Wide Receivers (Rashod Bateman, Terrace Marshall, Elijah Moore, Rondale Moore, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sage Surratt, Kadarius Toney, Tylan Wallace):
WR Rashod Bateman:
Scouting Report:
2021 NFL Draft Profile: Minnesota WR Rashod Bateman: https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-profile-minnesota-wr-rashod-bateman
Rashod Bateman NFL Draft Player Profile (10-30-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/rashod-bateman-nfl-draft-player-profile/
Walter football: https://walterfootball.com/scoutingreport2021rbateman.php
Draft Network: https://thedraftnetwork.com/player/rashod-bateman/giHOQqtbhC
Rashod Bateman - Wide Receiver Minnesota Gophers 2021 Draft Scouting Report: https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/scouting-reports/rashodbateman
Rankings:
Yahoo Prospect Ranking (23. WR Rashod Bateman): https://sports.yahoo.com/2021-nfl-draft-minnesotas-rashod-bateman-has-talent-to-crash-round-1-wr-party-182516436.html
2021 NFL Draft: Biggest pro and con for each of PFF’s top WR prospects (4. RASHOD BATEMAN, MINNESOTA - Biggest pro: Release package. Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck is one of the best in the business when it comes to coaching wide receivers, and Bateman is a prime example. His release package and route running are as good as it gets. He generated a separation rate that falls in the 94th percentile in the FBS over the last couple of years, and he led the Power 5 in yards per route run generated on the outside in 2019 at 3.60. Biggest con: Speed - While he supposedly clocked a sub-4.4 40-yard dash at the EXOS mock combine a few weeks ago, Bateman’s play speed is good but not elite. He may not be a top-tier athlete like some on this list, but it didn’t get in his way during his time with the Golden Gophers, and it shouldn’t get in the way in the NFL. Bateman should go in the middle part of Round 1. Anything later would make him a big steal.) (3-31-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-pro-and-con-top-wr-prospects
Ranking NFL WR prospects: How the 2020-2021 draft classes stack up, and why LSU's Ja'Marr Chase is WR1 (6. RASHOD BATEMAN
Draft class: 2021 - If there is a receiver over the last couple of seasons who probably hasn’t got enough credit or attention, it’s Minnesota’s Rashod Bateman. While he hasn’t been as stunningly dominant as Chase or Smith, he also hasn’t had the same helpful situation. And in a strange offense, he was deployed extensively in the slot in his final season, which didn’t necessarily play to his strengths. When I look back at what I found working through his tape, there’s almost no negative to speak of. He has elite size, speed, body control and releases off the line to be an incredibly productive receiver. If Ja’Marr Chase didn’t exist this season, he could well be pushing Smith as the prototypical alternative at the top of the draft.) (3-25-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-ranking-wide-receiver-prospects-lsu-jamarr-chase
2021 NFL Draft Rankings: WR 1-9 (4. Rashod Bateman, Minnesota | 6'2/210 (Comp: Miles Austin): There’s a consensus around the top-three receivers in this class. Everyone has a different WR4. Mine is Rashod Bateman, a prospect who in my opinion has been unnecessarily nit-picked early in the process. Bateman came to Minnesota as a ballyhooed four-star recruit out of Georgia, a two-sport star that also played basketball. One of HC PJ Fleck’s first major recruiting wins after joining the Gophers from Western Michigan, Bateman immediately flashed as a true freshman, posting a 51-704-6 line. He broke out as a national star in 2019 as a sophomore, posting a 60-1219-11 line as the outside “X” receiver on a team that also had an NFL slot receiver (Tyler Johnson). As with every other human being alive, things got a little weird for Bateman heading into 2020. Instead of preparing to become Minnesota’s undisputed WR1, with a ridiculous number of targets coming his way, COVID-19 struck, temporarily canceling the Big 10 season. That caused Bateman to opt-out. Bateman eventually opted back-in after the conference announced it would hold a fall season -- to his credit, by the way, he wasn’t under contract -- and posted a respectable 36-472-2 line in five starts, opting-out (for real this time) in late November when a rash of COVID cases hit the Minnesota program and caused two game cancelations (the Gophers later resumed, playing two more games). It’s impossible to know how much Bateman’s off-season preparation was affected by his initial plan to sit. But it couldn’t have helped. Particularly when you consider that Gophers coaches asked Bateman, upon his return to the team, to shift from WR-X to the slot -- Tyler Johnson’s old position. You’re going to read scouting reports that ding Bateman’s athleticism, scouting reports that call him a slot receiver. I assume these writers are basing their observations on a brief perusal of 2020 tape. That tape should almost be tossed in the garbage -- it is indicative of a failure of imagination of the Gophers’ offensive coaching staff, which has an intractable offensive system going back to Western Michigan that feeds the slot heavy targets. The Gophers had multiple high-profile offensive lineman opt-out or get injured this fall, so perhaps there was also a thought that moving Bateman closer in the alignment to to erratic QB Tanner Morgan would increase Morgan’s odds of completing the pass, thus increasing the offense’s overall utility. Nevertheless, the move was not in Bateman’s best interest. Bateman can function in the slot, but it is not his best position. And he absolutely did not have time to acclimate to his new post during the truncated COVID offseason, much of which he spent believing he would not be able to play in 2020. Bateman’s best fit in the NFL is on the outside, where he brings a deep bag of route-running tricks and is impossible to stop off the line. The former basketball player player is a crossover artist off the snap, releasing with an array of moves that would squeak on the hardwood. He’s a used car salesman running routes, constantly pitching the corner on enticing ideas that turn out to be lemons, getting them to bite on double moves, or turned around on false breaks, or skidding along the turf trying to slam on the breaks stopping with him at the top of a route, or getting their outside foot turned outside so he can flip on the jets downfield in the other direction, things of this nature. His footwork is really advanced, yes. But I mean for my compliment to extend beyond that -- Bateman, as a route-runner, seems to have a knack for manipulation, understanding what the cornerback is thinking, that is advanced (independent of his physical skills). He’s a well-built, strong kid who plays through contact efficiently without the ball. And fights through it with the rock, breaking 36 tackles on 147 career catches. Bateman has a catalogue of some of the craziest circus catches we’ve seen from any prospect the past few seasons. His concentration level while retaining spacial awareness and body control is phenomenal, and those traits show up in more mundane contested situations. Bateman can lose focus, or, conversely, try to do much, leading to 19 drops on 166 career catchable targets. This is an area he needs to clean up. But just to be clear: This is a concentration issue, not a “hands” issue. If you’ve seen his highlight reel, you know his hands are phenomenal. Bateman has always been dinged as good-but-not-great athlete that lacked great speed. I always thought that stuff was a bit overblown, as with J'Marr Chase. But even I was stunned when it was reported that Bateman had run a 4.39 hand-timed 40 at the EXOS combine last month. Bateman’s pro day workout is set for April 1. If he runs a 4.39 again, or a time close to it, Twitter is going to explode. I’m not exactly sure why Bateman isn’t currently seen as a consensus first-rounder. But I think he could turn the tide on that narrative quickly with a time in the mid-4.4s or below.) (3-10-21): https://www.nbcsports.com/edge/article/rankings/2021-nfl-draft-rankings-wr-1-9
Articles:
NFL draft 2021 comps: Our best prospect-to-pro matches, including Mac Jones' and Kyle Pitts' comparisons (Rashod Bateman to Calvin Ridley: The physical similarities between Minnesota's Bateman and the Falcons' Ridley are eerie, including height (6-foot-3 and 6-foot-1, respectively) and weight (both 190 pounds). Both receivers glide in a way that masks their speed, and Bateman has the polish to be as productive as Ridley was in his rookie year (821 yards and 10 TDs) if paired with a veteran quarterback. -- Kevin Seifert, national NFL writer) (4-22-21): https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2021/story/_/id/31296383/nfl-draft-2021-comps-our-best-prospect-pro-matches-including-mac-jones-kyle-pitts-comparisons
2021 All-Juice Team: Terez Paylor's legacy continues with 7th edition of squad that includes Justin Fields, Kyle Pitts (WR Bateman: If you like your receivers who battle for the ball, then you'll dig Bateman. Not blessed with rare size or elite speed, Bateman nonetheless thrived in college — namely in a brilliant 2019 season — because of pristine route running, great hands and the ability to rise up for the tough catch. Bateman's play slipped in 2020 (after he initially opted out), but a lot of that can be blamed on poor QB and OL play. Even so, he made plays outside his frame look routine and ran his career-long streak to 31 consecutive games with at least one catch. Bateman also caught five or more passes in 16 career games, and surprised scouts with a better-than-expected 40-yard dash time of 4.41 seconds and performed well in the broad jump (123 inches), vertical jump (36 inches) and 3-cone drill (6.95 seconds). — Eric Edholm) (4-19-21): https://sports.yahoo.com/2021-all-juice-team-terez-paylors-legacy-continues-with-7th-edition-of-squad-that-includes-justin-fields-130031523.html
2021 Draft: NFL comparisons for top WR prospects (Rashod Bateman, Minnesota - NFL comparison: Allen Robinson. Robinson was bigger than Bateman -- who measured in at only 190 pounds at his pro day -- on the field, they're similarly well-rounded wideouts who won with high-point mastery, snappy routes, and burst after the catch at Penn State. Those elements have made him arguably the most underrated receiver in football today. Watch Bateman, and it's a real challenge to find a clear flaw to his game. He plays much larger than 6-1, 190. ) (4-19-21): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-these-prospects-could-be-the-next-tyreek-hill-or-a-j-brown-plus-other-receiver-comparisons/
NFL Draft: Ranking the Top 10 wide receivers, starting with DeVonta Smith (Rashod Bateman, Minnesota (6-0, 190, 21) - How does he play? While the pro day circuit has been beneficial for most draft prospects, Bateman’s stock may have taken a hit after he measured in at 6-foot flat and weighed in at 190 pounds. That’s two inches shorter and 20 pounds lighter than his listed measurements at Minnesota. His frame had been one of his stronger selling points before his pro day. I ended up dropping Bateman a spot in these rankings as a result, but I don’t think it should have a big impact on how teams value him. No measurements will take away from the fact that Bateman just knows how to get open. The 21-year-old is not a speedster by any means — I’m not trusting that 4.39 40 he ran at his pro day — but he does have just enough pace to win downfield at the next level. While Bateman did come in on the shorter side, he still plays big. Mostly thanks to his 33-inch arms, which puts him in the 82nd percentile. That length allows him to make catches outside of his frame, though Bateman doesn’t do a great job of catching balls in traffic or passes right on his body. That issue contributed to a 14% drop rate in 2020, per PFF. Bateman’s biggest strength is his route running. He creates separation against man coverage with route-running savvy and knows how to find openings against zone coverages. He’s always open, which will endear him to any quarterback. Minnesota’s QB certainly loved feeding him. Bateman led the nation in Targets Above Expectation in 2020, per Sports Info Solutions. What’s his NFL role? After his pro day, NFL teams might have a hard time seeing Bateman as a true WR1 type, but that’s the kind of game he has. He should be a chain-moving No. 1 who can produce a big play down the field every now and then. A lack of top-level athleticism could prevent him from ever being an elite pro receiver, however. Where should he be drafted? I would have no concerns taking Bateman in the first round. Before we found out he was actually much smaller than we thought, I may have been comfortable taking him in the top-15, but now I’m thinking just outside of that range. Best fit? Bateman could be the missing piece for a lot of NFL receiving corps. He can really fill any role needed thanks to his well-rounded game, but a team missing a reliable target outside could use him most. The Patriots, who own the No. 15 pick, are a team that could/should be interested. New England’s offense is notoriously demanding of receivers, but Bateman seems to have the requisite feel for the position to pick it up quickly.) (4-14-21): https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/nfl-draft-wide-receiver-prospects-ranking
Ranking the best YAC receivers in the 2021 NFL Draft (Honorable Mention - RASHOD BATEMAN, MINNESOTA: Rashod Bateman’s career YAC per reception and forced missed tackle per reception averages ranked inside the 71st and 90th percentiles, respectively, among qualifying Power 5 wide receivers since 2014. There are no wasted movements with Bateman’s game. He works with efficient feet before and after the catch, which translates to easy separation and yards above expectation. ) (4-12-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-ranking-the-best-yac-receivers-in-the-2021-nfl-draft
Mac Jones not worth a first-round pick; Rashod Bateman the next Justin Jefferson? (RASHOD BATEMAN: The next Justin Jefferson? The discussion around the 2021 wide receiver class has centered exclusively on the talents of Ja'Marr Chase, DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle, but hardcore draft fans and fantasy footballers should keep an eye on Rashod Bateman, as an underrated pass catcher with the potential to pop immediately at the next level. The Minnesota standout checks off all of the boxes as a No. 1 receiver with his capacity to play out wide or in the slot while displaying outstanding speed, burst and explosiveness as a crafty route runner and playmaker. The sure-handed Bateman catches everything within the strike zone while also making the spectacular catch look like a routine play. He displays A-plus hand-eye coordination and snatches balls in traffic prior to absorbing (or avoiding) big shots as he works between the hashes. Despite measuring just 6-foot-3/8, 190 pounds at his pro day (well below his listed size of 6-2, 210 pounds in the Golden Gophers' football program), Bateman's playing style is like watching Justin Jefferson go to work on the perimeter. He utilizes every trick in the book and consistently finds a way to get open against man or zone coverage. Bateman's combination of exceptional stop-start quickness and savvy route-running techniques make him a difficult guard on the perimeter, particularly as he moves around to take advantage of favorable matchups. Prior to Minnesota's pro day, I was concerned about his top-end speed and overall explosiveness due to his playing tempo as an exquisite route runner. I couldn't determine if he had an extra gear to run away from defenders on vertical throws or catch-and-run concepts. Sure, he racked up a number of explosive plays as the premier receiver in the Big Ten, but it's a lot harder to separate from NFL defenders who possess track star-like speed and burst. After clocking a 4.39-second 40-yard dash along with an impressive set of jumps (36-inch vertical and 10 feet, 3 inches on the broad jump), Bateman alleviated those concerns and put the spotlight back on his dazzling play-making ability and creative route-running skills. If he lands with a team that showcases his unique skills as an inside-outside playmaker, Bateman could outshine his classmates and emerge as one of the crown jewels at the position early in his career.) (4-9-21): https://www.nfl.com/news/mac-jones-not-worth-a-first-round-pick-rashod-bateman-the-next-justin-jefferson
2021 NFL Draft WR Superlatives: Best route-runner, freakiest athlete, safest hands and more (BEST RELEASES: RASHOD BATEMAN, MINNESOTA - This one could have been Smith too, but Bateman has the added physical element to get off the line of scrimmage. It’s why we feel so strongly about him as WR4 on the PFF draft board. His release package is NFL-ready, and it’s why he led the country in yards per route from the outside as a true sophomore in 2019.) (4-7-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-wr-superlatives-best-route-runner-freakiest-athlete-safest-hands
2021 NFL Draft: The biggest differences between PFF's big board and mock draft ADP (WR RASHOD BATEMAN, MINNESOTA (PFF Board: 18. Mock ADP: 30): The main knock on Bateman is his speed, even though he reportedly ran a laser-timed 4.39-second 40 at the Exos combine. The tape doesn’t quite back that up, but at the same time, I never saw his speed to be a massive issue — it certainly didn’t stop him from hauling in 14 deep balls when he played primarily outside as a sophomore back in 2019. Among players in the draft class, Ja’Marr Chase was the only Power 5 receiver who had more that season. Bateman is closer to a Tier 1 receiver than he’s given credit for.) (3-2-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-pffs-big-board-mock-draft-adp
Rashod Bateman has some bad news for anyone who thinks he's slow (2-27-21): https://draftwire.usatoday.com/2021/02/27/2021-nfl-draft-rashod-bateman-40-yard-dash-time-twitter/
2021 NFL Draft Profile: Minnesota WR Rashod Bateman (2-24-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-profile-minnesota-wr-rashod-bateman
2021 NFL Draft wide receiver rankings (4. RASHOD BATEMAN, MINNESOTA: In a class full of jitterbugs, Bateman has a decidedly different skill set. His speed and quicks won’t be his calling card, but he gets open just the same. His ability to get off the line of scrimmage and play through contact at 6-foot-2, 210 pounds is as good as it gets in the draft class after Ja’Marr Chase. It’s why he led the country in yards per route run as a sophomore in 2019 from a wide alignment. He kicked inside to the slot this past season and remained productive, although many of those vertical targets evaporated. His shake doesn’t only translate along his routes, as he’s broken 36 tackles on 147 receptions in his career. It’s worth noting that focus drops have been a bit of an issue. Even though I’ve got no problems with how he tracks the ball, Bateman has dropped 19 of his 166 catchable targets in his career.) (2-17-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-rankings
2021 NFL Draft: Justin Jefferson and the impact of bias, plus other lessons from scouting hits and misses (Applying the lesson to the 2021 draft class - Minnesota's Rashod Bateman has a Jefferson-like profile. He's over 6-foot, doesn't look immensely shifty on film, and ran many routes from the slot in his illustrious career with the Golden Gophers. Did Minnesota's coaching staff feel he needed to primarily be in the slot to win? Or were they just maximizing his skills?) (2-15-21): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-justin-jefferson-and-the-impact-of-bias-plus-other-lessons-from-scouting-hits-and-misses/
Ranking the top five wide receiver prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft (Rashod Bateman, Minnesota: Bateman opted out of Minnesota’s 2020 season in November because of COVID concerns. He wrapped it up when he was leading the team in receiving yards with 472. His big season came as a sophomore when he had 1,219 yards and 11 touchdowns on just 60 catches. He’s one of the bigger receivers in the Draft and plays with a bit of physicality and attitude, but this whole crop of wideouts is lacking in bully-ball wide receivers. Little Rondale Moore and Jaylen Waddles seem to have more after-the-catch fight than the others at the top of the wideout rankings. Bateman is seen as a borderline Round 1 prospect who could slip to Round 2.) (2-12-21): https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/patriots/ranking-top-five-wide-receiver-prospects-2021-nfl-draft?b
EYE on B1G: 2021 NFL Draft Preview (2. Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota: Draft pundits still underrate the Minnesota pass-catcher but he is one of the top receivers in the NFL Draft. His size, skill set and athleticism all stand out on film. Look for a team to draft him in the top 20.) (2-9-21): https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft/eye-on-b1g-2021-nfl-draft-preview
NFL Draft: How teams can copy Bucs' success (Well-rounded receiver who can win in a variety of ways - For Buccaneers: Chris Godwin. 2020 prospects to fit this role: LSU's JaMarr Chase, Minnesota's Rashod Bateman, Clemson's Cornell Powell. Godwin went in the third round in 2017 draft, and he's far outplayed his draft position ever since. Truly one of the league's most well-rounded wideouts, Godwin is a monster in rebounding situations, flexible so he generates enough separation to get open with good regularity and has surprising YAC capabilities at 6-1 and around 210 with 4.42 speed. Chase is likely to be the first receiver off the board, so a Godwin-like value selection he won't be. Their games are too comparable to omit the LSU superstar from this article. Bateman does everything well too, and will likely be available in the middle-to-late part of Round 1. High-point grabs, deceptive speed and YAC -- there's a lot of Godwin to his game.) (2-9-21): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-how-teams-should-copy-super-bowl-champion-buccaneers-by-adding-similarly-skilled-prospects/
2021 NFL Draft: Tiering the loaded WR class that might surpass 2020's rookies (TIER 2 - RASHOD BATEMAN, MINNESOTA: When your NFL player comp is Keenan Allen, you know you're doing something right. Bateman possesses the size (6-foot-2, 210 pounds) to win against NFL defenses and is also one of the most skillful route-runners in the draft class. However, it's clear he lacks the top-tier speed that NFL offenses covet. Regardless of that shortcoming, Bateman still has shown he can create separation. The No. 4 wideout on the PFF Big Board played only a few games in the 2020 campaign before opting out, so his 2019 season stands out as his best. His 46 catches on throws of 10-plus yards downfield ranked first among all players that year.) (2-9-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-college-football-tiering-wr-class-2020-rookies
Pro Football Focus' top five receivers in the 2021 NFL Draft (4. RASHOD BATEMAN — MINNESOTA: After just five of Minnesota’s eight-game schedule this year, Bateman made the decision to opt out of the season. But in the five games he played for the Golden Gophers, Bateman caught 36 passes for 472 yards and two touchdowns. In a full season in 2019, Bateman caught 60 passes for 1,219 yards and 11 touchdowns, so there is plenty of reason to be excited about his NFL potential. “Minnesota has changed me forever and the lessons I learned in the Row The Boat culture will stay with me for the rest of my life. There is no better coach to play for in the nation than Coach Fleck and I appreciate everything he has done for me. I can’t thank my coaches enough for always supporting me and for always pushing me to change my bes8t each day.” — Bateman on his time at Minnesota) (1-20-20): https://247sports.com/LongFormArticle/NFL-Draft-2021-top-five-wide-receivers-JaMarr-Chase-Jaylen-Waddle-Devonta-Smith-Rashod-Bateman-Kadarius-Toney-159635828/
2021 NFL Draft early declarations: List of notable prospects and where they rank heading into offseason (Minnesota wide receiver Rashod Bateman - CBS Sports' No. 24 prospect overall: Bateman has been a big play threat for the Gophers throughout his career but he needs more play strength to reach elite status. ) (12-29-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-early-declarations-list-of-notable-prospects-and-where-they-rank-heading-into-offseason/
College Football 2020: PFF’s All-Big Ten Team (First-Team: Rashod Bateman, Minnesota: Bateman played in five games before deciding to declare for the 2021 NFL Draft and put up impressive numbers in that limited action. He was great against single coverage and also picked apart zone coverage, which led to him leading the conference with 3.45 yards per route run.) (12-22-20): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-2020-pffs-all-big-ten-team
Best fits for top WR NFL draft prospects in 2021 (On tape, Rashod Bateman sends serious Keenan Allen vibes. Bateman is a route-running wizard, who wins at the catch point and has spectacular ball skills. He brings size to the position that the Ravens currently lack. Above all, his ability to attack the football will fit the “Play like a Raven” mantra that Baltimore preaches. Bateman’s physical brand of football screams Baltimore Ravens, making him one of their top WR fits.) (12-18-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/best-fits-for-top-wr-nfl-draft-prospects-in-2021/
3 Wide Receivers Lions Can Select with No. 12 Overall Pick in NFL Draft (Rashod Bateman, Minnesota: Prior to his decision to opt-out, Bateman demonstrated solid route-running abilities and the ability to beat out defensive backs on contested throws. "It was a joy to watch Rashod develop into an All-American receiver on the field and a strong, positive advocate for social change off of it. He is one of the best to ever represent Minnesota," Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck said in a released statement. "My job has always been about educating, teaching and helping our players live their dreams, and our program will always support a teammate who makes a decision that he feels is best for him and his family." In 2019, Bateman was second on the Golden Gophers in receiving with 1,219 yards and 11 touchdowns. Teammate Tyler Johnson was selected in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.)(12-7-20): https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/three-wideouts-detroit-lions-can-select-2021-nfl-draft
2021 NFL Draft: Midseason wide receiver rankings (3. Rashod Bateman: Bateman has everything you could possibly want from a No. 1 receiver … except the speed. He’s likely going to be a mid-4.5s guy, and I’m completely fine with that. He still wins as well as any receiver in the country from the outside. In fact, he led all receivers in terms of yards per route when lined up split wide in 2019. At 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, Bateman has the size to consistently impose his will on smaller corners. He has the shiftiness and route-running chops to win in a number of different ways. The traits may not get drafted highly, but odds are he’ll outperform his draft slot.) (12-2-20): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-midseason-wide-receiver-rankings
Minnesota WR Rashod Bateman opts out, will prepare for 2021 NFL draft (11-27-20): https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2020/11/27/minnesota-wr-rashod-bateman-declares-2021-nfl-draft-detroit-lions/
Minnesota WR Rashod Bateman opts out, will prepare for 2021 NFL draft (11-27-20): https://draftwire.usatoday.com/2020/11/27/rashod-bateman-opt-out-minnesota-nfl-draft-college-football-covid-19/
WR Watch: Moore electric in return (Rashod Bateman, Minnesota: Stock Down, Slightly
Outside of a shallow cross that went for a sizable gain in the first half, Bateman was held in check in the win over Purdue. He finished the game with four passes for 59 yards, his lowest offensive output of the season. While not overly concerning from Bateman, with legitimate first-round buzz, I'd like to see more consistent dominance, especially against an opponent like Purdue in the Big Ten.) (11-23-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-stock-watch-rondale-moore-electric-in-return-devonta-smith-cruises-as-usual/
Outside of a shallow cross that went for a sizable gain in the first half, Bateman was held in check in the win over Purdue. He finished the game with four passes for 59 yards, his lowest offensive output of the season. While not overly concerning from Bateman, with legitimate first-round buzz, I'd like to see more consistent dominance, especially against an opponent like Purdue in the Big Ten.) (11-23-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-stock-watch-rondale-moore-electric-in-return-devonta-smith-cruises-as-usual/
WR Watch: Moore goes for 200-plus again (Rashod Bateman, Minnesota: Minnesota got throttled by Iowa, but Bateman pieced together another solid outing with eight catches for 111 yards and the Gophers' lone touchdown. As per usual, Bateman was reliable over the middle and demonstrated good suddenness after the catch for being a bigger wide receiver. I like how, down 35-0 with under a minute to go, Bateman was still running sharp routes, including a twitchy comeback route on third down, and a nice hesitation out route from the slot on his touchdown. Bateman is the real deal.) (11-16-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-stock-watch-elijah-moore-eclipses-1000-yard-season-north-carolina-duo-explodes/
11 Prospects to know for the Lions in the 2021 NFL Draft (Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota: This one is pretty simple. Do you like Marvin Jones at his physical peak? If you do, you’re going to love Bateman. He does the same things in a similar manner and does them with just a touch more speed than No. 11 has shown in his long and illustrious Lions career. With Jones set to depart as a free agent, tabbing Bateman to fill that hole is a natural fit. The top-10 overall is probably too high for that type of ceiling, but a high-floor, NFL-ready No. 2 wideout with a nose for the end zone like Jones is eminently worthy of consideration for a potentially WR-starved Detroit team.) (11-14-20): https://lionswire.usatoday.com/lists/11-prospects-to-know-for-the-lions-in-the-2021-nfl-draft/
WR Watch: Bateman has big afternoon (Rashod Bateman, Minnesota: Stock Up - After back-to-back losses to start the year, Minnesota got back on track with a throttling of Illinois. Bateman continued his strong start to the season with his best performance to date --10 grabs, for 139 yards and a touchdown. The big target worked the chain-moving game well, and throughout the contest demonstrated dynamic YAC abilities. His touchdown was a short, lofted toss into the end zone. Bateman does everything well and has an NFL frame to play on the outside.) (11-9-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-stock-watch-big-day-for-rashod-bateman-mac-receivers-shine/
Week 10 College Football news, schedule, live blog and more (Rashod Bateman gets first touchdown of the year in first half vs. Illinois (5:30 PM): Minnesota needed a get-right game this week after dropping two straight to start the year, and with the help of NFL Draft prospect Rashod Bateman, they’re getting what they needed. Minnesota is up 28-7 over the Illinois Fighting Illini at the half, and Bateman has already had his best statistical performance of the year in just two quarters. Bateman has eight receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown so far, and he’s used the available plays to re-cement himself as a first-round option at wide receiver, tacking on a monster stiff-arm for good measure. Bateman gets open with good twitch and route nuance, and he’s very reliable when the ball comes his way. His touchdown was evidence of this, as Bateman managed to corral a pass near the corner of the end zone, getting one foot in before he faded out of bounds. IC) (11-8-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/week-10-college-football-news-schedule-live-blog-and-more/
College Football: Ranking the top 25 wide receivers ahead of Week 10 (3. RASHOD BATEMAN, MINNESOTA - Minnesota hasn’t had quite the start that many hoped for, but make no mistake — they still have one of the best wide receivers in the FBS. With Tyler Johnson now in the NFL, Bateman took over his role in the Gophers’ offense, seeing an increase in slot snaps from 13% to 64%. He still saw single coverage quite a bit in their 2020 opener against Michigan and cooked the defense just like he did last year when out wide. Bateman hauled in four of six targets for 84 yards against single coverage en route to a 91.4 receiving grade on such plays — the 15th-best game grade against single coverage this season.) (11-4-20): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-ranking-top-25-wide-receivers-week-10-2020
2021 Draft WR Watch: Historic day for Elijah Moore (Rashod Bateman, Minnesota: Stock Steady: Weirdly, Minnesota is 0-2, and Bateman is fresh off a five-catch, 62-yard pedestrian performance against Maryland. Most of his yards came on a deep over route in the second quarter. I found it strange Bateman wasn't more heavily involved in a contest that ended 45-44, but here we are. While it's a nightmare start for the Gophers, I firmly believe some high-production outings are coming for Bateman thanks to his fine skill set and connection with quarterback Tanner Morgan.) (11-2-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-stock-watch-historic-performance-from-elijah-moore-big-ten-receivers-show-out/
2021 Draft WR Watch: Williams rebounds (Rashod Bateman, Minnesota: Stock Up, Slightly - Bateman went for 101 yards on nine grabs in Minnesota's loss at home to Michigan. He worked the slant route in the RPO game most of the evening, and the Wolverines held him in check until a nasty cutback after the catch early in the third quarter. Later in that stanza, Bateman made an awesome adjustment on an underthrown deep shot from Tanner Morgan. While it wasn't a dominant effort from Bateman, he certainly passed his first test of the season. He looked sleeker and more explosive than I remembered from 2019. Good sign.) (10-26-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-stock-watch-auburns-seth-williams-has-bounce-back-performance/
Week 8 College Football news, schedule, live blog and more (Bateman struggling to find his groove (10:20 PM): After a wild start which saw Michigan score on a fumble return and special teams, Minnesota is trying to claw their way back into the game but are 18 points down with the score 42 to 24. Rashod Bateman had a slow start but is slowly picking it back up. The junior had one big play of 38 yards and has totaled 8 receptions for 89 yards. Part of the problem is the poor play of quarterback Tanner Morgan, but Michigan has done a good job shutting down the potential first-round pick.) (10-24-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/week-8-college-football-news-schedule-live-blog-pauline/
NFL draft matchups: Return of Big Ten adds major talent influx back to college football (Minnesota WR Rashod Bateman vs. Michigan secondary: We’re double dipping on the prime-time matchup on Saturday night because we are really interested to see if Bateman can match his sophomore-season brilliance as he figures to launch into the NFL draft pool in the spring. Bateman had an interesting few months this offseason, first opting out for COVID-19 reasons before returning this season for the Gophers. But when he takes the field Saturday against a good Wolverines secondary, he’ll have the chance to prove he belongs among the elite prospects in next year’s draft class. Does Bateman have game-changing speed? We don’t believe so. But at 6-2 and 210 pounds, he’s very well-built and he maxes out his play speed with subtle route-running skill, explosive bursts and good yards-after-catch skill. WR coach Matt Simon has tutored Bateman very well, just as Simon did 2020 Tampa Bay Buccaneers fifth-rounder Tyler Johnson.) (10-23-20): https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-draft-matchups-return-of-big-ten-adds-major-talent-influx-back-to-college-football-131821130.html
College Football: Top five Big Ten players at every position ahead of 2020 start (1. Rashod Bateman: There is a reasonable argument to be made that the top three here — Bateman, Moore and Olave — are among the five best wide receivers in college football. Among returning Power Five wide receivers, Bateman and Olave ranked third and fifth, respectively, in receiving grade last year. Moore missed most of the 2019 season due to injury, but he tied for fifth in the Power Five in receiving grade the year prior to that as a true freshman. With Moore and Bell, the Boilermakers have one of the best wide receiver duos in college football. Moore is a freak athlete with his speed, agility and power — and it shows up in the open field. In 2018, he broke 34 tackles after the catch when he was open, which was 15 more than any other Power Five wideout. Bell complements Moore with his 6-foot-3 frame and deep playmaking ability. His body control downfield is top-notch — he can adjust to any off-target throw. That helped him snag 12 deep balls as a true freshman in 2019, tying for the third-most in the Big Ten.) (10-22-20): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-rankings-top-five-big-ten-players-every-position-2020
2021 NFL Draft: The top draft prospect on every team in the Big Ten (MINNESOTA — WR RASHOD BATEMAN: Yet another initial opt-out who’s opted back in. Bateman’s sophomore tape was good enough that his opt-out status truthfully didn’t worry me too much in relation to his draft stock. He beat one-on-one coverage from the outside with such ease that he led the nation in yards per route from a split wide alignment. His release package and route-running are so refined for a receiver his age that you feel really good about how he’ll translate to the NFL. At 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, there’s no size question marks either. The only “knock” is a lack of elite athleticism. He’s still no slouch in that regard and routinely stacked and separated down the field. This is one of the cleanest receiver prospects in the country.) (10-21-20): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-the-top-draft-prospect-on-every-team-in-the-big-ten-college-football
