Dominates outside the numbers on intermediate and comeback routes. Calm and composed tracking the football. Plus athleticism for his size - able to challenge corners and safeties vertically. Will be a redzone weapon in the NFL.
CON’S: Lack of explosion and seems to build up to speed gradually. Seems to slow down with the ball in his hands and whilst he’s a bundle to bring down, he doesn’t always maximise his yards after the catch. Lack of twitch and isn’t going to juke a cornerback out of their cleats. Limited evidence of varied route-running at Clemson. Little effectiveness as a run blocker.
SIMON CARROLL: “Somewhat of an enigma, Higgins possesses the size and aggression to dominate in the NFL, but there are moments on tape where he can go into his shell if he doesn’t win early. He shows bursts of speed when you wonder if he has it in his locker. There’s a slight whiff of boom or bust to Higgins but if he lands with a good QB and co-ordinator he could be deadly”.
NFL COMPARISON: ANQUAN BOLDIN
PREDICTION: 2ND ROUND PICK
Height: 5’11”. Weight: 195lbs
PRO’S: A more explosive, less powerful version of Laviska Shenault, Reagor is a playmaker with the ball in his hands. Track runner who will give cornerbacks fits - press him he’ll burn you deep, play him off and he’ll pull your pants down underneath. Twitchy with insane separation out of his breaks. Excellent at high pointing the football despite his less than ideal stature. Excels in confusing defenders with his movement. Get the ball to him quick with some open field and he’s gone. Figures to be a dangerous returner on special teams.
CON’S: Played in a restrictive offense at TCU and will need to show his ability across the whole route tree in the pre-draft process. Undersized and struggles to compete with physicality - struggles with contested catches and sometimes seems fearful of imminent contact. Doesn’t bring anything to the blocking game. Drops way too many catches considering he’s often given the ball in space - concentration and poor catch technique the main problems. Likes to bring the ball into his body.
SIMON CARROLL: “Reagor is already a dangerous weapon that will have success in the NFL. The scary thing is that with some good coaching (hands, route running) he can be even better. How long it takes for us to see him at the peak of his powers is questionable, but both the floor and ceiling seem high with this prospect”.
COMPARISON: MARQUISE BROWN
PREDICTION: 2ND ROUND PICK
Height: 6’2”. Weight: 208lbs
PRO’S: Big, powerful receiver with sneaky athleticism for his size. Thick stocky frame that he uses well to out-muscle opponents. Excellent body control at the point of catch - experienced and effective at framing out cornerbacks on underneath routes. A competitor - fights for separation, for contested catches and in his blocking duties. Smooth if not quick off the line. Excellent long speed - long strider who opens his legs and gobbles up ground. Works outside the numbers with authority and shows good hands at any area of the catch radius. Capable of the extraordinary - check out his phenomenal touchdown catch versus Indiana (2019).
CON’S: Not a quick-twitch guy - takes too long to get into his routes which hampers his effectiveness on short routes. Has a lot to prove to NFL scouts in terms of his route diversity - used predominantly from the slot at Michigan. Needs to make use of his length more when catching the football. Lack of elite level production at the college level.
SIMON CARROLL: “DPJ is one of the more polarising skill position prospects in this draft class. Ideal measurements but a lack of short-area quickness have him pegged as a slot guy, but he does have tape of big-time moments all over the field for Michigan. I’m of the opinion he was severely hamstrung by ineffective quarterback play at college and he’ll surprise a few people with the career he carves out at the next level”.
NFL COMPARISON: ADAM THIELEN
PREDICTION: 2ND ROUND PICK
Height: 5’9”. Weight: 176lbs
PRO’S: Off the charts athleticism. If he’s uncontested off the line he’s instant top speed. A field stretcher who lined up everywhere and out of different sets for Penn State, but will be considered an elite weapon from the slot in the NFL. Shows good competitiveness across the middle and on contested catches. Finds space where none seems to be there. Good concentration on passes in traffic. Plays the deep ball excellently over his shoulder. Sets up deep safeties and blazes past them when they don’t know where he’s going. Duplicitous footwork, body movement and eye direction give him separation at every level.
CON’S: Diminutive stature and lean frame leads to durability concerns. Feisty and competitive but he’s not boxing out linebackers across the middle. Less than ideal catch radius. Loses concentration on some routine catches. Played on the outside for Penn State but was often protected (trips formation to give him uncontested release) - portfolio probably more limited in the NFL.
SIMON CARROLL: “Hamler has size and durability concerns and there’s simply no getting around that - if you’re drafting him it’s something you have to accept and account for. But what he does give you are speed and separation, and those two are a deadly combination. Maybe he’s not on the field every down but he offers instant production at the next level”.
