NFL Draft

HEIGHT: 6'3 5/8"

WEIGHT: 290

HAND: 10 1/4"

ARM: 35 1/4"

WINGSPAN: 7'0 3/4"

40-YARD DASH: 4.89

3-CONE: DNP

SHUTTLE: DNP

VERTICAL: DNP

BROAD: DNP

POSITIVES

— Above-average burst off the snap. Can shoot forward to initiate contact right away, as well as shoot across into a different gap.

— Good foot speed and quickness when working across the line of scrimmage. Can fight across the offensive lineman's face into the far-side gap.

— Good length for the position. Improved technique could help make that an advantage for him in the future.

— Flashes impressive upper-body strength to knock blockers back.

NEGATIVES

— Leg drive is inconsistent, both in the run game and as a pass-rusher. Too often stalls out.

— Anchor in the run game is not there. Does not settle and play with a wide base when needed. Can only function as a penetrator right now.

— Hand placement needs work. Engages with his forearms rather than his hands too often.

— Too many pass-rushing reps where he stutters his feet on a two-way go without gaining any ground towards the blocker.

2021 STATISTICS

11 G, 23 TOT, 11 TFL, 5.5 SK, 1 FF

NOTES

— No. 1-rated JUCO transfer recruit in 2020, per 247Sports. Had offers from LSU, Alabama, Texas, Baylor and more.

— Started both seasons at Oklahoma.

— 2022 Senior Bowl MVP 

OVERALL

Perrion Winfrey is a ball of potential. He comes off the ball well, shows the lateral speed to rip across the line of scrimmage and flashes overwhelming upper-body power from time to time. All of those tools suggest he can be a big-time disruptor in the NFL.

However, Winfrey's technique is a few years away from being NFL-ready, and there should be concern about how he will hold up when he needs to anchor against the run. The sub-300-pound former JUCO transfer may still have room to add weight and strength, but he'll have to prove it.

Winfrey was largely miscast as a 0/1-technique at Oklahoma, but he projects more as an upfield penetrator from 3-technique in the NFL. However, the NFL is starting to move away from one-gap defensive fronts that allow players like Winfrey to just fire off the ball, so it's worth wondering how valued players like him will be over the next few years.

Winfrey has exciting traits and developmental value, but he is at least a few years away from being NFL-ready. He's also best suited for a role that is no longer as prevalent in the NFL as it once was.

GRADE: 7.2 (High-Level Backup/Potential Starter - 3rd Round)

OVERALL RANK: 88

POSITION RANK: DL9

PRO COMPARISON: Jonathan Bullard

Written by B/R NFL Scout Derrik Klassen

The 2022 NFL draft has been a wide-receiver party thus far, potentially at the expense of the prospects tasked with throwing to those wideouts. 

For the first time since 1996, only one quarterback—Pittsburgh Steelers first-rounder Kenny Pickett—was selected in the top 70 picks. 

Considering that three of the past four drafts featured four first-round quarterbacks—equal to the number of signal-callers that came off the board in the first three rounds this year—we're looking at one hell of an indictment on this year's quarterback class. 

In the most pass-happy, quarterback-oriented era in NFL history, you've got to be a historically bad class to receive this much neglect in the early rounds. 

And indeed, these guys all have their flaws. 

Pickett, who went 20th to Pittsburgh, has small hands and can be extremely jittery in the pocket. Atlanta Falcons No. 74 selection Desmond Ridder has a slight frame and accuracy concerns. Tennessee Titans No. 86 pick Malik Willis, who many thought could be a top-10 selection, is a project who will need to become far more consistent at the pro level. And Carolina Panthers No. 94 selection Matt Corral lacks the measurables or polish you want to see in a potential starter. 

The only other passer who was frequently in Day 1 or Day 2 conversations leading up to the draft is North Carolina product Sam Howell, who requires development, lacks ideal height and may run into issues with his mechanics. 

I know, I know. Tell us how you really feel, Gagnon. 