Top Big Ten prospects for the 2021 NFL Draft (Rashod Bateman | WR | Minnesota: With a rare combination of size and athleticism, Bateman is the prototype for today's NFL wide receiver.) (10-20-20): https://draftwire.usatoday.com/gallery/big-ten-football-top-prospects-2021-nfl-draft/
2021 NFL Draft: Can Rashod Bateman become the class WR1? (9-24-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2021-nfl-draft-can-rashod-bateman-become-the-class-wr1/
2021 NFL Draft: Why I'm higher than most on Duke's Chris Rumph, Pittsburgh's Patrick Jones and two WRs (Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota: Bateman's going to get knocked for lacking flashy explosiveness off the line. And for as much as I believe athletic gifts are a vital component of projecting from college to the pros, being fundamentally sound at all the elements needed to succeed at your position is often the driving force behind a highly graded prospect on my board. And Bateman does everything well. Everything. His glides through his press releases unencumbered. His route breaks are crisp and generate separation. He wins vertically with the ideal combination of speed and rebounding skills. According to Pro Football Focus' Draft Guide, Bateman came down with 12 contested catches on 19 such opportunities in 2019. Ready to be blown away? Rebounding specialist and first pick of the second round Tee Higgins had 11 contested catches on 20 opportunities last season. After the catch, Bateman is deceptively shifty. His yardage accumulation with the ball in his hands almost reminds me of Courtland Sutton, my No. 1 wideout from the 2018 class. Long strides, good contact balance, and subtle, efficient cuts. Per PFF, Bateman forced 17 missed tackles on his 60 receptions (!) last year. For reference, Jerry Jeudy logged 15 forced missed tackles on 77 catches at Alabama in 2019. In my scouting profile of Bateman I went with a floor-middle ground-ceiling comparison of Marvin Jones, Allen Robinson, and Julio Jones. Sure, Jones is a lofty comparison, but with all this time to train after opting out, Bateman could surprise and run faster and test more explosively than everyone thinks. The freaky athletic attributes have long set Jones apart from the other top receivers in the league. But Bateman's polish entering the league is that of the polish Jones had when he was a rookie in 2011. Bateman is No. 8 on our consensus board, No. 5 on my board ) (9-3-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-why-im-higher-than-most-on-dukes-chris-rumph-pittsburghs-patrick-jones-and-two-wrs/
College Football: PFF's 2020 Preseason All-Big Ten Team (FIRST TEAM: RASHOD BATEMAN, MINNESOTA - Bateman is one of the most complete wide receivers in the country. He’s not an elite athlete, but he still generates separation at a high rate with his route-running ability. This past year, he generated a step or more of separation on 57.8% of his targets against single coverage (13th among Power 5 wide receivers). Bateman is also strong at the catch point, as he caught 10 of 16 contested targets 10-plus yards downfield in 2019. He can also create after the catch, as he broke 17 tackles on 60 catches.) (8-21-20): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-pffs-2020-preseason-all-big-ten-team
College Football: The 2020 PFF College All-American team (FIRST TEAM: RASHOD BATEMAN, MINNESOTA: Bateman is one of the most complete wide receivers in the country. He's not an elite athlete, but he still generates separation at a high rate with his route-running ability. This past year, he generated a step or more of separation on 57.8% of his targets against single coverage (13th among Power 5 wide receivers). Bateman is also strong at the catch point, as he caught 10 of 16 contested targets 10-plus yards downfield in 2019. He can also create after the catch, as he broke 17 tackles on 60 catches.) (8-19-20): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-all-american-team
2021 NFL Draft: Big Ten prospects to know after conference cancels fall college football season (WR Rashod Bateman: A year ago, Tyler Johnson, who is now with the Buccaneers, was the star receiver for the Gophers. As gifted as Johnson has proven to be, Bateman is the better prospect. He plucks the ball out of the air and is elusive after the catch. Working out of the slot, the Georgia native accumulated over 20 yards per reception in 2019. There is a high-price to pay for natural play-making ability and Bateman has it.) (8-19-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2021-nfl-draft-big-ten-prospects-to-know-after-conference-cancels-fall-college-football-season/
Lions take Minnesota WR Bateman at No. 7 in early 2021 ESPN Todd McShay mock (8-12-20): https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2020/08/12/detroit-lions-take-rashod-bateman-early-espn-todd-mcshay-mock-draft/3355148001/
2021 NFL Draft: Preseason wide receiver rankings (4. RASHOD BATEMAN, MINNESOTA: Bateman has already opted out of the 2020 season and will be entering the 2021 NFL Draft. That should tell you he feels pretty secure about his draft stock — as do we. He led the nation as a true sophomore in yards per route run from a split-wide alignment (3.6). He’s a big-bodied receiver at 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, yet is still sudden in his route breaks and at the line of scrimmage. I’d rank his release package as the second-best in the entire draft class — behind Ja’Marr Chase. Bateman excels at the catch point (caught 12 of 19 contested targets last year) as well as after the catch (17 broken tackles). There are few holes in his game, which is incredible to say for a rising junior. 2020 Outlook: I already took a deep dive into where Bateman’s draft stock stands after opting out. The gist is, Bateman has already produced at an elite level. We don’t need to see any more to say he’s a first-round talent.) (8-11-20): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-preseason-wide-receiver-rankings-jamarr-chase
2021 NFL Draft: What to know about Rashod Bateman after Minnesota receiver opts out of 2020 season (8-4-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2021-nfl-draft-what-to-know-about-rashod-bateman-after-minnesota-receiver-opts-out-of-2020-season/
Minnesota WR Rashod Bateman opts to enter 2021 NFL Draft, will sit out college season (8-4-20): https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2020/08/04/minnesota-wr-rashod-bateman-opts-to-enter-2021-nfl-draft-will-sit-out-college-season/
Scouting Rashod Bateman: WR similar to Michael Thomas (7-21-20): https://www.nfl.com/news/scouting-rashod-bateman-wr-similar-to-michael-thomas
Finding a Rashod Bateman comparison in the NFL (7-7-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/finding-a-rashod-bateman-comp-in-the-nfl/
Countdown to College Football Kickoff: Top NFL prospects at Minnesota - Bateman (7-2-20): https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/news/countdown-to-college-football-kickoff-top-nfl-prospects-at-minnesota
Early 2021 NFL Draft positional rankings (4. Rashod Bateman, Minnesota: The Golden Gophers had one of the nation’s top receiving corps in 2019, and it was Bateman who did the heavy lifting from the outside. He consistently won in the area that matters most: downfield. His average depth of target was 16.7 yards downfield, and he averaged 20.3 yards per reception.) (6-11-20): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-early-2021-nfl-draft-positional-rankings
NFL Draft 2021: A surprising take in the top 10 wide receiver rankings (2. Rashod Bateman, Minnesota: One of my first 2021 Draft crushes, Rashod Bateman stepped onto the Minnesota campus as the team’s best receiver. He had a productive freshman season but was unstoppable last year as a sophomore. Bateman is an alpha receiver and his physical tools are off the charts. He’s 6’2″, 210lbs, and should run a 4.4 or better when he’s completing his 40-yard dash in Indianapolis. Bateman is an extremely polished route runner with excellent hands and the ability to win at all levels off the field. Bateman and teammate Tanner Morgan should have a big year together as they chase a spot in the Big-10 title game.) (5-19-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2021-wide-receiver-rankings-nfl-draft/
Terrace Marshall:
Scouting Reports:
Walter football: https://walterfootball.com/scoutingreport2021colave.php
Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU – NFL Draft Player Profile: https://www.profootballnetwork.com/terrace-marshall-jr-nfl-draft-profile-lsu-wide-receiver/
Rankings:
2021 NFL Draft: There's only one five-tool receiver in the 2021 draft class (Credit to Marshall for just missing the cut; it’s easy to see why LSU’s latest stud receiver has been rocketing up draft boards throughout the offseason.) (4-19-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-theres-only-one-five-tool-receiver-in-the-2021-draft-class
2021 NFL Draft Rankings: WR 1-9 (7. Terrace Marshall Jr., LSU | 6'3/203 (Comp: Courtland Sutton): A consensus five-star recruit coming out of high school and an early declaree after his true junior season, Terrace Marshall Jr. is a baby. He is a year-and-a-half younger than DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle and Kadarius Toney. In fact, among the top guys in this class, the only guy as young as him is Rondale Moore. Moore and Marshall were born on the exact same date, June 9, 2000. Moore and Marshall’s ages should be kept in mind during their evaluations, because there is still raw elements of their games that would have been addressed had they played another season or two at the college level. In Marshall’s case, that has to do with body composition and focus. Marshall is fabulously gifted, an athletic legacy, the great nephew of former NFL RB Joe Delaney, who heroically drowned in 1983 attempting to save three children at the bottom of a pond. Marshall’s calling card is his long frame, legitimate deep speed, and hops downfield to clown you at the catch point. In 2019, in LSU’s aforementioned “greatest offense in college football history”, Marshall was the fourth option on the offense, a designated deep threat -- and that was just so patently unfair. He’s gone 25-of-41 on contested targets the past two years, mostly downfield. Last year, with Justin Jefferson and Clyde Edwards-Helaire off to the NFL and J’Marr Chase opting out, Marshall became the primary receiver in the offense. But as Minnesota did to Rashod Bateman, LSU forced Marshall inside to the slot, likely to help its young, struggling quarterbacks who had taken over for Joe Burrow. Marshall did just fine in this role, posting double-digit touchdowns again and averaging over 100 receiving yards per game. But his role in the NFL is as an outside pop-the-top guy. What Marshall struggles with right now is running crisp, convincing routes that don’t end downfield. He’s a tall drink of water, a long-strider that chews up grass. He became better, working in the slot, at picking up tricks to increase his utility in the underneath and intermediate areas. But he still is jarred by contact due to his thin frame, a quirk press corners will pick on mercilessly until he fortifies himself in the weight room. He’ll need to continue to work on these areas, as the difference between Marshall being a niche deep-ball receiver and a difference-maker lie here. If nothing else, we know that Marshall is always going to be dangerous downfield and in the red zone, with his Indian God catch radius and ability to get deep at will. Concentration drops also bubbled up in 2020 and must be nipped in the bud ASAP. Marshall dropped only four balls in his first two seasons but flubbed seven of them in 2020. Invariably, almost all of these drops would be categorized “concentration” drops. Ala Bateman, Marshall was playing out of position in a new spot after a truncated offseason on a tire-fire team with poor quarterback play in a historically-wonky season last year, so I’m willing to cut him a little slack. Marshall is a 6-foot-3 former five-star recruit with 4.4 wheels that consistently makes plays downfield and had a 46.5% college dominator (92nd percentile) and a 19.2 breakout age (86th percentile) at a blueblood school that won a national title his sophomore year -- those profiles do not grow on trees. Despite the risk, I can’t rank him lower than this. The upside is too high.) (3-10-21): https://www.nbcsports.com/edge/article/rankings/2021-nfl-draft-rankings-wr-1-9
Yahoo Prospect Ranking 49. WR Terrace Marshall: https://sports.yahoo.com/2021-nfl-draft-ls-us-terrace-marshall-has-rare-combo-of-height-speed-212203580.html
Articles:
2021 NFL Draft: Ideal Day 2 targets for every NFL team (DETROIT LIONS: WR TERRACE MARSHALL JR., LSU: Widely rumored to be one of the more likely trade-down candidates in the NFL, Detroit opted to stay put at No. 7 overall and add a blue-chip offensive line talent in Penei Sewell. They should have several options to continue adding to the offense toward the top of Round 2, namely at a wide receiver position where they lost their top three targets from last year’s team. Marshall was mentioned as one of the prospects whose medicals were flagged entering the 2021 NFL Draft, but he’s a first-round talent if healthy. He is one of the most physically gifted receivers in this class with an ideal blend of size and speed to play outside. The Lions need to continue to add to a receiving corps that is currently led by free agent signings Breshad Perriman and Tyrell Williams.) (4-30-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-landing-spots-day-2-2021-nfl-draft-round-2-round-3
2021 NFL Draft Day 2 Values: Offense (Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU: There is a lot to like for Marshall as a potential starter in the NFL, including his good height and his speed. While Marshall is more of a build-up speed receiver, he stretches defenses vertically and can really challenge them downfield. In the deep portion, Marshall's speed catches defensive backs by surprise, and he can create separation for a big play downfield. Marshall's smooth speed and size make him difficult to cover, and he is a real threat to score or produce a large gain on any reception. After the catch, Marshall is a tough runner who will use his size to break tackles, and he has a nose for the end zone. He should be a quality red-zone weapon in the NFL. Marshall could be an outside receiver or work out of the slot as a Z.) (4-28-21): https://walterfootball.com/draft2021valuesoffense.php
5 NFL draft prospects who could slide out of first round (Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU: The top three receivers this year — LSU's Ja'Marr Chase and Alabama's Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith — are virtual locks to be taken in the first 15 picks. After that, it's anyone's guess how a deep group of pass catchers will come off the board. Marshall certainly has the tools to be the Tigers' latest first-round wideout, as he combines the size (6-2, 205 pounds) and catch radius of a jump-ball specialist with the vertical speed (4.38-second 40-yard dash) of a deep threat. There are potential hang-ups, though, in his stiffness and occasional drops. Marshall will be competing with the likes of Minnesota's Rashod Bateman, Florida's Kadarius Toney and Ole Miss' Elijah Moore for consideration in the back half of the first round. He could end up anywhere from the fourth to ninth receiver selected.) (4-27-21): https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2021/04/27/nfl-draft-2021-first-round-slide-gregory-rousseau-christian-barmore/7382532002/
2021 NFL Draft: Draft stock risers and fallers (Rising - WR TERRACE MARSHALL JR., LSU: The former LSU standout possesses the draft stock of a rocket ship bound for Mars. The top tier of this wide receiver draft class is smaller than any group in recent memory. At 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, Marshall is the only prospective first-round wide receiver above 6 feet tall. Accordingly, Marshall’s enormous size combined with his 4.38-second 40-yard dash wheels and outlandish 39-inch vertical have catapulted him into first-round lock and fantasy football darling territory. The burly wideout caught 82% of his contested targets last season, the highest rate in college football. His draft profile reveals the upside of similar size and speed specimens like D.K. Metcalf and A.J. Brown.) (4-27-21): https://www.pff.com/news/fantasy-football-2021-nfl-draft-draft-stock-risers-and-fallers
10 potential 2nd round picks for the Lions (Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU: Marshall would fill the void of a bigger playmaking receiver on the outside in Detroit. At 6-3, 200 pounds and a legit 4.40 40-yard dash time, Marshall definitely has the traits to fill the role. Inexperience and consistency of performance are issues for Marshall as a prospect. While he’s capable of making the spectacular and often does things others cannot do in traffic and along the sideline, Marshall doesn’t yet run great routes and really lacks focus at times, particularly as a blocker. He’s the kind of talent you hope clicks with a hard-nosed coach like Dan Campbell to push him and maximize the considerable physical talents Marshall possesses.) (4-22-21): https://lionswire.usatoday.com/lists/lions-draft-second-round-pick-prospects-2021-nfl-draft/
NFL Draft: Ranking the Top 10 wide receivers, starting with DeVonta Smith (Terrace Marshall, LSU (6-2, 205, 21) - How does he play? Marshall is a big, fast receiver with decent movement skills for his size. He’s one of the bigger receivers in the class and used that size to excel in contested-catch situations. Per Pro Football Focus, he won 82% of his contested-catch battles. While Marshall does play big when the ball is in the air, he seems to play with the mentality of a smaller receiver when running routes. There’s a lot of fat to trim from some of his routes. He’s throwing in feints and hop steps even when he has a free release and there’s no defender to shake. Marshall is a good athlete but he doesn’t really explode out of cuts. Concentration drops were also an issue and his 12.7% drop rate was one of the highest in the class. But Marshall is young — he can’t legally drink until June — so he’s far from a finished product. What’s his NFL role? LSU played him as a power slot in 2020, and I don’t see why things should change at the next level. Especially early on. Against smaller corners in the slot, Marshall separation issues won’t matter nearly as much, as he’ll be able to out-muscle defenders for receptions. He has the frame to play on the outside eventually. Where should he be drafted? Marshall has the ability to develop into a good NFL receiver, but I don’t think he’s close to unlocking that potential just yet. He’ll likely be a second-round pick, but, because of the uncertainty, I’d wait til the third round to take him. Best fit? Any team willing to embrace a power slot receiver. We’ve seen Bruce Arians (with Chris Godwin) and Sean Payton (Michael Thomas and Marques Colston) have success with that archetype, so any team running schemes inspired by those coaches would be a good fit for Marshall.) (4-14-21): https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/nfl-draft-wide-receiver-prospects-ranking
PFF Critical Factors: The most important numbers for the 2021 NFL Draft class (LSU’s Terrace Marshall ranks third in the draft class with a separation percentage of 77.5% when targeted in single coverage in 2020. ) (4-14-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-pff-critical-factors-most-important-numbers-for-2021-nfl-draft-class
O'HARA'S DRAFT PREVIEW: 5 wide receivers that could interest Lions (5. Terrace Marshall Jr., LSU - Stats line: Three-year player, 32 games and only seven in 2020 when he took over as the No. 1 receiver when Chase opted out. Marshall put up good stats: 48 catches, 732 yards and 10 TDs. Also had 46 catches and 13 TDs in the 2019 national championship season as a second option to Chase. How he could fit the Lions: Produced his last two seasons at LSU and made tough catches.) (4-11-21): https://www.detroitlions.com/news/draft-preview-5-wide-receivers-that-could-interest-lions-chase-waddle-smith
Florida, Kentucky, LSU, Notre Dame, Wake Forest pro days: Kyle Pitts, Ja'Marr Chase post eye-popping 40s (LSU (Among the notable NFL attendees of this pro day in Baton Rouge: head coach Dan Campbell (Lions); general managers Trent Baalke (Jaguars) and Brad Holmes (Lions).) - Terrace Marshall Jr.: (Ranking in Daniel Jeremiah's top 50: No. 37): Like Chase, Marshall notched a 4.38 40, and like Chase, he understandably declined a second run. Marshall also churned out a 10-5 broad jump, 39-inch vertical leap and 19 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press, skipping out on the agility drills (three-cone and short shuttle). With those athletic traits packed into Marshall's healthy frame (6-2 5/8, 205 pounds), the versatile inside/outside threat is a contested-catch wizard. And he's entering the discussion as a Day 1 draft pick. Asked by NFL Network's Jane Slater, who was on assignment in Baton Rouge, if he considered himself a first-round type player, the 20-year-old touchdown maker didn't hesitate: "Most definitely.") (3-31-21): https://www.nfl.com/news/florida-kentucky-lsu-notre-dame-pro-days-elite-pass-catchers-kyle-pitts-and-ja-m
2021 NFL Draft: Biggest pro and con for each of PFF’s top WR prospects (6. TERRACE MARSHALL JR., LSU - Biggest pro: Catch radius. Marshall’s physical profile is driving his draft stock. He could add some more meat to his frame, but the 6-foot-3 receiver pairs a massive catch radius with the kind of speed coaches crave at the NFL level. Marshall can snag off-target throws with his long limbs and impressed in contested scenarios throughout his time at LSU. He hauled in 20 of his 32 contested targets over the past two years. Biggest con: Sinking in route breaks. The big problem with Marshall is his route-running and the fact most of his production at LSU was schemed. He’s pretty stiff, and it shows on his breaks. Marshall also had a tough time getting off press relative to the rest of the 2021 class. His 1.66 yards per route run against press coverage ranks 18th among the 28 qualifying Power 5 receivers in this draft class and last among the players named in this article by more than three-quarters of a yard. The former five-star recruit has a lot of potential and may not come in and dominate the league right away, but the 20-year-old still has a high ceiling.) (3-31-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-pro-and-con-top-wr-prospects
2021 NFL Draft Scouting Notes And Thoughts (One WR I’m not nearly as high on as most are is LSU’s Terrace Marshall Jr., who is generally projected as a late first-round prospect. In the 2020 games I watched (Auburn, Arkansas, Missouri, South Carolina) before he opted out, I saw a lazy route runner relative to his athleticism with iffy hands who didn’t even try to block. There were times where he flashed top-shelf ability but he was in the well too often for my tastes.) (3-24-21): https://football.realgm.com/analysis/3350/2021-NFL-Draft-Scouting-Notes-And-Thoughts
How Dez Bryant inspired fellow Oklahoma State WR Tylan Wallace (3-17-21): https://draftwire.usatoday.com/2021/03/17/2021-nfl-draft-tylan-wallace-dez-bryant-oklahoma-state/
Pat Caputo: Top five fits for Lions in 2nd round of draft (1. Terrace Marshall, WR, LSU: A 6'4 outside receiver with a large catch radius, Marshall was a red zone TD machine at LSU. There are some questions about what he’ll run in the 40, and possible issues because he missed a few games with injuries. But if he is there in the second round, he would present good value.) (3-12-21): https://www.radio.com/971theticket/sports/detroit-lions/top-5-fits-for-lions-in-2nd-round-of-2021-nfl-draft
2021 NFL Draft wide receiver rankings (8. TERRACE MARSHALL JR., LSU: Marshall is a long-limbed speedster who offers a little more dynamism after the catch than your average 6-foot-3 wide receiver. After playing primarily on the outside in 2019, Marshall thrived in 2020 while taking over Justin Jefferson’s role in the slot. He would have easily been one of the most productive receivers in the country on a per-target basis were it not for seven drops on 55 catchable targets. Still, he can make some spectacular catches with a massive catch radius, and drops haven’t been an issue for him in the past. He still needs to add some play strength to his game, as he’s a slender 200 pounds at the moment. While not quite a complete prospect yet, he could very well get there soon.) (2-17-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-rankings
2021 NFL Draft: Tiering the loaded WR class that might surpass 2020's rookies (HONORABLE MENTIONS - TERRACE MARSHALL JR., LSU: With Justin Jefferson leaving for the 2020 NFL Draft and Ja’Marr Chase opting out of the 2020 season, Marshall was finally setting up to be the primary guy on the outside for the LSU Tigers. He was on pace to put up numbers similar to that of Chase and Jefferson after just four games. He led the country in touchdown receptions (9) and trailed only Alabama's DeVonta Smith in receiving grade from Weeks 4-8 (89.4).) (2-9-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-college-football-tiering-wr-class-2020-rookies
2021 NFL Draft early declarations: List of notable prospects and where they rank heading into offseason (LSU wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr.: CBS Sports' No. 65 prospect overall: Marshall made big plays for the National Champions last season and it appeared he was going to make his claim to be a first0round pick. The LSU offense regressed in 2020 and that impacted Marshall.) (12-29-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-early-declarations-list-of-notable-prospects-and-where-they-rank-heading-into-offseason/
Best fits for top WR NFL draft prospects in 2021 (LSU’s Terrace Marshall Jr. has taken advantage of his teammate Ja’Marr Chase’s decision to opt out of the 2020 college football season by showcasing his ability to be a No. 1 receiver. Marshall’s combination of size and speed makes him a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. Out of all the top WR prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft, Marshall Jr. reigns supreme when it comes to winning the contested catch. Above all, Marshall Jr. is a touchdown machine, scoring 23 times in 28 collegiate games.) (12-18-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/best-fits-for-top-wr-nfl-draft-prospects-in-2021/
2021 NFL Draft Stock - Week 13 (Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU: With Ja'Marr Chase sitting out and Justin Jefferson in the NFL, Marshall is taking advantage of being LSU's featured receiver and showing a lot of skill for the NFL. He has good size, length, quickness, and mismatch ability. If Marshall were receiving more help from his quarterbacks and offensive line, he could be producing a massive season. As it stands, team sources said they've been impressed with Marshall, and he has solidified his early-round standing.) (12-1-20): https://walterfootball.com/draft2021stock_13.php
WR Watch: Wallace flashes full skill set (Terrace Marshall, LSU: LSU-Texas A&M was ugly for a while, but Marshall still finished with 10 catches for 124 yards and a touchdown in defeat. Marshall's biggest play of the evening came on a pass that was nearly intercepted over the middle. Seemingly surprised it got through, Marshall delayed a split second after catching the ball then shifted into light speed for 54 yards. A chunk of his production came late in the fourth quarter with the score 20-0, but Marshall still pieced together another quality performance and is showing more separation ability than I expected this season.) (11-30-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-stock-watch-tylan-wallace-flashes-full-skill-set-jalen-tolbert-has-monster-game/
WR Watch: Moore electric in return (Terrace Marshall, LSU: Stock Down - Consecutive games now from Marshall lacking any semblance of a splash play. On Halloween, he averaged 7.0 yards per grab in the loss to Auburn. This past weekend? Seven grabs for 57 yards in the narrow victory over Arkansas. Marshall is a little boom-or-bust, it's just that at his size with his speed and physicality at the catch point, a three-touchdown outing is never out of the realm of possibility for him. Marshall's unlikely to be a consistent, volume target. ) (11-23-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-stock-watch-rondale-moore-electric-in-return-devonta-smith-cruises-as-usual/
The best college football player on every Power 5 team (LSU: Terrace Marshall, WR - Now playing almost exclusively in the slot, Marshall has been a revelation for LSU this year. The former five-star recruit leads LSU in receiving by 281 yards. Among receivers in the SEC with at least 20 targets, he is fourth with 17.4 yards per catch. He also is averaging 7.4 yards after the catch per reception. His six catches on contested targets is tied for first in the SEC, and his nine touchdown catches rank second in the entire FBS.) (11-6-20): https://www.pff.com/news/the-best-college-football-player-on-every-power-5-team
College Football: Ranking the top 25 wide receivers ahead of Week 10 (18. TERRACE MARSHALL JR., LSU - Marshall had one of the best standard stat sheets in the country a season ago with Joe Burrow throwing him the ball, as he hauled in a whopping 13 touchdowns on 46 catches. Despite that, he earned just a 71.6 receiving grade. That was largely because most of those scores stemmed from schemed up plays near the goal line or busted coverages. Without Burrow in 2020, Marshall has still stuffed the stat sheet with nine touchdowns on 31 catches. However, the difference is that he is earning this production as opposed to it being handed to him, subsequently raising his receiving grade to 83.7. There have been some drop issues, as he has the third-worst drop rate in the SEC, but he has been a great vertical threat, ranking third in grade on such routes — as well as in contested scenarios — with his 6-foot-3 frame (6-of-8 on such targets).) (11-4-20): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-ranking-top-25-wide-receivers-week-10-2020
2021 Draft WR Watch: Historic day for Elijah Moore (Terrace Marshall, LSU: Stock Down - Well, Marshall couldn't score a touchdown every week. LSU's tall, long-striding target had just four catches for 28 yards in the battle of the Tigers, a 48-11 Auburn beatdown. He's still at nine scores on the year, and this was his first game since Nov. 30 of last year without a touchdown, which is absolutely bananas. He remains one of the premier scoring threats in the country because of his size, speed, and rebounding skills. LSU's quarterback this year is just a little bit less efficient than Joe Burrow in 2019. Just a little bit.) (11-2-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-stock-watch-historic-performance-from-elijah-moore-big-ten-receivers-show-out/
Week 9 College Football news, schedule, live blog and more (A pair of NFL-caliber receivers under the spotlight in LSU-Auburn battle (3:45 PM): Among today’s 3:30 PM games, Auburn and LSU are set to go head-to-head in a key SEC tilt for both squads. Tony mentioned Auburn Tigers wide receiver Seth Williams earlier, but there’s also a receiver on the other sideline that deserves more attention: LSU wideout Terrace Marshall Jr. IC. I recently updated my draft profile of Marshall Jr., after a performance against South Carolina that saw him showcase a vast pallet of traits on the national stage. Marshall Jr. has a ton of upside, and after a torrid start to 2020 that’s seen him score at least two touchdowns in every game, it’s not out of the question that he’ll be in the Round 1 conversation by year’s end. IC) (10-31-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/week-9-college-football-news-schedule-live-blog-pauline/
2021 Draft WR Watch: Williams rebounds (Terrace Marshall, LSU: Stock Up, Slightly - Rounding out the trio of tall, touchdown-creators with Marshall, who tacked on two scores against South Carolina to bring his season total to nine. He had six grabs for 88 yards, and his first touchdown was completely created by the scheme. His second score was all him. After catching a short in-breaker, Marshall gathered himself and erupted down the middle of the field, making a subtle cut after getting close to top gear to get to the end zone for the 51-year touchdown. Reminder, Marshall is 6-3 and 200 pounds.) (10-26-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-stock-watch-auburns-seth-williams-has-bounce-back-performance/
Week 8 College Football news, schedule, live blog and more (Terrace Marshall proving to be a touchdown machine (10:40 PM): LSU got a big 52-24 win over South Carolina today and it was in large part due to a big game from their top receiver Terrace Marshall. The stock of Marshall is heading to the moon after two more touchdowns today and 88 receiving yards as well. Marshall has proven to be a physical playmaker with good shiftiness for his size. With 14 touchdowns in his last seven games, Marshall is winning in a variety of ways. Not only is he winning underneath, but he is proving he has elite ball skills and combat catch skills. Marshall can climb that ladder and with his strong hands, reel it in with ease. In hte NFL, Marshall would fit into the big slot role well. His physicality and size over the middle is a huge mismatch. Marshall is firmly in the day two conversation and could go even higher than that if he keeps this up. NF) (10-24-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/week-8-college-football-news-schedule-live-blog-pauline/
Top 10 performances from 2021 NFL Draft prospects in Week 6 (2. WR TERRACE MARSHALL JR., LSU: We knew Terrace Marshall Jr. had a legit catch radius at 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, but I’m not quite sure we knew he had wheels as he showed on Saturday. Marshall was cooking all day long in LSU’s loss to Missouri. He finished with 22 catches for 236 yards and three scores. After some drop issues the first two weeks, Marshall didn’t let a single ball hit the ground Saturday and also broke two tackles. The receiver class is loaded, and I’m not sure he’s quite done enough yet to vault into the first-round conversation, but his size-speed combo will be intriguing on Day 2.) (10-13-20): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-college-football-top-10-performances-2021-nfl-draft-prospects-week-6
College Football Top Performers Week 6: Trevor Lawrence Dazzles (Terrace Marshall Jr., Wide Receiver, LSU (6’3″, 201 pounds, Junior): LSU’s talented wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase opted out of the 2020 college football season and this has provided his teammate, Terrace Marshall Jr., with the platform to showcase himself as a legitimate first-round prospect. In a back-breaking loss for the LSU Tigers, there was one bright spot. Terrace Marshall Jr. was brilliant in Week 6, torching the Missouri secondary to the tune of 11 catches for 235 yards and three touchdowns. Marshall Jr. currently ranks sixth in receiving yards and second in receiving touchdowns on the season. If Marshall Jr. can continue to build off his hot start to the 2020 season, he might solidify himself as a top-40 selection in the 2021 draft.) (10-13-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/college-football-top-performers-week-6-2020/
NFL draft winners and losers: Two SEC quarterbacks help their causes in big wins (LSU WR Terrace Marshall, Jr.: The Tigers might be off to their worst start since 1994, but they have a draft prospect who is carrying the school’s reputation as one of the best factories for wide receiver talent in all of college football. With Justin Jefferson off to a strong start in the NFL, and Ja’Marr Chase opting out this season, Marshall has stepped up as the Tigers’ clear-cut WR1 — and is emerging as yet another possible first-round pick. On Saturday, Marshall seemed to get open at will, grabbing 11 passes for 235 and three scores, even as LSU shockingly fell to Mizzou. Most importantly, he didn’t drop a single pass, which was the one red mark from his first two outings, with a pair of drops in each of those games. Through three games, Marshall has 21 catches for 424 yards (20.2 average) and seven TD grabs, well on his way to smashing the impressive receiving line (46-671-13) he put up as the third fiddle in LSU’s nuclear offense a year ago. Nineteen of those 21 grabs have gone for first downs or touchdowns. It’s more impressive what the 6-foot-3, 200-pound wide receiver is doing this year considering everything the Tigers have lost since winning a national championship. He’s running a lot of the slot routes that Jefferson did last year but also is seeing time outside to fill some of Chase’s role. Along with wildly gifted freshman TE Arik Gilbert, Marshall is doing his best to keep LSU in games while QB Myles Brennan adjusts and the defense gives up tracts of yardage each week. Right now, we’d safely peg Marshall as a top-50 prospect if he declared in 2021. But creeping into the first-round range, with the way he’s playing early on, wouldn’t be a big stretch.) (10-12-20): https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-draft-winners-and-losers-two-sec-quarterbacks-help-their-causes-in-big-wins-122417527.html
2021 NFL Draft Wide Receiver Stock Watch: Tamorrion Terry rebounds, Terrace Marshall becoming scoring machine (Terrace Marshall, LSU: Stock Up - LSU is having a hard time not playing in wild games this season, and unfortunately two of their bananas games this year have ended in a loss. But Tigers fans just experienced one of the best years in college football history last season. So they're good. Anyway, Marshall took a shot on a downfield toss from his improving quarterback and held on for a large gain in the first quarter. The 6-3 wideout put his long speed on full display on his 75-yard touchdown. Marshall was unstoppable against Missouri. He had 11 catches for 235 yards with three touchdowns, and all three of his scores looked effortless.) (10-11-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-stock-watch-tamorrion-terry-rebounds-terrace-marshall-becoming-scoring-machine/