COMPARISON: JAMISON CROWDER
PREDICTION: 2ND ROUND PICK
Height: 6’4”. Weight: 222lbs
PRO’S: Ideal measurements and athletic traits for a modern day NFL receiver. Big imposing receiver who prowls outside the numbers. Impressive upper body strength to dominate cornerbacks, either at the line or at the top of his routes. Massive hands and excellent length afford him an impressive catch radius which he uses to good effect, bringing in balls from outside his frame with ease. Plus athleticism, particularly for a bigger receiver. Straight line speed once into his route is covert but significant. Looks to take pleasure in blocking corners in the run game or out in front of screens.
CON’S: Good long speed but acceleration is mediocre at best. Takes him a while to reach top speed and his tape doesn’t show any short-area quickness to allow him to work the underneath. Fluidity when changing direction is questionable, hence him being used on more linear routes outside the numbers. Limited route-tree at Liberty but improved every aspect of his running each season.
SIMON CARROLL: “You can see why AGG is building up a cult status amongst casual draftniks and football fans. A man who never seems to be truly covered, he’ll bring down the football no matter how many the defense sends to the party. There are holes to Gandy-Golden’s current game but I’d argue he’s more raw than deficient. In a couple of years he should be a starting NFL receiver. There’s a definite feel of upside here”.
NFL COMPARISON: HAKEEM BUTLER
PREDICTION: 3RD ROUND PICK
Height: 6’2”. Weight: 197lbs
PRO’S: Highly polished wide receiver. Excellent route-runner - you can tell he’s the son of a former receiver and current NFL coach. Shows subtle nuances to his release and cuts based on opponents’ positioning and hips, making separation look simple. Above par athleticism. Graceful across the turf with plenty of short area quickness and change of direction speed. Really soft hands that he extends away from his body throughout the catch. Strong upper torso and arms that lock in contested areas - he’s rarely beaten for physicality when the ball is there to be won. Highly competitive - enjoys going toe to toe with an opponent.
CON’S: Much sharper and quicker over shorter areas than deep - doesn’t take the top off defenses. Very much a projection for the NFL - last year was his most productive and he only recorded 657 yards and 6 touchdowns. Despite his willingness for the fight his stats against top opposition drop off a cliff. Doesn’t high-point the football as well as he does on other catches. Willing and feisty blocker but lack of lower body strength is evident.
SIMON CARROLL: “There’s a lot to fall in love with when breaking down Van Jefferson’s tape. The technique he displays throughout routes is already at an NFL standard, and he has all the hallmarks of a productive slot receiver at the next level. The only question is, why wasn’t he particularly productive at college? His Orange Bowl performance may have pacified some doubters, and is likely to come off the board on day two”.
NFL COMPARISON: COOPER KUPP
PREDICTION: 3RD ROUND PICK
Height: 6,3”. Weight: 206lbs
PRO’S: Arms like a windmill - will catch the ball at any part of the circumference of his wingspan. Ridiculously good hands away from his body. Strong, physical receiver who can break from being manhandled at the perfect time to make backward diving circus catches. Throws his weight around against press coverage. Easily boxes out corners and uses his big catch radius to reel the ball in. Long legs that gallop into impressive long speed. Dangerous with the ball in his hands and open space ahead of him. A huge redzone threat.
CON’S: Acceleration poor - needs to build up speed off the line of scrimmage. Very limited route tree at Baylor - pretty much a go route or a comeback route outside the numbers, occasionally working across the middle of the field on slot duties. Slggish in and out of his breaks. Inconsistent effort in blocking duties, for which he has natural size and talent. Didn’t drop passes but frequently fumbled the ball after the catch.
SIMON CARROLL: “28 touchdowns and nearly 3,000 yards in three years in Waco, yet Mims seems to have gone under the radar until Baylor had their terrific eleven-win season in 2019. With his size, catching abilty and deep speed he’s an immediate problem for NFL cornerbacks and despite needing some refinement should be a contributor to an offense in year one”.
NFL COMPARISON: ALSHON JEFFREY
PREDICTION: 3RD ROUND PICK
Height: 6’4”. Weight: 219lbs
PRO’S: Excellent height and strength for the position - looks like a man amongst boys on tape. Comfortable off the snap against press coverage and doesn’t allow it to lose his route timing. Strong at the top of his routes, using his upper body strength to create separation out of his breaks. Gets good distance away from the conrerback on comeback routes. Has sneaky deep speed if not elite - always seems to be a step ahead of the defender on deep sideline routes. Lethal with the ball in his hands - a unit to bring down and trundles for more yards than he should. Enjoys run blocking and is adept at picking up a block when one of his teammates receives the ball too.
CON’S: Short-area quickness is lacking - tended to be used to clear out the middle for other receivers by going deep rather than working the underneath. In this regard his route running duties were limited at USC - mainly go’s, comebacks and deep crossers. Limited athleticism and fluidness as you may expect for his size. Some hip tightness that stalls his change of direction - separation almost exclusively garnered from strength, not speed.
