Scouting Blog
2021 NFL Draft Wide Receivers
Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
-6’1, 200lbs
-sat out his Junior Year/2020 season
-Two years of production as a freshman and sophomore
-4-star recruit
-physical to get off the line of scrimmage
-more of an outside guy in LSU’s offense
-doesn’t get as much separation as you would think with 4.4 speed
-good route runner, but not great
-plays with intensity and elite speed in running his routes
DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
-minor injury kept him out of the Senior Bowl
-Heisman Trophy winner in 2020
-Senior
-6’1, 175 pounds
-mid 4.4 speed
-great route runner
-great playmaker
-more of a slot receiver but can play the outside
-doesn’t have a lot of weaknesses to his game
-maybe could improve his run blocking
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
-Junior
-5’10, 182lbs
-missed time with an injury in 2020, but did come back for the National Championship
-more of a slot guy
-mid 4.4 speed
-4-star recruit
-great acceleration in his running after the catch
-played in the slot in Alabama’s offense
-great footwork as a route runner
-decent run blocker for a wide receiver
-average hands
Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU
-6’4, 200lbs
-5-star recruit out of high school
-Junior
-opted out of the 2020 season in the later part but still played some
-high 4.5 speed
-lines up in the slot
-needs better hustle on routes
-does this weird jump step on his release
-needs to concentrate better on the catch
-sometimes has trouble getting separation
-can come up with 50-50 balls
Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida
-probably a first or second round pick
-almost had 1,000 yards receiving and was Florida’s leading receiver
-had 10 touchdown catches
-senior
-6’0 and 193 pounds
-lined up in the slot mostly
-needs to be sharper in his route running
-deep threat from the slot
-decent runner after the catch
-used as a runner on jet sweeps
-very good speed
-hot and cold as a route runner, but is advanced in the area for a college receiver.
Marquez Stevenson, WR, Houston
-was Houston’s #3 receiver
-had four touchdown catches
-was most productive his sophomore and junior year
-senior
-6’0, 190-pound receiver
-has experience returning kicks and a little experience returning punts
-lined up in the slot and on the outside
-average blocker
-more of a slot receiver
-I’d like him to be sharper on his routes
His shoulders are kind of broad for a wide receiver
-decent hands
Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue
-Redshirt Sophomore
-5’9, 180 pounds
-highly productive as a true freshman
-struggled with injuries in 2019. I think he got a medical redshirt
-mid 4.4 speed
-4-star recruit
-hustles and has good speed in his routes
-probably limited to the slot at the next level. Played the slot for the Boilermakers.
-needs better hands
-has a little trouble getting off the line of scrimmage
-good speed, but easy to bring down after the catch
-able to get plenty of separation on his routes
Tutu Atwell, WR, Louisville
-Junior
-5’9, 165 pounds
-productive three years
-shined in 2019
-4.3 speed
-three-star recruit out of high school
-good route runner
-average hands
-primarily a slot guy in Louisville’s offense
-speed used on running plays
-great speed on tape after the catch
Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
-three years of production
-stood out in 2019 (1st team all-Big 10)
-6’2, 210
-True Junior
-4.5 speed
-4-star recruit
-more of an outside guy but did occasionally line up in the slot as well
-his quick feet make him an excellent route runner
-not much of a run blocker but his threat as a route runner kept his corner out of the running play
-good hands
-intermediate routes are his strong suit
Tylan Wallace, WR, Oklahoma State
-probably a Day Two pick
-was the Cowboys leading receiver and was very productive