College Football Recap, Week 6: The top storylines from the weekend (Who needs Ja’Marr Chase? (2:25 PM): LSU and Missouri are hooked up in a surprising track meet as LSU just took a 38-31 lead with ten minutes left in the third quarter. LSU is not the team they were a year ago, and there were additional concerns raised after sensational receiver Ja’Marr Chase opted out of the season. Not to worry. Terrace Marshall Jr. has picked up the slack, and the junior is watching his draft stock surge. Putting aside his numbers thus far today, which include four receptions for 115 yards and 3 TD’s, Marshall continues to show he’s a complete receiver effective on underneath, crossing as well as deep routes. If he enters the draft, which I’m told is very likely, expect Marshall to land somewhere in the second round. TP) (10-11-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/college-football-scores-schedule-live-blog-week-6-2020/
LSU WR Terrace Marshall Jr. torches Missouri in upset loss (10-11-20): https://draftwire.usatoday.com/2020/10/10/lsu-missouri-terrace-marshall-jr-nfl-draft-college-football/
2021 Draft WR Watch: Emezie back on radar (Terrace Marshall, LSU: Stock Steady - Marshall only caught two passes Saturday but both went for touchdowns. The first was a classic Marshall grab on a post route in traffic. The second was a dig route in which he got the opportunity to showcase his speed after the catch. While of course we'd like to see more volume from Marshall, he really is a splash-play specialist.) (10-5-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-stock-watch-emeka-emezie-back-on-radar-reggie-roberson-dazzles-before-injury/
College Football Top Performers, Week 4: Kyle Pitts stands out (Terrace Marshall Jr., Wide Receiver, LSU: In a losing effort, Terrace Marshall Jr. was impressive, as he took full advantage of Ja’Marr Chase’s decision to opt-out of the college football season. Marshall hauled in eight receptions for 122 receiving yards and two touchdowns. In a deep 2021 wide receiver group, don’t sleep on Terrace Marshall Jr. as a round two pick in next April’s draft.) (9-29-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/college-football-top-performers-week-4-kyle-pitts-kyle-trask-jaylen-waddle/
2021 Draft WR Watch: Jaylen Waddle erupts (Terrace Marshall, LSU: Stock Up - LSU-Mississippi State was wild, and Marshall himself had quite an afternoon in his first game without Ja'Marr Chase or Justin Jefferson out there with him. The tall speedster had eight receptions for 122 yards with two touchdowns, the first of which showed a nice adjustment to throttle down on the slightly underthrown ball but still reeled it into despite getting hit right as he caught the football. In the fourth, he made a nasty one-hand grab for a score -- with his left hand while his right was being hooked by the cornerback. The 6-3, 200-pound wideout has an exquisite deep-threat frame and proved how explosive he is on Saturday.) (9-28-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-stock-watch-alabamas-jaylen-waddle-starts-season-with-explosive-performance/
College Football Games Today, Week 4: TV Schedule and Live Blog with Tony Pauline (LSU’s Terrace Marshall taking advantage (6:55 PM ET): LSU expected WR1 Ja’Marr Chase opted out of the 2020 season to prepare for the NFL Draft, so a massive hole was left in an already decimated offensive unit. I wrote about how Marshall can take advantage of this and help skyrocket his stock. He’s doing just that as he just caught a one-handed touchdown to bring LSU within three points against Mississippi State. Marshall has an excellent concentration at the catch point, and he’s a strong physical specimen. He’s still raw with his releases and route running, but the physical traits and competitive toughness are there. Marshall has the most to gain from the opt-out of teammate Ja’Marr Chase. – MV) (9-26-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/college-football-games-today-week-4-live-blog-tony-pauline/
2021 NFL Draft: Can WR Terrace Marshall become a top prospect? (9-11-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2021-nfl-draft-can-wr-terrace-marshall-become-a-top-prospect/
2021 NFL Draft: Who are the LSU Tigers’ top prospects? (Terrace Marshall Jr., Wide Receiver, Junior (6’3″, 200 pounds): While his teammate Ja’Marr Chase steals the headlines, Terrace Marshall Jr. is a legit wide receiver prospect in his own right. Like Chase, Marshall Jr. was extremely productive in 2019, catching 46 passes for 671 yards and a staggering 13 touchdowns. He put up this impressive production despite being sidelined for three games. Marshall Jr. is a big-bodied wide receiver and he uses his size well. He is a capable deep threat who displays exceptional ball-tracking ability. As Tony Pauline points out, “Terrace Marshall Jr. would be the No. 1 receiver at most other universities in the nation, and he’s a legitimate next-level prospect. Marshall is slightly taller than Chase, though he’s not as fast or dynamic. He, too, possesses next-level pass-catching ability and big upside.” While he needs some polish, Marshall Jr. possesses traits that with excite scouts and will likely be a late Day 2 selection in the 2021 NFL Draft.) (8-28-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/lsu-top-prospects-2021-nfl-draft/
2020 SEC Preseason Summer Scouting Preview (Chase’s teammate Terrace Marshall JR. was leading the Tigers in receiving touchdowns with six through four games before suffering an injury. Marshall would come on strong once again when he got fully healthy, scoring five times in LSU’s final three games. His ability to finish in tight spaces led to his success down the field and in the red zone.) (7-26-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2020-sec-preseason-summer-scouting-preview/2/
Could the 2021 wide receiver class be even better than 2020? (3-30-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2021-wide-receiver-class/
Scouting Reports:
2021 NFL Draft Profile: Ole Miss WR Elijah Moore (3-31-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-profile-ole-miss-wr-elijah-moore
Elijah Moore NFL Draft Player Profile (11-19-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/elijah-moore-nfl-draft-player-profile-2021/
Elijah Moore - Wide Receiver Ole Miss Rebels 2021 Draft Scouting Report: https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/scouting-reports/elijahmoore
Rankings:
Yahoo Prospect Ranking (38. WR Elijah Moore): https://sports.yahoo.com/2021-nfl-draft-ole-miss-wr-elijah-moore-wins-with-quickness-toughness-205314473.html
2021 NFL Draft Rankings: WR 1-9 (5. Elijah Moore, Mississippi | 5'9/184 (Comp: Antonio Brown): Football player. Lane Kiffin’s first Ole Miss offense was shockingly explosive, and Elijah Moore was a big reason why, posting an 86-1193-8 line out of the slot (in only eight games!). Moore is a feisty, darting, crafty, extremely-reliable slot receiver that is open as much as Wal-Mart. Moore’s special sauce is that combo of athleticism and craftiness out of the slot, because it makes him an extremely deceiving route runner that is hard to keep up with besides. But what makes him an especially tricky proposition is that he hangs onto every ball he touches (only 10 career drops on 200 catchable targets), even if you absolutely rock him, and he’s filthy after the catch (No. 6 in nation with 18 broken tackles after catch in 2020). Fearless on the field, the negatives of his evaluation tend to come from his intensity or balls-to-the wall style. For instance, as you might be aware, Moore famously celebrated a late Egg Bowl touchdown against hated Mississippi State by pantomiming urinating like a dog (I suppose because they’re the Bulldogs?). Or, for instance, on the field, though he does such a devilish job tying slot defenders’ legs into knots in man, you’ll sometimes see him, in lieu of dropping into a nice soft spot in a zone short, slicing upfield toward sectors that are manned. Now, to Elijah Moore, he would tell you that Matt Corral can make the throw, I can make the catch. Fair enough, young fella. But there are plays when we need Moore to understand it’s not in our best interest as a team for him to beg Corral to throw him a hospital ball for a possible 22-yard completion down the seam over a freebie seven-yarder that could turn into more. Simple math, really. Moore should be a strong starting slot receiver from Day 1.) (3-10-21): https://www.nbcsports.com/edge/article/rankings/2021-nfl-draft-rankings-wr-1-9
Articles:
2021 NFL draft profile: Ole Miss WR Elijah Moore (4-28-21): https://draftwire.usatoday.com/lists/2021-nfl-draft-elijah-moore-ole-miss-scouting-report/
Five NFL prospects who could be surprise first-round picks (Elijah Moore, WR, Ole Miss: For some teams, Moore might simply be regarded as a 5-9, 178-pound slot receiver who will complement other pass catchers by getting open on underneath routes. Those willing to be a bit more creative, however, could see a dynamic playmaker with substantial playmaking potential given his downfield speed, strong hands and penchant for shaking free from cornerbacks. While he hasn't received the consistent buzz that players like Florida's Kadarius Toney and LSU's Terrace Marshall Jr. have, Moore could leapfrog both targets as a potential first-round pick by a receiver-needy team such as the Packers or Ravens.) (4-28-21): https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2021/04/28/nfl-draft-five-prospects-surprise-first-round-picks/7387201002/
2021 NFL draft: Surprise prospects who could crash the 1st round (Elijah Moore | WR | Ole Miss: There’s little debate about the top three wide receivers in this year’s class, but it’s anyone’s guess who will be the fourth one off the board. While Minnesota’s Rashod Bateman has been the favorite up until this point, and the likes of Purdue’s Rondale Moore and Florida’s Kadarius Toney have also been mentioned, Moore appears to be gaining steam as a potential surprise pick to be that No. 4 receiver selected. What he lacks in size, he more than makes up for with speed and explosiveness, and NFL teams can never have enough of either.) (4-27-21): https://draftwire.usatoday.com/lists/2021-nfl-draft-surprise-picks-1st-round-tyson-campbell-elijah-moore-jamin-davis/
10 potential 2nd round picks for the Lions (Elijah Moore, WR, Ole Miss: Moore is a dynamic presence in the slot, one of those receivers who knows how to inherently “get freaking open”, as Lions head coach Dan Campbell stressed in his recent press conference. He’s got the instant acceleration, joystick-like agility and sense of exactly when to catch the coverage between steps or leaning just the wrong way. Moore is also dangerous with the ball in his hands. He can operate out of the backfield and on jet sweeps. He’s smallish (5-9/185) and doesn’t appear to offer much as a receiving threat beyond about 12 yards from the line of scrimmage. Moore really shone when he got consistent QB play and could blossom into a big-time weapon in the NFL.) (4-22-21): https://lionswire.usatoday.com/lists/lions-draft-second-round-pick-prospects-2021-nfl-draft/
2021 NFL Draft: Which prospect might not be a first-round pick, but SHOULD be? (Joe Thomas: Elijah Moore is a prospect who shouldn't be overlooked, but won't go in the first round due to a deep and talented wide receiver class. Though he may be undersized at 5-9 1/2 and 178 pounds, he's a versatile weapon who can line up on the perimeter, in the slot, in the backfield and contribute in the return game.) (4-22-21): https://www.nfl.com/news/2021-nfl-draft-which-prospect-might-not-be-a-first-round-pick-but-should-be
2021 Draft: NFL comparisons for top WR prospects (Elijah Moore, Ole Miss - NFL comparison: Rocket fueled Jamison Crowder. At Duke, Crowder's film and production were outstanding. He went over 1,000 yards in three-consecutive seasons and scored 22 touchdowns in those campaigns. A nifty, multiple-break slot receiver who caught everything and was a disaster to corral in the open field, Crowder looked like one of the best pure slots in the 2015 class. However, he tested like a low-level athlete, and his combine effort sunk his stock to the fourth round. We now know he plays much quicker on the field than he does in workout gear. In every season he's played at least 10 games, Crowder's gone over 600 yards receiving and he has 26 receiving scores to his name entering his seventh season. Moore is a sudden slot wideout who produced at a high level in college and gets open with great regularity. Plus, he has high-end speed and a dazzling pro-day workout on his resume. Expect him to hit the ground running in the NFL like Crowder did. ) (4-19-21): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-these-prospects-could-be-the-next-tyreek-hill-or-a-j-brown-plus-other-receiver-comparisons/
Best pro comparisons for top WR prospects (Elijah Moore - Mississippi - Pro comparison: Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks (six NFL seasons, 62.7 catches per year, 815.3 receiving yards per year, 6.2 TDs per year). Like Lockett (5-10, 182 pounds), Moore's impact on the field far outstrips his lack of size (5-10, 178). Lockett logged 36 explosive plays in his final season at Kansas State, according to PFF, fourth-most in FBS -- a ranking that Moore matched in 2020 (with 27). Since being selected by the Seahawks in the third round of the draft in 2015, Lockett has proven himself as a top-end NFL receiver, averaging 1,025 receiving yards and 79.7 receptions over the past three seasons. Moore and Lockett tested similarly (Moore reportedly registered a 36-inch vertical, 10-0 broad jump, 4.00 short shuttle and 6.65 three-cone at Mississippi's pro day, while Lockett posted a 35 1/2-inch vertical, a 10-1 broad jump, a 4.07 short shuttle and 6.89 three-cone at the combine). But when you factor in Moore's superior speed (he clocked a reported 4.32 40, compared to Lockett's 4.4 40), Moore's ceiling projects to be a little bit higher than what Lockett has accomplished thus far in Seattle.) (4-15-21): https://www.nfl.com/news/2021-nfl-draft-prospect-pro-comparisons-for-top-receivers
NFL Draft: Ranking the Top 10 wide receivers, starting with DeVonta Smith (Elijah Moore, Ole Miss (5-9, 185, 21) - How does he play? A tough, hard-nosed slot receiver who runs good routes but lacks the explosion out of the break to make him a top talent at the receiver position. Moore is on the smaller side obviously, but his quick feet help him beat press despite size. However, he doesn’t do a great job of extending whatever separation he creates afterward. He’s a smart football player with a good feel for finding space against zone coverages. And he’s got a reliable pair of hands and can even make contested catches downfield. At 5-foot-9, he finished fifth in the class in contested catches, per Pro Football Focus. As an added bonus, Moore showed off running back ability when given backfield carries — though, like most receivers, he’s looking to bounce runs every time. He ran a 4.3 40 at his pro day but I didn’t see special breakaway speed on film. He may never be a cornerstone player for an NFL franchise but he’s a good player who would fit any team. What’s his NFL role? Moore’s role in the NFL shouldn’t be all that different from his role in Ole Miss’ offense. I assume he’ll be used in a variety of ways and even get touches out of the backfield. But he’s not some gadget player. He has legit receiver ability and could serve as a reliable third-down target. In that way, he could carve out a role similar to that of Curtis Samuel in Carolina … only Moore isn’t quite as fast. Where should he be drafted? Toney and Moore are interchangeable for me, so I’ll also give him a second-round pick. There is a lot less risk as Moore is the more polished receiver. Best fit? Put him on any team, and Moore is going to contribute. He may not have any elite traits, but he’s a good football player who will do anything he’s asked. He’ll fit in any offense, but it would be more entertaining to see him in a creative system that will move him around the formation. If he lands on the Patriots, that could be fun to watch.) (4-14-21): https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/nfl-draft-wide-receiver-prospects-ranking
Lions 2021 NFL draft: A wide receiver for every round (Second round: Elijah Moore, Ole Miss - Players who keep ascending throughout their college careers are always intriguing, and that’s Moore. He stepped up his all-around game each season for the Rebels to the point where he was one of the most reliable, most productive receivers in college football in 2020. Moore is quicker-than-fast but also fast (4.35 40), and he routinely displayed that from the slot. He can “get freaking open” right away against all types of coverage, and Moore is a threat to break things open after the catch. His lack of size and simplistic experience at route running (he benefitted from Ole Miss’ scheme and supporting cast) are downers, but Moore is an easy projection to instantly replace Danny Amendola in the slot in Detroit…but also work some outside and even out of the backfield.) (4-12-21): https://lionswire.usatoday.com/lists/lions-2021-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-for-every-round/
2021 NFL Draft WR Superlatives: Best route-runner, freakiest athlete, safest hands and more (BEST SLOT: ELIJAH MOORE, OLE MISS -While he can be much more than a “slot only,” there’s no better option in the draft class if that’s what you want in your offense. Over the past two seasons, Moore has racked up 1,738 yards from the slot, the most of any receiver in college football. He’s also done so without the advent of a ton of “phony” production, as only 86 of those yards came on screens. He can be a vertical threat from the slot with 4.35 speed or easily shake defenders underneath.) (4-7-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-wr-superlatives-best-route-runner-freakiest-athlete-safest-hands
Monson: Why NFL teams should think twice about drafting slot receivers in Round 1 of the 2021 NFL Draft (Elijah Moore has been skyrocketing up draft boards in recent weeks. He has gone from a fringe third-round player to a first-round player, according to PFF’s mock draft simulator, but there is virtually no evidence that Moore can survive on the outside at the NFL level. Last season, 77.9% of his snaps came in the slot. And even of the snaps that he did take out wide, he was positioned at the tail end of a stack formation to ensure he still had a free release off the line around 50% of the time. That is a very real red flag that his own team didn’t think he could play outside or at least didn’t want to run the risk that it would impact his play. Moore does everything well from the slot, but he is way undersized and has shown no evidence that he can play on the outside. This, of course, would make him a huge reach in the first round unless you have supreme confidence in projecting beyond what the evidence in his career thus far suggests is there.) (4-5-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-slot-wide-receivers-elijah-moore-rondale-moore-kadarius-toney
2021 NFL Draft: Biggest winners, losers from Pro Days (Top 10 - WR ELIJAH MOORE, OLE MISS: In a receiver class chock-full of elite athletes, Moore gets the nod in the top 10 here because of his change-of-direction drills. His 6.66-second three-cone and 4-second shuttle show up on tape with how easily he’s able to avoid contact. Those 17 bench reps at only 178 pounds make you think his game can translate to the more physical NFL.) (4-2-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-biggest-winners-losers-pro-days
2021 NFL Draft: Biggest pro and con for each of PFF’s top WR prospects (5. ELIJAH MOORE, OLE MISS - Biggest pro: Toughness. Moore was a true savage out on the field for Ole Miss. The number of times he put his body on the line and took a big shot while still holding onto the ball makes him every old-school coach's dream player. Moore hauled in the highest rate of catchable targets beyond the line of scrimmage among all FBS wide receivers this past season at 96.7%. He was also strong in contested scenarios despite his small stature, catching 11-of-15 contested targets. His toughness also showed after the catch, with 31 broken tackles on 153 receptions since 2019. As Mike Renner said in the PFF 2021 NFL Draft Guide, he is the quintessential slot receiver. Biggest con: Height. The biggest con with Moore is his size. He stands at 5-foot-9 and weighs in at 178 pounds with arms just over 30 inches. All three of those are at or under the 10th percentile among wide receiver prospects historically. But given what I outlined above, this shouldn’t hinder Moore at the NFL level. It didn’t stop him from dominating in the most challenging conference in the country. His recent pro day, which saw him post a 4.35-second 40, a 4.00-second short shuttle and a 6.66-second three-cone, should also help teams ease what concerns they may have about him.) (3-31-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-pro-and-con-top-wr-prospects
2021 NFL Draft wide receiver rankings (6. ELIJAH MOORE, OLE MISS: The other Moore is already much more of a polished product heading into the 2021 season — he can man the slot from Day 1 for any offense in the league. He’s not only got an ideal slot skill set physically, but he also has the mentality to take hits over the middle of the field. You won’t find tougher catches on a 2021 slot receiver's tape. Moore may not give you the super high end, but there are truly not many weaknesses to his game. He’s going to get open, he’s going to break tackles (31 on 153 catches the past two seasons) and he’s going to make tough catches (22-of-39 on contested targets in his career).) (2-17-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-rankings
2021 NFL Draft: Tiering the loaded WR class that might surpass 2020's rookies (TIER 3 - ELIJAH MOORE, OLE MISS: Not many receivers had a better season than Ole Miss’ Elijah Moore. If it were not for DeVonta Smith’s ridiculous Heisman campaign, Moore would have had the top receiving year in the SEC. He ranked behind only Smith among all wide receivers in receiving grade (92.4), catches (86) and yards (1,193) since Week 4. Moore played primarily in the slot during his Ole Miss career, and that is most likely where he'll land in the NFL. Out of the slot in 2020, Moore produced a ridiculous 97.7 receiving grade (tied first in the nation) and was one of just three players with at least 20 receptions of 15-plus yards from the slot since the SEC kicked off.) (2-9-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-college-football-tiering-wr-class-2020-rookies
PFF 2021 NFL Draft Guide: PFF's top WR prospect, plus a wild-card WR to watch (BIGGEST RISER: ELIJAH MOORE, OLE MISS - Named a 2018 Under Armour All-American, Elijah Moore received 33 offers out of St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Florida. Moore committed to Georgia after Hugh Freeze was dismissed at Ole Miss during Moore’s visit, but Moore eventually flipped to Ole Miss when Matt Luke — Moore’s primary recruiter throughout the process — was given the head coaching job, per Rivals’ Rob Cassidy. Moore was infamously involved in the Egg Bowl touchdown celebration that moved a game-tying extra point back 15 yards and lost Ole Miss the game against Mississippi State. Moore's infamous urination celebration back in the Egg Bowl of 2019 set off a series of events that ended with him finishing with the second-most receiving yards in the country this year. Moore became the focal point of Lane Kiffin's offense and hauled in 1,193 yards in only eight games. He's an elite all-around athlete who could run any route asked of him from the slot at a high level. And from the handful of reps we did see from him on the outside, I'd be willing to dabble with him there in the league, as well. NFL player comparison: A faster Cole Beasley. Biggest strength: Toughness. Biggest weakness: Height. Projection: First-round to second-round pick. Bottom line: Moore is a quintessential slot receiver, but I wouldn't put it past him to be productive on the outside.) (1-29-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-pff-top-wide-receivers
2021 NFL Draft: PFF's favorite draft prospect at each position (WR ELIJAH MOORE, OLE MISS (91.2): Moore may get pigeonholed as an undersized slot only — the position he played this past year at Ole Miss — but that shouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing with how dominant he was there. Moore not only possesses speed, but he also has quicks. More importantly, though, he’s as tough as they come. He hauled in 9-of-11 contested targets this year despite being only 5-foot-9, 185 pounds. On top of all that, Moore won’t even turn 21 until days before the draft.) (1-26-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-pff-favorite-2021-nfl-draft-prospects
101 best players in college football from the 2020 season (18. WR ELIJAH MOORE, OLE MISS: Moore exploited the holes in zone coverage with regularity in Lane Kiffin’s offense at Ole Miss. In fact, no FBS receiver generated more explosive plays of 15-plus yards through finding a hole in zone (12) in 2020. Altogether, Moore racked up the second-most yards per route run in the Power Five (3.87) against zone looks. Moore didn't see much single coverage as a primary slot receiver, but he looked drastically improved this season when he did. He won a number of his downfield routes on those plays and ranked ninth in the FBS in receiving grade against single coverage for the year.) (1-18-21): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-101-best-players-2020
2021 NFL Draft early declarations: List of notable prospects and where they rank heading into offseason (Ole Miss wide receiver Elijah Moore - Moore is one of the most elusive wide receivers after the catch. He catches the ball underneath and is capable of taking it the distance.) (12-29-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-early-declarations-list-of-notable-prospects-and-where-they-rank-heading-into-offseason/
College Football 2020: PFF's All-SEC Team (First-Team: Elijah Moore, Ole Miss: Moore was Matt Corral’s go-to weapon this year, and understandably so. Outside of DeVonta Smith, he was the most reliable receiver in the country. The 5-foot-9 slot receiver caught 97.7% of his catchable targets this season, the second-highest rate in the nation, and he also recorded the fourth-highest contested-catch rate in the FBS. Moore has a penchant for finding holes in zone coverages, but he also showed that he could win by separating against single coverage. The Ole Miss wideout ultimately earned the third-best receiving grade we have seen by an SEC wide receiver, behind only Smith and Amari Cooper.) (12-22-20): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-2020-pffs-all-sec-team
College Football 2020: PFF's All-American Team (First-Team: Elijah Moore, Ole Miss - Moore was Matt Corral’s go-to weapon this year, and understandably so. Outside of DeVonta Smith, he was the most reliable receiver in the country. The 5-foot-9 slot receiver caught 97.7% of his catchable targets this season, the second-highest rate in the nation, and he also recorded the fourth-highest contested-catch rate in the FBS. Moore has a penchant for finding holes in zone coverages, but he also showed that he could win by separating against single coverage. The Ole Miss wideout ultimately earned the third-best receiving grade we have seen by an SEC wide receiver, behind only Smith and Amari Cooper.) (12-21-20): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-2020-pffs-all-american-team
2021 NFL Draft: Ole Miss star receiver Elijah Moore to forgo senior season (12-17-20): https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/2021-nfl-draft-ole-miss-star-receiver-elijah-moore-to-forgo-senior-season-after-breakout-year-for-the-rebels/
2021 NFL Draft: PFF's Draft Riser Team (WR ELIJAH MOORE, OLE MISS: Moore has come a long way since he pretended to be a dog urinating in the Egg Bowl last seNoason. That flagged celebration eventually led to Lane Kiffin becoming head coach for the Rebels and Moore being the focal point of his offense. Now, Moore is averaging nearly 150 yards a game and racking up big plays from the slot. His 1,193 receiving yards are second in the country, while his 18 broken tackles rank fourth. At 5-foot-9, 185 pounds, he’s certainly on the small side but still figures to come off the board somewhere on Day 2.) (12-11-20): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-pffs-all-draft-riser-team
WR Watch: Wallace flashes full skill set (Elijah Moore, Ole Miss - Everyone in the stadium knows Moore is going to be featured every week but it doesn't matter. He's going to get his. And he did in the Egg Bowl win over Mississippi State with 12 catches for 139 yards, which included a 53-yard snag early in the game with a deep defender hitting him as soon as he caught the football. Much of Moore's impact came in the quick game, but as has been the case in basically every outing this season, he demonstrated his long-ball talent. ) (11-30-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-stock-watch-tylan-wallace-flashes-full-skill-set-jalen-tolbert-has-monster-game/
Week 13 College Football news, schedule, live blog and more (Elijah Moore carrying on with near record-breaking 2020 campaign (4:30 PM): You should never use stats alone to quantify a prospect’s abilities or a prospect’s potential. Still, the numbers do a pretty good job of encapsulating the ability of Ole Miss WR Elijah Moore. Moore came into today’s game between Ole Miss and Mississippi State with 74 receptions, 1,054 yards, and eight touchdowns, and just over halfway through the first quarter, he already has three receptions for 63 yards. For my money, Moore might be the best pure slot receiver in the 2020 NFL Draft. There’s a slightly negative connotation to that title; Moore doesn’t have the size to thrive on the outside consistently, where press coverage is more prevalent. But in the slot, he has an enticing combination of burst, twitch, catch-point toughness, and run-after-catch ability, and that mix should allow him to produce at the NFL level. IC) (11-28-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/week-13-college-football-news-schedule-live-blog-and-more/
Top 10 performances from 2021 NFL Draft prospects in Week 11 (4. WR ELIJAH MOORE, OLE MISS: Moore is very quickly becoming arguably the most impressive slot receiver in the country. He went for over 200 yards for the third time this season against South Carolina. That brings his total to 1,054 yards on the year through seven games. While his 91-yard score was a busted coverage, Moore also showed he can get open on his own. He’s now hauled in 74 of his 86 targets on the year and broken 15 tackles. At 5-foot-9, 185 pounds, it’s unlikely he ever gets into the first-round conversation. Still, he looks firmly entrenched in as a Day 2 pick.) (11-17-20): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-top-10-performances-2021-nfl-draft-prospects-week-11-college-football
WR Watch: Moore goes for 200-plus again (Elijah Moore, Ole Miss: Moore went bonkers against South Carolina to the tune of 13 receptions for 225 yards and two scores. He couldn't have been more wide open on his 91-yard score, a play that immediately went viral because Lane Kiffin launching his clipboard into the air as the pass was completed -- totally on brand for Kiffin -- was visible from the broadcast angle. Moore's second touchdown of the day was another schemed-open shot down the field, it just wasn't 91 yards. Moore worked underneath outstandingly as usual, but I loved seeing him take handoffs from the backfield, and his 13-yard scamper in the first half was a fine demonstration of his vision and explosiveness when cutting. Oh, by the way, it only took Moore seven games to go over 1,000 yards on the year. Insane.) (11-16-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-stock-watch-elijah-moore-eclipses-1000-yard-season-north-carolina-duo-explodes/
College football's top 20 breakout players of the season (10. WR ELIJAH MOORE, OLE MISS (2019 PFF grade: 76.3 (71st of 362). 2020 PFF grade: 89.4 (T-fourth of 272)): Moore is a little bit different from others on this list. He was by no means a bad or unproductive wide receiver in 2019 — he ranked ninth in the SEC in receiving grade and tied for 11th in yards per route run, at 2.46. The key difference is that this year, his production is less schemed, and he has been thriving against single coverage. Moore is actually winning with his route running, and that has helped him earn the sixth-best receiving grade against single coverage in the Power 5 so far this season. He has also generated separation from his coverage defender on 78% of his targets against single coverage, the third-best rate in the Power 5.) (11-13-20): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-top-20-breakout-players-of-the-season
NFL draft matchups: There's a surprisingly good QB battle in the SEC this week (Florida offensive standouts vs. Arkansas defense
Sure, this might be the Feleipe Franks revenge game, and don’t laugh — some NFL team will want to bring him in and see if it can rework some of his mechanical issues. (On top of that, he’s been pretty darned solid this season for the Razorbacks.) But we’re quietly excited to watch the Gators’ offensive trio — QB Kyle Trask, TE Kyle Pitts and WR Kadarius Toney — against an Arkansas defense that has been reborn under new coordinator Barry Odom. The Hogs give up a fair number of yards (401.5 per game) but thrive on creating turnovers. They have 15 takeaways on the season (three fumbles, 12 interceptions) and have held some respectable SEC offenses in check this season. Trask, Franks’ backup (and friend) with the Gators last season, has thrived this season and could end up being a top-50 overall selection in 2021. But he also has thrown pick-sixes in back-to-back weeks, so we’ll be watching to see how careful Trask is with the ball in this game. Both Trask and Franks can be careless with the ball at times. Arkansas has held some good receiving weapons (George Pickens, Osirus Mitchell, Seth Williams, Josh Palmer) below their season averages and held talented Ole Miss TE Kenny Yeboah to one target and zero grabs in his 91 snaps against them. But Ole Miss WR Elijah Moore and Texas A&M TE Jalen Wydermyer gave them some trouble. Moore is a quick receiver with some crossover traits to the Gators’ Toney, and Wydermyer will be the closest thing to a game-changing tight end the Razorbacks will have seen this season before they face Pitts. Pitts is gunning for the top 10. Trask is trying to crack the first round. Toney has work to do but should be on the top-50 radar, even in a really deep and talented receiving group. All three are facing Arkansas for the first time. This matchup can help those three get closer to that goal.) (11-13-20): https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-draft-matchups-theres-a-surprisingly-good-qb-battle-in-the-sec-this-week-160734101.html
The best college football player on every Power 5 team (Ole Miss: Elijah Moore, WR - Moore has been simply unstoppable this season, as he leads the Power 5 with 829 receiving yards. He has forced 11 missed tackles so far this year, good enough for sixth best in the country, and he leads the nation in 15-plus-yard gains with 19. Quarterback Matt Corral has found him at every opportunity. Moore leads the country with 61 catches.) (11-6-20): https://www.pff.com/news/the-best-college-football-player-on-every-power-5-team
College Football: Ranking the top 25 wide receivers ahead of Week 10 (6. ELIJAH MOORE, OLE MISS: Moore was one of the most productive wide receivers in the country entering Week 9, but a lot of that production was thanks to head coach Lane Kiffin and his offense. Then, in Week 9, Moore once again went off. While he still had some schemed production, the wide receiver actually made some big plays with his route running and releases. This past week, Moore came away with explosive plays of 15 or more yards on two saucy sluggos and a beautiful secondary release on a slot fade against off-coverage that resulted in a touchdown. Overall, he finished the day with a 90.8 PFF grade, earning PFF Team of the Week honors.) (11-4-20): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-ranking-top-25-wide-receivers-week-10-2020
2021 Draft WR Watch: Historic day for Elijah Moore (Elijah Moore, Ole Miss: Stock Up - If you're breaking a school record held by A.J. Brown, chances are you're pretty darn good. That's exactly what Moore did against Vanderbilt, setting the Ole Miss record for receiving yards in a game (238). He did it on 14 grabs with three touchdowns. No, the Commodores aren't fielding a secondary bound for the NFL, but that stat line speaks for itself. Moore's last score of the day was a nasty stutter-go from the slot. On the play, he demonstrated his outstanding twitch and acceleration from a standstill, and he tracked it over his shoulder beautifully.) (11-2-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-stock-watch-historic-performance-from-elijah-moore-big-ten-receivers-show-out/
Week 9 College Football news, schedule, live blog and more (Ole Miss WR Elijah Moore is #Good, and he’s only getting better (7:05 PM)
I know we’ve been talking a lot about wide receivers today, but there’s a reason for that: The 2021 NFL Draft’s wide receiver class is insanely talented, and every week, new prospects continue to unearth themselves. One of the best examples of this process is Ole Miss wideout, Elijah Moore. In 2019, Moore produced a modest stat line of 67 catches, 850 yards, and six touchdowns. In just six games thus far in 2020, Moore has 61 catches for 829 yards and six touchdowns. This week, he has 14 catches for 238 yards and three scores, and he’s officially broken the Ole Miss record for receiving yards in a single game. Moore is a bit undersized at 5-foot-9, 185, but he’s a supremely dynamic player with the change-of-direction skills, route running nuance, run-after-catch ability, and long speed to make an impact in all phases. He’s only a true junior, and the 2021 WR class may dilute some of his hype, but if he carries on this pace, he has a chance become one of the headliners. IC) (10-31-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/week-9-college-football-news-schedule-live-blog-pauline/
NFL Draft Rumors & News: Will Jets look to pair Trevor Lawrence & Dabo Swinney? (Is Ole Miss WR Elijah Moore starting to gain some buzz after his strong start?