But there's more to this. The reality is that in a lot of other years, even this class might have garnered more love on the draft board. In this case, we're looking at a rookie passer class that has been victimized by the aforementioned recent quarterback gorge. 

At least three quarterbacks were selected in the first round of the previous six drafts. Looking more recently, nine signal-callers were selected in the first two rounds of the past two drafts alone. Eight of the first-round QBs coming off their rookie or sophomore season—Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, Justin Fields, Mac Jones, Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert—clearly possess some or a lot of promise. 

That's a quarter of the league's starting quarterback inventory right there. 

Another factor to consider is that the veteran quarterback carousel has been spinning more violently than ever. The Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks, Washington Commanders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers all looked like obvious potential early round quarterback selectors at various points this offseason, but Indy brought in Matt Ryan, Denver traded for Russell Wilson, Seattle at least got Drew Lock back for Wilson, Washington acquired Carson Wentz and Tom Brady famously balked on his retirement in Tampa. 

Only one quarterback was taken in the first 67 picks. This is the fewest quarterbacks taken at this point in the draft since the 1988 NFL draft, when the first QB selected was No. 68 overall.

— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) April 30, 2022

The Colts and Seahawks might have still been in on quarterbacks, but neither of those teams is known for making rash draft decisions. While the Detroit Lions shouldn't give much more leash to Jared Goff, it's easy to see why they might want to focus on other positions with Goff owed more than $30 million in 2022. 

Then there's the fact said carousel hasn't even stopped spinning. If teams entered this event under the impression Baker Mayfield and/or Jimmy Garoppolo could still be had at reasonable rates, why swing the bat on an iffy quarterback prospect even when the draft value might be there? 

The Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers did not help this quarterback class by holding onto Mayfield and Garoppolo, respectively, throughout Thursday and Friday. 

Still, the Jameis Winston-quarterbacked New Orleans Saints haven't bitten at all yet, the Falcons waited until Round 3 with Marcus Mariota in their QB1 slot, and a Panthers team putting most of its eggs in Sam Darnold's basket didn't appear to be in much of a rush to bring in competition before taking Corral late on Day 2. 

Some of those teams may have been thinking about Mayfield or Jimmy G. Some might have also been considering 2023. 

Led by Ohio State's C.J Stroud and Alabama's Bryce Young, next year's quarterback class looks like a lot of fun. The cannon-armed Stroud destroyed the Big Ten as a sophomore in 2022, while the polished Young won the Heisman Trophy in his debut season as a starter in the SEC. 

Beyond those two, there's plenty of other intriguing options. There's the physically awesome DJ Uiagalelei out of Clemson, former popular 2022 No. 1 mock pick in Spencer Rattler from South Carolina, and dual-threat bomber Anthony Richardson out of Florida is worth keeping an eye on, too. And those three are just the short list beyond the two-man top tier.

It's possible that for the first time in world history, NFL teams are exhibiting some patience this week. It helps that a lot of teams aren't set to give up on their current quarterbacks just yet. Additionally, there are still some interesting vets out there, and—maybe most critically—this quarterback class isn't much to get excited about.

The Tennessee Titans hope they found their quarterback of the future with the selection of Liberty's Malik Willis with the 86th overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft on Friday in Las Vegas.

Although Willis was firmly on the draft radar throughout his final season with the Flames, his stock started to soar thanks to his strong performance during Senior Bowl week.

The 22-year-old Atlanta native, who started his college career at Auburn before transferring to Liberty in 2019 for a shot at more consistent playing time, features a combination of arm talent and playmaking ability with his legs that perfectly fits the modern NFL play style.

He's still a work in progress, but the upside is obvious. Here's a glimpse at how the Titans' depth chart shapes up following his arrival:

QB: Ryan Tannehill, Logan Woodside, Kevin Hogan

Willis played 23 games across two seasons with the Flames following the transfer. He completed 62.4 percent of his throws for 5,107 yards (222 per game) with 47 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. He added 1,822 rushing yards and 27 scores on the ground.

The key question is how long it will take for him to translate his jaw-dropping skill set into high-level production against NFL defenses.