SIMON CARROLL: “Out of all the big-bodied, physical receivers likely going in the later rounds, in my opinion Pittman has the greatest chance of becoming an all-round weapon. His combine performance will be crucial but on gameday he always seems to be a step ahead of the corner and is able to maintain that position with his impressive play strength”.
NFL COMPARISON: JORDAN MATTHEWS
PREDICTION: 3RD ROUND PICK
Height: 6’2”. Weight: 205lbs
PRO’S: A natural slot receiver that garners separation off the line with a blend of under-appreciated quickness, sharp route running and guile. Smooth off the snap and quickly into his route. Able to set up corners by attacking their hip and leaving them unsure of his intentions. Very quick feet at the top of routes allow him to break sharply. A fighter - shows good concentration and a high level of determination to win at the point of catch. Knows how to high point the football and made a living out of it at the back of the endzone for Minnesota. Excellent tracker of the football in the air. Productive regardless of competition.
CON’S: Lack of deep speed on the perimeter. Play strength sometimes questionable when seeing him get jammed at the line. Lack of yardage after the catch. Has too many infuriating drops on tape. Lack of length and small catch radius will make his style of play even harder to impose at the next level. Sideline footwork technique requires some attention.
SIMON CARROLL: “Minnesota were a fairytale story last year, and Tyler Johnson was a huge reason for their success. He’s a guy that will show up every time his number is called, and his college resume speaks to his production despite a perceived lack of elite athleticism and physicality. A chain mover who is likely to carve out a significant role for himself in an NFL offense”.
NFL COMPARISON: AJ BROWN (WITHOUT THE YAC)
PREDICTION: 4TH ROUND
Height: 6’3”. Weight: 215lbs
PRO’S: Versatile receiver with impressive size for the position. Excellent play strength - gets consistent clean release off the line against press coverage, and dominates contested catches. Uses his body well wherever he is lined up - can stack cornerbacks on comeback routes outside the numbers or frame them out across the middle. Deceptively quick off the line and into his route. Good field vision; received the ball in the backfield a lot and was able to navigate his way through heavy traffic. Impressive double move on the ‘hitch n’ go’ - best demonstrated on his touchdown catch versus Georgia (2019). Consistent production at the highest level of college football despite mediocre quarterback play.
CON’S: Lacks top end deep speed, and despite some short-area quickness seems to take a while to reach top speed. Can shrug off arm tackles after the catch but he’s not running away from anybody. Needs to come out of his breaks much sharper if he is to be considered an outside receiver in the NFL. Recent injuries have hampered his pre-draft process.
SIMON CARROLL: “ The momentum that Bryan Edwards had built in terms of draft stock seems to have come to a shuddering halt following a knee injury that kept him out of the Senior Bowl and now a broken foot that means he will miss the combine. Whilst it doesn’t change his impressive production at South Carolina, it does allow other receivers to get the limelight. He’ll probably find a home on day three and could be considered a steal in a few year’s time”.
NFL COMPARISON: COREY DAVIS
PREDICTION: 4TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’4”. Weight: 229lbs
PRO’S: Another possession receiver who possesses a big frame and knows how to use it. Forces his fame between defender and ball, maximising the opportunity at the catch point. Shows good physicality at the top of his routes to garner sufficient separation. Able to body corners out as the ball is in the air for late separation. Underrated athleticism that is by no means elite but he has enough gas to make unsuspecting coverage look foolish. Once in stride he eats up turf and is tough to halt. All the tools to be an elite blocker out on the periphery.
CON’S: Slow off the line, and isn’t urgent enough to let his play strength help him against press coverage. Lacking quickness at every aspect of the route that requires a different gear or change of direction No distinct sharpness in or out of his breaks - rounded routes. Hands look laboured and clumsy, although drops weren’t particularly a problem at Notre Dame.
SIMON CARROLL: “A handful for any cornerback out on an island, Claypool is an ideal ‘x’ receiver in the NFL. He’s big and physical and would look good in a tough nosed conference like the AFC North. His size precludes him from having the elite athleticism of a top pass catcher, but what he does he does extremely well”.
NFL COMPARISON: MIKE WILLIAMS
PREDICTION: 4TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’1”. Weight: 199lbs
PRO’S: Shifty, quick slot receiver with excellent route running ability. Has good size and strength to work the middle of an NFL field. Able to fight tight coverage for the football with excellent body control and strong hands. Worked religiously on his game - can garner separation on the shortest of routes using head fakes, shoulder drops, physicality at the top of the route or just quickness out of his breaks. A dangerous playmaker with the ball in his hands - possesses the acceleration and field vision to target opening areas and blast into them.
CON’S: Good initial quickness but doesn’t possess elite deep speed. Sets off like a rocket but can be caught from behind with the ball in his hands. Can be intimidated in games and kept under wraps if beaten early - the physicality he shows catching the ball doesn’t translate to disengaging from press coverage or catching hospital passes. Sometimes hears footsteps and is acutely aware of incoming contact. Lack of production in his college career. Significant injury history including a torn ACL.