Absolutely. His big-play ability is appealing, as is the potential he brings as a return specialist. I haven’t heard whether he’s leaning towards entering the draft.) (10-20-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-draft-rumors-news-pauline-will-jets-pair-trevor-lawrence-dabo-swinney/
Absolutely. His big-play ability is appealing, as is the potential he brings as a return specialist. I haven’t heard whether he’s leaning towards entering the draft.) (10-20-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-draft-rumors-news-pauline-will-jets-pair-trevor-lawrence-dabo-swinney/
Week 7 College Football Recap: News, schedule, live blog and more (Moore gets tenth catch for the fourth straight game (6:00 PM): And just like that, Elijah Moore is at the ten-catch mark again. He just used his speed to separate in the end zone and honed in on a low pass from Corral with impressive body control and focus. Moore is quickly becoming one of the better offensive weapons in the SEC, and if he keeps this pace, he may become a prestigious member of the 2021 NFL Draft wide receiver class. IC. Elijah Moore continues on a torrid pace in 2020 (5:45 PM): It hasn’t been a banner day for Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss offense, but junior wide receiver Elijah Moore has been a bright spot once again. Moore has yet to go a week without at least ten catches, and he’s trending toward maintaining that mark against the Razorbacks. Despite a subpar outing from quarterback Matt Corral, Moore has nine receptions for 98 yards, and he could be due for more production as the Rebels try to come back. Moore is small in stature at 5-foot-9, 185, but he brings impressive speed, quickness, and run-after-catch ability. It’s clear that Moore is a riser in this receiver class. Dynamic ability is in high demand at the NFL level, and were Moore to declare; he’d generate interest for that reason. IC) (10-18-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/week-7-college-football-news-schedule-live-blog-pauline/
College football's biggest breakout draft prospects through Week 6 of the 2020 season (WR ELIJAH MOORE, OLE MISS: After his infamous celebration last year may have ultimately gotten head coach Matt Luke fired, Moore has thrived from the slot in Lane Kiffin’s offense this year. His 462 yards through three games are the third-most in the country, but everyone else in the top five has played at least four games. He’s hauled in 31 catches on 34 targets, broken six tackles after the catch and hauled in all four contested opportunities. At 5-foot-9, 185 pounds, Moore may never profile as an outside receiver in the NFL. He has, however, shown a fairly complete slot skill set with an impressive combination of speed, ball skills and after-the-catch ability.) (10-16-20): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-biggest-breakout-draft-prospects-week-6-2020-season
NFL draft matchups: Bama-Georgia is a prospect smorgasbord, plus a possible first-round QB rising (After last week’s shootout loss to Alabama, Ole Miss’ passing offense ranks fourth in FBS and the Rebels are averaging 41.7 points per game, good for 10th nationally. They’re doing it thanks to an innovative offense run by Lane Kiffin and a trio of players — QB Matt Corral, WR Elijah Moore and TE Kenny Yeboah. Moore has tried his best to move on from the Egg Bowl fiasco last season, and he has done a bang-up job of it with a hot start. He’s one of the most dangerous slot receivers in the country who has caught 31 passes on 34 targets (zero drops) for 462 yards and a touchdown against three talented secondaries in Kentucky, Florida and Alabama. Corral is also off to a hot start, and the redshirt sophomore is just now starting to earn some draft buzz. We’ll spend more time on him down the road, as the feeling is that he’s likely to stay another year. Along with sophomore RB Jerrion Ealy, Corral has the future of Rebels football looking bright. Yeboah is in his final season in school, a grad transfer from Temple who is receiving the Kiffin boost at tight end. Last year, Kiffin mentored 2020 Cleveland Browns fourth-rounder Harrison Bryant to a John Mackey Award-winning final season. Moore torched Bama last week for 11 grabs for 143 yards. Yeboah was even more effective, with seven catches for 181 yards and two touchdowns, including a 68-yarder. He also had a 52-yard grab in the game; check out the nice little move he put on Alabama safety Daniel Wright for the big gain:) (10-14-20): https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-draft-matchups-bama-georgia-is-a-prospect-smorgasbord-plus-a-possible-firstround-qb-rising-153916486.html
2021 Draft WR Watch: Emezie back on radar (Elijah Moore, Ole Miss: Stock Steady - Moore took a backseat to teammate Jonathan Mingo but did catch a short touchdown in overtime in Ole Miss' 42-41 win over Kentucky. The big yards-after-the-catch plays Moore created against Florida simply weren't there against the Wildcats. Moore can get open underneath. The frequency at which he generates splash plays will determine his draft stock.) (10-5-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-stock-watch-emeka-emezie-back-on-radar-reggie-roberson-dazzles-before-injury/
College Football Today, Week 5: Games, TV Schedule and Live Blog with Tony Pauline (Elijah Moore’s the most electric 2021 sleeper. (7:20 PM): With the NFL moving to an era of volume passing predicated on getting the ball to playmakers in space, I expect to see WR’s who can make plays with the ball in their hands grow in value through the eyes of NFL front offices. Ole Miss’ WR Elijah Moore fits that role to a T. He’s an elite athlete who dominates after the catch and brings value as a return man. Moore has flown under the radar so far, but don’t be surprised if an NFL team takes him on Day 2 with a clear intent to get the ball in his hands early in his career. – MV) (10-3-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/college-football-today-games-tv-schedule-live-blog-tony-pauline-week-5-2020/
Top 10 performances from 2021 NFL Draft prospects in Week 4 (7. WR ELIJAH MOORE, OLE MISS: While there was certainly some “fluff” in Moore’s 10-catch, 227-yard performance, what he did with the ball in his hands was incredibly impressive. He averaged over 10 yards per reception after the catch and broke four tackles. He’s got the type of speed and YAC-ability to be a vertical slot type of player in the NFL. He saw 61 of his 78 snaps come in the slot in Week 4. He looks like he’s taken a considerable step forward after a sophomore year where he caught 67 passes for 850 yards with 13 broken tackles.) (9-29-20): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-top-10-performances-2021-nfl-draft-prospects-week-4
Elijah Moore one of Mel Kiper's NFL Draft Prospects on the Rise (9-29-20): https://www.si.com/college/olemiss/football/elijah-moore-one-of-mel-kipers-nfl-draft-prospects-on-the-rise
2021 Draft WR Watch: Jaylen Waddle erupts (Elijah Moore, Ole Miss: Stock Up - The dynamic slot receiver who entered the season flying stealthily under the radar entering his junior season had a monstrous start to his third year with the Rebels, scorching the Florida secondary to the tune of 10 catches and 227 yards. After working over the middle to start the game and getting found deep down the seam with no one around him for a huge gain, Moore demonstrated his hops on another long ball with a defender tight. I loved how he continued to battle across the middle, taking punishment after the catch that didn't faze him. Moore was able to get a step on defenders on those shorter routes. He's a twitched-up, explosive wideout. I'll certainly be keeping tabs on him this season.) (9-28-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-stock-watch-alabamas-jaylen-waddle-starts-season-with-explosive-performance/
NFL Draft Stock Report: Kyle Pitts highlights Pauline’s Week 4 Risers (Elijah Moore, WR, Ole Miss: If Pitts was the star in victory, Moore showed potential brilliance in defeat. I graded the junior as a late-round pick off his 2019 film in my SEC preseason summer scouting, and he looked improved by leaps and bounds during the first game of the year. Moore finished with 10 receptions for 227 yards, an average of 22.7 yards per catch. Moore displayed game-breaking speed, incredible quickness and the ability to score from any point on the field. He still needs a bit of polish, and the fact that he’s under 5-foot-9 means Moore is not a prospect for everyone, but we’re witnessing the rise of a game-breaking receiver and return specialist for the next level.) (9-28-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-draft-stock-week-4-risers-sliders-kyle-pitts/
College Football Games Today, Week 4: TV Schedule and Live Blog with Tony Pauline (SEC Offensive Studs are shining today (4:11 PM ET): Kyle Trask, Kyle Pitts, and Kadarius Toney all shined this afternoon to the tune of 6 total TDs against the Ole Miss defense. Ole Miss’s stable of skill position talents of Elijah Moore, Jerrion Ealy, and Kenny Yaboah exploded onto the scene, led by exceptional downfield throws by QB Matt Corral. Moore’s explosiveness is NFL-worthy, but his frame and his slot-only play might limit his viewing by NFL scouts.) (9-26-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/college-football-games-today-week-4-live-blog-tony-pauline/
Elijah Moore Among Top Draft-Eligible Slot Receivers (8-5-20): https://www.si.com/college/olemiss/football/elijah-moore-among-top-draft-eligible-slot-receivers
The best slot receivers in the 2021 NFL Draft (Elijah Moore, Ole Miss: Moore has a massive issue of being horrific against press coverage, and that is why he lands on this list easily. The hand-fighting just is not there with his light frame. However, what he does have working in his favor is smooth route running and quickness. From the slot where he will be aligned off the ball, Moore thrives in the Ole Miss offense. Moore works against off-man coverage with ease. He is not the fastest guy out there, but he has great route deception and attacks leverage as well as anyone on this list. Moore routinely won using those skills, but also elite body control and awareness along the sideline. He will not shake guys out of their shoes after the catch, but he creates a lot of separation and does so reliably.) (8-1-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/the-best-slot-receivers-in-the-2021-nfl-draft/
Scouting Reports:
2021 NFL Draft Profile: Purdue WR Rondale Moore: https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-profile-purdue-wr-rondale-moore
Rondale Moore NFL Draft Player Profile (10-21-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/rondale-moore-nfl-draft-profile-purdue-wide-receiver/
Rondale Moore - Wide Receiver Purdue Boilermakers 2021 Draft Scouting Report: https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/scouting-reports/rondalemoore
Walter football: https://walterfootball.com/scoutingreport2021rmoore.php
Draft Diamonds: https://www.nfldraftdiamonds.com/2020/11/rondale-moore/
Draft Network: https://thedraftnetwork.com/player/rondale-moore/5tvm9HaHHs
Rankings:
Yahoo Prospect Ranking 55-51 (53. Purdue WR Rondale Moore) (3-17-21): https://sports.yahoo.com/2021-nfl-draft-if-healthy-rondale-moore-is-a-steve-smith-clone-032103
2021 NFL Draft Rankings: WR 1-9 (6. Rondale Moore, Purdue | 5'9/180 (Comp: D.J. Moore): Two years ago, when Rondale Moore was single-handedly destroying the Big 10 for a 114-1258-12 receiving line (2,215 all-purpose yards), I would have sworn to you that he was going to be a top-10 pick. When I saw Rondale Moore take the field for Purdue as a freshman, I thought I was seeing college football’s answer to Tyreek Hill. It’s interesting, fast-forwarding to today, that Rondale Moore isn’t even the receiver in his own draft class getting the Tyreek Hill comps. Much less getting mocked into the first round anymore. Rondale kept right on dominating into the first four games of 2019 (29-387-2 receiving line) but -- ominous narrator’s voice -- this is where our story turns. Moore was knocked out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury. He initially opted-out for 2020, but then opted back-in, but then was held-out at the beginning of the year due to a mysterious “lower-body” injury that was never really explained. The three games he played were disjointed from the rest of Purdue’s season. They featured an awkward offensive strategy, transparently force-feeding touches to Rondale in such a way that made him a sitting duck for the defense. Particularly because he still didn’t appear 100-percent healed from his mysterious lower-body ailment. Moore ended up posting a 35-270-0 receiving line (a ghastly 7.7 average) and rushing six times for 32 yards and one TD. Moore’s 2018 film catalogue will give you a better idea of his NFL utility. When Moore signed with Purdue, we knew, at the very least, that he was an athletic freak. He ran a 4.33 in high school and ranked No. 1 in his class in SPARQ rating. Every bit of that athleticism translated with the ball in hands. Accelerates to 4.33 faster than it took you to read this half-sentence and one of the few guys on earth that can make a sharp cut at that speed. But what was shocking about Moore as a freshman was how dang tough he was with the ball in his hands, running with the vision in the open field of the stud returner he is and the toughness, strength and fearlessness of a running back. Moore broke 37 tackles as a true freshman in 2018. He’s now bulked up even more, earning a Mini-Saquon” moniker from the Action Network’s Matt Freedman. But, like a mini running back, you can think of Rondale as a guy who has, to this point, basically only proven he can take extended handoffs down the line of scrimmage and every so often convert them into crazy-explosive plays. In Moore’s one full season in 2018, 47-of-his-117 catches were screens. In the NFL, you’d love to see Rondale ripping defenses on crossers and shallow posts over the intermediate area, where he might get himself into space with a head of steam behind him. But he had only 11 catches in the intermediate area in 2018. None of this is to say he isn’t battle-tested (12-170-2 vs Ohio State in 2018) or capable. But he’s going to have to be taught. And he’s going to have to stay healthy. A slightly-smaller DJ Moore feels like a reasonable comp to me. Both were explosive, tackle-breaking machines on undermanned Big 10 teams that showed admirable chippiness when playing the big boys. If Moore ends up busting, he’ll probably look a lot like Curtis Samuel. Whereas, if he finds the right situation, stays healthy, and has a bonanza of a career, he’s Steve Smith. What I’m saying is the guy is destined to play for the Panthers. It’s science.) (3-10-21): https://www.nbcsports.com/edge/article/rankings/2021-nfl-draft-rankings-wr-1-9
Articles:
Draft sleepers: Eight prospects to target AFTER Round 1 (3. Rondale Moore: Speed wins in today’s NFL. Identifying the next game-breaking wide receiver, with Tyreek Hill-like explosive traits, is certain to be on the minds of every general manager across the league. Moore may be the best chance at finding one outside of the first round. Checking in at 5-foot-7 and 181 pounds, Moore makes up for his lack of size with elite athletic traits. Among the 52 WRs invited to this year’s reimagined scouting combine, Moore ranked top-three in the 40 (4.33), vertical jump (42.5 inches) and three-cone drill (6.68), resulting in a 92 athleticism score, per the NGS model. If it weren’t for the three games he missed in 2020 and the eight he sat out in 2019 due to a series of lower body injuries, the former freshman phenom would have checked in with a higher production score than 72. As a true freshman in 2018, Moore led the FBS in receptions (114) and won the Paul Hornung Award given to the nation’s most versatile player. The upside is there, and he’s one of the youngest player’s in this year’s class.) (4-28-21): https://www.nfl.com/news/2021-nfl-draft-sleepers-day-2-standouts-day-3-hidden-gems
2021 NFL Draft: Draft stock risers and fallers (Falling - WR RONDALE MOORE, PURDUE: Once viewed as a virtual lock for the first round, Rondale Moore is at serious risk of dropping deep into the second round after his pro day measurables revealed a 5-foot-7 and 180-pound frame. NFL GMs might have a difficult time envisioning Moore as anything beyond a gadget player at the NFL level. The former Purdue speedster had his best season as a freshman in 2018, when he amassed 114 catches, 1,258 yards, 12 touchdowns and 37 forced missed tackles (most in college football, 8 more than Laviska Shenault Jr., who ranked second). Moore is ready to be a stud slot weapon at the NFL as a sneaky good route-runner with ball skills. NFL teams are likely to remember that Tavon Austin busted as a first-round pick with similar size and speed metrics, thereby pushing Moore down into the second round.) (4-27-21): https://www.pff.com/news/fantasy-football-2021-nfl-draft-draft-stock-risers-and-fallers
2021 NFL Draft superlatives: Prospects most likely to live up to the hype, over-deliver and more (Kolton Miller Award: Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue (Most likely to be considered a reach on draft day, then regarded as a fantastic pick two years later) - Wilson: If Rondale Moore was 5-foot-11, he would be a top-15 pick all day long. This is what happens when you run a 4.29 40-yard dash, register a 42-inch vertical, and dominate Big Ten opponents every time you step on the field. Unfortunately, Moore is only 5-foot-7, which is two inches shorter than Tyreek Hill. Unlike Hill, who has played in at least 75% of the Chiefs' games since 2017, Moore was on the field for just seven games the last two seasons for the Boilermakers (due to injury and a partial opt-out in '20). Size aside, it's hard to argue with Moore's production, both as a receiver who can threaten defenses on short and intermediate routes, as a playmaker running jets sweeps and quick screens, and as a returner. NFL teams will have to decide how much Moore's size and lack of playing time affects his draft status but, man, he is special with the ball in his hands.) (4-23-21): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-superlatives-prospects-most-likely-to-live-up-to-the-hype-over-deliver-and-more/
2021 All-Juice Team: Terez Paylor's legacy continues with 7th edition of squad that includes Justin Fields, Kyle Pitts (WR Moore: When Purdue wideouts coach JaMarcus Shephard first recruited Moore, he asked the diminutive receiver how big he really was. Moore's answer, via NFL.com: "How big is fast?" It's a great retort for a player who was listed at 5-foot-9 on Purdue's roster but who actually measured a shockingly small 5-7 at the school's pro day. Yes, it's true, the NFL is not exactly littered with receivers with that short. But it's also a league that loves explosive, versatile and dangerous weapons such as Moore. He ran a 4.31-second 40-yard dash and a scalding 6.68-second 3-cone drill, which helped ease the size concerns. Bench-pressing 24 reps didn't hurt either. And no team should forget the whooping Moore put on Ohio State in 2018 as a true freshman, with 194 yards from scrimmage on 14 touches and two TDs. If there's anyone who can outplay his stature, it's the hyper-competitive Moore, who was a YAC monster in college. If he can develop a more all-around game, there will be 31 teams out there angry they were too hung up on his height to draft him. — Eric Edholm) (4-19-21): https://sports.yahoo.com/2021-all-juice-team-terez-paylors-legacy-continues-with-7th-edition-of-squad-that-includes-justin-fields-130031523.html
2021 Draft: NFL comparisons for top WR prospects (Rondale Moore, Purdue - NFL comparison: Shorter, faster D.J. Moore. At the 2018 combine, D.J. Moore was just over 6-0 and 210 pounds. That equates to a body mass index (BMI) of 28.5. Ronalde Moore measured in at 5-7 and 181 pounds, good for a BMI of 28.3. Rondale Moore is short but absolutely not small. At Maryland, partly due to his high BMI, Moore was a running back in space. Defenders ricocheted off him and the same has happened in the NFL with the ball in his hands. He's quietly a deep threat, too, with 4.42 speed. Moore can absolutely take the lid off the defense.) (4-19-21): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-these-prospects-could-be-the-next-tyreek-hill-or-a-j-brown-plus-other-receiver-comparisons/
10 boom-or-bust NFL draft prospects: Big questions on QBs (Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue (Question marks: Size, durability, downfield playmaking ability): At 5-7 and 180 pounds, is the diminutive speedster the next Tyreek Hill or Tavon Austin? Maybe neither, as it could be a stretch for Moore to reach the highs of Hill, the three-time All-Pro Kansas City Chiefs star, or lows of Austin, the former top 10 pick who never eclipsed 510 receiving yards in a season. There's no denying his electric ability with the ball in his hands. But given his stature, injury history (missed 11 games in last two years) and inexperience with downfield routes, Moore might find that his pro success will largely be tied to whether he lands with a staff creative enough to utilize his strengths while bringing the rest of his game along.) (4-17-21): https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2021/04/17/nfl-draft-boom-bust-prospects-trey-lance-zach-wilson/7252182002/
Best pro comparisons for top WR prospects (Rondale Moore
Purdue - Pro comparison: Curtis Samuel, Washington Football Team (four NFL seasons, 46.3 catches per season, 521.7 receiving yards per season, 3.5 receiving TDs per season). Anyone who wants to see a receiving clinic should just pop on film of Moore's performance against Ohio State in 2018, a 12-catch, 170-yard, two-touchdown demonstration of what he could do against top defensive competition. Though Samuel and Moore clocked the exact same 40 time (4.31 seconds), Moore's profile doesn't map perfectly on to Samuel's -- Samuel is more of a straight-ahead guy, whereas Moore is a nimbler, more agile receiver. At Purdue's pro day, Moore outperformed Samuel's combine numbers in the vertical jump (42 1/2 inches for Moore, 37 for Samuel), broad jump (10-6 to 9-9), short shuttle (4.1 to 4.3) and three-cone (an excellent 6.68 for Moore, compared to 7.09 for Samuel). Samuel is also heavier (196 pounds) than Moore (181) and, of course, taller (5-11 to 5-7). Though it took Samuel some time, he emerged as a productive player over the past two seasons, culminating in a 2020 season with 1,051 scrimmage yards (851 receiving, 200 rushing) for the Panthers that led to a three-year, $34.5 million deal with Washington this offseason. The question with Moore is, can he convert his potential to pro production on a consistent basis? If he hits his ceiling -- and critically, stays healthy -- Moore could be a powerful and compact slot weapon in the NFL.) (4-15-21): https://www.nfl.com/news/2021-nfl-draft-prospect-pro-comparisons-for-top-receivers
NFL Draft: Ranking the Top 10 wide receivers, starting with DeVonta Smith (Rondale Moore, Purdue (5-7, 180, 21) - How does he play? There is a lot to Moore’s game, but we have to start with the size. He’s tiny, which creates obvious injury concerns. And those concerns appear to be warranted as Moore missed a lot of time due to injury during his college career. He played fewer than 200 snaps in each of the last two seasons, per Pro Football Focus. Because of his size and his running ability, Moore might be viewed as a gadget type, but there’s a lot more to his game. His quick feet at the line of scrimmage make it hard for bigger defenders to press him. He possesses a good feel for space. He easily navigates through zone coverages and veers towards the open pockets, giving the quarterback a more attractive throwing window. His routes can be disrupted by contact, however. And Moore doesn’t create a lot separation with quick cuts. He may need to be schemed open against man coverage, or, at the very least, given a lot two-way goes on option routes. His size makes it difficult for him in contested catch situations, but Moore has good body control and a soft pair of hands, which extends his naturally small catch radius. He’s also pretty good at tracking the ball in the air, which allows him to be a viable deep threat. What’s his NFL role? I’m not sure he can be a first or second option but he could be a good role player in an offense while running running back-type routes (option routes, wheel routes, etc.). Moore isn’t a foundational player but one any team should be happy to have on the roster because of his after-the-catch ability. Where should he be drafted? Even the most optimistic Moore backer would have a hard time seeing the Purdue standout develop into a star. His realistic ceiling is as a very good role player, which makes him a late second-round pick for me. Best fit? Please, get this man to a creative coach. That’s all I ask. Moore is a tremendously fun player to watch but he’ll need a coach who’s willing to play him at different spots and design plays for him.) (4-14-21): https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/nfl-draft-wide-receiver-prospects-ranking
Ranking the best YAC receivers in the 2021 NFL Draft (3. RONDALE MOORE, PURDUE: While two hamstring injuries sidelined him for a lot of his collegiate career, Purdue’s Rondale Moore put on an absolute show after the catch in the limited opportunities he had on the football field. Like Toney, Moore ranked inside the 90th percentile in both yards after the catch per reception (7.5) and forced missed tackles per reception (0.264) among qualifying wideouts. As an 18-year-old true freshman in 2018, he ranked inside the top 10 among Power 5 receivers in yards after the catch per reception (7.8) and forced missed tackles per reception (0.325). Only then-South Carolina wideout Deebo Samuel ranked ahead of him in both statistical categories. The 5-foot-7, 180-pound frame will scare some teams away from Moore’s services, but there’s no doubting his ability to make the most of every touch in the NFL. He possesses Julio Jones-level explosiveness and dynamism but is stuck in a Cole Beasley-esque frame. He recorded a 4.29-second 40-yard dash, 1.50 10-yard split, 43-inch vertical and 6.68 three-cone at his pro day — all ranking inside the 90th percentile among wideouts.) (4-12-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-ranking-the-best-yac-receivers-in-the-2021-nfl-draft
2021 NFL Draft WR Superlatives: Best route-runner, freakiest athlete, safest hands and more (BEST GADGET PLAYER: RONDALE MOORE, PURDUE - While Kadarius Toney may have the slight edge after the catch, Moore gets the nod here for what his 4.29 speed can do as a gadget player. I feel bad lumping the Purdue receiver into such a role because he is so much more than that. If that’s all you wanted him to do, though, Moore could still bring a ton of value to the table. He’s not your everyday 5-foot-7, 180-pounder. Moore has legit play strength as well and can run through as well as around you.) (4-7-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-wr-superlatives-best-route-runner-freakiest-athlete-safest-hands
Monson: The biggest X-factors in the 2021 NFL Draft (WR RONDALE MOORE, PURDUE: It doesn’t take long to see that Rondale Moore is a special athlete. His true freshman season at Purdue saw him become the first freshman in Big Ten history to win consensus All-America honors after catching 114 passes for 1,258 yards and a dozen touchdowns. Between COVID-19 and injury, he didn't come close to matching that total in the next two seasons combined, but his dynamic ability in that first year keeps him in the first-round pick conversation on many draft boards. That is complicated further by Moore's official measurements. He checked in at just 5-foot-7 (having been listed at an already short 5-foot-9) and 180 pounds. Moore did post a 40-yard dash time under 4.3 seconds, however, showing the kind of athletic trade-off you get. His route tree was exceptionally rudimentary, and his role never really progressed beyond a contrived way of getting the ball into the hands of the team's best playmaker. To be as dominant in the NFL as he was in college, Moore will likely need to develop more to his game. Just five of his targets in 2020 went 10 or more yards past the line of scrimmage, but you did see flashes of his ability to dominate there, as well.) (4-6-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-biggest-x-factors-2021-nfl-draft
Monson: Why NFL teams should think twice about drafting slot receivers in Round 1 of the 2021 NFL Draft (Rondale Moore suffers from a similar issue. Moore was a devastating weapon when healthy for Purdue and was the best athlete on the field pretty much any time he played in his college career. Still, his role was even more limited and contrived than Elijah Moore’s, and he measured at just 5-foot-7 in height during his pro day. Moore is an absurd athlete, but does he have the skills to align to the outside and run more than the gimmick route tree we have seen from him so far? Rondale’s draft stock appears to be slipping a little as we approach the NFL draft, and that lack of a defined NFL role is likely a big reason why.) (4-5-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-slot-wide-receivers-elijah-moore-rondale-moore-kadarius-toney
2021 NFL Draft: Biggest pro and con for each of PFF’s top WR prospects (7. RONDALE MOORE, PURDUE - Biggest pro: Dynamism. Moore may be small in stature at 5-foot-7, 180 pounds, but he makes up for it with truly rare athleticism. At his pro day last week, Moore put up a 42.5-inch vertical, 4.29 40-yard dash and 6.68 three-cone. He has also benched over 400 pounds and squatted over 600 during his time in Lafayette. That explosiveness and strength showed when he was in an open field and made him one of the most dangerous after-the-catch weapons college football has seen. He broke an astonishing 37 tackles back in 2018 alone, which still stands as the PFF record for most broken tackles after the catch by a Power 5 receiver in a single season. Moore trucked defenders with regularity and isn’t going to go down on first contact often. I’d bet on that translating to the NFL. Biggest con: Role at Purdue. While what he did after the catch was all him, the Purdue offense made him the focal point of the attack and schemed around getting him the football. He leads the FBS in total underneath targets since 2018 with 101, and Moore did that despite playing in just seven games over the last two years. Nearly 43% of his total targets in his career were underneath routes, the sixth-highest rate in college football. Still, Moore has flashed reps that make us believe he can be more than just a gadget player. He may slide into Round 2 in April because of his simplified role in the Boilermakers’ offense, as well as the limited game action the last couple of years. If that’s the case, some team is going to get a steal.) (3-31-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-pro-and-con-top-wr-prospects
Check out Rondale Moore's ridiculous vertical at Purdue pro day (3-24-21): https://draftwire.usatoday.com/2021/03/24/2021-nfl-draft-vertical-purdue-rondale-moore/
The 7 biggest standouts amid the pro day circuit for the 2021 NFL Draft (Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue - He’s 5-foot-7. That’s … not good for a receiver. Dolphins wideout Jakeem Grant is the only notable active receiver at that height. And there are just a few at 5-foot-8, including Cole Beasley and Isaiah McKenzie. Essentially, Moore’s height indicates he is likely to be more of a gadget player — or even a running back — at the NFL level. (Think Tavon Austin.) That said, Moore’s athleticism is unique. His 42.5-inch vertical, for example, could help compensate for his size. And then there’s his unofficial 4.29-second 40-yard dash.) (3-24-21): https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/2021-nfl-draft-7-biggest-standouts-pro-day
Watch: Purdue WR Rondale Moore blazes an unofficial 4.29 40 at his pro day (3-23-21): https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/2021/03/23/rondale-moore-4-29-40-yard-dash-pro-day/
Why Rondale Moore's dazzling pro day didn't end up boosting his draft stock (3-23-21): https://ftw.usatoday.com/2021/03/rondale-moore-2021-nfl-draft-pro-day-height-issue
Rondale Moore is Fast As Heck, Going to Be a Problem (3-23-21): https://www.thebiglead.com/posts/rondale-moore-draft-speed-vertical-01f1fwv617y2
Purdue WR Moore posts blazing fast 40 at pro day (3-23-21): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2021-nfl-draft-purdues-rondale-moore-posts-blazing-40-yard-time-in-impressive-pro-day-performance/
Purdue Pro Day 2021: Rondale Moore and Tyler Coyle impress (Rondale Moore’s performance - Let’s start with Rondale Moore, who I’ve been tweeting about all day. He measured 5-feet-7-inches even and 180 pounds. His arm came in at 28.25 inches and his hand 8.75 inches. Those two latter marks will be a point of contention for some teams. Moore’s forty times ranged between 4.28 seconds to 4.34 seconds. The 10-yard split came in between 1.55 to 1.58 seconds, a bit slower than I expected. For comparative purposes, Henry Ruggs had 10-yard split results that ranged between 1.44 to 1.52 seconds at last year’s combine. His vertical jump was 42.5 inches, three-cone 6.65 to 6.68 seconds, and short shuttle 4.06 seconds. I am getting verification on Moore’s broad jump as the number I received is exceedingly low which leads me to believe he fell backward during his attempts. For comparative purposes on the three-cone, just four receivers timed under 7 seconds during the 2020 NFL Combine, with Denzel Mims posting the fastest with times of 6.66 and 6.69 seconds.) (3-23-21): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/purdue-pro-day-2021-date-prospects-rumors-more/
2021 NFL Draft: Top 5 individual performances on film (Purdue WR Rondale Moore vs. Ohio State (2018) (12 catches, 170 yards, two touchdowns, three carries, 10 yards, one touchdown): This remains the most scintillating film I've watched from any 2021 draft prospect. And yes, it happened three college football seasons ago. I don't care. In fact, it makes it even more impressive, because Moore went wild on an Ohio State defense littered with future NFL players on it as an 18-year-old true freshman. That sounds made up. It's not. In that convincing upset, on those 12 catches, Moore forced seven missed tackles, an absurd figure against any opponent, much less the Buckeyes. He put fellow 2021 classmate Shaun Wade in a blender all evening, a performance so dominant it began the "should Wade move to safety?" narrative. The team that ultimately picks Moore will have watched that Ohio State game multiple times. Moore, a fully healthy Moore, is a top 15 overall talent in this class.) (3-16-21): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-trey-sermon-rondale-moore-lead-the-way-in-best-individual-performances-on-film/
Draft: Buyer beware on Mac Jones, Rondale Moore and more (Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue: This is pretty straightforward: Moore has only played in seven games the last two seasons, in part due to injuries. He's also listed at 5-foot-9, which is, well, short by NFL standards unless you're a kick
er. So that -- size and injury history -- concludes the list of concerns because everything else about Moore is truly special. For a glimpse, just flip on the 2018 tape vs. Ohio State. As a freshman against the Buckeyes, he had 12 receptions for 170 yards and two touchdowns. In 13 games that season, Moore went over 100 receiving yards seven times, and finished the campaign with 114 receptions for 1,258 yards and 14 total touchdowns. Oh, and he can also return punts and kickoffs. And while Moore was limited to just those seven games in 2019 and 2020, he still managed to have at least 11 catches in four of the games and more than 115 receiving yards in three of them -- including a 220-yard effort vs. Vanderbilt in '19. Moore ran a 4.33 during his college recruitment process and last month he registered a vertical leap of 42 inches. In terms of measurables, he's in some lofty company -- as in, he'd be the only player drafted since 2000 who is no taller than 5-foot-9, runs a sub-4.4 40 and has a vertical north of 40 inches. When you loosen the criteria to sub-4.45 40 and at least a 38-inch vertical you get names like Andy Isabella, Isaiah McKenzie, Dri Archer, Kashif Moore, Trindon Holliday and Steve Smith. Isabella and McKenzie were valuable contributors in 2020 for the Cardinals and Bills but neither were ever first-round considerations; Archer and Moore had short NFL careers and Holliday was at his best as a returner. Smith, the former second-rounder who starred for the Panthers and Ravens, is the exception. He's a first-round talent all day long and if the expectation is that Moore's career will mirror that of Smith, then he's a top-15 pick. But if there are worries that he's something less than that -- and the floor could be considerably less -- then teams may have pause when it comes to taking Moore in Round 1.) (3-11-21): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-buyer-beware-on-mac-jones-rondale-moore-and-these-other-top-prospects/
Zierlein: 10 draft prospects who could use pro day boost (WR Rondale Moore: The speedy slot burst onto the scene with a huge true freshman season for the Boilermakers, but suffered a season-ending injury four games into his sophomore year. His decision to opt back into the Big Ten season was exciting news for draft evaluators, but he averaged just 7.7 yards per catch in the three games he played. Moore's draft stock has fallen off, but he can regain the buzz if he crushes his quickness testing and runs a fast 40.) (3-3-21): https://www.nfl.com/news/2021-nfl-draft-ten-prospects-who-could-use-a-pro-day-boost
2021 NFL Draft: The biggest differences between PFF's big board and mock draft ADP (WR RONDALE MOORE, PURDUE (PFF Board: 21. Mock ADP: 39): Between injuries and his role in the Purdue offense, Moore’s draft stock has stagnated after an all-time true freshman campaign in 2018 that saw him lead the FBS in broken tackles after the catch. His size, at 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds, coupled with those concerns, makes it very difficult to see someone taking a chance on him in the first round. But they should. He’s a true freak not only from an explosiveness perspective but from a strength one, too. While he only appeared in four games in 2019, Moore proved he’s no gadget-only player. He can get open down the field and play strong at the catch point, as well.) (3-2-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-pffs-big-board-mock-draft-adp
2021 NFL draft film room: Purdue WR Rondale Moore (3-2-21): https://draftwire.usatoday.com/2021/03/02/2021-nfl-draft-rondale-moore-purdue-film-room-video/
2021 NFL Draft: 10 prospects PFF likes more than other scouts and media (WR RONDALE MOORE, PURDUE (PFF Big Board Rank: 21): The discrepancy with Moore is primarily due to his absence over the last few years. He has hardly played since his true freshman season in 2018; he appeared in just four games in 2019 and three games in 2020. Still, what a healthy Moore did in his first year on campus is too good to ignore, as it was one of the three most valuable seasons we have recorded by a true freshman non-quarterback in the seven years of PFF College’s existence. Moore is a freak athletically. He clocked a 4.33-second 40 coming out of high school to go with a 42.7-inch vertical and 4.01-second short shuttle. Since his arrival in Lafayette, videos posted to social media show the 5-foot-9, 180-pound receiver benching over 400 pounds and squatting over 600. That elite-level explosiveness and strength will make him one of the most dangerous after-the-catch weapons in the NFL early in his professional career. He broke an astonishing 37 tackles back in 2018 alone, which still stands as the PFF record for most broken tackles after the catch by a Power 5 receiver in a single season. There may be some concerns about his playing time as well as his limited route tree and schemed production at Purdue, but this uber-athlete is worth betting on early.) (2-24-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-pffs-favorite-2021-nfl-draft-prospects
2021 NFL Draft wide receiver rankings (5. RONDALE MOORE, PURDUE: Moore is a rare athlete not only from a movement skills perspective but also from a strength perspective. Before he even stepped foot on Purdue’s campus, the then 174-pound receiver could already squat 600 pounds. It’s what makes him uniquely capable of not only making guys miss but, to quote Marshawn Lynch, “run through a mother***** face.” The biggest question at this point is his route tree, or rather the lack of it. Pop passes, wide screens and slants — all from the slot — make up the vast majority of his utilization at Purdue. Just because we haven’t seen a guy do it doesn’t mean he can’t. But in the cases where he did have to make contested catches or get vertical, it was a clear step behind a similarly elite athlete like Jaylen Waddle. He may have to start as a gadget player, but there is considerable room for development with Moore.) (2-17-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-rankings
NFL draft: Top 5 prospects at each offensive position (Rondale Moore came back to Purdue with the hope of being used more vertically, but the Boilermakers had a different game plan for him. Moore is a tough player and that ultimately gave him the edge for me as the fifth-best wide receiver in another deep year.) (2-16-21): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-breaking-down-the-top-five-prospects-at-each-offensive-position/
Ranking the top five wide receiver prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft (Rondale Moore, Purdue: We got another little fella for ya. Rondale Moore plays like Wes Welker with breakaway speed. How’s that. That comp comes courtesy of the blocky package Moore comes in. Unlike Alabama’s Waddle and Smith, Moore has some meat on his bones and seems better suited to take a pounding. Even though he’s undersized, he tracks the ball well deep and is a threat there. He’s inventive after the catch, can be used on jet-sweep work. He may not be a Round 1 prospect. He only played seven total games in 2019 and 2020 because of COVID issues at Purdue and a hamstring injury. But as a freshman, he had 114 catches for 1,258 yards and 12 scores with another 21 carries for 213 yards and a touchdown. A lot of projections need to be made in 2021. Moore is one of them.) (2-12-21): https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/patriots/ranking-top-five-wide-receiver-prospects-2021-nfl-draft?b
WATCH: Purdue WR Rondale Moore's ridiculous vertical jump (2-10-21): https://draftwire.usatoday.com/2021/02/10/rondale-moore-vertical-jump-2021-nfl-draft-video-purdue/
2021 NFL Draft: Tiering the loaded WR class that might surpass 2020's rookies (TIER 2 - RONDALE MOORE, PURDUE: Moore’s freshman season was absolutely electric. He led the FBS in receptions (114), yards after the catch (892) and missed tackles forced on receptions (37). Unfortunately, the rest of his college career was hindered by injuries, causing him to play only seven games in the past two seasons. Regardless, Moore possesses some of the most explosiveness at the receiver position in the 2021 class and is tracking as a first-round selection in April.) (2-9-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-college-football-tiering-wr-class-2020-rookies
PFN's Cummings Lions Pre-Senior Bowl 7-Round 2021 NFL Mock Draft (Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue: The Lions may end up overhauling their wide receiver group in the 2021 offseason. Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones, Danny Amendola, and Mohamed Sanu are all free agents. The Lions should only be interested in re-signing Golladay or Jones, and even then, they don’t have the space to sign both. Without much draft capital or cap space, it’s looking like it’ll be a year in the bargain bin for the Lions, but they can use one of their early picks to get some established talent. They get one in this Lions 7-round NFL Mock Draft. For a young quarterback like Fields, Rondale Moore is a solid addition, especially midway through the second round. Moore could be a first-round pick, but by the same notion, his injury concerns could drop him to Day 2. Lions fans have plenty of reason to be concerned about prospects with injury histories, but Moore’s talent is worth the risk. He’s an explosive, dynamic threat at every level of the field who can adjust quickly to Fields’ playmaking tendencies.) (1-6-21): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/lions-7-round-2021-nfl-mock-draft-pre-senior-bowl/
2021 NFL Draft early declarations: List of notable prospects and where they rank heading into offseason (Purdue wide receiver Rondale Moore - CBS Sports' No. 17 prospect overall: Moore returned to Purdue with the hope of being showcased more in the vertical game. The Boilermakers have not used him in that capacity. ) (12-29-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-early-declarations-list-of-notable-prospects-and-where-they-rank-heading-into-offseason/
Best fits for top WR NFL draft prospects in 2021 (Injuries have plagued Purdue’s Rondale Moore over the last two seasons, but when healthy, he is one of the most dynamic receiving threats in the nation. He has legit 4.33 speed, and what he lacks in stature, he makes up for with his relentless work ethic and a chip on his shoulder. Moore might just be the best athlete of any 2021 wide receiver prospect. The last time we saw Moore healthy for an entire season was in 2018 for his freshman season. In that season, he hauled in 114 catches for 1,258 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. Due to his speed and athleticism, Moore’s draft stock will soar when next April approaches.) (12-18-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/best-fits-for-top-wr-nfl-draft-prospects-in-2021/
WR Watch: Paying homage to Devonta Smith (Rondale Moore, Purdue: Stock Steady - More made 13 grabs but only managed 78 yards in the loss to Nebraska. However, once again, he was simply not found by his quarterback on an assortment of plays when he created separation. His most impressive reception of the day came early when he caught an underneath pass on 3rd and 12, stopped then started in the other direction and exploded for the first down. Nebraska's defensive line had its way with Purdue's blocking unit most of the afternoon in the 10-point victory, which didn't allow some of the longer-developing routes to come to fruition for the electric receiver.) (12-7-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-stock-watch-paying-homage-to-alabamas-devonta-smith-as-he-shoots-up-boards/
2021 NFL Draft: Midseason wide receiver rankings (5. RONDALE MOORE, PURDUE (JUNIOR): There are plays on Moore’s tape that are just different from what anyone else in this class is capable of. He’s a threat to take it to the house from anywhere on the field, from any type of route. That’s why Purdue pumps him the ball so often — to the tune of 154 targets as a true freshman in 2018 and 28 targets through two games this season. Those targets are simultaneously our biggest concern with Moore. Because he’s so unbelievably dynamic, Purdue wastes no time getting him the football. His average depth of target for his career is a whopping 5.5 yards downfield. Combine that with the fact that he was injured for most of 2019, and we have almost no evidence for what he can do as a route-runner down the football field. If you simply watch him run slants, however, you can see all the shiftiness and explosiveness necessary to eventually get the job done downfield.) (12-2-20): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-midseason-wide-receiver-rankings
WR Watch: Wallace flashes full skill set (Rondale Moore, Purdue: Surprisingly, Moore wasn't the focal point of Purdue's offense against Rutgers, and the Boilermakers lost. Coincidence? Anyway, Moore's longest gain was a 23-yarder in the third quarter on an in-breaking route where he separated and accumulated some yards after the catch, his two fortes. He only had 76 yards on seven grabs in defeat, but Moore's quarterback situation isn't helping him, as there were a handful of snaps in which he got open but wasn't thrown the football. ) (11-30-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-stock-watch-tylan-wallace-flashes-full-skill-set-jalen-tolbert-has-monster-game/
Week 13 College Football news, schedule, live blog and more (Purdue’s offensive skill cast once again drawing attention in Big Ten clash (7:15 PM): The Purdue Boilermakers have long been an underrated site for NFL talent development, and although Rondale Moore has given more prestige to their status in that regard, the buck doesn’t stop with him. Moore has been his usual dynamic self today, with seven receptions for 76 yards.) (11-28-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/week-13-college-football-news-schedule-live-blog-and-more/
WR Watch: Moore electric in return (Rondale Moore, Purdue: Stock Up - Moore is diff-er-ent. Even though he averaged just 7.7 yards per grab, he caught 15 passes and had three carries for 20 yards and a touchdown, and I thought he was going to score every time he touched the ball. He's built low to the ground with thick legs so he clicks into top gear insanely fast and his contact balance is elite. It's like you can see the fear in oncoming defenders eyes when Moore has the football in his hands. While he never hit the big, over-the-top play, Moore made a sizable impact on the Boilermakers offense. Can't wait to watch more of him this season. He is first-round talent despite his smaller size.) (11-23-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-stock-watch-rondale-moore-electric-in-return-devonta-smith-cruises-as-usual/
NFL draft winners and losers: Indiana's Michael Penix Jr. outplayed OSU's Justin Fields (Purdue WR Rondale Moore: Welcome back, sir! There was chatter surrounding Moore’s absence for the Boilermakers’ first three games as the silence from the coaching staff about him was fairly deafening. It turns out that Moore was suffering from an aggravation of a hamstring injury, but there was no evidence of that in Friday’s loss to Minnesota. He caught 15 passes for 116 yards and tacked on three carries for 20 yards, including an 8-yard touchdown run. Forget the yards per catch for a minute — Moore caught most of his passes at or behind the line of scrimmage, limiting his YAC potential. After the game, Moore read a statement apologizing for his being a distraction this offseason, when he first opted out and then opted back in once the Big Ten restarted play. Whether Moore was a distraction is up for debate, but his accountability was refreshing — and his play against the Gophers, bad defense or not, was terrific to see. Moore has a chance now to make a run at Round 1. That wasn’t a certainty a few weeks ago.) (11-23-20): https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-draft-winners-and-losers-indianas-michael-penix-jr-outplayed-os-us-justin-fields-184208272.html
NFL Draft Stock Report: WR Rondale Moore and LB Zaven Collins highlight Week 12 risers (Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue: The long-awaited return of Rondale Moore, who had been sidelined with a lower-leg injury since the start of the season, finally arrived Friday, and the game-changing receiver did not disappoint. Moore finished with 15 receptions for 116 yards during a close loss to Minnesota. While that isn’t a big yards-per-catch average, anyone familiar with his game understands that’s not an issue. Moore, who played just four games last season before being sidelined with injury, made the right decision to play this year despite the late start by the Big Ten. I presently grade the junior as a first-round prospect, and the speedy Moore is expected to enter the draft.) (11-23-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-draft-stock-week-12-risers-rondale-moore-zaven-collins/
11 Prospects to know for the Lions in the 2021 NFL Draft (Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue: Moore is another player who opted out of playing in 2020. His game tape shows a playmaker extraordinaire out of the slot or outside. He’s quick, fast and electrifying with the ball in his hands. Moore broke an astonishing 37 tackles in 2018 per Pro Football Focus, the highest figure they’ve ever recorded for a wideout. There are some knocks. At 5-9, he’s not likely to play anywhere but the slot or on gadget plays, and Moore missed significant time in 2019 with a hamstring injury. But just watch him shake open instantly on every type of route and then make tacklers look idiotic and you’ll understand the sizzling appeal of Moore.) (11-14-20): https://lionswire.usatoday.com/lists/11-prospects-to-know-for-the-lions-in-the-2021-nfl-draft/
College Football: Ranking the top 25 wide receivers ahead of Week 10 (2. RONDALE MOORE, PURDUE - Moore has yet to play a game in 2020 due to undisclosed reasons, but all indications are that he will be making his season debut soon, and that means the Boilermakers are getting one of the best receiving weapons in the game. Moore played in just a few games last year before a season-ending injury, but as a true freshman in 2018, he showed enough to put himself in the No. 2 spot here. That year, Moore was the sixth-highest graded wide receiver in the FBS and put together the second-most valuable season by a non-quarterback true freshman in the PFF College era. The 5-foot-9, 180-pound wideout is one of the best athletes in college football and a nightmare to tackle after the catch — he shattered the Power Five record for most broken tackles after the catch in 2018, with 37.) (11-4-20): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-ranking-top-25-wide-receivers-week-10-2020
NFL draft winners and losers: Zach Wilson, Trey Lance swapping spots in QB pecking order? (Losers - Purdue WR Rondale Moore: What exactly has been going on with Moore? After opting back into the season, he’s now missed both of the Boilermakers’ games this season, and Purdue has not given any clarity on Moore’s status. Is it COVID-related? Something else? All we know for sure is that the school is being very hush hush on the matter, and in the meantime fellow WR David Bell has been putting on a show. In the two games, Bell has 22 catches for 243 yards and four scores, leading to chatter that perhaps Moore isn’t even the best receiver on his own team. We hope to gain some clarity on this matter as we go along. But for now, the potential first-round receiver is being hurt by his absence.) (11-2-20): https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-draft-winners-and-losers-zach-wilson-trey-lance-swapping-spots-in-qb-pecking-order-191522524.html
NFL draft matchups: Return of Big Ten adds major talent influx back to college football (Purdue WR Rondale Moore vs. Iowa: (Editor’s note: Moore was ruled out for this game for unknown reasons Friday morning but is reportedly expected to play next week.) We were pleased that Moore — like Bateman — was able to return to school after previously opting out and starting his 2021 draft prep. Both receivers have NFL-caliber talent, but Moore’s lack of playing time (185 offensive snaps since the end of the 2018 season) figured to work against him had he not rejoined the Boilermakers. Now it’s a chance for the 5-9, 185-pound Moore to remind the country of just how electric a playmaker he is, assuming he’s fully recovered from a season-ending knee injury that cut his 2019 way short. We watched him absolutely clown an overmatched Vanderbilt secondary (13 catches on 18 targets, 222 yards, touchdown) in person last season, a game that was fairly well attended by NFL scouts. To this point, Moore mostly has been used as a quick-strike option whose job has been to break tackles and zig-zag through defenses. (And he’s exceptional at that, running screens with the exceptional vision one would expect from a gifted punt and kick returner also.) But NFL scouts want to see a more diverse body of work from Moore. Last season, 23 of his 29 receptions were caught within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage. In 2018, 98 of his FCS-best 114 grabs were from 10 yards and in.) (10-23-20): https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-draft-matchups-return-of-big-ten-adds-major-talent-influx-back-to-college-football-131821130.html
College Football: Top five Big Ten players at every position ahead of 2020 start (2. Rondale Moore: There is a reasonable argument to be made that the top three here — Bateman, Moore and Olave — are among the five best wide receivers in college football. Among returning Power Five wide receivers, Bateman and Olave ranked third and fifth, respectively, in receiving grade last year. Moore missed most of the 2019 season due to injury, but he tied for fifth in the Power Five in receiving grade the year prior to that as a true freshman. With Moore and Bell, the Boilermakers have one of the best wide receiver duos in college football. Moore is a freak athlete with his speed, agility and power — and it shows up in the open field. In 2018, he broke 34 tackles after the catch when he was open, which was 15 more than any other Power Five wideout. Bell complements Moore with his 6-foot-3 frame and deep playmaking ability. His body control downfield is top-notch — he can adjust to any off-target throw. That helped him snag 12 deep balls as a true freshman in 2019, tying for the third-most in the Big Ten.) (10-22-20): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-rankings-top-five-big-ten-players-every-position-2020
He's only 5-foot-9, but don't sell Purdue's Rondale Moore short (10-21-20): https://www.nfl.com/news/back-2-campus/he-s-only-5-foot-9-but-don-t-sell-purdue-s-rondale-moore-short
2021 NFL Draft: The top draft prospect on every team in the Big Ten (PURDUE — WR RONDALE MOORE: He’s not only the best prospect on Purdue this year, but the best prospect they’ve had in a decade — quite literally. Ryan Kerrigan (2011) was the Boilermakers' last first-round pick, and Moore should end up there in 2021. After initially opting out of the 2020 season — and breaking the heart of yours truly — Moore decided to opt back in for the fall. That’s a smart decision for his draft stock, given that he only played 227 snaps in 2019 before a hamstring injury ended his year. Moore’s freshman year is still the most impressive debut season we’ve seen from a receiver in the PFF College era. He hauled in 114 passes for 1,258 yards and led the nation with 37 broken tackles. Moore has done most of his damage from the slot, but I believe he has the juice to beat coverage from the outside, as well. Hopefully, we get a chance to see him in that role this season.) (10-21-20): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-the-top-draft-prospect-on-every-team-in-the-big-ten-college-football
Top Big Ten prospects for the 2021 NFL Draft (Rondale Moore | WR | Purdue: One of the most dynamic weapons in the country, Moore is a threat to score every time he touches the ball.) (10-20-20): https://draftwire.usatoday.com/gallery/big-ten-football-top-prospects-2021-nfl-draft/
College Football: PFF’s Heisman rankings through Week 4 (8. WR RONDALE MOORE, PURDUE - PFF grade: Season has yet to start.