-6’0 and 190 pounds
-highly productive for three years
-senior
-needs to be a sharper route runner
-very good hands
-played mostly on the outside
-deep threat
-not as much of a run blocker
Sage Surratt, WR, Wake Forrest
-6’3, 215 pounds
-redshirt junior
-opted out of the 2020 season to prep for draft
-sub 4.6 speed but will need to stay under at his pro day
-3-star recruit
-lines up on the inside and the outside
-can be a bit slow on routes
-good hands
-capable of being a deep threat
-decent cuts on his routes
Tamorrion Terry, WR, Florida State
-three years of production
-6’4, 203
-redshirt junior
-4.3 speed
-3-star recruit
-decent route runner
-needs to take care of the ball
-cuts well as a route runner
-average hands
-decent run blocker
Jhamon Ausbon, WR, Texas A&M
-sat out 2020 but was productive the previous three years
-6’2, 218
-true senior
-sub 4.6 speed
-4-star recruit out of high school
-played in the slot in the Aggies offense
-decent run blocker for a wide receiver
-below average route runner which explains why he is not getting separation
-good hands
-tall for a slot guy, but slow for a slot guy as well
-shut down in coverage by the Georgia Bulldogs
Elijah Moore, WR, Ole Miss
-True Junior
-5’9, 185 pounds
-projects as a slot guy at the next level
-improved every year
-4.4 speed
-4-star recruit out of high school
-needs to use his body more in blocking
-needs to cut better as a route runner
-good hands
-used on a lot of WR runs
Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, USC (underrated)
-True Junior
-6’1, 195lbs
-productive all three years
-5-star recruit out of high school
-4.5 speed
-great hands
-played on the outside and the slot
-good route runner
-comes up with 50-50 balls, can highpoint the ball
-good moves running after the catch
Trevon Grimes, WR, Florida
-was the Gators #2 receiver
-had 9 TD catches
-Senior
-6’4 218 pounds
-was at Ohio State as a freshman but quickly transferred closer to home at Florida
-crafty route runner
-more of an outside guy
-has a little trouble getting off the line of scrimmage
-good hands
Shi Smith, WR, South Carolina
-was the Gamecocks leading receiver
-5’10 190 pounds
-productive all four years
-Senior
-played mostly in the slot, but also ran on the outside
-average route runner
-needs to get stronger as a blocker
-can highpoint the ball
-very good at coming up with 50-50 balls
-decent hands
Josh Palmer, WR, Tennessee
-Tennessee’s leading receiver
-6’2, 210 pounds
-Canadian
-had a good week of practice in Mobile.
-equally productive all three years
-played on the outside
-good hands
-needs better speed and route running ability to get separation on routes
-can come up with the 50-50 ball
-good body control on the toe drag
D’Wayne Eskridge, WR, Western Michigan
-was Western Michigan’s leading receiver
-Senior
-5’9 height, 190 pounds
-I think he was hurt in 2019
-pretty much started since his sophomore year
-very good kick returner
-three-star recruit out of high school
-played cornerback for the Broncos as well
-track star as well
Nico Collins, WR, Michigan
-was productive his sophomore and junior year but didn’t play his senior year.
-thought to have 6’4 height
-good hands
-can highpoint the ball on jump balls
-played mostly on the outside
-average blocker
-good route runner
Tyler Vaughns, WR, USC
-6’2, 190
-Redshirt Senior
-played all four years
-2nd team all-PAC 12 (2020)
-4.5 speed
-4-star recruit
-has good speed for his size
-played a lot on the outside
-not a great route runner
-wasn’t getting separation
-not a great blocker
Ihmir Smith-Marsette, WR, Iowa
-True Senior
-6’1, 179lbs
-productive for four years
-three-star recruit
-4.4 speed
-recruited as a CB
-decent route runner
-decent physicality as a run blocker
-can add another dimension as a runner. Good running after the catch ability
-sells the fakes well in his route running. Can cut at accelerated speeds.