SIMON CARROLL: “Davis’ draft buzz has grown following an impressive week in Mobile for the Senior Bowl. Playing on the outside for Texas A&M may not have showcased his natural abilities as a big-bodied slot receiver, which is where he projects at the next level. He has some inconsistencies regarding physicality and effort to overcome, but the explosiveness is evident on tape”.
NFL COMPARISON: STEVIE JOHNSON
PREDICTION: 4TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’4”. Weight: 209lbs
PRO’S: Lean, long and tough. Elite catcher of the ball under duress. Able to withstand bodying of corners down the sideline and make the grab in heavy traffic. Simply does not drop the football. High points the ball in the air and willing to leap backwards and ‘salmon’ for the football. Relatively smooth off the line and into his routes. Understands defensive concepts well and adjusts depth and angles of route running accordingly. Opens up his body nicely on comeback routes, giving his quarterback a nice big target to throw to. Awesome body control when the ball is in the air.
CON’S: Not fast. Lack of twitch off the snap even with the smoothness. Isn’t going to blaze past cornerbacks and burn them deep. Needs to set them up for double moves or physically dominate the route if he is to win long. Manhandled against press on occasion which is disappointing to see for a bigger possession receiver.
SIMON CARROLL: “Hodgins’ ball skills possess the wow factor - circus catches, bringing it in with three defensive backs draped on him, sideline over the shoulder grabs - he’ll still come up with the football. To allow his game to still be effective in the NFL he needs to be more physical off the line and protected in an offense that will allow him to get in his routes cleanly and do what he does best”.
NFL COMPARISON: ALLEN ROBINSON
PREDICTION: 4TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’0”. Weight: 192lbs
PRO’S: Elusive slot receiver who shows good release off the line and into his routes. Uber-athletic - incredible short area quickness with no drop-off in velocity upon change of direction. Hits top speed quickly and maintains it throughout his route. Alarms defenders with his ability after the catch. Effortless separation from tight man coverage out of his breaks, and shows good awareness to sit in space against zone. Soft hands that work away from his body. Insane production at Ohio State.
CON’S: Small frame with a distinct lack of length. Small catch radius too - wouldn’t be considered a ‘quarterbacks best friend’. Can be stymied with physicality at the catch point and is likely to be bullied in the NFL. Whilst he can find daylight with the ball in his hands, he will struggle to win deep as corners body him away from the ball. Will offer little t nothing as a blocker”.
SIMON CARROLL: “KJ Hill will go down as the most productive wide receiver in Ohio State history, and considering the alumni of the university that is some achievement. Whichever NFL team he goes to will need to do the same as The Buckeyes did - put him in a situation that mitigates his lack of play strength and gives him good matchups to attack the defense on short to intermediate routes”.
NFL COMPARISON: HUNTER RENFROW
PREDICTION: 5TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’1”. Weight: 207lbs
PRO’S: Fun to watch. Looks the part - ideal size and frame for the NFL. Has an excellent blend of natural play strength and proactive athleticism. Able to out-compete corners at pretty much every physical juncture - off press, at the top of routes or on contested catches. Has an edge to his game that feels hostile. Not shy to play physical if that’s the game in front of him. Able to box out defenders away from the ball. Speed is slept on. Once he’s in stride he’s fast - more than fast - and able to garner separation with acceleration. Love his hands - catches the ball cleanly and in stride away from his body. Raised his game against the better teams.
CON’S: Quickness off the line doesn’t match his speed when into his routes. Wisconsin liked to keep him moving before the snap to get him up to speed and away from handsy press corners. Speed drops as he changes direction - particularly inside breaks on intermediate routes. Was suspended from the team in 2018 after being charged with sexual assault, although the allegations were dismissed and he returned to the team for his final year in Madison.
SIMON CARROLL: “It feels like the charges that derailed Cephus’ college career are having a similar effect on his draft stock. I watch his tape and for the life of me cannot understand why he’s not given the love of some other prospects. He’s an all-rounder with some areas to improve. But to me he’s not far from a complete receiver who, after maybe his rookie season, can be a true starter in the NFL. Cephus is a day three pick with day two talent”.
NFL COMPARISON: CHRIS GODWIN
PREDICTION: 5TH ROUND PICK
Height: 5’11”. Weight: 196lbs
PRO’S: Ultra-productive slot receiver who might just have the best hands in this draft. Literally anything thrown his way is a catch - if it’s in his postcode, he’s coming down with the football. Has Odell Beckham level of hands - one handed grabs, scooping up balls by his feet, sideline snags - you name it, he can do it. Very quick feet that help him get just enough separation on his routes and lets his ball skills do the rest. Gritty play from the slot and despite his diminutive stature fights through contact for the ball. Brings the same feisty attitude to blocking duties too.