With Moore deciding to change course and opt back into the season, Purdue once again has one of the top wide receiver tandems in the country in him and David Bell. Moore’s after-the-catch ability makes it look like he is playing a video game. He’s incredibly elusive in an open field and can power through contact with his 5-foot-9, 181-pound frame. The Purdue pass-catcher missed almost all of his 2019 campaign due to injury, but he broke records as a true freshman in 2018 when his 37 broken tackles after the catch were the most ever in a single season by a Power Five wide receiver in the PFF College era. At the time, Moore’s 2018 season was the most valuable true freshman season we had ever seen from a non-quarterback.) (9-30-20): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-pffs-heisman-rankings-through-week-4
With Moore deciding to change course and opt back into the season, Purdue once again has one of the top wide receiver tandems in the country in him and David Bell. Moore’s after-the-catch ability makes it look like he is playing a video game. He’s incredibly elusive in an open field and can power through contact with his 5-foot-9, 181-pound frame. The Purdue pass-catcher missed almost all of his 2019 campaign due to injury, but he broke records as a true freshman in 2018 when his 37 broken tackles after the catch were the most ever in a single season by a Power Five wide receiver in the PFF College era. At the time, Moore’s 2018 season was the most valuable true freshman season we had ever seen from a non-quarterback.) (9-30-20): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-pffs-heisman-rankings-through-week-4
Purdue WR Rondale Moore opts back in for 2020 college football season (9-24-20): https://draftwire.usatoday.com/2020/09/24/rondale-moore-purdue-opts-in-2020-college-football-season-nfl-draft/
2021 NFL Draft Stock - Week 1 (Down - Rondall Moore, WR, Purdue: Moore is another prospect who opted out of playing, but that decision was made borderline irrelevant when the Big Ten canceled/delayed its season. Moore had an electric freshman season, but was injured in 2019. Thus, he won't have a year to prove that he has durability for the next level and will enter the 2021 NFL Draft as an undersized receiver who a 1-year wonder.) (9-8-20): https://walterfootball.com/draft2021stock_01.php
2021 NFL Draft: Wide receiver superlatives (Explosion: Rondale Moore, Purdue - I said earlier that Waddle is arguably the fastest receiver in the class, but I don’t think he’s the most athletic. I saved that 2021 wide receiver superlative for Purdue’s Rondale Moore. Moore, as an under-recruited high school senior, posted a SPARQ score of 133.62, nearly double what Waddle posted at the same age. If we compared Moore’s high school testing numbers to the NFL Combine results of the 2020 wide receiver class, he would be at the top of nearly every category. Despite being just 18 years old, Moore would’ve finished second in the 40-yard dash, second in the vertical jump, and first by a wide margin in the 20-yard shuttle. It’s obvious that Moore is an elite athlete but he might also have one of the most impressive Combine performances we ever see.) (8-28-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2021-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-superlatives/
College Football: PFF's 2020 Preseason All-Big Ten Team (FIRST TEAM: RONDALE MOORE, PURDUE: Moore’s after-the-catch ability is on the same level as Waddle’s. He’s elusive in an open field and can power through contact with his 5-foot-9, 181-pound frame. The Purdue pass-catcher missed almost all of his 2019 campaign due to injury, but he broke records as a true freshman in 2018 when his 37 broken tackles after the catch were the most ever in a single season by a Power 5 wide receiver in the PFF College era. At the time, Moore’s 2018 season was the most valuable true freshman season we had ever seen from a non-quarterback.) (8-21-20): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-pffs-2020-preseason-all-big-ten-team
2021 NFL Draft: Big Ten prospects to know after conference cancels fall college football season (Purdue - WR Rondale Moore: Moore burst onto the scene as a freshman against Ohio State. A large portion of the country was watching as he sliced and diced the Buckeyes defense en route to an upset victory. Few players have put a team on their back and single-handedly dominated the way Moore did in that game. The NFL is a copycat league and teams are trying to close the gap on Kansas City. With his speed and explosive traits, Moore could be the Tyreek Hill for one lucky team. Do not interpret his smaller stature for thin or weak because the Indiana native is pound-for-pound one of the strongest in college football. ) (8-19-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2021-nfl-draft-big-ten-prospects-to-know-after-conference-cancels-fall-college-football-season/
2021 NFL Draft: Preseason wide receiver rankings (2. RONDALE MOORE, PURDUE: With Moore opting out in 2020, he’ll head into next year’s draft with all of 185 offensive snaps since 2018. That’s unprecedented territory. However, he is still second in our receiver rankings, which should tell you all you need to know about how special his tape is. Moore is listed at 5-foot-9, 180 pounds, which will cause many to pigeonhole him into the slot before he ever touches an NFL field. His tape tells a different story. As Rondale himself says, “How tall is fast?” With his blend of speed, strength and ball skills, he can get the job done wherever. He hasn’t lined up as an outside receiver a ton, but he’s gained 263 yards on 57 such routes. His 4.61 yards per route would lead the nation if he had enough snaps to qualify. While he’s not Tyreek Hill, Moore is the closest thing we’ve seen in recent drafts. 2020 Outlook: More snaps on the outside could have pushed Moore's draft stock into Tavon Austin territory this upcoming season. Unfortunately, he won’t get that opportunity. Even with his limited playing time, I wouldn’t expect to see him fall out of the top 20 picks.) (8-11-20): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-preseason-wide-receiver-rankings-jamarr-chase
Purdue WR Rondale Moore, Miami EDGE Gregory Rousseau opt out of the 2020 college football season (8-9-20): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-purdue-wr-rondale-moore-miami-edge-greg-rousseau-opt-out-2020-college-football-season
2021 NFL Draft: What to know about Rondale Moore after Purdue receiver opts out of 2020 season (8-8-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2021-nfl-draft-what-to-know-about-rondale-moore-after-purdue-receiver-opts-out-of-2020-season/
Purdue WR Rondale Moore opts out, will enter 2021 NFL Draft (8-7-20): https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2020/08/07/purdue-wr-rondale-moore-opts-out-will-enter-2021-nfl-draft-detroit-lions-blough/
The best slot receivers in the 2021 NFL Draft (Rondale Moore, Purdue: If I were to mesh Atwell and Waddle together, Moore is the guy you would somehow come out with. He is one of the most dangerous gadget players I have seen in recent memory, but he is a much more refined route runner than Atwell is at this stage. This is a guy that is a legitimate playmaker with the ball in his hands on manufactured touches, but he can torch the defense deep from the slot too. It is Moore’s toughness through contact that makes him so special. He can put guys on skates, but he is a tough football player who will take the shots to make those tough catches over the middle of the catch. I think Moore still can project on the boundary at times, but from the slot with his speed, free releases, and manufactured touches, he could be devastating for defenses. All those come together to make one of the best slot receivers in the 2021 NFL Draft.) (8-1-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/the-best-slot-receivers-in-the-2021-nfl-draft/
Countdown to College Football Kickoff: Top NFL prospects at Purdue (Moore) (7-8-20): https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/news/countdown-to-college-football-kickoff-top-nfl-prospects-at-purdue
Early 2021 NFL Draft positional rankings (2. Rondale Moore, Purdue: There are players who are electric with the ball in their hands in college football, and then there’s Moore in a tier above them all on his own. He led college football with 37 broken tackles on 114 catches in 2018 and had seven broken on 29 catches for 385 yards before going down for the season in Week 4 last year. He’s everything you want in a modern slot receiver.) (6-11-20): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-early-2021-nfl-draft-positional-rankings
Rising Big Ten redshirt sophomores to watch in 2020 (Rondale Moore, WR Purdue: It’s hard to believe that Rondale Moore will be one of the Big Ten’s rising redshirt sophomores because it feels like he’s been around much longer than that. Moore erupted onto the national stage in his true freshman season, amassing 114 receptions, 1,258 yards, and 12 touchdowns in 14 games, while also logging 213 yards and two scores on 21 carries. Moore went down early in 2019, after just four games, and his injury quite literally led to the collapse of Purdue’s season. Rarely does a player ever impact an offense like Moore impacts the Boilermakers’ unit, and in 2020, he’ll look to come back at full strength. A full-strength Moore is a sight to behold, and Pro Football Network has long been a proponent of his skillset; Draft Analyst Matt Valdovinos has Moore as his WR1 heading into 2020, and fellow Draft Columnist Neal Driscoll lauds Moore for his elite athleticism and run-after-catch ability. Moore isn’t simply one of the best redshirt sophomores in the Big Ten in 2020, or even one of the best redshirt sophomores in the nation. He’s one of the best players in college football, and this year, he’ll be looking to mount a return of epic proportions.) (6-3-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/rising-big-ten-redshirt-sophomores-to-watch-in-2020/2/
2021 wide receiver class is special and has a chance to be historic (Rondale Moore, Purdue (5’9″, 180 pounds): Rondale Moore only played in four games in 2019, as his season was shortened by a significant knee injury. In 2018, as a true freshman, he was among the best wide receivers in college football, hauling in 114 receptions for 1,258 yards and 12 touchdowns. While he doesn’t have ideal size, Moore is a big play waiting to happen. He is electric, possessing the juice to blow the roof off of opposing defenses. He has great hands, is a brilliant route runner, and can make defenders miss in the open field. His speed and dynamism as a runner allow him to create yards after the catch in chunks. Despite being a bit undersized, Moore is a tough, physical runner who possesses great vision when the ball is in his hands, which will be showcased in the clip below.) (6-2-20): http://www.profootballnetwork.com/2021-wide-receiver-class-is-special-and-has-a-chance-to-be-historic/
NFL Draft 2021: A surprising take in the top 10 wide receiver rankings (1. Rondale Moore, Purdue: Rondale Moore is one of the most exciting players in all of college football and one of my personal favorite players in the 2021 class. He’s more than just a receiver, he’s a versatile weapon. Moore is a threat to score any time the ball touches his hands, he possesses an innate ability to make plays as a receiver, runner, and returner. Additionally, many players like Moore who profile as “gadget players” aren’t very refined as receivers. This isn’t the case for Moore. His elite athleticism combined with his ability to start on a dime makes him an impressive route runner. Moore rivals 2020 first-round pick Henry Ruggs III in terms of athletic ability and should have a huge year for Purdue this season.) (5-19-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2021-wide-receiver-rankings-nfl-draft/
Scouting Reports:
Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, USC – NFL Draft Player Profile: https://www.profootballnetwork.com/amon-ra-st-brown-nfl-draft-player-profile-usc-wide-receiver/
Draft Diamonds: https://www.nfldraftdiamonds.com/2020/06/amon-ra-st-brown/
Rankings:
Yahoo Prospect Ranking 90-86 (87. WR Anon-Ra St. Brown) (3-3-21): https://sports.yahoo.com/2021-nfl-draft-us-cs-amon-ra-st-brown-talent-stands-up-in-deep-wr-crop-233504743.html
2021 NFL Draft Rankings: WR 10-50 (13. Amon-Ra St. Brown, USC | 6'1/195
(Comp: Tyler Boyd): I give you the bizarro Rashod Bateman. Whereas Bateman, a true outside receiver, was forced into the slot and played down in 2020, St. Brown, a true slot, was forced outside in 2020 and also played down. Funny how that works! The things that made St. Brown good in the slot since Day 1 of his true freshman year at USC were his ability to sift through traffic, exceptional footwork and body control, and his ability to hang onto the ball while in traffic and turn upfield, make a guy miss or break a tackle. St. Brown consistently shows a nice connection with his quarterback, he runs good routes, provides a nice throwing window, and has a good awareness of what he’s doing, whether it’s searching for a soft spot in the zone or tracking the ball in the deep sector. He provided chain-moving reliability and a consistent source of YAC. What St. Brown never was, unfortunately, was an exceptional athlete. He’s not terribly quick off the line, and he categorically lacks long speed. He also had an issue on the boundary with physical press corners who harassed him with more post-snap contact than he preferred. St. Brown’s strengths played down, while his weaknesses were more clearly displayed. In the NFL, he should head back to the slot, where he could have a very Tyler Boyd-like career.) (3-10-21): https://www.nbcsports.com/edge/article/rankings/2021-nfl-draft-rankings-wr-10-50
Articles:
Amon-Ra St. Brown, named for the Egyptian god, is the brother of Packers WR Equanimeous, is the son of a former Mr. Universe and can fluently speak three languages. Chase Goodbread explores why the USC standout "can change the culture of a team." (4-19-21): https://www.nfl.com/news/back-2-campus/usc-wr-amon-ra-st-brown-was-built-by-his-father-for-the-nfl
My Guys: Mark Schofield's favorite prospects in the 2021 NFL draft (Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, USC - One of the traits that scouts look for in players is “competitive toughness.” That willingness to be better than the player across from them, to do anything they can to help a team win. It matters at every position, and on both sides of the football. Amon-Ra St. Brown checks that box with ease, and it is why he is one of “my guys” in this draft class. As I wrote in my notes, “he wants to kill you” on the field. He will attack receivers downfield as a blocker and USC used him as a crack blocker working inside, and while he sometimes got roughed up cracking down, he showed no fear in those moments. St. Brown also showed the ability to beat press coverage, particularly on a slant route touchdown against UCLA. He also has a short memory. Against the Bruins he let a pass go through his hands for an interception, but he came back with a tough catch later in the game and then caught the game-winner on a fade route in the red zone. I am a huge fan of his game, and think he can be a difference maker at the next level. From his experience to his competitive toughness, his short memory and his football intelligence, and his ability to offer a complete route tree, St. Brown is a plug-and-play slot receiver at the next level. I’d be banging the table for him at the start of Day Two for any offense, as I think he is a scheme diverse receiver that can operate in any system. Teams might view him as a slot-only WR, but I think the limited examples of him beating press could see him offer time as a Z receiver as well. Maybe it is the Patriots fan in me, but watching him I kept seeing Julian Edelman in my mind. St. Brown is a bit bigger, but both players are tough, feisty receivers that can operate as slot receivers or as flankers on the outside. *Glares at Bill Belichick.*) (4-16-21): https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/2021-nfl-draft-justin-fields-jaycee-horn-amon-ra-st-brown/
Pro day roundup: South Carolina CB Horn puts on show (Amon-Ra St. Brown
USC · WR: St. Brown set a goal of 4.4 seconds for his 40-yard dash heading into Wednesday's workout. He came up a bit short of that mark, but still posted a good time with runs of 4.51 and 4.52 seconds. The brother of Green Bay Packers WR Equanimeous St. Brown recorded a 38.5 inch vertical jump, a broad jump of 10 feet, 7 inches and an impressive 20 reps on the bench press. He measured 5-foot-11, 197 pounds with a 9 1/8-inch hand and 30 3/8-inch arm. In an average year, St. Brown would likely go no later than early in the second round, but the depth of this year's wide receiver class figures to push him down the board a bit. "To me, Amon-Ra St. Brown, as a football player, is going to be one of the top 40 players in the draft," said Daniel Jeremiah during Wednesday's Path to the Draft Pro Day Special. "But because of the sheer number of wideouts, some teams are going to be patient because they can wait and still get a quality player. He's probably going to go in the back end of the second round and maybe even in the third round, which means you're getting a heck of a football player and a tremendous value with somebody like this.") (3-24-21): https://www.nfl.com/news/south-carolina-usc-pro-days-jaycee-horn-soars
PFF highlights a crucial aspect of Amon-Ra St. Brown's NFL appeal (2-14-21): https://trojanswire.usatoday.com/2021/02/14/pff-highlights-a-crucial-aspect-of-amon-ra-st-browns-nfl-appeal/
2021 NFL Draft: Tiering the loaded WR class that might surpass 2020's rookies (TIER 3 - AMON-RA ST. BROWN, USC: St. Brown’s best year came as a sophomore when he played primarily in the slot for the Trojans and recorded his lone 1,000-yard season. With Michael Pittman Jr. entering the 2020 NFL Draft, St. Brown was bounced outside and was once again a top target for USC quarterback Kedon Slovis in 2020. He led the Pac-12 in receptions (41), touchdowns (7) and contested catches (8). St. Brown’s strength lies in his ability to make use of the full route tree from either the slot or outside and in his distinct talent to make defenders miss after the catch. His lack of explosiveness is a slight cause of concern, but that hasn't stopped him producing at the college ranks — and the same can be said about his pro potential.) (2-9-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-college-football-tiering-wr-class-2020-rookies
College Football 2020: PFF’s All-Pac-12 Team (First-Team: Amon-Ra St. Brown, USC
One area of emphasis for St. Brown this year was to get stronger at the catch point, and he took a big step forward in that regard. His eight contested catches led the Pac-12 — three fewer than he had in 2018 and 2019 combined.) (12-22-20): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-2020-pffs-all-pac-12-team
WR Watch: Toney shows off versatility (Amon-Ra St. Brown, USC: Although he only had 73 yards receiving, St. Brown made a big impact in the comeback win over UCLA. He was a reliable chain-mover for quarterback Kedon Slovis, and the junior wideout flashed his entire skill set. He's a natural hands catcher, which was illustrated on an early third-down conversion on an out route with a cornerback flashing underneath. There was a nifty catch-and-run on a short pass from Slovis too. St. Brown's first touchdown was an awesome release off the line of scrimmage near the end zone before breaking to the inside on a slant. Late in the third, St. Brown did drop a pass over the middle that resulted in an interception, his only hiccup in the game that was a big one. But he rebounded with the game-winning touchdown with under 30 seconds to go, a high-point pluck on a fade route in the end zone.) (12-14-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-stock-watch-floridas-kadarius-toney-demonstrates-his-full-scale-versatility/
2021 NFL Draft: Midseason wide receiver rankings (8. AMON-RA ST. BROWN, USC (JUNIOR): While St. Brown racked up 1,000 yards as a sophomore from the slot in 2019 with Michael Pittman Jr. and Tyler Vaughns holding it down on the outside, the former five-star recruit has been producing through three games this season as primarily an outside receiver. He’s got the kind of wiggle before and after the catch that you want at the position. For his career, he’s broken 27 tackles on 156 receptions. While there may not be one single thing that St. Brown hangs his hat on, there’s also nothing in his game one could consider a shortcoming. At 6-foot-1, 195 pounds, St. Brown doesn’t have to be pigeonholed into one particular role at the next level. He has a body type that can line up anywhere on the field, run a full route tree and still win. Combine that with some serious “want to” that he displays weekly, and you’ve got a top prospect.) (12-2-20): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-midseason-wide-receiver-rankings
NFL draft matchups: Trevor Lawrence returns to action, with Justin Fields nipping at his heels (USC WR Amon-Ra St. Brown vs. Utah: The 6-1, 190-pound St. Brown has stacked back-to-back 100-yard games to start what could be his final college season. We want to see more out of him. The problem hasn't been his statistical production (14 catches on 21 targets for 213 yards). It’s that he had two drops in the opener and hasn’t done much on deep balls (two catches for 84 yards on seven targets 20 yards or more downfield), in the red zone and after the catch. If St. Brown wants to establish himself as a potential top-50 pick this spring, he’s going to need to stack a few more big performances. This will be Utah’s first game of the season following a few COVID-related cancellations. Even though the NFL draft gutted the Utes’ talented defense, Utah always seems to produce high quality players on that side of the ball.) (11-19-20): https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-draft-matchups-trevor-lawrence-returns-to-action-with-justin-fields-nipping-at-his-heels-211307237.html
WR Watch: Moore goes for 200-plus again (Amon-Ra St. Brown, USC: The biggest play of St. Brown's seven-snag, 113-yard, one-touchdown effort in the win over Arizona came in the third quarter on a long ball on a post from Kedon Slovis in which the junior receiver elevated to make a spectacular grab. He again showcased his bounce on an in-breaking grab on the game-winning drive, on which St. Brown was the go-to target, making four catches as USC marched down the field. Brown has the body type that's trendy in today's NFL and looks like a high-caliber athlete who can separate and turn short passes into large gains with his YAC capabilities.) (11-16-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-stock-watch-elijah-moore-eclipses-1000-yard-season-north-carolina-duo-explodes/
Week 11 College Football news, schedule, live blog and more (St. Brown is quickly affirming his status as a legitimate Round 2 draft prospect, and his ability to be “the guy” for Slovis in the clutch only cements that fact.) (11-15-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/week-11-college-football-news-schedule-live-blog-and-more/
Week 10 College Football news, schedule, live blog and more (Draft prospects at wide receiver come up big for USC in season-opening win (4:20 PM): The USC Trojans hit the field for the first time in 2020 this afternoon and wound up out-reaching the Arizona State Sun Devils by a single point. Amon-Ra St. Brown and Tyler Vaughns, who were both mentioned Tony earlier, each had seven catches in the victory, and St. Brown carried on where he left off last year, reaching the 100-yard mark. Both St. Brown and Vaughns are intriguing wideouts in the 2020 class; they don’t necessarily add to the top of the group, but they both will fill out the depth after the first two rounds. St. Brown is younger and more electric after the catch, but both St. Brown and Vaughns should have a role on Sundays. IC. Great WR/DB battle in ASU/USC game (12:30 PM): I mentioned USC receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown this morning during the game day preview, someone I graded as a potential first-round pick. He’s locked in a tight battle against former Trojan Jack Jones, who’s in his second season at Arizona State. Jones is a terrific cover cornerback with excellent ball skills, but he comes with marginal size and projects as a dime back at the next level. This is a terrific matchup in this game.) (11-8-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/week-10-college-football-news-schedule-live-blog-and-more/
2021 NFL Draft: The top draft prospect on every team in the Pac-12 (USC — WR AMON-RA ST. BROWN: St. Brown is the highest-ranked Pac-12 player on the PFF draft board that we’ll actually get to see this fall, at 23rd overall. He was the slot receiver in USC’s offense last season, but with Michael Pittman Jr. gone to the NFL, there’s a chance we’ll see more of him outside. He’s a creative route-runner who is dynamic after the catch, as well. He broke 18 tackles on 77 receptions a season ago.) (11-5-20): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-top-2021-nfl-draft-prospect-on-every-team-in-the-pac-12
NFL draft: Best Pac-12 prospects who are playing this fall (2. USC WR Amon-Ra St. Brown: The young brother of the Green Bay Packers’ Equanimeous St. Brown (2018 sixth-round pick), the Trojans wideout took a step forward last year after a promising freshman season in 2018. St. Brown has top-50 talent and could enter the late Round 1 picture, catching more passes from possible future top-10 pick QB Kedon Slovis. St. Brown has mostly worked in the slot in his two years at USC, flashing some great hands, yards-after-the-catch skills and tremendous body control. We expect him to stack some big performances this season, starting with the season opener against Arizona State on Saturday. Big comp here, but St. Brown gives Chris Godwin vibes. He faces questions only about whether his physique is developed enough and whether he can play as effectively outside against press coverage.) (11-5-20): https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-draft-best-pac-12-prospects-who-are-playing-this-fall-223258030.html
College Football: Ranking the top 25 wide receivers ahead of Week 10 (21. AMON-RA ST. BROWN, USC - St. Brown is a prime candidate in the Pac-12 to skyrocket this season as he becomes more of a focal point in USC’s offense and starts to see more reps on the outside. He is the highest-graded returning wideout in the conference and is bound to retain that No. 1 spot in 2020 with his fluidity and route-running ability.) (11-4-20): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-ranking-top-25-wide-receivers-week-10-2020
NFL Draft Rumors & News: Devonta Smith ranked above Jaylen Waddle? (With the likelihood that WR Amon-Ra St. Brown has played his last game at USC, do you think there’s a chance he could move up into the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft? Or is he strictly a second-day prospect? There’s a very good chance he ends up in the first round, especially if he runs fast prior to the draft. He’s an explosive, home-run-hitting receiver who is also a very good pass catcher.) (9-16-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-draft-rumors-news-pauline-alabama-smith-waddle/
College Football: PFF's 2020 Preseason All-PAC 12 Team (FIRST TEAM: AMON-RA ST. BROWN, USC: St. Brown is a fluid and sudden route-runner who is more than capable of winning on the outside. He saw only 39 targets against single coverage last year but generated separation on 22 of those targets.) (8-21-20): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-pffs-2020-preseason-all-pac-12-team
2021 Draft: Pac-12 prospects to know (WR Amon-Ra St. Brown: Brother of Packers' 2018 sixth-round pick Equanimeous, Amon-Ra is the next awesomely named St. Brown with NFL talent. And the younger of the two siblings is primed to go much earlier in the draft. At 6-1 and 195 pounds, St. Brown has the frame of a separation-based wideout, and while he's not Davante Adams as a route runner just yet, he demonstrates serious wiggle off the line and when he tries to free himself from cornerbacks. Also, after the catch, he's rather elusive, seemingly never complacent with just falling forward. Because of his suddenness and juice downfield, along with his YAC abilities, St. Brown should get some first-round buzz. He caught 77 passes for 1,042 and six touchdowns as a redshirt sophomore in 2019.) (8-18-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-pac-12-prospects-to-know-after-conference-cancels-fall-college-football-season/
2020 Pac-12 Preseason Summer Scouting Preview (Over the years, the Trojans have placed a lot of receivers in the top 90 selections of the draft, though they often did not pan out. The true junior is a great combination of big-play ability and natural receiving skills. He consistently comes away with the home-run reception, but at the same time he makes the ordinary catch with ease. He’s quick, fast and very tough to cover. St. Brown has a slight frame and will struggle in battles and against press coverage, but he does not back down to a challenge. I love his upside and feel he’s destined to be a first-round pick.) (8-17-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2020-pac-12-preseason-summer-scouting-preview/3/
2021 NFL Draft: Preseason wide receiver rankings (5. AMON-RA ST. BROWN, USC: St. Brown is crafty well beyond his years and has been productive for the Trojans ever since he stepped foot on campus. He played the slot role for them last season in every game except against Cal (5-of-6 targets for 85 yards). Don’t think for a second he was thrust into that role because he can’t beat coverage on the outside. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound St. Brown was the only USC starter with a versatile enough skill set to line up in the slot — the 6-foot-4 Michael Pittman Jr. and 6-foot-2 Tyler Vaughns would have been ill-suited. For a slot-only wideout, St. Brown can win at every level of the football field and had nine deep receptions last season. He’s at his best with the ball in his hands, breaking 18 tackles last season. 2020 Outlook: Michael Pittman’s 100-plus targets from a year ago and spot on the outside are up for grabs, so expect Brown to fill those shoes admirably in 2020. He also returns to one of the best quarterback situations in the country, as sophomore Kedon Slovis had outstanding accuracy numbers in his true freshman season.) (8-11-20): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-preseason-wide-receiver-rankings-jamarr-chase
The best slot receivers in the 2021 NFL Draft (Amon-Ra St. Brown, USC: In terms of a player who may play as a pure slot in the NFL, St-Brown may be the best of them all. The traits St-Brown possesses showcase everything a team would in a slot receiver. The suddenness, vice-grip hands, and yards after the catch ability are terrific in the case of St-Brown. With football bloodlines, St-Brown is going to be a guy with his stock through the roof. All of those traits are just the base of St. Brown’s game, however. He has elite body control and delightful ball skills in addition to that. If a team wrote up an ideal middle of the field target, St. Brown could be that guy. With those route-running skills, St. Brown threatens all directions of the field and all levels as well. This young man will hear his name called early in the 2021 NFL Draft, as he deserves.) (8-1-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/the-best-slot-receivers-in-the-2021-nfl-draft/
Top 2021 USC draft prospects can bring Trojans back to prominence (Amon-Ra St. Brown, Wide Receiver, Junior (6’1″, 195 pounds): Like the 2020 draft class, the 2021 group of wide receivers is historically good. One player who is not getting enough hype is the explosive Amon-Ra St. Brown. Amon-Ra, the brother of Green Bay Packers’ wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown, is electric and a prospect who will ascend up draft boards during the 2020 season. His 2019 stats aren’t jaw-dropping by any means, as he secured 77 receptions for 1,042 yards and 6 touchdowns. With that said, he is poised for big-time production in 2020. He is very fluid, highlighted by his superior route running and cutting ability. His game includes impressive change-of-direction movement, the ability to create yards after the catch in chunks, and the capacity to stretch the field. An underrated quality of St. Brown’s game is his ability to win at the catch point, as is highlighted in the clip below. In a star-studded 2021 wide receiver class, it may be hard for Amon-Ra St. Brown to crack the first round, but he will go early on Day 2 and be a very productive NFL player for a long time.) (7-8-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/top-2021-usc-trojans-draft-prospects/
USC wide receivers St. Brown and Vaughns have NFL potential in 2020 (Amon-Ra St. Brown, Junior: Amon-Ra St. Brown has a seat reserved on the all-name team, and his spot on the all-game team is all but locked up as well. The only thing that’s not locked up is St. Brown himself in coverage, as he went for 77 catches, 1,042 yards, and six scores in 2019. St. Brown’s skill set is conducive to the one that leads to consistent success at the NFL level, and it’s one that prioritizes the need to separate. St. Brown has a bit of a slight frame at 6-foot-1, 195 pounds, but it’s not a hindrance; rather, St. Brown’s build and short-range athleticism allow him to hone into the nuances of his route running. As evidenced in the clip below, St. Brown is a very sudden athlete who can halt and generate momentum with the snap of a finger. He routinely uses this suddenness to create space between himself and defenders. St. Brown also knows how to manipulate defenders’ blind spots when intermediate separation proves hard to come by. Watch in the clip below, as St. Brown draws the defender’s eyes inside, hovers into the defender’s blind spot, and at that moment, wraps around to the right, tipping the defender’s balance with a subtle brush of his arm. St. Brown can create space in different ways, and this is what makes him such a dangerous receiving threat. However, it’s not just making space that matters. A player also has to do something with the space allocated to him. This is another area where St. Brown thrives. He’s extremely slippery after the catch and has a penchant for slicing through tackles and using his change-of-direction skills to evade pursuers. St. Brown’s prowess both before and after the catch will undoubtedly cement his status as one of not just USC’s best wide receivers in 2020, but one of the best in the PAC-12.) (6-25-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/usc-wide-receiver-2020-headlined-amon-ra-st-brown-tyler-vaughns/
Early 2021 NFL Draft positional rankings (5. Amon-Ra St. Brown, USC: St. Brown is a crafty and fluid route-runner who also had to split targets in a loaded USC receiving corps. He caught 60 balls for 750 yards as a true freshman and followed that up with 77 catches for 1,042 yards last year. While he’s been primarily a slot the past two years, he has the suddenness and athleticism to win from the outside.) (6-11-20): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-early-2021-nfl-draft-positional-rankings
3 College Wide Receivers Lions Should Keep Eye On (2. USC WR Amon-Ra St. Brown: St. Brown could be a nice deep target for Matthew Stafford in 2021. He wasn't used a lot in that role as a sophomore a season ago. However, when he was, he was ultra effective. According to PFF, he caught nine of his 14 targets of 20-plus yards for 376 yards and five touchdowns. He also hauled in five of his six contested targets on those downfield passes. And of all the college receivers returning in 2020, he recorded the third-most receptions out of the slot with 66 catches. He's an intriguing prospect for Quinn to keep an eye on throughout the fall.) (6-9-20): https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/3-college-wide-receivers-lions-should-keep-an-eye-on
NFL Draft 2021: A surprising take in the top 10 wide receiver rankings (10. Amon-Ra St. Brown, USC: If we were ranking players based on their names, than Amon-Ra St. Brown would be listed as my undisputed WR1. Unfortunately, these rankings are exclusively based on how I expect these players to stack up for the 2021 NFL Draft. St. Brown has functioned as WR2 in his first two seasons, behind newly drafted Michael Pittman. Now, St. Brown has the opportunity to seize the WR1 mantle, and his pairing with true sophomore Kedon Slovis is one of the best in college football. A great blend of size and speed, St. Brown is also a well-polished route runner with strong concentration at the catch point. He’s a candidate to be a serious riser throughout the season.) (5-19-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2021-wide-receiver-rankings-nfl-draft/
PFF's early list of players to watch ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft (DeVonta Smith is a scintillating deep threat for Alabama who returned to the Crimson Tide for his senior season, likely to add more mass to his 6-foot-1, 175-pound frame.) (4-29-20): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-pff-early-list-players-to-watch-ahead-of-2021-nfl-draft
Scouting Reports:
Sage Surratt, WR, Wake Forest – NFL Draft Player Profile: https://www.profootballnetwork.com/sage-surratt-nfl-draft-player-profile-wake-forest-wide-receiver/
Sage Surratt - Wide Receiver Wake Forest Demon Deacon 2021 Draft Scouting Report: https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/scouting-reports/sagesurratt
Draft Network: https://thedraftnetwork.com/player/sage-surratt/HXMBIAz0Ax
Draft Diamonds: https://www.nfldraftdiamonds.com/2020/07/sage-surratt/
Rankings:
2021 NFL Draft Rankings: WR 10-50 (16. Sage Surratt, Wake Forest | 6'2/220
(Comp: Michael Floyd): The 2019 Wake Forest offense went from scary to bad the second Sage Surratt was knocked out for the season in 2019. That’s probably the most compelling argument to be made for his value as a player. Especially since that’s the last time we saw him -- he opted out in 2020. The brother of UNC LB Chazz Surratt, also in this draft class, Sage is an elite deep-ball receiver who turns 50-50 balls into wins for the offense. Surratt went an incredible 18-for-30 in contested situations in 2019. He tracks the ball like a hunting dog downfield, and he’s a bridesmaid-going-for-a-bouquet specialist at high-pointing in traffic, a hands catcher with a bloated catch radius. But like J-JAW, a jump-ball specialist in college, Surratt lacks athleticism. He builds up to top speed, and he’s sluggish changing directions, which neuters his ability in the intermediate game. Unfortunate, that, because Surratt would otherwise profile as strong in that area as a guy with a big frame, big catch radius, and proven after-the-catch ruggedness. Surratt’s tape shows a a hellacious runner after the catch (17 broken tackles in 2019). If nothing else, Surratt will be a solid depth piece. But he offers the potential of a strong WR2 if he can ever figure out how to mitigate his lack of foot quickness and agility to provide more in the intermediate area. Such gains to his game would only make him more dangerous deep, the special-sauce of his game, as opponents couldn’t sit back dead-red on the nine-route, knowing Surratt could steal first downs in kind.) (3-10-21): https://www.nbcsports.com/edge/article/rankings/2021-nfl-draft-rankings-wr-10-50
Articles:
4 Players Lions Should Target in Third Round (WR Sage Surratt, Wake Forest: If the Lions end up going wide receiver with one of their two third-round selections, they'd be wise to target Surratt. The 6-foot-2.5, 215-pound pass-catcher emerged on to the scene in a big way in 2019, recording 65 catches for 1,006 yards and 11 touchdowns in nine games. He opted out of playing in 2020 due to concerns with the COVID-19 pandemic, but remains one of the 2021 draft class's top wideouts as a result of his high-end ball skills. With the obvious need that Detroit has at receiver, after the offseason departures of Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones Jr. and Jamal Agnew, Surratt would be a more-than-worthwhile selection in this round.) (4-5-21): https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-4-players-third-round
Draft: Ranking the prospects who opted out (17. Sage Surratt, WR, Wake Forest - The skinny: Surratt is a heavy-footed rebounder with good twitch for his size and turns 50-50 balls into 80-20 balls down the field. He severely lacks speed but is a horse after the catch because of his thick frame. ) (2-16-21): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-penei-sewell-jamarr-chase-headline-prospects-who-opted-out-of-2020-season/