Warren Jackson, WR, Colorado State
-opted out of the 2020 season to get ready for the draft
-6’6, 206lbs
-sub 4.6 speed
-productive three years for the Rams
-3-star recruit out of high school
-needs to track the ball better as a receiver
-not a great blocker
-average route runner
-a little below average speed, but not terrible
–willing blocker but needs to work on his technique
Anthony Schwartz, WR, Auburn
-6’0, 179lbs
-True Junior
-productive three years
-4-star recruit out of high school
-4.4 speed
-speed shows up on tape
-played in the slot at Auburn and on the outside
-does sink his hips on the release
-good route runner on the intermediate routes
-decent hands
TJ Vasher, WR, Texas Tech
-Redshirt Senior
-6’6, 215lbs
-four years of production
-low 4.5 speed
-4-star recruit out of high school
-played on the outside
-has a hard time getting separation
-decent run blocker
-can really highpoint the ball
-average route runner for his size
Seth Williams, WR, Auburn
-6’3, 211lbs
-True Junior
-4-star recruit out of high school
-Productive all three years
-4.5 speed
-has trouble getting separation
-more of an outside guy
-above average route runner
-above average run blocker
-has a little trouble with his release off the line of scrimmage
Osirus Mitchell, WR, Mississippi State
-6’5, 210lbs
-three years of good production
-redshirt senior
-3-star recruit out of high school
-sub 4.6 speed
-good runner after the catch
-needs more quickness off the line of scrimmage
-needs better hands
-runs very simple routes for the Bulldogs
-tracks the ball well on deep routes
Dazz Newsome, WR, North Carolina
-5’11, 190lbs
-very productive for three years
-True Senior
-3-star recruit out of high school
-4.4 speed
-good route runner
-only a slot guy
-good runner after the catch
-can take the top off the defense with his speed
Cornell Powell, WR, Clemson
-was the Tigers #2 receiver
-had a good 882 yards receiving with 7 touchdowns
-Senior
-6’0 210 pounds
-a bit of a one-year wonder
-average route runner
-good speed
-can take the top off the defense
-lines up all over but mostly an outside guy
-hands are a concern
Frank Darby, WR, Arizona State
-was decently productive freshman to junior year
-senior
-6’1 200 pounds
-lined up on the outside mostly but did sometimes line up in the slot
-didn’t run a full route tree at ASU
-good speed
-still needs to be sharper on his routes
-good hands in traffic
Tre Nixon, WR, Central Florida
-6’2, 180lbs
-redshirt senior
-3 years of good production
-4-star recruit out of high school
-good speed
-good start and stop on his routes
-more of an outside guy
-good run blocker
-did a lot of short routes in the Knights offense
-decent hands
Ben Skowronek, WR, Notre Dame
-was Notre Dame’s #2 receiver and finished in receiving yards behind Michael Mayer
-6’3 and 224 pounds
-better stats early in his career
-graduate transfer from Northwestern
-Senior
-decent intermediate route runner
-good hands
-average run blocker
-decent runner after the catch
-average speed
-used on the screen
-more of an outside receiver
Racey McMath, WR, LSU
-wasn’t a big stat producer.
-was like LSU’s #4 receiver.
-hasn’t played much at LSU
-6’3 224 pounds
-interesting to see if he can play special teams?
-hustles on his routes
-needs to cut better on his routes
-lines up in the slot and on the outside but is probably more of an outside receiver
-not a great run blocker
-Has plus speed on tape
-decent runner after the catch
-needs to use his hands better as a blocker
Austin Watkins Jr., WR, UAB
-leading receiver for UAB
-Senior
-6’3 210 pounder
-best year was in 2019
-two-year starter
-average getting off the LOS
-good speed
-not a full route tree at UAB
-good runner after the catch
-more of an outside receiver
-decent hands
-not afraid to go over the middle
Dez Fitzpatrick, WR, Louisville
-was Louisville’s leading receiver over Tutu Atwell
-big contributor all four years
-6’2 and 210-pound receiver
-didn’t show up big against Notre Dame
-lined up in the slot
-physical blocker!
-good speed on tape
-very good body control as a route runner
-I like the intensity in which he runs his routes
Cade Johnson, WR, South Dakota State
-season cancelled because of coronavirus
-two-year starter 2018 & 2019
-5’10 and 175 pounds, so projects as a slot guy
-kick return capable
-played in the slot at SDS
-has good speed
-has good angling as a run blocker for a little guy
Amari Rodgers, WR, Clemson
-Senior
-had 1,000+ yards receiving in 2020
-5’10 210 pounds
-was Clemson’s leading receiver
-has played all four years
-sometimes needs to work on his balance
-more of a slot guy
-sharp on his routes
-good speed to take the top off the defense
-deep threat