CON’S: Small - he can high point but he isn’t going to pluck airballs out of the sky down the sidelines. Subpar athleticism - outside of the shiftiness near the line of scrimmage he doesn’t possess the speed to really challenge defenders on his routes. Lacks desired length for the NFL and whilst it hasn’t affected his catching at college, he will be attacked by the new breed of cornerback at the next level. Doesn’t offer much yardage after the catch.
SIMON CARROLL: “Hands like glue and makes circus catches as a routine exercise, James Proche makes football more entertaining. He’s got a battle on his hands to be as effective at the next level as he was at SMU, but boy do I love watching him do his thing. I imagine some scouts will fall in love with him despite his deficiencies. He’s quite simply too productive not to make an NFL roster”.
NFL COMPARISON: COLE BEASLEY
PREDICTION: 5TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’6”. Weight: 221lbs
PRO’S: Big - BIG - physical wide-out who loves to impose his impressive height and play strength onto his opponent. Huge arms which allow him to stave off any press at the line and reel in erratic passes. Impressive use of power out of his breaks to garner separation - route running in general very crisp. Enjoys setting up corners so they find it difficult to gauge which way, if any, he’s going to break. Excellent hands - catches nearly everything despite it sometimes looking rather scruffy. An absolute beast in blocking duties.
CON’S: Lack of quickness off the line of scrimmage. Doesn’t possess the deep speed needed to stretch a defense and challenge corners vertically. Takes a while for him to get into full stride. Change of direction speed is obviously not going to be elite with his huge frame. Despite play strength doesn’t garner much yards after the catch or first contact.
SIMON CARROLL: “Johnson is so big and physically dominant you can almost consider him a tight end. He’s an intelligent football player who knows his own weaknesses and plays the game to maximise his strengths. He’s not someone who’s likely to impress during the pre-draft process, but could become a valued member of a receiving corps at the next level. He would fit in well somewhere like Tennessee - an offense where he can be big and nasty and play outside despite his lack of speed”.
NFL COMPARISON: MIKE WILLIAMS
PREDICTION: 5TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’3”. Weight: 212lbs
PRO’S: Fast outside receiver with elite straight line speed. Will take the top off defenses and force them to shade the safety his direction. Enjoys prototypical height and weight for the NFL which coupled with his long speed makes him a big play waiting to happen. Has a good feel for timing with the ball in the air and is able to make up the ground and snag some passes that other receivers wouldn’t be able to get to. Relatively good athleticism at the top of routes to maintain speed out of breaks.
CON’S: Doesn’t have the elite burst off the line that you’d expect for a burner. This makes him liable to aggressive press coverage as corners try to contain him early in the rep. Comes out of his breaks tidily but lack of hip fluidity means he loses velocity going into his breaks. Change of direction is concerningly slow for a game built on speed. Was a one-trick pony to some extent at UCF - stuck outside with a limited route-tree, set off the line to allow greater freedom from the snap. Plenty to learn.
SIMON CARROLL: “Highly productive at his home-town team, Davis is going to look impressive in the forty yard dash for a man his size. Teams would do well to check the tape carefully though - he operated very much in a one-dimensional role at UCF and they disguised his limitations quite well. It’s doubtful he can improve some of his athletic limitations, but he still offers value as a WR3/4 in obvious passing situations”.
NFL COMPARISON: TEDD GINN JR.
PREDICTION: 5TH ROUND PICK
Height: 5’11”. Weight: 202lbs
PRO’S: Built like a running back and has the lower body strength to match. An absolute animal upon contact - will use all his natural leverage and low pad height to blow up would be tacklers or blitzers - if it comes near him he’s laying the wood. Electric playmaker with the ball in his hands - phenomenal straight line speed coupled with his raw power makes him a runaway train and a nightmare to bring down. Excellent hands - catches everything thrown his way provided he has the space to do so. High effort blocker. Dynamic dual-threat out of the backfield.
CON’S: Distinct lack of fluidity. Sluggish changing direction and out of his breaks. Not big enough to be a weapon on contested catches - he gets manhandled in traffic. A lot of technique work to improve - footwork off the line, route running, opening up for the football. Natural feel for the game isn’t quite there - evidenced on occasion by being a tick off in timing with the quarterback or setting up in less favourable positions against zone defense.
SIMON CARROLL: “Devin Duvernay is a really tough evaluation. He’s almost like an elite pass-catching running back with gamebreaking speed if you give him the ball in space. It’s going to take a creative offensive co-ordinator with a bespoke game plan to get the most out of him and make him a viable NFL slot receiver. If that happens he could turn into one of the most explosive weapons in the league”.