Hot Take Tuesday - Senior Bowl Edition: Is Quinin Meinerz a Top-50 prospect in the NFL Draft? (Big Time Seniors from the summer are overrated: Trey Smith, Alex Leatherwood, Patrick Jones, Sage Surratt, all disappointed in Mobile. These big-time players, who were mocked high coming into the season, were dominated by lesser-known players. Despite being thought of as potential round one guys, they are now fighting to keep themselves in the top 100. Every year we have a handful of these players. High expectations coming into the season, top National Scouting grades, followed by a less than stellar senior season, which is magnified by poor Senior Bowl performances. Watch the tape and you will know why underrated FCS and Group of Five players continue to move ahead of them.) (2-3-21): https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/news/hot-take-tuesday-senior-bowl-edition-is-quinin-meinerz-a-top-50-prospect-in-the-nfl-draft
2021 NFL Draft Stock - Senior Bowl (Sage Surratt, WR, Wake Forest: Surratt sat out the 2020 season, so having a good Senior Bowl performance was important for him. Surratt was able to come through with the week he needed to impress team evaluators. "[Surratt] has good hands, size, body control, and will be a solid pro using his big body," said a director of college scouting.) (2-2-21): https://walterfootball.com/draft2021stock_22.php
NFL Draft risers and fallers after the Senior Bowl (SAGE SURRATT, WR, WAKE FOREST: Before Surratt sat out the last day of practice, he was struggling in his jump-ball basketball style of play. His biggest issue was a refusal to use his arms to create separation, despite his size offering him an advantage to use his arms. Once he used his arms to create separation a few times, he saw more success, but it was too little too late for him to improve his stock.) (2-1-21): https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/news/nfl-draft-risers-and-fallers-after-the-senior-bowl
Senior Bowl 2021: Biggest 2021 NFL draft risers and fallers from practices, workouts (SAGE SURRATT, WR, WAKE FOREST: While it's not necessarily surprising that Surratt struggled to gain separation, given what we saw from him on tape in 2019, it still did Surratt no favors to have it on display so evidently during the week. He's simply not fast. Cornerbacks were in his hip pocket all day when the 6-3 Surratt tried to get vertical. Any team drafting Surratt will have to accept those limitations and because of that likely won't take a chance in the first two rounds.) (2-1-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-senior-bowl-2021-biggest-2021-nfl-draft-risers-and-fallers-from-practices-workouts
2021 Senior Bowl Risers - (Wake Forest wide receiver Sage Surratt sat out the 2020 season, so having a good Senior Bowl performance was important for him. Surratt was able to come through with the week he needed to impress team evaluators. "He has good hands, size, body control, and will be a solid pro using his big body, said a director of college scouting.) (1-31-21): https://walterfootball.com/seniorbowl2021risers.php
Senior Bowl: Prospects with most to prove in Mobile (Sage Surratt, WR, Wake Forest: Surratt was tremendous on those no-separation plays in 2019, frequently coming down with the football in those difficult situations. He had 1,001 yards and 11 touchdowns on 66 grabs and was a favorite target of Newman in a suddenly explosive Wake Forest offense. The thick wideout suffered a season-ending shoulder injury diving for a fumble in November 2019 against Virginia Tech then opted out before the 2020 season began. We just haven't seen him in a while, and many will be wondering if he took advantage of time away from the field to get quicker and learn more subtle ways to create separation. He's seeing a plethora of quality cornerbacks in Mobile, and a handful of one-on-one wins during practice -- and in the game -- would do wonders for his stock.) (1-29-21): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/senior-bowl-2021-jamie-newman-quinn-meinerz-among-these-prospects-with-most-to-prove/
Senior Bowl Practice Review: Day 2 National DBs, WRs, TEs (One of the more polarizing receivers in the Senior Bowl, SAGE SURRATT from Wake Forest, showed some steady improvement. Surratt has impressive size and a basketball player, jump-ball skill set but had been refusing to use his hands to separate in reps. Halfway through the one-on-ones Surratt suddenly began using his hands to find separation—as if he had just been coached up on it—and it worked! Surratt ended the day with three straight wins in practice.) (1-27-21): https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/news/senior-bowl-practice-review-day-2-national-dbs-wrs-tes
NFL Draft Stock Report: Who is rising at Tuesday’s 2021 Senior Bowl? (Sage Surratt, WR, Wake Forest: While Sage Surratt was somewhat up and down in Tuesday’s practice, his skill and large frame are undeniable. He had an absolutely phenomenal year for the Demon Deacons, with 107 catches and 15 touchdowns. His size will serve him in the red zone at the next level, and also as a go-to outside threat.) (1-27-21): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-draft-stock-senior-bowl-risers-tuesday-2021/
2021 Senior Bowl Practice Report: National Team (Tuesday - Had a few nice plays, but also showed some mental lapses. His frame his very clearly a huge asset. He could be a Chase Claypool-type player in the right system, while also being a go-to red zone target. Wednesday - Surratt limped off the field with an ankle injury, but he did come back to resume practice. He made a few catches throughout drills but nothing remarkable. We’ll see how he does tomorrow. Thursday - Did not practice.) (1-26-21): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2021-senior-bowl-practice-report-national-team/
Senior Bowl Practice Review: Day 1 National Wide Receivers and Defensive Backs (Taylor was able to remain physical through a stem by the massive Wake Forest receiver, SAGE SURRATT and completely throw off the route. Surratt, the second biggest receiver on the National Team, had an unimpressive day and seemingly refused to use his hands to help him separate on routes.) (1-26-21): https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/news/senior-bowl-practice-review-day-1-national-wide-receivers-and-defensive-backs
NFL Draft Stock Report: Who is rising at the 2021 Senior Bowl? (Sage Surratt, WR, Wake Forest: While Sage Surratt was somewhat up and down in Tuesday’s practice, his skill and large frame are undeniable. He had an absolutely phenomenal year for the Demon Deacons, with 107 catches and 15 touchdowns. His size will serve him in the red zone at the next level, and also as a go-to outside threat.) (1-26-21): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-draft-stock-senior-bowl-risers-tuesday-2021/
Senior Bowl Weigh-Ins: ACC Surprises (SAGE SURRATT | Wake Forest | WR | Height: 6025 | Weight: 215 | Wingspan: 7900 | Arm: 3200 | Hand: 0900 - Once the top target of the aforementioned Newman, the Wake Forest wideout has been sliding on some draft boards due to the question of where he wins at the next level. Thought to be a physical catch point winner, Surratt measured in as average. Nothing jumped out as great for him. He would have to show some crazy athleticism to push himself into the top 100.) (1-26-21): https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/news/senior-bowl-weigh-ins-acc-surprises
Senior Bowl Rosters, Weigh-Ins, and Measurements (Sage Surratt, Wake Forest: After opting out of the 2020 NFL season, Sage Surratt has an opportunity to put himself back in the spotlight at the 2021 Senior Bowl. Surratt had 1,001 yards and 11 touchdowns on 66 receptions in 2019. In his two-year career at Wake Forest, he impressed with over 1,500 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns. An impressive week as part of these Senior Bowl rosters could see Surratt jump up draft boards.) (1-23-21): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2021-senior-bowl-rosters-weigh-ins-measurements/
2021 NFL Draft: Midseason wide receiver rankings (10. SAGE SURRATT, WAKE FOREST (RS JUNIOR): You won’t find a better contested-catch receiver in the draft class. Surratt and his brother — North Carolina quarterback-turned-linebacker Chazz — are two of the most physical players at their positions in the country. He hauled in 18 of 30 contested catches last season for the Demon Deacons. Surratt beat up college cornerbacks in 2019 at the catch point, along his routes and after the catch before opting out this season. He broke 17 tackles on 65 catches in nine games last year. While we believe separation is king, and Surratt is never going to be terribly dynamic in that regard, he has the goods pretty much everywhere else to make up for it.) (12-2-20): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-midseason-wide-receiver-rankings
College Football Games Today: Week 2 Live Blog with Tony Pauline (Scouts disappointed in Sage Surratt’s decision (7:05 pm ET): When Clemson meets Wake Forest this evening, one player that won’t take the field is Demon Deacon receiver Sage Surratt. Back on August 18, the lanky wideout announced on twitter he was opting out of the upcoming season in order to prepare for the 2021 NFL Draft. To date, I’ve yet to talk to anyone in the scouting community who believes this is a wise decision- quite the contrary. Surratt had his monster season cut four games short last year after suffering a shoulder injury. He’s a big-bodied pass catcher who wins out for the contested pass but lacks any semblance of quickness or speed in his game. Scouts felt Surratt needed to return to the field this year to prove he was healthy, prove he could be productive with a new quarterback after Jamie Newman transferred to Georgia, and show he had improved his route running. None of that’s going to happen, and it’s much more critical than Surratt running a fast forty-time next February. During our podcast last week, I spoke at length about players who, according to scouts, were making a mistake by opting out of the season in favor of a few extra months of combine training. Surratt was one of the names passed on to me.) (9-12-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/college-football-game-updates-week-2-live-blog-tony-pauline-2020/
Wake Forest receiver Sage Surratt opting out to prepare for 2021 NFL draft (8-19-20): https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/29696030/wake-forest-sage-surratt-opting-season-prepare-2021-draft
2021 NFL Draft film room: Wake Forest WR Sage Surratt (8-14-20): https://draftwire.usatoday.com/2020/08/14/2021-nfl-draft-film-room-wake-forest-wr-sage-surratt/
2021 NFL Draft: Preseason wide receiver rankings (10. SAGE SURRATT, WAKE FOREST: Surratt burst onto the scene in 2020 as one of the most consistent receivers in college football. He racked up over 1,000 yards in nine games before a shoulder injury ended his season. Surratt is an ultra-physical route-runner at 6-foot-3, 215 pounds who also bullies defenders after the catch (17 broken tackles on 65 catches). He’s got prototypical possession receiver traits. Surratt lacks wheels, though. He’s firmly a 4.6-plus type of wideout. It's encouraging that his lack of speed didn’t stop him from being productive downfield, where he hauled in 12 deep passes for 470 yards. We usually prefer separators when projecting to the NFL, but Surratt plays such a physical brand at the receiver position that he looks like he’ll be able to keep getting the job done at the next level. 2020 Outlook: After only 581 yards as a redshirt freshman, Surratt qualifies as a bit of a one-year wonder. Combine that with his shoulder injury, and it’s not hard to see why he came back to school. It’s going to be difficult for him to replicate those numbers without quarterback Jamie Newman throwing him the ball, and his biggest weakness — speed — won't improve overnight.) (8-11-20): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-preseason-wide-receiver-rankings-jamarr-chase
Can Wake Forest WR Sage Surratt boost his 2021 NFL Draft stock? (7-23-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/wake-forest-wr-sage-surratt-deep-dive/
Top 25 prospects for the 2021 NFL Draft who chose to return to college football (16. WR SAGE SURRATT, WAKE FOREST: Surratt had a massive breakout campaign in 2019 that saw him haul in 65 balls for 1,006 yards and 11 scores in nine games before a shoulder injury ended his season. Listed at 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, Surratt is one of the most physical receivers in the country and broke 17 tackles after the catch last year. He’s very much on the slow end for the position, though, so anything he can do to add a little juice to his game downfield would go a long way.) (5-8-20): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-top-25-prospects-2021-nfl-draft-who-chose-to-return
2021 wide receiver class is special and has a chance to be historic (In addition, Wake Forest’s Sage Surratt is also a very intriguing prospect. As I detailed in my article on overrated and underrated 2021 NFL Draft prospects, Surratt is one of the most underrated players in college football. His game reminds me of the 33rd pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Tee Higgins.) (6-2-20): http://www.profootballnetwork.com/2021-wide-receiver-class-is-special-and-has-a-chance-to-be-historic/
Scouting Reports:
2021 NFL Draft Profile: Florida WR Kadarius Toney: https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-profile-florida-wr-kadarius-toney
Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida – NFL Draft Player Profile: https://www.profootballnetwork.com/kadarius-toney-nfl-draft-player-profile-florida-wide-receiver/
Walter Football: https://walterfootball.com/scoutingreport2021ktoney.php
Draft Network: https://thedraftnetwork.com/player/kadarius-toney/89PkVgx2EI
Draft Diamonds: https://www.nfldraftdiamonds.com/2020/11/kadarius-toney/
Rankings:
Yahoo Prospect Ranking (33. WR Kadarius Toney): https://sports.yahoo.com/2021-nfl-draft-kadarius-toney-might-be-the-most-electric-weapon-in-this-class-204116562.html
2021 NFL Draft Rankings: WR 1-9 (9. Kadarius Toney, Florida | 5'11/194 (Comp: Curtis Samuel): Unlike Rondale Moore, Toney had several years to develop a more-complete game and just never did. In three seasons at Florida heading into this fall, the most yards from scrimmage Toney had ever posted was 500. As mentioned earlier, Toney, ostensibly further along developmentally than Moore, is also a year-and-a-half older. When you can get Toney the ball in his hands in space, he can do damage. He changes directions as violently as any player in the class, cutting corners at high speeds and remaining in-sprint. He matadors stunned defenders, disappearing out the back door. He stops and starts like a water-bug, sending errant defenders on their way. Toney broke 32 catches on 80 catches the last two seasons, mostly through movement. In 2020, he averaged nearly seven yards after the catch and ranked No. 5 in the country, per PFF, in forced missed tackles. So much of Toney's production was manufactured. He finished with the second-least yards per route run among the top-40 receivers in terms of receiving yardage in the FBS last season. Only 10 of Toney's 120 career catches, 8.3%, were contested. Much of them came within five yards of the line of scrimmage. Though it’s true that Toney needs space to corral the ball, he at least doesn't drop the ball (only three on 123 career catchable balls). Toney began to venture into the intermediate sector more last year, and I can report he showed the consistent ability to separate, but at this time he's mostly getting by on an athleticism advantage. I wonder if he'll ever acquire a feel for the wide receiver position that Paris Campbell and Curtis Samuel have searched the globe for (Samuel finally started to show flashes last season). Toney will be a slot in the NFL (where he lined up 83% of the time last season). We know he’ll be great fun on gadget plays, be an awesome returner, and provide an offense value on schemed touches. But for Kadarius Toney to be worth a top-40 pick, he needs to become a legitimate route-runner in order to receive the ball at all levels of the field. The more the ball is in his hands, the better. I just wonder if he can get there. Toney had four years in college, and he comes with an injury wrap sheet. Injuries limited him to 239 snaps in the 2017 and 2019 seasons combined. His one awesome season came playing next to Kyle Pitts and Trevon Grimes in Dan Mullen system quarterbacked by Kyle Trask. He’s a great athlete, possessing all-world movement and burst if not world-class speed, and an interesting prospect, but we’ve been burned by space prospects too often in the past, and Toney is a particularly risky one -- I’d let someone else take the gamble.) (3-10-21): https://www.nbcsports.com/edge/article/rankings/2021-nfl-draft-rankings-wr-1-9
Articles:
2021 NFL Draft: Draft stock risers and fallers (Rising - WR KADARIUS TONEY, FLORIDA: Kadarius Toney is the most dynamic athlete in this draft class with the football in his hands. He forced 20 missed tackles last season (fifth-most) on 70 catches — he's a human joystick in the open field. The 6-foot and 193-pound electric playmaker possesses elite acceleration with the flexibility to quickly sink and out of cuts. He ran a 4.41-second 40-yard dash, and his speed looks significantly quicker on tape. Check out this play where Toney blew past the entire South Carolina defense. Toney possesses sure hands, dropping only three of 123 career catchable targets. He hauled in 83% of his targets last season, fifth-most in the nation and trailing only Jaylen Waddle and Elijah Moore among draft prospects. Percy Harvin was a 5-foot-11 and 200-pound lightning rocket out of the University of Florida back in 2009. He posted his best season in 2012 (90.2 PFF grade, third among all wide receivers) and led the league with 22 forced missed tackles (five more than anyone else). There is a lot of Percy Harvin in Kadarius Toney.) (4-27-21): https://www.pff.com/news/fantasy-football-2021-nfl-draft-draft-stock-risers-and-fallers
Treash: 10 undervalued 2021 NFL Draft prospects (WR KADARIUS TONEY, FLORIDA - PFF Big Board Rank: 39. The consensus on Toney as a prospect is about as split as one can be. NFL Network's Peter Schrager joined PFF’s 2 for 1 Drafts Podcast and said we might see Toney go inside the top 15, even ahead of Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith, while some big boards don’t even have him as a first-round product. I don’t see him as a better prospect than Ja’Marr Chase, DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle, the three blue-chip wide receiver prospects in the draft class, nor do I see him leapfrogging Minnesota's Rashod Bateman as WR4. But I do think there’s a reasonable case to be made that he is the WR5 and a top-20 pick. It’s no secret that Toney is extremely raw from a route-running perspective. He showed improvement as a route-runner throughout the 2020 season and at the Senior Bowl, but those glimmers are all we can go off at this point. That’s where the opinions on Toney's draft stock start to diverge. However, I'd be happy to draft Toney early and wait for him to develop as a route-runner because of the trump card he'll bring to the table from Day 1: his after-the-catch ability. Toney's explosiveness, balance and flexibility will make him an almost immediate problem for NFL defenses — it’s almost hard to believe the way he can move and make guys miss with the ball in his hands. The Florida wide receiver touched the ball 187 times over his college career, breaking a grand total of 66 tackles and averaging 8.5 yards after the catch per reception. I'm willing to bet that he develops into the route-runner he needs to be in the NFL, giving him the potential to develop into an elite all-around threat in just a few short years.) (4-26-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-10-undervalued-2021-nfl-draft-prospects
10 potential 2nd round picks for the Lions (Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida: Toney was a playmaker extraordinaire for the high-octane Gators offense in 2020. His ability to create from the slot and make magic happen with the ball in his hands is incredibly appealing. Toney also has experience operating out of the backfield and can be especially dangerous on things like jet sweeps and tunnel screens. Sounds awesome, right? So why is a dynamic dude like Toney possibly available in the second round? Foremost is his lack of attention to detail. His routes are often freelanced or very basic. Toney will put the ball on the ground more than other receivers in this class, often trying to run before he catches it. He’s also had issues with a shoulder injury that forced him to miss significant time in two separate seasons. There’s a lot of risk with Toney but the reward could be a fantastic skill player who energizes the offense no matter who is at QB.) (4-22-21): https://lionswire.usatoday.com/lists/lions-draft-second-round-pick-prospects-2021-nfl-draft/
Next Gen Stats: Seven can't-miss prospects in 2021 draft (7. Kadarius Toney (Production Score: 81. Athleticism Score: 99. OVERALL DRAFT SCORE: 92. PRO BOWL PROBABILITY: 13%): The final name on this list of 2021 can't-miss prospects is actually more of a borderline first-rounder than the rest. While Jeremiah had Toney making the cut in his first two mock drafts, the Florida playmaker isn't among the top 32 selections in Version 3.0. Still, I wanted to bend the rules set out in the introduction of this file a bit because the numbers suggest Toney could be a good one. So, let's call this the wild card of the list. Toney was limited to only one full season as a starter at Florida -- as a senior in 2020 -- in part due to injuries and a loaded depth chart. When Toney was given a bigger role in the offense last season, the Alabama native made the most of the opportunity. The dynamic all-purpose contributor made plays as a receiver, in the running game and as a return specialist, showing off elite run-after-catch ability whenever he touched the football. The uber-athlete is one of only two receivers in this year's class (alongside Ja'Marr Chase) to earn a max 99 athleticism score, driven by elite numbers posted in the 40-yard dash (4.37), broad jump (11 feet, 4 inches) and vertical leap (39.5 inches) at Florida's pro day on March 31st. The last Gators wide receiver to enter the draft with an athleticism score over 82? Percy Harvin in 2009 (89 athleticism score).) (4-19-21): https://www.nfl.com/news/2021-nfl-draft-kyle-pitts-ja-marr-chase-headline-next-gen-stats-can-t-miss-prosp
2021 Draft: NFL comparisons for top WR prospects (Kadarius Toney, Florida - NFL comparison: Faster Kendall Wright. The third receiver picked in the 2012 draft, Wright was a creative, at-times-explosive slot receiver who loved deploying a variety of jukes to free himself at the line, down the field, or when he had the football in his grasp. That's precisely how Toney operates -- at times to a fault. While Toney can dance too much, he also can pull off highlight-reel YAC plays on somewhat of a regular basis, and he'll need to be in the slot in the NFL. Toney provides more acceleration than Wright, which makes him more of a complete wideout who can be utilized at all levels of the field.) (4-19-21): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-these-prospects-could-be-the-next-tyreek-hill-or-a-j-brown-plus-other-receiver-comparisons/
10 boom-or-bust NFL draft prospects: Big questions on QBs (Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida (Question marks: Route running, contested-catch ability): Left in single coverage last year, Toney proved adept at shaking defenders in coverage and once he had the ball, as few of his peers could match his cutting ability. Yet in the NFL, it's unreasonable to expect the 6-0, 193-pounder to juke all comers in the same fashion he did in college. It's imperative, then, for Toney to develop better pacing and polish in his routes while also establishing himself as a reliable target on contested catches. Still, his penchant for generating big plays after the catch should solidify his place in the first round and earn him plenty of looks early in his career.) (4-17-21): https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2021/04/17/nfl-draft-boom-bust-prospects-trey-lance-zach-wilson/7252182002/
Best pro comparisons for top WR prospects (Kadarius Toney
Florida - Pro comparison: Percy Harvin (eight NFL seasons, 44.1 catches per year, 503.3 receiving yards per year, 2.8 receiving TDs per year). Like Harvin, Toney can line up in multiple spots; consider that 55 of Toney's 70 catches, 784 of his 977 receiving yards and nine of his 10 touchdowns came out of the slot in 2020, per PFF. Also like the former Gator, Toney is a dynamic and dangerous player with the ball in his hands -- except he's a better athlete with more wiggle and superior route-running ability. While they put up similar times in the 40 (4.37 for Toney at Florida's pro day, 4.41 for Harvin), Toney was a tad better in the vertical jump (39 1/2 inches to 37 1/2) and broad jump (10-4 to 10-1). Harvin was more of a straight-ahead guy, which is perhaps why injuries ultimately derailed his NFL career. Toney tied for fourth in the NCAA in explosive plays (27) and ranked sixth in missed forced tackles (20), per PFF. Harvin was never able to make good on his potential, failing to break 1,000 yards in any season, but I think Toney's got the ability to be a productive pro.) (4-15-21): https://www.nfl.com/news/2021-nfl-draft-prospect-pro-comparisons-for-top-receivers
NFL Draft: Ranking the Top 10 wide receivers, starting with DeVonta Smith (Kadarius Toney, Florida (5-11, 190, 22) - How does he play? Toney is a twitchy athlete with good agility, which makes him an ideal target for schemed-up throws looking to produce a lot of yards after the catch. He’s fast and can accelerate past slot corners but I don’t think he has freaky/game-breaking type speed. As for the work he does before getting the ball in his hands, Toney runs exaggerated routes with dramatic head fakes, unnecessary skips and flailing arms that could be tightened up. He chops his feet and tries to cross over defenders at the top of routes instead of taking a more economical approach. He did have some trouble separating vs. more patient corners who didn’t fall for the crossover-type moves. But I do have hope he can cut all of that out because there are times when he runs more efficient routes and easily creates separation. We’d need to see more of that if he’s going to develop into more than a role player. Toney does have strong hands and rarely dropped passes, catching 93% of the accurate passes thrown his way, which tied for 7th in the class, per Sports Info Solutions. He’s smaller but can get up and catch passes outside his frame. What’s his NFL role? Toney mostly played in the slot for Florida and based on his size, that’s where he’ll have to play in the NFL. Florida moves him around before the snap in order to keep pressing defenders off him, and that might be a tactic he requires at the next level. He was very effective on option routes when he has a two-way go in the middle of the field, though he didn’t always make the right choice based on the leverage of the defender. Where should he be drafted? Toney is getting some first-round buzz, but I don’t see that type of player here. The Gators had to go to extra lengths in order to get the ball in Toney’s hands — he finished with a negative Targets Above Expectation number in 2020 — and he had only one year of good production. There’s a good football player in there, so a second-round grade feels right. Best fit? Toney needs to find himself on a team that will major in spread sets and be willing to put him in motion before the snap. If he can land in the Andy Reid coaching tree, that would be for the best.) (4-14-21): https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/nfl-draft-wide-receiver-prospects-ranking
Ranking the best YAC receivers in the 2021 NFL Draft (2. KADARIUS TONEY, FLORIDA: Get the ball in Kadarius Toney’s hands, and good things happen. The 6-foot, 193-pound Florida product is one of two receivers in this class that ranked inside the 90th percentile for both yards after the catch per reception (8.77) and forced missed tackles per reception (0.358). In fact, no Power 5 wideout with 100-plus receptions over the past seven collegiate seasons (2014-20) has forced more missed tackles per reception than Toney. Though Toney didn’t clear the 65th percentile for the short shuttle (4.25 seconds) or three cone (6.88), he dropped jaws in the explosive testing. His 40 inch vertical and 11-foot-4 broad jumps ranked in the 90th and 99th percentile, respectively, among wideouts with pro day or combine testing since 1999. He also adds an extra layer to his raw athletic ability with creative footwork before and after the catch.) (4-12-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-ranking-the-best-yac-receivers-in-the-2021-nfl-draft
O'HARA'S DRAFT PREVIEW: 5 wide receivers that could interest Lions (4. Kadarius Toney, Florida - Stats line: Three-year player, 30 games, 105 career catches with a breakout 2020 season: 70 catches, 984 yards, 10 TDs. Also had 52 career carries, 460 yards and one TD. How he could fit the Lions: Toughness, with ability to make tacklers miss.) (4-11-21): https://www.detroitlions.com/news/draft-preview-5-wide-receivers-that-could-interest-lions-chase-waddle-smith
Could Kadarius Toney Be Next Lions Big-Play Wide Receiver? (4-10-21): https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-kadarius-toney-big-play-receiver
2021 NFL Draft WR Superlatives: Best route-runner, freakiest athlete, safest hands and more (BEST AFTER THE CATCH: KADARIUS TONEY, FLORIDA - Rondale Moore, Tutu Atwell, Jaylen Waddle, Ja’Marr Chase and Jaelon Darden all have a case here, but none of them quite move the way Toney does. He broke 43 tackles on 120 career catches and added 23 more on 67 career rushes. Those are the kind of numbers you’d put up in NCAA Football with the difficulty on Freshman, not real life.) (4-7-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-wr-superlatives-best-route-runner-freakiest-athlete-safest-hands
Monson: The biggest X-factors in the 2021 NFL Draft (WR KADARIUS TONEY, FLORIDA: You just don’t see many players who move like Kadarius Toney. When I first watched his tape, I kept thinking, “What if Dante Hall — ‘The Human Joystick' — had been 6-foot tall?” The former Chiefs superstar return man was never able to make quite the same impact as a receiver in that offense, but the league is better clued in with how to use players like that now, and Toney’s extra size gives him the potential to be so much more than just a gimmick slot weapon. His unique movement gives him a Stevie Johnson-like potential to cause even elite No. 1 cornerbacks issues off the line. Toney barely lined up out wide in his college career (110 total snaps), and was less effective when he did, but he was such a new player to playing receiver at all that his 2020 tape shows a really impressive growth curve if you follow it chronologically. Toney is already one of the most unique athletes in the draft, but I like him to quietly become a much better NFL player than he ever was in college.) (4-6-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-biggest-x-factors-2021-nfl-draft
Monson: Why NFL teams should think twice about drafting slot receivers in Round 1 of the 2021 NFL Draft (Florida’s Kadarius Toney is another player who has been part gimmick and part slot receiver during his college career. But unlike the Moores, I think we have reason to be confident in his ability to project outside in a similar way to Jefferson a year ago. The first reason is size. Toney is 6-foot and 193 pounds, a significant size difference compared to the other slot receivers mentioned. And while his alignment was similar in college (82.3% from the slot last year), he showed development in his route running and an understanding of defender-leverage that might allow him to transition to that outside alignment well at the next level. He has a wiggle to his movement that reminds me a lot of former Bills receiver Stevie Johnson, who was a little taller and heavier but would cause defenders endless trouble at the line with his crossover releases. Toney may be as limited as any of the slot receivers in terms of college experience, but he is also the one I am most confident in when it comes to projecting his ability at the next level.) (4-5-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-slot-wide-receivers-elijah-moore-rondale-moore-kadarius-toney
Lions have pre-draft meeting with Florida WR Kadarius Toney (4-8-21): https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2021/04/08/lions-draft-meeting-florida-kadarius-toney/
Florida, Kentucky, LSU, Notre Dame, Wake Forest pro days: Kyle Pitts, Ja'Marr Chase post eye-popping 40s (Florida - Kadarius Toney: (Ranking in Daniel Jeremiah's top 50: No. 23): Toney posted an unofficial 40 time of 4.44, according to NFL Network's Kimberly Jones. This led Jeremiah -- who loves Toney's playmaking ability and "dynamic" route-running skills, but initially wasn't sure about his straight-line speed -- to make a simple pronouncement on NFL Network's Path to the Draft Pro Day Special: "He's a first-round wide receiver. Absolutely." Toney also soared 11 feet, 4 inches on his broad jump, per Reese's Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy. That's serious explosiveness for an exciting slot receiver prospect who offers NFL clubs the ability to get open quickly on short routes and make big plays after the catch. Checking in at 5-11 5/8 and 193 pounds, Toney also brings a high level of toughness in fighting for extra yardage and rarely running out of bounds.) (3-31-21): https://www.nfl.com/news/florida-kentucky-lsu-notre-dame-pro-days-elite-pass-catchers-kyle-pitts-and-ja-m
2021 NFL Draft: Biggest pro and con for each of PFF’s top WR prospects (8. KADARIUS TONEY, FLORIDA - Biggest pro: After-the-catch ability. It’s hard to fathom how a human body can move the way Toney’s does. His combination of balance, agility and explosiveness makes him near impossible to tackle. The Florida wideout has touched the ball 187 times in his college career and has broken a whopping 66 tackles while averaging 8.5 yards after the catch. He’s going to be one of the most difficult players to tackle in the NFL from Day 1. Biggest con: Polish. We seldom saw Toney win with his route-running before the 2020 season. He was purely a gadget player, with over half of his 66 targets from 2017 to 2019 coming via a sweep or screen, and he saw just eight total targets against single coverage. That changed to a certain extent in 2020. His route tree still wasn’t anything diverse, but he did notch 33 targets against single coverage and flashed improvements with his routes. Toney generated separation on 25 of those for a separation rate that placed him at the 80th percentile in the FBS on such plays. He still has a long way to go before he’s the polished route-runner he needs to be at the next level, but Toney has at least shown signs of progress.) (3-31-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-pro-and-con-top-wr-prospects
NFL Draft: Toney headlines buyer-beware prospects (Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida - Why: Route-running inefficiencies; dances too much after the catch. Toney is a blast to watch -- he's elastic with the football in his hands and when he pieces everything together, he's a highlight generator. And for as much as the NFL has become a "space" league on offense, Toney doesn't provide first-round caliber refinement as a receiver right now. At Florida, he was utilized almost strictly in a gadget role, and he's much quicker than he is fast, which limits his big-play potential as a pro. Also, his creativity as a runner is a blessing and a curse. For every juke and spin through a tackle, Toney will simply try to do too much instead of making one cut and maximizing the yardage in front of him. That dancing mentality creates negative plays that had no business of being negative plays. If a team picks him in Round 1, it'll likely be doing so largely because of the insane, bouncy YAC displays he showcased at Florida, especially in 2020. But for as good as he seems to be on the surface with the ball in his hands, Toney's not nearly as efficient as he should/could be in that department. And I don't know if that can ever be fully coached out of him.) (3-25-21): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-buyer-beware-on-kadarius-toney-gregory-rousseau-and-these-other-top-prospects/
2021 NFL draft: Brian Baldinger has strong opinions on this year's prospects (Florida WR Kadarius Toney: “There’s this kid out of Florida — and they’ve got a lot of them — but this Kadarius Toney, like, I don’t know what position he is exactly. But he’s just this playmaker. “You have to figure out his role. OK, he’s going to run fly sweeps. He’s going to run hitch screens. Maybe some ‘go’ rounds. Like, I don’t know what all he is. But I do know that when the ball is in his hands, he’s about as elusive as anybody in this whole draft.”) (3-22-21): https://sports.yahoo.com/2021-nfl-draft-brian-baldinger-breaks-down-prospects-who-have-caught-his-eye-130949084.html
2021 NFL Draft All-Upside Team: Trey Lance starts at QB, Levi Onwuzurike and Joseph Ossai star on defense (SLOT WR KADARIUS TONEY, FLORIDA: Toney came to Florida as a high-school quarterback before converting to receiver, and he was a pure gadget player in the offense for much of his career. He broke out to a degree in 2020 with 70 catches for 977 yards, but he is still far from a polished route-runner. The 6-foot receiver has also been utilized almost exclusively in the slot, where he took 86.4% of his snaps this past season. Can he make the transition from a gadget role to a complete No. 1 option? Time will tell.) (3-17-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-pffs-all-upside-team
2021 NFL Draft Stock - Post-Senior Bowl V (Down - Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida: Toney has been on the bubble between the first and second rounds of the 2021 NFL Draft, but sources at multiple teams lately have him firmly in Round 2. While Toney is an exciting playmaker, teams have concerns about his size and his injury history. The durability issue could easily cause him to slide to the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft.) (3-9-21): https://walterfootball.com/draft2021stock_27.php
Scouting Lenz: Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida (2-24-21): https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft/scouting-lenz-kadarius-toney-wr-florida
2021 NFL Draft wide receiver rankings (7. KADARIUS TONEY, FLORIDA: In our seven years of grading college here at PFF, we have yet to see any other receiver move the way Toney does. If you are drafting him early on, it’s because of that. Can you mold that into a complete receiver? That’s the million-dollar question. With someone like Percy Harvin, who had similarly rare movement skills, that answer was no. With Toney, though, we’ve already seen some high-level creative route-running on tape. …before you say anything about the drop, he had only three drops on 123 catchable in his Florida career. We just haven’t seen him run routes from the outside, nor have we seen him play through contact. He saw only 10 contested-catch opportunities his entire college career. Those make him a difficult eval to pin down.) (2-17-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-rankings
NFL draft: Top 5 prospects at each offensive position (Kadarius Toney was impressive this year. He is the queen on the chessboard in the sense that he can do it all. The Alabama native can challenge vertically or can be used on extended handoffs, jet sweeps, etc. Toney has improved as a route runner and is no longer the speed novelty.) (2-16-21): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-breaking-down-the-top-five-prospects-at-each-offensive-position/
2021 NFL Draft: Tiering the loaded WR class that might surpass 2020's rookies (TIER 2 - KADARIUS TONEY, FLORIDA: Toney’s 2020 season launched his draft status #tothemoon after being a centerpiece in the dynamic Florida Gators offense. The senior notched career-highs in practically every receiving category while finally getting a full season to show the college football world his elite ball skills. Toney forced 20 missed tackles on his receptions this season (second in the Power Five) and led the country in 15-plus-yard gains on passes thrown fewer than 10 yards downfield (11).) (2-9-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-college-football-tiering-wr-class-2020-rookies
These five teams are the best NFL fits for former Gator Kadarius Toney (2-4-21): https://gatorswire.usatoday.com/lists/nfl-teams-fits-for-kadarius-toney/
2021 NFL Draft Stock - Senior Bowl (Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida: Toney, a Mobile-area native, really helped himself at the Senior Bowl by showing off his explosive speed. Defensive backs really struggled to run with Toney and keep him from getting open. Toney's separation skills and big-play ability impressed team sources throughout the 2020 season. The knocks on Toney are durability, due to the injury issues he had during his first three seasons, and his smaller stature. However, Toney is a similar player to Deebo Samuel and Curtis Samuel, so Toney should fall no lower than early in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft.) (2-2-21): https://walterfootball.com/draft2021stock_22.php
2021 Senior Bowl Risers - (Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney helped himself by showing off his explosive speed, as defensive backs really struggled to run with him and keep him from getting open. Toney's separation skills and big-play ability impressed team sources throughout the 2020 season.) (1-31-21): https://walterfootball.com/seniorbowl2021risers.php
6 Players Lions Should Watch in 2021 Senior Bowl (5. Wide receiver Kadarius Toney, Florida: With the top three Lions’ wideouts all being pending free agents, they have some real homework to do on this receiver class. Fortunately, like seemingly every draft class nowadays, the receivers are a strong group. Toney is small-statured, but explosive and can easily create separation -- something the Lions currently sorely lacking. As more of a slot option, it may limit how high Toney gets drafted. No matter the case, he has the looks of a true playmaker the Lions could definitely benefit from. Detroit could target this position in the second round this year.) (1-29-21): https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/nfl/lions/news/six-prospects-lions-should-watch-senior-bowl
PFF 2021 NFL Draft Guide: PFF's top WR prospect, plus a wild-card WR to watch (WILD CARD: KADARIUS TONEY, FLORIDA: Coming out of Alabama’s Blount High School, Kadarius Toney was tagged as just a three-star recruit by 247Sports but still received offers from Florida, Alabama, Georgia Tech, South Alabama and South Carolina, among others. He was a dual-threat quarterback who passed for 2,894 yards and 32 touchdowns and ran for 894 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior at Blount. He also passed for 3,604 yards and 37 touchdowns and rushed for 896 yards and 16 touchdowns in the year prior (2015). It's players like Toney who make football the greatest game in the world. The way he stops and starts in the blink of an eye is truly amazing to watch. He has the kind of flexibility and explosiveness in his lower half that allows him to break tackles in ways I've truly never seen before; it's why he broke 32 tackles on only 80 catches the past two seasons. More of a gadget player early in his career, Toney finally looked like a true receiver in 2020. He's not a polished route-runner by any means, but he showed all the ability needed to separate consistently in the NFL. NFL player comparison: A bigger Dante Hall. Biggest strength: After-the-catch ability. Biggest weakness: Lack of polish. Projection: First-round pick. Bottom line: You can't teach what Toney has. While he's raw as a route-runner, his physical tools say you can fix that.) (1-29-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-pff-top-wide-receivers
TWENTYMAN: 10 players who impressed at Senior Bowl practices (8. Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida: Toney may have crept his way into the first round of the draft with his performance this week. He's a slippery slot receiver who showed speed and elusiveness. He's another guy expected to run in the 4.3-range. Like Eskridge, that speed transferred to the field this week.) (1-29-21): https://www.detroitlions.com/news/10-players-who-impressed-at-senior-bowl-practices-jones-basham-meinerz
TWENTYMAN: Senior Bowl Day 3 observations (Receivers to keep an eye on: Florida's Kadarius Toney had a nice week down here. He's quick with terrific speed.) (1-28-21): https://www.detroitlions.com/news/twentyman-senior-bowl-day-3-observations-meinerz-book-basham
Senior Bowl Practice Review: Day 2 American WRs, TEs, DBs (Kadarius Toney | Florida | WR | 5111 | 189 | 7448 | 3048 | 948 - Toney will not have any problems separating at the next level. He has not only shown that at the Senior Bowl but also on film. He really impressed with his physicality in the wide receiver blocking drills. He was able to overpower bigger defensive backs easily. What is also known from Toney is, he brings electricity when the ball is in his hand. The question that has to be asked is, how good are his hands? He dropped a bunch of balls on Wednesday. His production in the league could be out of this world if he can be a consistent catcher. Toney’s catch problems seem to be more concentration based, which will hopefully get better in the league. Either way, Toney will be selected very high in the NFL Draft.) (1-27-21): https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/news/senior-bowl-practice-review-day-2-american-wrs-tes-dbs
2021 Senior Bowl Recap: Day 2 (PLAY OF THE DAY: WR KADARIUS TONEY, FLORIDA: Before you say it, I know … he dropped it. But in his entire college career, Toney dropped only three of his 123 catchable targets. I’ll trust that larger sample size. However, what I can deduce from a one-play sample size is Toney’s freakish athleticism and movement skills. The sudden cut to set the defender up and then the head fake to send up him reeling is pure magic.) (1-27-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-senior-bowl-recaps-analysis-takeaways
Senior Bowl Practice Review: Day 2 American WRs, TEs, DBs (Kadarius Toney | Florida | WR | 5111 | 189 | 7448 | 3048 | 948 - Toney will not have any problems separating at the next level. He has not only shown that at the Senior Bowl but also on film. He really impressed with his physicality in the wide receiver blocking drills. He was able to overpower bigger defensive backs easily. What is also known from Toney is, he brings electricity when the ball is in his hand. The question that has to be asked is, how good are his hands? He dropped a bunch of balls on Wednesday. His production in the league could be out of this world if he can be a consistent catcher. Toney’s catch problems seem to be more concentration based, which will hopefully get better in the league. Either way, Toney will be selected very high in the NFL Draft.) (1-27-21): https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/news/senior-bowl-practice-review-day-2-american-wrs-tes-dbs
Senior Bowl Practice Review: Day 1 Wide Receivers Tight Ends and Defensive Backs (3. Kadarius Toney | Florida | WR | 5111 | 189 | 7448 | 3048 | 948 - No surprise here, Toney looks outstanding in his first day at the Senior Bowl. We know Toney is an electric route runner who creates huge plays with his effortless change of direction. Toney showed even more traits on day one of the Senior Bowl. He demonstrated an excellent ability to trackballs in the air. He also showed some physicality, which should really boost his stock. Some have Toney going in the first round and it shouldn’t shock anyone if and when he does. The Senior Bowl will only help to solidify that.) (1-26-21): https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/news/senior-bowl-practice-review-day-1-wide-receivers-tight-ends-and-defensive-backs
Best NFL Draft prospects at the Reese's Senior Bowl (WR Kadarius Toney, Florida: When reviewing scouting reports, the breakdown does not always match the grade. In the case of Toney, the grade may not be high enough. He is fast, agile and elusive. NFL teams can use him on jet sweeps, wide receiver screens and in a variety of other ways, similar to Tyreek Hill in Kansas City. The Mobile native has an athletic build that enables him to fight through contact. His quickness in and out of breaks is an example of how far his route-running came this year. The most important trait when evaluating players to me is natural movement skills. Some players are simply more comfortable in their own skin and it is evident when every part of their body moves in unison. Toney checks the box. It is becoming increasingly likely that the Gator is taken in the first round. ) (1-27-21): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/top-2021-nfl-draft-prospects-in-the-reeses-senior-bowl-najee-harris-kadarius-toney-highlight-the-list/
2021 Senior Bowl Practice Report: American Team (Tuesday - Absolutely electric. Very good upon his release and can gain separation at the line of scrimmage, all while having the ability to make contested catches. He showed all of that off in one play during one-on-ones where he ran a simple “9 route” and made a catch in the back of the end zone. Wednesday - Not the best day for Toney. I counted three drops overall, and he just looked flat. That’s not to say this will kill his stock because it won’t, just an off day. Thursday - Toney’s route running is arguably the best in Mobile. He constantly left guys in the dust in one-on-ones with crisp breaks and great hip movement. The one thing that nagged him, though, was constant bad drops. That is not a stigma he wants to carry with him into the Draft. Analysis - Exquisite route running and separation. He had a drop problem throughout the week, though. He will more than likely go at the end of the first round, but he needs to work on making those easy catches.) (1-26-21): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2021-senior-bowl-practice-report-american-team/
Complete guide to the 2021 Senior Bowl (Stud: Kadarius Toney | Florida — Toney was an instrumental part of the highly-productive Gators offense, accounting for 70 receptions for 984 yards and 10 touchdowns on the season. A route technician, Toney is a player who can affect the game every time the ball is in his hands, whether it’s sweeps, reverses, screens or wide open in the any part of the field. With a strong week, Toney could end up being selected in the first-round.) (1-26-21): https://draftwire.usatoday.com/lists/senior-bowl-2021-preview-top-prospects-positions-rosters/
5 players with the most to lose at 2021 Senior Bowl (Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida: Much like his quarterback, Kadarius Toney has seen his stock rise over the past season. He is beginning to be a staple in the first round of recent mock drafts. However, with just one season as a true weapon in college, his stock sits on a delicate balance. Can he take his impressive performances and continue to demonstrate his skills at the Senior Bowl? If he regresses to the inconsistency we saw between 2017 and 2019, he could find himself falling down a loaded wide receiver class in the 2021 NFL Draft. Another wide receiver who could be considered to have the most to lose at the Senior Bowl is Tylan Wallace. The receiver out of Oklahoma State has question marks around his ability to separate. Additionally, there are concerns regarding his injury history. If either of those issues come to the forefront in Senior Bowl week, he could drop out of the sweepstakes as a second-round selection.) (1-26-21): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/5-players-most-to-lose-2021-senior-bowl/
TWENTYMAN: 10 players to watch at the Senior Bowl (9. Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida: Toney was one of Trask's favorite targets for the Gators this year, catching 70 passes for 984 yards (14.1 average) with 10 touchdowns. He also rushed 19 times with an 8.5 average per rush and another score. He returned a punt for a touchdown this season and averaged 12.6 yards per punt return. He'll be looking to show off his speed, agility and explosive playmaking ability this week.) (1-26-21): https://www.detroitlions.com/news/twentyman-10-players-to-watch-at-the-senior-bowl-smith-jones-trask
Top wide receivers at the 2021 Reese’s Senior Bowl (Kadarius Toney, Florida: Kadarius Toney broke out onto the scene this year with Dan Mullen at the helm. Toney has the elusiveness in the open field to turn any play into a big threat. He’s what I would call a “springy” athlete. He’s not a true speedster in the sense of a Jaylen Waddle, but he’s a threat to score every time he touches the ball. Toney’s ability to drop, cut, and accelerate produces some jaw-dropping plays in every game. He should be a walking highlight reel on the 1-on-1s in the Senior Bowl practices. As a result, I’d expect Toney to be the second of these Senior Bowl wide receivers to be drafted.) (1-25-21): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/top-wide-receivers-2021-reeses-senior-bowl/
10 players to watch in 2021 Reese’s Senior Bowl (8. Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida: Like former teammate La’Mical Perine a year ago, Toney returns to his hometown for the Senior Bowl following a brilliant senior season in Gainesville. Toney is not overly big (6-0, 193), but is a dependable receiver with game-breaking elusiveness in the open field.) (1-25-21): https://www.al.com/sports/2021/01/10-players-to-watch-in-2021-reeses-senior-bowl.html
Senior Bowl players to watch - Offense (Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida: While DeVonta Smith will not be participating in the practices and the Senior Bowl itself, another SEC receiver who will be has a chance to lock up a first-round pick, and that is Kadarius Toney from Florida. Toney had a breakout season for the Gators in 2020, catching 70 passes for 984 yards and ten touchdowns. He is electric off the line with his releases, and has incredible change-of-direction skills as a route-runner and/or with the football in his hands. Toney is also a local product, having attended Mattie T. Blount High School in Mobile County, Alabama. He’ll also have a familiar face to catch passes from, as Florida quarterback Kyle Trask is one of the passers on the American roster.) (1-25-21): https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/senior-bowl-offense-players-devonta-smith-mac-jones/
Senior Bowl Rosters, Weigh-Ins, and Measurements (Kadarius Toney, Florida: Another receiver who had to wait for his breakout season was Kadarius Toney. His 2020 season was quite impressive, and he is an extremely dynamic player. He is an outstanding player in the open field, but one area coaches will want to test him this week is when it comes to contested catches.) (1-23-21): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2021-senior-bowl-rosters-weigh-ins-measurements/
2021 NFL Draft: PFF's top prospects on the 2021 Senior Bowl roster (2. WR KADARIUS TONEY, FLORIDA (PFF Big Board Rank: 24th): After playing primarily from the slot in Florida’s offense, Toney could make himself some money by getting open on the outside in the one-on-ones, as only 13% of his snaps came from an outside alignment this past season. He can do things physically with the ball in his hands that no one else in the class is capable of, but he is fairly unproven as a route-runner.) (1-21-20): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-best-prospects-on-the-senior-bowl-roster
Pro Football Focus' top five receivers in the 2021 NFL Draft (5. KADARIUS TONEY — FLORIDA: While all the attention went to teammate and tight end Kyle Pitts, Toney was having a strong season himself. He caught 70 passes for 984 yards and 10 touchdowns from quarterback Kyle Trask. This was a rather significant season for Toney, considering Pitts was considered to be the Gators’ best receiver this year. "I would like to thank my family, the Florida Gator coaching staff - both past and present, my teammates, the training and support staff, and all of Gator Nation. I am so thankful to have been a part of the Florida program and will be forever grateful for my time in Gainesville. I cannot imagine another program better in preparing me for the next step in my career. It's always a great day to be a Florida Gator!!!" — Toney on his time at Florida) (1-20-20): https://247sports.com/LongFormArticle/NFL-Draft-2021-top-five-wide-receivers-JaMarr-Chase-Jaylen-Waddle-Devonta-Smith-Rashod-Bateman-Kadarius-Toney-159635828/
101 best players in college football from the 2020 season (44. WR KADARIUS TONEY, FLORIDA: Toney moves in a way that is almost hard to believe. His combination of balance, agility and explosiveness makes him nearly impossible to tackle. The Florida wideout touched the ball 89 times this past season and broke 27 tackles. Of his 70 receptions, Toney racked up at least 10 yards after the catch on 20 of them (fourth-most in the entire FBS).) (1-18-21): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-101-best-players-2020
College Football 2020: PFF's All-SEC Team (First-Team: Kadarius Toney, Florida: There is no one in the country that can make guys miss more in an open field or has better balance than Kadarius Toney. He has broken a total of 27 tackles on his touches this season, more than any Power 5 wide receiver. Toney’s elusiveness and explosiveness has helped him rack up the second-most receptions of 15-plus yards in the Power 5 with 27.) (12-22-20): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-2020-pffs-all-sec-team
NFL draft winners and losers: Where do the Jets go if they miss out on QB Trevor Lawrence? (Florida TE Kyle Pitts and WR Kadarius Toney: Both were special against Alabama. Pitts caught seven passes for 129 yards and a 22-yard TD that at least gave the Gators life late. Toney continued his brilliant season with eight catches for 153 yards and a 51-yard TD, along with two rushes for 15 yards and some impact returns in the kicking game. Nick Saban was asked in his postgame interview on the field by CBS about Trask’s play, and the Alabama coach started out by stating the obvious: “I just think 84 (Pitts) and 1 (Toney), those two guys we couldn’t guard. It (caused) a lot of problems.” NFL people feel the same way. It’s why we placed both of them in Round 1 of our recent mock draft.) (12-21-20): https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-winners-and-losers-where-do-the-jets-go-if-they-miss-out-on-qb-trevor-lawrence-184254289.html
Stock Watch: Fields lone top QB to flop (Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida: Stock Up - Toney showcased his speed, twitch, and vision en route to an eight-catch, 153-yard, one-touchdown effort in the high-scoring SEC title game. He was found down the field twice by Trask and did exquisite yards-after-the-catch work on a few connections at the short-to-intermediate level. Even one of his two touches as a running back was impressive -- Toney cut back and weaved against the grain for a sizable pickup. The senior has rounded out his game very nicely this season. He's not just a gadget player -- Toney can be utilized as a downfield weapon as well.) (12-21-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-stock-watch-alabama-stars-shine-justin-fields-flops-in-conference-title/
Florida WR Kadarius Toney is a missed-tackle machine (12-16-20): https://draftwire.usatoday.com/2020/12/16/nfl-draft-kadarius-toney-florida-gators-college-football-missed-tackles/
2021 Senior Bowl roster reveal: What you need to know (Another receiver scouts are excited about: Florida's Kadarius Toney, for whom the Senior Bowl will be something of a homecoming -- Toney attended Mobile (Ala.) Blount High.) (12-16-20): https://www.nfl.com/news/2021-senior-bowl-roster-reveal-what-you-need-to-know
2021 NFL Draft Stock - Week 15 (Up - Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida: Kyle Pitts was held out against LSU due to injury, but Toney stepped up with a monster game for Florida. He was fabulous, running routes to create separation and showing his tremendous yards-after-the-catch ability. In the second quarter against LSU, Toney showed quickness in and out of breaks and then fantastic balance to regain his feet after stumbling to rip off yards and dart by tacklers. In the fourth quarter, Toney showed his explosion with a 31-yard run on an end around, plus he caught another pass that set up a field goal for Florida. Toney totaled nine receptions for 182 yards and a touchdown, plus took three carries for 56 yards. For the NFL, Toney is a weapon like Curtis Samuel or Deebo Samuel. He is an explosive and shifty receiver who creates separation and is phenomenal in the open field with the ball in his hands. Because of not being that big and having some injuries in his history, Toney will probably be a second-round pick, like those two receivers.) (12-15-20): https://walterfootball.com/draft2021stock_15.php
Top 10 performances from 2021 NFL Draft prospects in Week 15 (3. WR KADARIUS TONEY, FLORIDA: It’s not one move with Toney — rather, it's a way of moving. He can seemingly contort himself into any body position necessary to break out of tackle attempts. He now has 19 broken tackles on 62 catches this season. Without Kyle Pitts in the lineup, Toney became the go-to guy with nine catches for 182 yards as well as three carries for 56 yards. With 100-plus receiving yards in three of his past four outings, Toney is proving to be a more legitimate receiver than the sole gadget player he was most of his career.) (12-15-20): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-college-football-top-10-performances-2021-nfl-draft-prospects-week-15
WR Watch: Toney shows off versatility (Explosive, yards-after-the-catch monsters who have the vision to make plays out of the backfield are becoming more popular in today's spread-out NFL, and Florida's Kadarius Toney has proven to be one of college football's most creative and dangerous offensive players with the football in his hands. The 6-foot, 193-pound senior has every juke move imaginable in his arsenal, and he's dynamic in and out of his breaks. He's caught 62 passes for 831 yards (13.4 yards per) with nine receiving scores along with 17 carries for 146 yards and another touchdown in 10 games for the Gators. After a gigantic performance against LSU on Saturday, he's the rightful headliner in this week's Wide Receiver Stock Watch. And Toney's stock is going up. Kadarius Toney, Florida: Right from the get-go, Toney made an impact against LSU, catching a long ball down the numbers on the first play from scrimmage. His most fun play of the game was a cutback on a handoff early in the second quarter when Toney spun away from an oncoming defender, put his hand to the ground to regain balance, broke another tackle then ran for extra yardage. If you wanted one play to encapsulate most of what Toney brings to the field that one had it -- awesome vision, violent cutting skills, and exceptional contact balance. Later in the second he made a nice high-point grab on a short wheel route and held on to the football as he was blasted while landing. Toney wrecked the LSU secondary on option routes in the short-to-intermediate level all night and was a YAC machine. He finished with nine receptions for 182 yards and a touchdown. He also carried the ball three times for 56 yards. He's a big play waiting to happen.) (12-14-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-stock-watch-floridas-kadarius-toney-demonstrates-his-full-scale-versatility/
Week 15 College Football news, schedule, live blog and more (Kyle Pitts, Kyle Trask, and Kadarius Toney are three Florida Gators whose play this season has enhanced their draft stock. Wide receiver Kadarius Toney has developed quickly into one of the league’s most dynamic players. IC) (12-12-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/week-15-college-football-news-schedule-live-blog-and-more/
NFL Draft Stock Week 14: Risers include Ohio State OL Wyatt Davis (Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida: Gators quarterback Kyle Trask could well be on his way to winning the Heisman Trophy, and if he does, Toney will have been a large part of the winning recipe. Toney is in the midst of a career year, and his numbers in 2020 come close to exceeding his combined totals from the prior three seasons — unquestionably, one of the risers from Week 14 who improved his draft stock. Toney is a true vertical threat who is explosive and quick. He runs scissor-sharp routes, which helps him separate from defenders, and he makes all the catches. He came into his senior season with last-round grades, but Toney now grades as an early Day 3 pick and could eventually slide into the top 100 selections.) (12-7-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-draft-stock-week-14-risers-wyatt-davis/
WR Watch: Paying homage to Devonta Smith (Kadarius Toney, Florida: Stock Up - Toney finished with eight catches for 108 yards and a score in Florida's 14-point win over Tennessee, and was a factor from the Gators opening drive when he ran a nasty jerk route from the slot and cruised to a big gain over the middle. After a few chain-moving grabs down the seam, Toney ran that same jerk route on a linebacker later in the first quarter for another first down. Following a few games in which Toney tried to do too much once he caught the football, he turned in a fine possession slot receiver effort against the Volunteers.) (12-7-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-stock-watch-paying-homage-to-alabamas-devonta-smith-as-he-shoots-up-boards/
Week 14 College Football news, schedule, live blog and more (Kadarius Toney reinforcing his profile with strong start (4:45 PM): Positionally, you can make a case that no player has risen farther than Kadarius Toney this season. Toney has not only been a dynamic pass-catcher, but he’s also been near impossible for defenders to tackle, and he has big-play speed and acceleration as well. Already today, he has five catches for 86 yards, and his playmaking ability is again evident as Florida looks to create a buffer on the scoreboard against the Tennessee Volunteers. Toney wasn’t on anyone’s radar heading into the 2020 campaign, but now, he’s practically a near-lock to go within the first two days. Toney is only 6-foot-0 and comes in under 200 pounds, but he’s just so incredibly dynamic, with the explosiveness, agility, and contact balance to be a top-echelon run-after-catch threat at the NFL level. IC) (12-6-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/week-14-college-football-news-schedule-live-blog-and-more/
2021 NFL Draft: Midseason wide receiver rankings (7. KADARIUS TONEY, FLORIDA (SENIOR): There’s no bigger wild card in the draft class. I don’t know if he’s a receiver, a running back, a return man or a gadget player, but I’d like the chance to figure that out. Toney is the closest thing the NFL has seen to Dante Hall since the former Chiefs and Rams return man retired in 2008. That’s the type of talent we are dealing with here. Even though he’s put up middling numbers in Florida’s offense this season, with only 45 catches for 534 yards through eight games, Toney has the potential to produce far more in the NFL than he ever did in college. While not a complete route-runner yet, Toney still flashes high-level route-running ability. Some of the separation he creates on underneath routes is incredible. While not as fast, Toney may be even more elusive than Rondale Moore — and that’s saying something. He has broken 17 tackles on 45 catches so far this season. He may legitimately be the most difficult man in college football to tackle. An NFL team has to understand what they're getting, but he can be a game-changer in the right role.) (12-2-20): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-midseason-wide-receiver-rankings
NFL draft matchups: There's a surprisingly good QB battle in the SEC this week (Florida offensive standouts vs. Arkansas defense
Sure, this might be the Feleipe Franks revenge game, and don’t laugh — some NFL team will want to bring him in and see if it can rework some of his mechanical issues. (On top of that, he’s been pretty darned solid this season for the Razorbacks.) But we’re quietly excited to watch the Gators’ offensive trio — QB Kyle Trask, TE Kyle Pitts and WR Kadarius Toney — against an Arkansas defense that has been reborn under new coordinator Barry Odom. The Hogs give up a fair number of yards (401.5 per game) but thrive on creating turnovers. They have 15 takeaways on the season (three fumbles, 12 interceptions) and have held some respectable SEC offenses in check this season. Trask, Franks’ backup (and friend) with the Gators last season, has thrived this season and could end up being a top-50 overall selection in 2021. But he also has thrown pick-sixes in back-to-back weeks, so we’ll be watching to see how careful Trask is with the ball in this game. Both Trask and Franks can be careless with the ball at times. Arkansas has held some good receiving weapons (George Pickens, Osirus Mitchell, Seth Williams, Josh Palmer) below their season averages and held talented Ole Miss TE Kenny Yeboah to one target and zero grabs in his 91 snaps against them. But Ole Miss WR Elijah Moore and Texas A&M TE Jalen Wydermyer gave them some trouble. Moore is a quick receiver with some crossover traits to the Gators’ Toney, and Wydermyer will be the closest thing to a game-changing tight end the Razorbacks will have seen this season before they face Pitts. Pitts is gunning for the top 10. Trask is trying to crack the first round. Toney has work to do but should be on the top-50 radar, even in a really deep and talented receiving group. All three are facing Arkansas for the first time. This matchup can help those three get closer to that goal.) (11-13-20): https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-draft-matchups-theres-a-surprisingly-good-qb-battle-in-the-sec-this-week-160734101.html
WR Watch: Bateman has big afternoon (Kadarius Toney, Florida: Stock Down - For as twitchy and creative as Toney is as a route runner and with the fooball in his hands, he can overdo it at times, making multiple cuts when they're not really needed. That was the case against Georgia, and he dropped a pass from Kyle Trask. He finished the game with seven catches for just 42 yards. Now, the rain made for a slippery surface in Jacksonville, but Toney has to rein in his juking at times, especially during a game with those weather conditions.) (11-9-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-stock-watch-big-day-for-rashod-bateman-mac-receivers-shine/
College Football: Ranking the top 25 wide receivers ahead of Week 10 (7. KADARIUS TONEY, FLORIDA: Toney is as filthy as they come after the catch. Over the past two years, he has hauled in 32 catches and broken 24 tackles. That broken tackle rate is over 25 percentage points higher than any other FBS wide receiver in that span. On top of that, he has averaged nearly 12 yards after the catch on those catches. This year, we wanted to see Toney improve as a route-runner and show that he is more than a gadget player. So far, he has done that. He trails only Smith and Moore for the best PFF grade in the SEC and could possibly creep up higher on this list if he continues to show signs of development.) (11-4-20): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-ranking-top-25-wide-receivers-week-10-2020
NFL draft winners and losers: Zach Wilson, Trey Lance swapping spots in QB pecking order? (Florida WR Kadarius Toney: Toney had seven touches against Missouri. Three ended up in the end zone. All three were shockingly good plays, too. Just watch. Here’s the first TD — count the missed tackles. On No. 2, Toney burned a Mizzou DB in zone coverage. It was nice. Let’s fast forward to touchdown No. 3. Last year, Toney’s diet was far more streamlined — mostly screens, end arounds and such. The athleticism on those plays was obvious; after all, Miami safety Hamsah Nasirildeen suffered a torn ACL trying to tackle him last season. Toney’s work last year, when he was held back considerably by a shoulder injury, earned him mostly Day 3 grades in NFL scouting departments. He looks like a different level of beast this year. If you’re sorting through the shifty, quick receivers in the 2021 class, you’re going to want to add Toney’s list to the name. His physique looks more defined, and he can handle the Percy Harvin-type role better as a hybrid runner-receiver-returner. Toney has the short-area burst, body control and change-of-direction skill that any NFL team should love to have in the Day 2 range.) (11-2-20): https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-draft-winners-and-losers-zach-wilson-trey-lance-swapping-spots-in-qb-pecking-order-191522524.html
Week 9 College Football news, schedule, live blog and more (Kadarius Toney- another receiver lost in the shuffle (9:20 PM): Florida Gator senior Kadarius Toney is another receiver who gets lost in the shuffle, though to a much lesser extent than Chris Olave. Toney takes a back seat to star tight end Kyle Pitts but he’s a big-play wideout with a nose for the end zone. Coming into this evening’s game against Missouri, Toney had four touchdowns in three games and was averaging 13.2 yards on 18 catches. Thus far tonight he’s caught four passes for 60 yards and two touchdowns as the first half closes out. Toney is like Olave of Ohio State in that he’s a slightly built receiver with big-time speed and terrific pass-catching skills. I presently grade him as a fifth-round prospect.) (10-31-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/week-9-college-football-news-schedule-live-blog-pauline/
College Football Recap, Week 6: The top storylines from the weekend (Kadarius Toney having a game (3:25 PM): If it’s not Kyle Pitts, it’s someone else on the Gator offense taking it to opponents. That someone else is Kadarius Toney today, the smallish receiver that’s also a vertical threat who has caught seven passes for 92 yards and two TD’s today. I gave Toney a seventh-round grade entering the season, which is in line with the grade scouts handed him. He offers potential as a slot receiver/return specialist for the next level. TP) (10-11-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/college-football-scores-schedule-live-blog-week-6-2020/
Top 10 performances from 2021 NFL Draft prospects in Week 5 (3. WR KADARIUS TONEY, FLORIDA: Honestly, I don’t even care about the rest of the game. Toney would make this list on the back of this absurd catch and run alone. The route, the burst, the balance — it’s slot receiver perfection. All Toney really needed to prove this year was that he could stay healthy — we already knew he was one of the most dynamic weapons in college football with the ball in his hands. He broke more tackles last season (12) than he had receptions (10). Now, he’s broken seven tackles on 11 catches so far this season and has averaged 10.7 yards after the catch for his career.) (10-7-20): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-college-football-top-10-performances-2021-nfl-draft-prospects-week-5
WATCH: Florida WR Kadarius Toney makes South Carolina defense look silly (10-3-20): https://draftwire.usatoday.com/2020/10/03/kadarius-toney-touchdown-florida-south-carolina-video/
2021 NFL Draft Stock - Week 4 (Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida: Like Kyle Pitts, Toney dominated the Ole Miss defense and had a breakout performance to open up his senior year. At the end of the first quarter Toney showed his big-play ability, breaking a tackle near the line of scrimmage and then exploding down the field for a 50-yard run that set up a touchdown. Shortly later, he caught a short cross and shook a tackler off his back to dart downfield for more yards. Late in the second quarter, Toney ran great reverse whip route for a gain of about 20 yards. Toney finished the drive by running another great route to get open while slashing across the end zone, notching a 16-yard score. Toney caught five passes against Ole Miss for 59 yards and a touchdown with two rushes for 55 yards on the ground. His perfomance against Ole Miss could help Toney to be an early-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.) (9-29-20): https://walterfootball.com/draft2021stock_04.php
NFL draft winners and losers: The Mississippi State prospect whom Mike Leach's arrival can help most (Our third Florida riser is WR Kadarius Toney. He’s a tricky player to evaluate because the former high school QB has transitioned to a ball-carrying role and because he’s been saddled with injuries. Toney missed seven games with a shoulder injury in 2019, limiting him to 15 touches, and he was suspended in the 2018 season for possession of a weapon. But in his senior season, Toney has a chance to rewrite his story. Saturday’s game saw the 5-foot-11, 193-pound Toney line up in the backfield, the slot, out wide, in motion and as a returner. He ran twice for 55 yards, caught five passes for 59 yards and a 16-yard TD, and also return two kickoffs for 40 yards. Toney is, simply put, a contortionist on the football field. His dead-leg move, mid-run hesitations and change-of-direction ability are just rare. Tony bounces off tackles with ease and twists his body into incomprehensible ways to make defenders miss. He’s labeled as a “Joker” type of playmaker now, sort of in the hybrid runner/screen receiver mold of Parris Campbell or Tony Pollard. But a full season of running more NFL-type routes as a receiver bodes well for his draft stock. Entering the season, Toney was receiving mostly Day 3 grades, mainly for his lack of a body of work (50 catches, 47 rushes and 10 returns over three seasons). We think a big final season could see those grades rise considerably. Toney is a big play waiting to happen.) (9-28-20): https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-draft-winners-and-losers-the-mississippi-state-prospect-whom-mike-leachs-arrival-can-help-most-181118102.html
2021 NFL Draft: SEC prospects to know (5-foot-11 Kadarius Toney patrols the slot and can be incredibly difficult to tackle in the open field.) (9-23-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2021-nfl-draft-sec-prospects-to-know-ahead-of-the-conferences-weekend-openers/
2021 NFL Draft: 25 draft prospects who need football this fall (15. WR KADARIUS TONEY, FLORIDA: Toney has been one of the nation's most electric players with the ball in his hands. He's averaged 10.9 yards after the catch for his career. The problem is that we simply haven't seen the ball in his hands enough. He's caught only 50 passes — though still broke 23 tackles — and missed half of last season with a shoulder injury.) (8-26-20): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-25-draft-prospects-who-need-football-this-fall
Scouting Reports:
Oklahoma State: https://okstate.com/sports/football/roster/tylan-wallace/9017
Tylan Wallace NFL Draft Player Profile (10-27-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/tylan-wallace-nfl-draft-profile-oklahoma-state-wide-receiver/
Draft Network: https://thedraftnetwork.com/player/tylan-wallace/TXldmMKtaq
Draft Diamonds: https://www.nfldraftdiamonds.com/2020/11/tylan-wallace-2/
Rankings:
2021 NFL Draft Rankings: WR 10-50 (10. Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma State | 5'11/193
(Comp: Robert Woods): A high school track long-jumping star and highly-sought after four-star football recruit, Wallace chose Oklahoma State and summarily dominated in the Pokes’ wide-open offense for four seasons (93rd percentile college dominator), breaking out as a 19-year-old freshman (84th percentile), with a high-water mark of 1,489 receiving yards in 2018 that led the P5. His 2019 season was shortened by a torn ACL. Had Wallace not gotten hurt, he would already be in the NFL. Here’s Cowboys HC Mike Gundy speaking about Wallace's return to OSU in 2020: "[If Tylan] wouldn't have gotten injured, he would've come out and I'm pretty certain he'd be a second-round pick. I feel like he would've thought he was ready to go. The injury set him back, from a performance standpoint — can run a 40, can't have a pro day, can't workout — so that would've knocked him down to at least the fourth round, maybe later." Wallace played the outside WR-Z role in Oklahoma State’s offense, always on the right side. Over his career, Wallace proved to be one of the nation’s best deep-ball artists. He’s a cork out of the bottle off the snap, and he’s got sprinter wheels (reported 4.39 speed at the EXOS combine). Wallace has size limitations, but does his best to combat them. He plays like a dog, aggressive, scrappy and defiant. Wallace seems to enjoy the art of in-air fight fighting about as much as any area of receiver play. Perhaps it’s his background in prep long-jumping, where he was a state finalist in the triple-jump. He’s got a knack for tracking, not tipping off his intention too early, timing his leap, getting both his feet under him, and going airborne. So, sure -- he’s a 6-foot downfield guy. And you doubt his ability to keep winning downfield in the NFL. But Wallace typically gets to the spot first, puts himself in the best position to get the ball, and puts his springs to good use. There’s a reason he led the FBS with 43 contested catches the last three years (and finished fourth in 2020 with 13). And while I understand pessimism about NFL translation from this offense, I will say, in Wallace’s defense, that, unlike Corey Coleman, who played in a similar system (or, for that matter, manufactured-touch guys in this class like Rondale Moore/Kadarius Toney), Wallace did not feast on easy throws in space close to the line of scrimmage that he turned upfield like a glorified running back. Wallace ranked No. 26, No. 8 and No. 12, respectively, in the nation the past three years in yards per route run. Last year, Wallace had as many catches 20-plus yards downfield as he had at or behind the line of scrimmage, and he had even distribution in the 0-9 and 10-19 sectors, deadly, in particular, on slants (and I’m not making a joke about Spencer Sanders hospital balls!). It’s easy to get seduced by Wallace’s downfield acumen, but he’s an underrated route runner. He shows the ability to catch the ball outside his frame and turn upfield, where he becomes a tough runner with speed equivalent to teammate Chuba Hubbard. I’ve heard questions that Wallace won’t be able to stick on the outside in the NFL. He is going to have to answer questions about getting off press coverage. That’s the biggest question about his evaluation right now, and a large unknown, since he didn’t face it much in OSU's spread schema. Wallace also, of course, has a smaller catch radius for an outside, downfield receiver. I think this actually manifests in his drop numbers more than other receivers, because he gets to balls that are harder to catch more than other receivers do. This was particularly the case in 2018, when he was targeted an astounding 149 times, including 50 targets 20-or-more yards downfield. That season, Wallace caught 86 balls but dropped nine, still a troubling number. His catch rate improved greatly over the last two years, with 102 combined catches on 179 targets with seven drops. But with this kind of get-off off the line, speed, toughness, hops and proven downfield acumen, Wallace should be good for a strong pop-the-top WR2 career like Alvin Harper/Mike Wallace, if nothing else. I think he can develop into a strong starter, like Robert Woods, who wins in similar ways in the NFL with a similar frame. With people in the industry having cooled on Wallace over the years, I honestly thought I had become the highest man on the totem poll on him, with the most aggressive comp. I thought so until the night before this column published, when I read a quote from an NFL assistant in Lance Zierlein’s expose: "I'm telling you [Tylan Wallace] will be the next Steve Smith. He's the same kind of competitor and (has the) same kind of jump ball skills." Guess not!) (3-10-21): https://www.nbcsports.com/edge/article/rankings/2021-nfl-draft-rankings-wr-10-50