NFL COMPARISON: DEEBO SAMUEL/DAVID MONTGOMERY HYBRID
PREDICTION: 5TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’1”. Weight: 199lbs
PRO’S: Intriguing toolsy prospect with a diverse resume. Impressive athlete in every department - quick off the line, smooth into his routes, loses no speed when cutting or changing direction, sharp breaks at the top of his route, and sufficient deep speed to be a menace to defensive backs. Extremely versatile - played quarterback for Kentucky when injury struck, and has played nearly every position at high school. A swiss army knife weapon that can line up in the backfield and be a danger on screeens, sweeps and trick plays. Offers even more value on special teams, where he’s played both returner and gunner.
CON’S: Lack of technique in pretty much every department. So reliant on speed to create separation he fails to concentrate on the fundamentals. Ball security has been an issue. Head down, hit the gas kind of player - not one to mix it up and keep the defense on their toes. Will require a dedicated playbook to take advantage of his talents. Lack of composure sometimes - had a fight with an opposition player prior to his final game as a Wildcat.
SIMON CARROLL: “When you have a guy like Bowden on your roster the playbook is wide open. A slot receiver with other strings to his bow - he can run the ball and throw it too - you’re getting a lot of versatility for your pick. He’s by no means polished or the complete article, but when he ends up as Sean Payton’s next toy watch as he becomes a weekly game changer”.
NFL COMPARISON: TAYSOM HILL
PREDICTION: 5TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’0”. Weight: 202lbs
PRO’S: An all-round receiver with good athleticism that can play outside the numbers or line up in the slot. Sleek off the line and into his routes. Shows a variety of ways to garner separation - excellent fluidity at the top of his routes, has modest but sufficient physicality to give himself breathing space, and can frame his body to the hip of the corner and box him out. Intelligent footballer - able to set up defenders before breaking and keep them guessing of his intentions. Asked to do everything at Vandy and should offer added value as a blocker and on special teams.
CON’S: Slightly undersized but more importantly a lack of play strength. Pesky, handsy corners can beat him early in games and send him into his shell somewhat. Unable to get off press consistently and cleanly. Doesn’t possess top end burner speed to challenge a defense vertically. Concentration lapses whilst catching the ball - almost like he’s thinking of the yards ahead instead of focusing on the catch first.
SIMON CARROLL: “A cerebral receiver who doesn’t particularly excel at any one aspect of the position, Lipscomb’s game has a low ceiling. Having said that, he was a productive weapon for a bad team against elite conference. His senior year didn’t go as well as he would have hoped, but he still offers versatility and would round out a position group as a useful backup”.
NFL COMPARISON: KENDRICK BOURNE
PREDICTION: 6TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’3”. Weight: 185lbs
PRO’S: Lightning-quick who can turn on the jets at the drop of a hat. Able to keep defensive backs off-guard with variation of quickness on his release. Almost instantaneous top speed and a true deep threat. Dangerous with the ball in his hands and has a nose for good angles and developing open field. Impressive footwork off the line, allowing him to plant and go early and allow his speed to do the separating. Packed on the pounds since the end of the season. Added value as a returner on special teams.
CON’S: Lightweight and complete lack of functional play strength. If he gets touched by press coverage he’s not winning his route. Needs a free release and might be moved to the slot which makes sense but you lose the outside deep element to his repertoire. Remains to be seen if his added weight helps or hinders his game. Inconsistent route running and timing - looks confused sometimes when the ball is in the air. Won’t be on the field as a a blocker. Not going to be a reliable outlet on shallow and intermediate routes.
SIMON CARROLL: “Hightower will have his fans, and it’s good to see him try to address his lack of play strength in the pre-draft process. He’s scary quick over the first ten yards and at the very least will be an asset to the special teams unit, but until he’s able to compete against man coverage early on routes his game is going to be boom or bust”.
NFL COMPARISON: DARIUS HEYWARD-BEY
PREDICTION: 6TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’1”. Weight: 215lbs
PRO’S: Dynamic playmaker with the ball in his hands. Stocky torso with running-back like strength that makes him difficult to bring down. Elite speed - an absolute danger in space. Reads the field well and knows how to maximise yardage after the catch. Love his body control - able to set up defenders before leaving them for dust. Offers gadget play value and has lined up frequently in the backfield for Virginia. A likely slot receiver with the athleticism to stretch the field from the inside. An elite returner on special teams in college which will likely be the reason he is drafted.
CON’S: Raw. Virginia leaned on his natural talents to move the chains rather than develop him into an effective, all-round receiver. Lots of things to learn to help him garner separation in short to intermediate areas. Burner speed doesn’t translate to change of direction quickness and his breaks are sluggish. Very limited route tree at college and has a steep learning curve at the next level.
SIMON CARROLL: “As far as size, speed and strength goes, Joe Reed possesses the lot. A game breaker with the ball in his hands, his usefulness to an offense is limited because his all-round game is under-developed. He’ll need a lot of coaching to be a consistent contributor, but until then he can have his own limited playbook and should be a dangerous returner on special teams too”.