Articles:
RANG'S GANG: THE BEST NON-FIRST-ROUND PLAYERS IN THE 2021 NFL DRAFT (Possession wide receiver: Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma State: This year’s receiver class is loaded with many candidates who could be listed here, and many of them are bigger and faster than Wallace. Few, however, were as productive as the three-time All-Big 12 star (205 catches for 3,434 yards and 26 touchdowns), and even fewer offer Wallace's balance as a route runner, sticky hands or body control to contort in space and make tough grabs look easy. At just 5-foot-11, 193 pounds, Wallace looks rather "pedestrian" getting off the bus. Some used to say the same thing about the Rams’ Robert Woods, who, like Wallace, is a full-service receiver who does the "little things" such as block for teammates, too.)(4-22-21): https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/rob-rang-2021-nfl-draft-best-non-first-round-players-kyle-trask-demetric-felton
NFL Draft: Ranking the Top 10 wide receivers, starting with DeVonta Smith (Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma State (5-11, 185, 22) - How does he play? Wallace was a big-play receiver in Oklahoma State’s offense but I don’t know if that’s how the NFL will view him. He ran in the 4.5s when every other receiver was running a 4.39, it seemed. He makes a lot of circus catches thanks to supreme body control and explosive athleticism. As a route runner, Wallace is at his best at the line of scrimmage. He gets off the line quickly, and is able to maintain whatever advantage he creates early as he travels downfield. In Oklahoma State’s offense, he mostly ran vertical routes on the perimeter. Wallace had no problem earning targets — he finished second in Targets Above Expectation, per Sports Info Solutions — but he’s not the most savvy route runner and can lose balance when making quick cuts. Wallace is a unique player after the catch. Rather than running around tacklers, Wallace prefers to run right through them. He’s got the mentality of a running back, and that toughness will be valued at the next level. A torn ACL ended his 2019 season early. What’s his NFL role? Wallace just doesn’t have the physical talent to ever lead an NFL receiving corps, but he could be a good No. 2 option if his contested catch ability carries over to Sundays. Where should he be drafted? He looks like a role player to me, so it wouldn’t make much sense to use a second-round pick on Wallace. But it’s clear that he can play and contribute early on, so a third-round pick makes sense. Best fit? Wallace will perform best playing next to an attention-hogging No. 1 receiver and with a quarterback who is willing to give him a chance even when covered. A team like the Packers could use a player like Wallace.) (4-14-21): https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/nfl-draft-wide-receiver-prospects-ranking
Yahoo Prospect Ranking 75-71 (71. WR Tylan Wallace) (3-9-21): https://sports.yahoo.com/2021-nfl-draft-can-stanford-qb-davis-mills-surprise-after-11-college-starts-212444420.html
2021 NFL Draft wide receiver rankings (10. TYLAN WALLACE, OKLAHOMA STATE: With 205 catches, 3,424 yards, and 25 touchdowns in his career, Wallace trails only DeVonta Smith in the draft class in terms of raw production. He’s a former track standout who can separate deep and also win at the catch point, with 44 contested catches in his career. He’ll have similar route-tree concerns to Dyami Brown, but unlike the North Carolina receiver, Wallace didn’t show the same level of prowess when he was given more diverse assignments. He struggles to get off physical corners at his size and might be a bit of a one-trick pony.) (2-17-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-rankings
2021 NFL Draft: Tiering the loaded WR class that might surpass 2020's rookies (TIER 3 - TYLAN WALLACE, OKLAHOMA STATE: Tylan Wallace has been one of the more explosive receivers in college football during his tenure in Stillwater. He ranks behind only Alabama's DeVonta Smith in explosive receptions (73) since 2018 and leads the nation in contested catches (43) during that same span. After tearing his ACL in 2019, Wallace returned and did not skip a beat this past season. He ranked in the 93rd percentile in yards per route run (3.26) and in the 95th percentile in receiving grade (86.3).) (2-9-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-college-football-tiering-wr-class-2020-rookies
2021 Senior Bowl notebook: Alabama QB Mac Jones meets with Patriots, Saints, Texans (Oklahoma State wide receiver Tylan Wallace has been especially impressive.) (1-28-21): https://www.nfl.com/news/2021-senior-bowl-day-3-notebook-alabama-qb-mac-jones-meets-with-patriots-saints-
Senior Bowl Practice Review: Day 2 National DBs, WRs, TEs (TRE BROWN, Oklahoma: Brown faced off against FRANK DARBY of Arizona State and TYLAN WALLACE of Oklahoma State. Against Wallace, who is widely considered the most polished receiver participating on the National Team, Brown had his ups and downs. In their first rep, Wallace used Brown’s press against him, turned him around and broke off behind Brown for massive separation. In their second rep, Wallace shed Brown’s press with ease but Brown was able to get into his hip pocket and follow Wallace down the field with tight coverage. Wallace was able to make an impressive strong catch with his fingertips, but Brown’s process was impressive all the same. Keith Taylor - When Taylor faced TYLAN WALLACE, it was a very physical rep. Taylor pressed Wallace at the line and matched his footing as he broke inward. Staying in his hip pocket the entire time, Taylor slowed Wallace long enough that Wallace was behind the ball when it was thrown. There’s a chance that Taylor stepped on Wallace’s foot or ankle, but either way his ability to be more physical than Wallace and match his feet as well as he did was extremely impressive.) (1-27-21): https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/news/senior-bowl-practice-review-day-2-national-dbs-wrs-tes
2021 Senior Bowl Practice Report: National Team (Tuesday - Very good lateral ability. When he is in the open field going across the middle, he is quite dangerous. He also showed very good hip movement in his breaks which helped him gain separation. Wednesday - Tylan Wallace is moving up draft boards. He has great footwork and looked really good in one-on-ones, including a toe-tap catch over Tre Brown. I like what I’m seeing from Wallace. Thursday - Did not practice.) (1-26-21): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2021-senior-bowl-practice-report-national-team/
Senior Bowl Practice Review: Day 1 National Wide Receivers and Defensive Backs (Oklahoma State receiver TYLAN WALLACE also had a good day, showing off quality stem work and creating early separation, notably on Keith Taylor and Camryn Bynum. Wallace is widely seen as one of the best receivers on the National Team, and his stems, length, and separation abilities show that he could find work in the NFL as a Z wide receiver, as well as in the slot.) (1-26-21): https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/news/senior-bowl-practice-review-day-1-national-wide-receivers-and-defensive-backs
Senior Bowl Weigh-Ins: Big 12 Surprises
(TYLAN WALLACE | Oklahoma State | WR | Height: 5110 | Weight: 193 | Wingspan: 7348 | Arm: 3258 | Hand: 0948 - A few players didn’t have blow-away numbers from the measurables but that shouldn’t stop us from talking about them. One of the more prominent names of this Senior Bowl is Oklahoma State wide receiver Tylan Wallace. He didn’t drop any eye-popping numbers but he did finish with one of the best numbers in arm size at 32” arms. Wallace also finished within the top ten in hand size among receivers but only came in at 5110 height-wise, finishing in the bottom five.) (1-26-21): https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/news/senior-bowl-weigh-ins-big-12-surprises
Best NFL Draft prospects at the Reese's Senior Bowl (WR Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma State: Wallace has been a draft crush of mine for a while to the point that he has been included in the first round of at least one mock draft. He has produced at a high level for three years despite suffering a torn ACL in October of 2019. The Cowboy has made difficult catches look routine throughout his career. He is physical through contact and turns 50-50 situations into 80-20. The senior has proven to be a competent blocker and shows great body control down the field.) (1-27-21): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/top-2021-nfl-draft-prospects-in-the-reeses-senior-bowl-najee-harris-kadarius-toney-highlight-the-list/
TWENTYMAN: 10 players to watch at the Senior Bowl (7. Tylan Wallace, WR, Oklahoma State: Wallace had a breakout sophomore season in 2018 with 1,491 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns in 13 games. Playing nine games in 2019 and 10 this past season, Wallace caught at least 50 passes in both seasons for 900-plus yards and 14 combined touchdowns. He's considered by most analysts to be a Top 50 pick.) (1-26-21): https://www.detroitlions.com/news/twentyman-10-players-to-watch-at-the-senior-bowl-smith-jones-trask
Top wide receivers at the 2021 Reese’s Senior Bowl (Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma State: Tylan Wallace could have opted to declare for last year’s draft but stayed for another season at Oklahoma State. Whether that was the right call or not is debatable. It seems like Wallace’s draft stock has slipped from where it was even at the beginning of the season. Wallace’s skill set has always been as a reliable possession receiver for the Cowboys. Wallace possesses only average speed but has a knack for making ridiculous contested catches. His route tree at Oklahoma State was fairly limited, so showing an ability to run these routes in Mobile will be key. Recent Senior Bowl wide receivers like Collin Johnson, Zay Jones, and Allen Lazard have made a lot of money with similar skill sets.) (1-25-21): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/top-wide-receivers-2021-reeses-senior-bowl/
10 players to watch in 2021 Reese’s Senior Bowl (10. Tylan Wallace, WR, Oklahoma State: The Big 12 in general and Oklahoma State in particular produce top wide receivers on an annual basis, and Wallace is as good as any who have come out of Stillwater in recent years. He totaled 205 receptions and 26 touchdowns in his career, and is noted for making tough catches in traffic.) (1-25-21): https://www.al.com/sports/2021/01/10-players-to-watch-in-2021-reeses-senior-bowl.html
Senior Bowl Rosters, Weigh-Ins, and Measurements (Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma State: Tylan Wallace is one of the most exciting players on either of the Senior Bowl rosters. The Oklahoma State product demonstrated a good bounce back from his ACL injury but a knee injury at the end of the 2020 season raises more concerns. He should demonstrate his superb ability at the Senior Bowl, where he will look to leave a lasting impression ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft.) (1-23-21): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2021-senior-bowl-rosters-weigh-ins-measurements/
2021 NFL Draft: PFF's top prospects on the 2021 Senior Bowl roster (11. WR TYLAN WALLACE, OKLAHOMA STATE (PFF Big Board Rank: 54th): Wallace isn’t known for the diverse route tree he runs in the Oklahoma State offense, nor is he known for the top corners he faced. However, his week of practices at the Senior Bowl could change that. What he is known for is his explosiveness as a former track standout, as well as his work at the catch point. He averaged over 100 yards a game in 2018, 2019 and 2020.) (1-21-20): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-best-prospects-on-the-senior-bowl-roster
101 best players in college football from the 2020 season (63. WR TYLAN WALLACE, OKLAHOMA STATE: Wallace was a go-route savant for Oklahoma State this season and helped create some massive plays for an offense that had middling quarterback play in 2020. No wide receiver caught more go balls this year than Wallace (11), and only one other wideout topped his receiving grade on such routes. His vertical route prowess and routine dominance in contested scenarios helped him earn an 86.3 receiving grade for the season.) (1-18-21): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-101-best-players-2020
Draft: Tracking prospects in bowl season (Oklahoma State WR Tylan Wallace is one of the few marquee draft prospects set to lace them up for his team's bowl game. A gifted vertical threat thanks to high-level long speed and outstanding ball-tracking skills, Wallace heads into this one with a 16.5 yards-per-catch average and six touchdowns.) (12-26-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-bowl-game-tracker-zach-wilsons-big-game-who-to-watch-in-liberty-coastal-carolina-and-more/
College Football 2020: PFF’s All-Big 12 Team (First-Team: Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma State: Wallace was a go-route savant for Oklahoma State this season and helped create some massive plays for an offense that had middling quarterback play in 2020. No wide receiver caught more go balls this year than Wallace’s 11, and only one other wideout topped his receiving grade on such routes. His vertical route prowess and routine dominance in contested scenarios helped him earn an 85.3 receiving grade for the season.) (12-22-20): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-2020-pffs-all-big-12-team
2021 Senior Bowl roster reveal: What you need to know (Entering this season, NFL evaluators wanted to see if Oklahoma State WR Tylan Wallace would rebound from a torn ACL he suffered in November 2019. He responded by leading the Cowboys in every key receiving category, and he'll give them one more look as one of the 2021 Senior Bowl's top pass catchers. Wallace, whose divergent college football journey with twin Tracin Wallace was profiled at NFL.com in September, is a smooth route runner who plays a physical brand for his size (6-0, 190 pounds, per school).) (12-16-20): https://www.nfl.com/news/2021-senior-bowl-roster-reveal-what-you-need-to-know
Week 15 College Football news, schedule, live blog and more (For the Oklahoma State Cowboys, offensive performance this season has been almost solely contingent on Tylan Wallace’s presence. When he’s out, there’s a noticeable drop in consistency for the unit. Of course, that hasn’t been the case today. Wallace didn’t suit up for the Cowboys’ contest against the Baylor Bears, but senior wideout Dillon Stoner has played well in his absence.) (12-12-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/week-15-college-football-news-schedule-live-blog-and-more/
Week 14 College Football news, schedule, live blog and more (Tylan Wallace means so much to the Oklahoma State offense (3:45 PM): Spencer Sanders has some moderately intriguing traits as a late-round developmental quarterback, but wide receiver Tylan Wallace is the force that truly makes the Cowboys’ offense hum. Wallace is having another spectacular day, with seven receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown in Oklahoma State’s tense contest versus the TCU Horned Frogs. The offense was anemic for much of the day until Wallace broke free on a deep wheel route from the slot, using his toughness through physicality and his awareness of blind spots to find a seam near the sideline and streak down the field. Sanders hit Wallace in stride, and Wallace held the ball through contact as he pressed into the end zone. Now, Wallace is out with a knee injury, and the offense looked visibly damaged without him. Wallace isn’t an imposing specimen, standing at just 6-foot-0, 190, but he has a complete skill set as a receiver. He’s one of those Day 2 picks that should produce for a long time on the NFL stage, regardless of the situation. IC) (12-6-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/week-14-college-football-news-schedule-live-blog-and-more/
2021 NFL Draft: Midseason wide receiver rankings (9. TYLAN WALLACE, OKLAHOMA STATE (SENIOR): Wallace was a former track star in high school, finishing second in the Texas state triple jump back in the day. When you flip on his tape, it doesn’t take you long to find that out. He’s been as productive as anyone in the country over the past three seasons, averaging 105.8 yards per game in 30 games over that span. Wallace would have been drafted highly in 2020 were it not for an ACL tear toward the end of 2019. While he’s run a fairly limited route tree in the past at Oklahoma State with screens, slants and go routes dominating his target share, Wallace has put a little more diversity on tape this season. That’s a good thing for his draft stock.) (12-2-20): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-midseason-wide-receiver-rankings
WR Watch: Wallace flashes full skill set (Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma State: Wallace probably won't be picked super early in the draft because he'll get hit with the "he didn't run many routes" distinction, and while true, the Oklahoma State star is a vertical-route rocket, a dominant big-play creator because of his straight-line speed and impeccable ball-tracking capabilities. He showed off his specialties early against Texas Tech when he got on top of the cornerback down the sideline and contorted his body to make a spectacular grab. Late in the third, in a three-point game, Wallace made a subtle jab to the inside on a go route down the right sideline, tracked the football beautifully, and got his feet in bounds in the back corner of the end zone. Wallace finished with seven grabs for 129 yards and a score in the Oklahoma State win.) (11-30-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-stock-watch-tylan-wallace-flashes-full-skill-set-jalen-tolbert-has-monster-game/
NFL Draft Stock Report Week 13: Oklahoma State WR Tylan Wallace headlines risers (Tylan Wallace, WR, Oklahoma State: Tylan Wallace was a known commodity coming into the season, but he’s found ways to improve his game. During the Cowboys’ victory over Texas Tech, Wallace caught seven passes for 129 yards and one TD to further boost his NFL Draft stock in Week 13. His season totals stand at 46/785/5 in seven games — not gaudy numbers, but stats don’t tell the entire story. Wallace is a polished pass-catcher who finds ways to separate from defenders and make the reception. What stands out this year is his downfield blocking as well as his ability to pick up yardage after the catch. He presently grades as a Day 2 prospect, but the faster he runs prior to the draft, the earlier Wallace will be selected.) (11-29-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-draft-stock-report-week-13-risers-tylan-wallace/
Week 13 College Football news, schedule, live blog and more (Tylan Wallace continues to impress (1:25 PM): Were it not for a knee injury which shortened his 2019 season, there’s a good chance Tylan Wallace could be playing in the NFL this year. He made the right choice by returning to Oklahoma State and he’s improved his game this season. During the first half of the game against Texas Tech, Wallace already has six receptions for 102 yards. Stats aside, it’s the little things Wallace does on a consistent basis that really impresses scouts. Besides being a fundamentally sound pass catcher, Wallace is a terrific blocker and shows a lot of ability running after the catch. While I don’t grade Wallace as a first-round prospect, I would not discount that possibility, especially if he runs well before next April’s draft.) (11-28-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/week-13-college-football-news-schedule-live-blog-and-more/
Week 12 College Football news, schedule, live blog and more (WR Tylan Wallace vs. CB Tre Brown a matchup scouts will be eyeing:
The interstate rivalry between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State kicks off a week earlier than usual, but it still offers some exciting next-level matchups. OSU receiver Tylan Wallace keeps playing better and better since returning from the injury that sidelined him for most of 2019. His main opponent will be cornerback Tre Brown, who’s getting a lot of chatter in the scouting community. Brown is a shorter corner at 5-foot-9, but he’s tough and has next-level ball skills. In seven games this season, Brown has two interceptions and three pass breakups.) (11-21-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/week-12-college-football-news-schedule-live-blog-and-more/
College Football: Ranking the top 25 wide receivers ahead of Week 10 (5. TYLAN WALLACE, OKLAHOMA STATE - Wallace is one of the top vertical threats in the game — he has hauled in a Power Five-high 10 vertical catches this year. The Oklahoma State Cowboy trails only DeVonta Smith in receiving grade on targets over 10 yards downfield this year and has made some incredible contested grabs on those deeper balls. Wallace has caught eight of his 12 contested targets over 10 yards downfield, leading all Power Five wide receivers. He attacks the ball at the catch point, and his contested-catch ability makes life much easier for quarterback Spencer Sanders.) (11-4-20): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-ranking-top-25-wide-receivers-week-10-2020
Top 10 performances from 2021 NFL Draft prospects in Week 9 (4. WR TYLAN WALLACE, OKLAHOMA STATE: There aren’t too many 6-foot, 190-pound receivers in the country you can trust to win fade routes, but Wallace is just a different breed. His explosiveness is a problem for pretty much any defensive back to stick with down the field, and even when defenders do, he can outjump them like that. He tried to single-handedly lead Oklahoma State to a win over Texas with an 11-catch, 187-yard, two-touchdown performance.) (11-3-20): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-top-10-performances-from-2021-nfl-draft-prospects-in-week-9
2021 NFL Draft Stock - Week 9 (Tylan Wallace, WR, Oklahoma State: Thus far in 2020, Tylan Wallace has given emphatic proof that he is back to his pre-injury form. On the opening drive against Texas, Wallace ran a slant and got open to catch a short touchdown for the Cowboys. He made a number of other receptions for chunk completions to move the chains. In the third quarter, Wallace made a leaping grab over a defender for another short touchdown reception. Wallace totaled 11 receptions for 187 yards and two touchdowns. For the NFL, Wallace is a tough receiver who plays bigger than his size. He runs good routes and is dangerous after the catch. However, he does not have mismatch size or speed for the NFL and lacks explosion. Thus, he could be more of a second-day talent for the 2021 NFL Draft.) (11-3-20): https://walterfootball.com/draft2021stock_09.php
2021 Draft WR Watch: Historic day for Elijah Moore (Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma State: Stock Up - Wallace was a monster in the loss to Texas with 11 receptions for 187 yards and two scores, including a fantastic grab on a slant on the first possession of the game with a defender draped on him. In the second quarter, Wallace put on a fine display of his full skill set on a grab down the sideline by beating press coverage then finding the football on his back shoulder. On his second score, Wallace snatched the ball off the top of the helmet of a defender on a short fade. He is, once again, showing a very well-rounded game this season.) (11-2-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-stock-watch-historic-performance-from-elijah-moore-big-ten-receivers-show-out/
Week 9 College Football news, schedule, live blog and more (Spencer Sanders, Tylan Wallace buoying Oklahoma State offense vs. Texas (7:20 PM): Let’s check in on Oklahoma State’s offense. Spencer Sanders is 22-of-32 for 333 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception and is officially certified to have been born to play in the Big 12. Tylan Wallace, meanwhile, has 10 receptions for 167 yards and two scores and has added a couple more mind-blowing contested catches to his resume. Oklahoma State is a lot of fun, not just from a viewer’s perspective but also from a scouting perspective. We’ve already touched on Wallace, but Spencer Sanders is also one of the most exciting quarterback prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft. As we noted last week, he’s clearly volatile, but he’s exceptionally athletic and agile, and he plays with unmistakable energy. He has to clean up his turnovers if he wants a chance at the NFL level, but he has the dynamic ability and arm talent to have confidence as a legitimate developmental option. IC. Tylan Wallace proving his utility early in the battle against Texas (4:45 PM): There will always be a market for smart, slippery wide receivers in the NFL, and those are two critical foundational boxes that Oklahoma State wide receiver Tylan Wallace most definitely checks. As the Cowboys look to stay undefeated against the Texas Longhorns, Wallace is providing a positive impact early. Wallace has three catches for 54 yards and a touchdown in the first quarter, and a few of his trademark staples have been easily noticeable. At one point, Wallace used his smarts to track back on a broken play and find an open zone, and on his touchdown grab, he used his suddenness as a route runner to gain separation and fought through congestion to haul in a contested catch. His slight frame limits his upside somewhat, but in the middle rounds, one NFL team will be thrilled to take Wallace. IC) (10-31-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/week-9-college-football-news-schedule-live-blog-pauline/
Week 8 College Football news, schedule, live blog and more (Tylan Wallace production doesn’t always show up on the stats sheet (7:55 PM): During the OSU victory over Iowa State, Tylan Wallace came away with solid numbers, five receptions for 76 yards. His attention to detail and the little things Wallace did, production that doesn’t show up on the stats sheet, was impressive. His blocking was outstanding as Wallace gave effort and got results. I like his route discipline and how Wallace stays with assignments rather than freelance around the field. TP) (10-24-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/week-8-college-football-news-schedule-live-blog-pauline/
College Football Today, Week 5: Games, TV Schedule and Live Blog with Tony Pauline (Kansas-just what the doctor ordered for Chuba & Tylan (5:45 PM): After a slow start to the season for Oklahoma State RB Chuba Hubbard and WR Tylan Wallace, the hapless and struggling Kansas Jayhawks arrived just in time to help them rebound. Hubbard has 145 yards rushing and two touchdowns, and Tylan Wallace has 148 yards receiving and two touchdowns on nine catches. It’s been a good day at the office for the Cowboys, up 38-0 on the Jayhawks. However, Ok State LB Amen Ogbongbemiga was escorted off the field with an injury just minutes ago. Amen is graded within my top-150 prospects and is a key part of the Pokes’ defense, so hopefully, his injury is not serious. -AS) (10-3-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/college-football-today-games-tv-schedule-live-blog-tony-pauline-week-5-2020/
Oh, brother: Injuries force OSU's Wallace twins to go separate ways (10-21-20): https://www.nfl.com/news/back-2-campus/oh-brother-injuries-force-wallace-twins-to-go-separate-ways
2021 Draft WR Watch: Emezie back on radar (Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma State: Stock Up - Wallace and Oklahoma State steamrolled Kansas, and while one of Wallace's touchdowns was a completely broken play, he was able to demonstrate his release ability at the line on a handful of occasions and high-end ball-tracking skills down the sideline on a long completion early in the game. ) (10-5-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-stock-watch-emeka-emezie-back-on-radar-reggie-roberson-dazzles-before-injury/
2021 Draft WR Watch: Jaylen Waddle erupts (Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma State: Stock Steady - Wallace finds himself in an unenviable spot -- Oklahoma State's quarterback situation, which is typically a strength of the program, is not very conducive to major passing production. The speedy outside receiver had just six grabs for 78 yards against West Virginia but displayed his acceleration on a hole shot against Cover 2 early in the game and hauled in an huge catch in a one-score game on third and long with Oklahoma State up one score near the sideline despite getting smacked once he caught the football.) (9-28-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-stock-watch-alabamas-jaylen-waddle-starts-season-with-explosive-performance/
2021 NFL Draft Stock - Week 3 (Down - Tylan Wallace, WR, Oklahoma State: The 2020 opener against Tulsa was Wallace's first playing time since suffering a torn ACL last year. While he was shut out in the first half, Wallace got involved in the third quarter with a win on a 50-50 reception. However, Wallace was unable to break up a poorly thrown pass that ended up being picked off by Tulsa cornerback Allie Green IV. Wallace came back to make a leaping 36-yard grab over Green on the next series. Wallace totaled 94 yards on four receptions against Tulsa. While the production was good, he really struggled to get off press coverage. He did not have the speed to separate from man coverage and also was not sudden or explosive to create separation out of breaks. This demonstrates that Wallace clearly is not a fast receiver for the NFL and not sudden as a route runner. The Tulsa game will hurt Wallace with NFL teams because it illustrates issues with generating separation, which could be a huge issue for him as a pro. Wallace look more like a mid-rounder after this game.) (9-22-20): https://walterfootball.com/draft2021stock_03.php
NFL draft winners and losers: Why Trevor Lawrence's dimes vs. The Citadel actually matter (Losers - Oklahoma State WR Tylan Wallace: All things considered, for a first game coming off his ACL injury last year — and with OSU needing to play three quarterbacks Saturday — Wallace did what he had to do to help the Cowboys get a victory over Tulsa in a sluggish performance. After being shut down in the first half, playing to a stalemate against Tulsa’s length in the secondary, Wallace broke out with two 24-yard grabs and first downs. All four of his catches Saturday came from a freshman QB playing his first game. The first half raised concerns about Wallace’s ability to separate from tight man coverage, beat press off the line and handle DBs with length at the catch point. He gets credit for grinding his way to a good statistical game, but Wallace still has some unanswered questions in what could be another incredibly deep draft year at wide receiver.) (9-21-20): https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-draft-winners-and-losers-why-trevor-lawrences-dimes-vs-the-citadel-actually-matter-191109985.html
College Football Games Today, Week 3: TV Schedule and Live Blog with Tony Pauline (Tulsa CB Allie Green IV, a corner I have graded with a Day 3 mark, had a standout game against Oklahoma State WR Tylan Wallace. His physicality in press coverage and instincts were on full display today, highlighted by an interception he got while smothering Wallace. -AS) (9-19-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/college-football-games-today-week-3-live-blog-tony-pauline/
College Football Week 3 Preview: Picks, predictions and advanced stats to know (Wide receiver Tylan Wallace also finds himself among college football's finest. He can fly by defense backs for an open ball, win in contested-catch situations and even create a highlight-reel play after the catch on a screen. Wallace has the 13th-best receiving grade at the position since 2018.) (9-18-20): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-week-3-preview-picks-predictions-stats
NFL draft: Gifted wide receivers highlight best Week 3 prospect matchups (The Cowboys return a ton of offensive talent and will open their season against a Tulsa defense that lost quite a bit. And yet as much as we want to watch Chuba Hubbard, one of the best backs in the country, our eyes also will be attuned to two talented OSU receivers. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Wallace was having a fantastic 2019 season, averaging 111.9 yards and a touchdown per game, prior to missing the final five games with a torn ACL. He’s back now set to prove that he remains one of the best at his position in college football. Will he possess the same route speed he did a year ago? Can he play with the same “my ball” approach post-knee injury? Oklahoma State WR Tylan Wallace is a great weapon, but how will he look in his first game back from injury? (Oklahoma State WR Tylan Wallace is a great weapon, but how will he look in his first game back from injury? More than his production in a game that could get out of hand, we want to see Wallace’s movement skills in his first game back. Summer grades on Wallace ranged from the second to third rounds, but it’s contingent on his health and regaining his explosiveness.) (9-17-20): https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-draft-gifted-wide-receivers-highlight-best-week-3-prospect-matchups-183206178.html
2021 NFL Draft Wide Receiver Watch: North Carolina's dynamic duo has interesting outing (6. Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma State: Wallace is a big-play waiting to happen, by way of bubble screen or the deep ball. He isn't experienced running a variety of routes and isn't overly twitchy but has dangerous accelerations and major speed. Wallace and the Cowboys kick off their season against Tulsa on Sept. 19. ) (9-14-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-watch-north-carolinas-dynamic-duo-has-interesting-outing/
2021 NFL Draft: Big 12 prospects to know ahead of the conference's weekend openers (Wide receiver Tylan Wallace is a big-play threat when on the field. Unfortunately for he and the Cowboys, Wallace suffered a torn ACL midway through the season. Wallace was inconsistent catching passes in 2018. On one play, he would contort his body in midair and make an acrobatic fingertip catch. On the next play, he would think about what to do after the catch before he secured the ball and it led to drops. The Texas native consistently gets behind defenses and does a good job adapting his route with more physical cornerbacks. On this particular play, Wallace's eyes and body are synchronized to sell an inside route. It sounds simple but there are plenty of examples illustrating a receiver cutting or turning his head first and it does not look believable. The cornerback bites and, as soon as the cornerback commits forward motion, Wallace breaks to the outside for a fade in the end zone. ) (9-11-20): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-big-12-prospects-to-know-ahead-of-the-conferences-weekend-openers/
College Football: PFF's 2020 Preseason All-Big 12 Team (FIRST TEAM: TYLAN WALLACE, OKLAHOMA STATE - Wallace is an explosive play waiting to happen and can be used in a bevy of ways. We saw him used extensively as a downfield threat in 2018, and he led the country in deep catches, with 20. In 2019, his average depth of target dipped from 17.4 yards to 11.3 yards and he was used far more underneath, where he was explosive after the catch. On his 53 catches, he broke 13 tackles and averaged 9.8 yards after the catch. Even after missing the tail end of the 2019 season due to injury, Wallace has been responsible for 51 gains of 15-plus yards, which trailed only CeeDee Lamb for most in the Big 12.) (8-21-20): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-pffs-2020-preseason-all-big-12-team
Chuba Hubbard leads list of Oklahoma State 2021 NFL Draft prospects (Tylan Wallace, Wide Receiver, Senior (6’0″, 185 pounds): Tylan Wallace missed the final five games of the 2019 college football season due to a torn ACL, but prior to the injury, he was a nightmare for opposing defenses. In nine games, he hauled in 53 passes for 963 yards and eight touchdowns. This came on the heels of a brilliant 2018 season, where he caught 86 passes for 1,491 yards and 12 touchdowns. When healthy, there is no doubt that Wallace is a game-changer. I feel comfortable bestowing an incredible honor to Tylan Wallace, his game reminds me of Carolina Panthers’ legend Steve Smith Sr. He is an alpha, who despite his small stature excels in traffic. He plays the game with a physical brand, allowing him to excel at the contested catch and create yards after the catch in chunks. He doesn’t possess world-class speed, but he is very sudden and can create separation with ease. Also, Wallace possesses strong hands and is a magician when it comes to contorting his body to make the difficult reception. As I mentioned above, Tylan Wallace is physical. The clip below will highlight this as he catches a screen pass behind the line of scrimmage, runs over three defenders, and takes the pass to the house for a 69-yard touchdown. Wallace might not run the fastest 40-yard dash time at the NFL Scouting Combine, but his tape screams big-play ability. He likely won’t hear his name called until Day 2 of the 2021 NFL Draft due to an absolutely loaded wide receiver class, but whoever does land Wallace will be getting one hell of a player.) (7-3-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/chuba-hubbard-leads-list-oklahoma-state-2021-nfl-draft-prospects/
Wide receiver Tylan Wallace stands out in 2021 NFL Draft class (5-29-20): http://www.profootballnetwork.com/wide-receiver-tylan-wallace-stands-out-in-2021-nfl-draft-class/
NFL Draft 2021: A surprising take in the top 10 wide receiver rankings (9. Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma State: Prior to losing his season to injury, Tylan Wallace was the most productive receiver in the nation. He’s the epitome of a deep threat. Strong vertical route running, great acceleration and solid long speed, added to very impressive contested catch abilities. I expect Wallace to continue to be one of the nation’s most productive receivers, as long as he can return to 100% after last seasons injury.) (5-19-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2021-wide-receiver-rankings-nfl-draft/
Top 25 prospects for the 2021 NFL Draft who chose to return to college football (13. WR TYLAN WALLACE, OKLAHOMA STATE: Wallace tore his ACL against Iowa State last year after he’d accumulated 895 yards through eight games. He took his after-the-catch ability to another level, averaging 9.8 yards after the catch per reception and breaking 13 tackles on 53 catches. Adding some strength to his game and refining his route-running at the intermediate level will be keys to watch this upcoming season.) (5-8-20): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-top-25-prospects-2021-nfl-draft-who-chose-to-return
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