NFL COMPARISON: JOHNNY KNOX
PREDICTION: 6TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’3”. Weight:206lbs
PRO’S: Big strong body and knows how to use it to his advantage. Dominates contested catches and makes a living doing the dirty work across the middle of the field. Good timing on his routes and tracks the ball well in the air. An absolute handful to get to the ground with the ball in his hands and frequently breaks tackles after the catch. Understands situational football and there is evidence of adjusting his route depth to account for this. Looks to be a reliable check-down option for a quarterback. Impressive desire, technique and aggression when run blocking.
CON’S: No real speed. He won’t challenge defenses deep and he needs the ball to get to him relatively quickly as any separation gets eaten up the longer the play develops. Needs a free release from the line otherwise he’s not going to be an option. Lack of quickness in and out of breaks. Chequered disciplinary history - was kicked of the Volunteer football team after falling out with coaches, only to be reinstated by the next regime.
SIMON CARROLL: “There is no doubt that Jauan Jennings’ game is limited, but his ability to move the chains and be a productive escape valve for a quarterback give him a very realistic shot at being a possession slot receiver in the NFL. A classic high floor, low ceiling prospect that is well worth a flyer on day three”.
NFL COMPARISON: ADAM HUMPHRIES
PREDICTION: 6TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’4”. Weight: 199lbs
*Just two games of tape watched on this prospect
PRO’S: Playmaking pass catcher who uses deceptive speed to get behind a defense. Good length and able to snag deep balls away from his body and out in front of him. Seems to continue to get faster and faster the further he runs, almost as if there is no limit to his speed. Good comprehension of the route tree and polished technique off the snap and in/out of his breaks. Fluid hips and quick feet make him a danger to break apparent contain for more yards. Impressive amount of touchdowns on limited snaps.
CON’S: Plays tall and has a lean frame - a vertical receiver in every sense. Bullied at the line of scrimmage against press. Almost slow on release & needs a good ten yards to hit the jets, but once he’s there he is fast. Doesn’t have that quick-twitch, stop and go speed you look for in a burner. Give him all the credit in the world for his aggression in blocking but he simply doesn’t have the sand in his pants to be effective.
SIMON CARROLL: “Limited tape gives you a glimpse of Victor’s game - a receiver who enjoys attacking the secondary with his vertical speed and has the ball skills to bring in the deep shots. As of yet the rest of his game is playing catch-up, but he’s well coached and has the potential to develop into a contributor on a pass-happy, aggressive offense”.
NFL COMPARISON: TAYWAN TAYLOR
PREDICTION: 7TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’4”. Weight: 204lbs
PRO’S: Lean and tall with impressive ball skills outside the numbers. Superior length aids his ability to high point the football. Jump ball specialist with excellent hands under duress. Capable of wow moments where he has no right to come down with the football. Has enough athleticism to give himself an inch of separation, and enough size to compete with the more physical backs trying to keep him grounded.
CON’S: Distinct lack of technique. Poor footwork off the line, sloppy route running where he bends out of breaks rather than offers quick cuts. Hasn’t shown the ability to diagnose what’s in front of him and adjust his route running accordingly. Looks disinterested if he knows the ball isn’t coming his way. Not nearly as effective on comeback routes or across the middle as he is down the sideline.
SIMON CARROLL: “Somewhat of a one-trick pony, Rogers has shown just one elite trait to his game during his time at College Station. A lot of promise failed to produce the growth scouts hoped for in 2019. Despite that, he’s able to win consistently down the sidelines deep and that’s not something every offense has at their disposal. He’s a project that could be worth a late round shot”.
NFL COMPARISON: JOSH DOCTSON
PREDICTION: 7TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’1”. Weight: 212lbs
PRO’S: The height, weight and (sometimes) speed of Mack make him a tantalising prospect. Impressive specimen to look at - great thickness and muscle mass from top to toe. Plays physical as you’d expect and likes to bully corners. Well coached like every Buckeye - excellent route-running with the sharpness in his breaks to get separation on quicker-developing routes. Knows how to manipulate defenders by attacking their hip and using his body as a divider. Competitive and strong hands in traffic.
CON’S: Supposed to be THE guy at Ohio State, but never was. Significant lack of production in a heavy scoring offense where his teammates produced. Poor concentration when the ball is in the air and let simple catches hit the turf. Doesn’t offer a whole lot as a blocker despite his competitiveness and big frame. Beset by injuries during his time at Columbus.
SIMON CARROLL: “Mack flies under the radar heading into the draft because of his uninspiring production. But if he can avoid the injuries and fulfill his potential he might be better than his former teammate KJ Hill. The question is can he do that? At this stage it’s going to take a big leap of faith for any front office to invest significant draft capital into him”.
PREDICTION: 7TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’5”. Weight: 220lbs
PRO’S: Tall, big, and long. Looks the part of an NFL ‘x’ receiver. As physically dominant a receiver as there is in this class - plays the position like a bully and just forces himself into position for the football. Excellent ball skills - hands that just rip the ball out of the sky, and elite concentration on balls over his shoulder. Cornerbacks simply cannot compete with him on contested catches - his body is too strong and his arms too long. Despite injury-riddled, modest production had a TD heavy reception percentage and figures to be a serious redzone threat in the NFL.
CON’S: Significant injury history, including a torn ACL in 2016 and ankle surgery at the end of last year. Productivity hampered by nagging lingering ailments and it rarely seems he’s on the field and fully fit. Lack of athleticism as you’d expect for a guy of his size - hip fluidity and burst affected the most.
SIMON CARROLL: “Not even a change of scenery seemed to help Cager shake the injury bug as he transferred to Georgia from Miami for his final season in college. It’s such a shame because without the medical concerns he would have better tape and could well be considered a day two prospect. Team doctors hold the key to his NFL future - if he gets a pass he could have significant upside as an NFL starter in a few year’s time”.
NFL COMPARISON: DWAYNE BOWE
PREDICTION: 7TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’3”. Weight: 210lbs
PRO’S: Big, competitive pass catcher who likes to go up and get the football. Aggressive off the snap and almost enjoys corners trying to press him. Drives at his opponents hip, keeping them square and unsure. Works the sideline well and has the play strength to hold off defenders outside the numbers and let the ball come to him. Excellent leap and adept at high-pointing the football.
CON’S: Distinct lack of speed on tape. Had a torn ACL on the first play of the 2017 season, and has never seemed to recover the same juice or athleticism. Fluidity in and out of breaks is noticeably lacking, and Hoosiers coaches restricted his route tree as a result. Gears down too much on change of direction.
SIMON CARROLL: “It seems to me that the best version of NIck Westbrook was to be found three years ago. Since the injury he just hasn’t looked the same dynamic, big bodied threat and his production the last two seasons corroborates that fear. He might get an invite to a training camp but sadly it’s hard to see him bringing anything to the table that an NFL team doesn’t already possess”.
NFL COMPARISON: ALLEN LAZARD
PREDICTION: UDFA
Height: 5’10”. Weight: 187lbs
PRO’S: Nifty, shifty reciever with impressive short-area burst and quickness. Smooth off the line and into his route and shows proactive athleticism when changing direction without losing speed. Good cut agility to leave defenders flat footed. Used in a multitude of ways in Washington and is comfortable working all aspects of the route tree. There is evidence of deep speed on tape - you just have to look for it. Can accelerate into open space - a reason why he’s so deadly as a returner.
CON’S: Drops on top of drops. Poor concentration and hasty hands the culprits. Lack of functional play strength -easily manhandled at the line by press corners and his route is over. A feint whiff of contact and he’s on the ground. Zero effectiveness as a blocker. Impatient setting up his opponent with timing on breaks and double moves. Has top end speed but only in spurts - seems to lose interest if he’s not beaten the corner early in the route.
SIMON CARROLL: If Aaron Fuller attracts any attention in the NFL Draft it’s as a dangerous kick and punt returner who, with good coaching, has the positional versatility to become a backup receiver. As dynamic as he can be he’s too inconsistent, and no scout is going to bat for a guy who puts the ball on the deck as much as this kid does”.
PREDICTION: UDFA
Height: 5’9”. Weight: 185lbs
PRO’S: Naval Academy quarterback who in their option offense has accounted for almost four times as many yards on the ground (4,359) as he has through the air (1,311). Brings the elements of surprise and versatility to an offense. Line him up anywhere in the backfield and your guess is as good as mine as to how he will be utilised. Stocky body reminiscent of a running back with elite lower body strength that makes him a nuisance to tackle. Tough as nails and fiercely competitive. Natural catcher of the football with good athleticism in the shallow and intermediate areas of the field. Accomplished kick and punt returner.
CON’S: Has some experience as a receiver but very little - some slot duties but most of his 470 receiving yards at Navy came out of the backfield. Absolutely no experience of running a full route tree. Mentality and traits more like a running back than a receiver. No idea of functional athleticism at the top of routes or his ability to attack deep down the seam. Completely unconventional in every way and will need multiple seasons of training before he can be considered for standard NFL reps.
SIMON CARROLL: “You can call him a receiver if you like, but there’s no way to define Perry’s role at the next level. He’ll be a gadget player used in a variety of ways that allow him to see the field and use his physicality and competitiveness to his advantage. Bill Belichick’s links with Navy as well as Josh McDaniels’ credentials when it comes to calling plays make it almost too easy to suggest that Perry will find a home in New England. A high-character prospect and I’m intrigued to see where he lands”.
PREDICTION: UDFA
Feature Image Credit: Mickey Welsh (Advertiser)
Simon Carroll
CFB/NFL DRAFT EDITOR
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.