Bleacher Report's Nate Tice described him as "more of a toolsy player than a viable starting NFL quarterback at this point in time" but noted there are a lot of things to like in his predraft scouting report:

"Willis is an athletic and tough quarterback who can create plays out of structure with his legs and arm. He has average height but a good build and has no qualms about taking repeated hits throughout a game. He's a major weapon on designed quarterback runs.

"When Willis is in rhythm, his arm strength pops off the screen. He throws a catchable deep ball and can drive intermediate throws into tight spaces. When he's able to anticipate throws—usually on the outside or on RPOs—he flashes good accuracy. Willis is able to easily break a defense's contain with his agility and burst, and he has the ability to flip his hips and change arm angles when throwing on the move while also remaining accurate."

Those traits are basically a shot-for-shot breakdown of what it takes to become an ideal modern QB, as illustrated by the likes of the Kansas City Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes, Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen and Los Angeles Chargers' Justin Herbert, among others.

Bleacher Report's Scouting Department listed Willis as the No. 2 quarterback in the class behind Desmond Ridder, ranked 48th overall.

Willis must become better at reading defenses and using all sectors of the field in the passing game, but his long-term potential makes him an intriguing addition.

Regardless of what happens during his rookie year in Tennessee—he'll likely begin his pro career as a backup—this is a pick based on the long-term outlook. If he develops quickly and ends up finding stardom quicker than expected, that's merely a bonus.

The Titans are placing a bet that the highlight-reel moments he produced throughout college will eventually become his norm in the NFL, too. It's not a guarantee that will happen, but it's hard to argue against taking a chance on his type of talent.

HEIGHT: 5'11 3/4"

WEIGHT: 204

HAND: 9 3/4"

ARM: 30 7/8"

WINGSPAN: 6'1 1/2"

40-YARD DASH: 4.31

3-CONE: DNP

SHUTTLE: DNP

VERTICAL: 33"

BROAD: 10'1"

POSITIVES

— Great speed. Top gear can separate from anyone.

— Smooth runner who can switch lanes with ease in space.

— Comfortable running vertical routes. Does well to separate down the field.

— Good contact balance with the ball in his hands.

— Experience and production as a punt and kick returner.

NEGATIVES

— Route tree is limited right now. Mostly a screen-and-go ball player at this stage.

— Needs to tighten up route running. Plays too loose and allows cornerbacks to get the jump on him.

— Uncomfortable seeing the ball in at times. Often has to throttle down to find the ball.

— Does not flash much ability to catch outside of his frame or in traffic.

2021 STATISTICS

13 G, 61 REC, 807 YDS (13.0 AVG), 7 TD,

23 KR, 628 YDS (27.3 AVG), 1 TD, 18 PR, 272 YDS (15.1 AVG)

NOTES

— 3-star recruit in 2016.

— Began his career at USC before transferring to Tennessee in 2020.

— Six-year player, thanks in part to the added year of COVID-19 eligibility.

— 2021 first-team All-SEC (all-purpose).

OVERALL

Velus Jones Jr. is more of a return specialist than a wide receiver right now, but speed like his will always be a premium in the NFL.

Jones sprinted to a 4.31 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, and he backs that speed up on film. He may not have the immediate acceleration of some other stud speedsters, but once Jones gets rolling, he is tough to catch from behind. That rings true both with and without the ball in his hands, making Jones as much of a deep threat as he is a yards-after-catch weapon. With the ball in his hands, Jones can weave smoothly in between traffic and shows off impressive contact balance for a receiver of average size.

That being said, Jones is not a complete receiver right now. His route tree was largely limited to go balls, screens and slants. In the rare instances he was asked to run other routes, Jones lacked the technique or sharp movement skills to get in and out of breaks comfortably. Furthermore, Jones' hands are a concern. He struggles to catch balls outside of his frame or when contested in traffic, and he even shows some discomfort finding the ball in clean scenarios from time to time. It will likely take a couple of years for Jones to iron out either of these issues.

Jones does offer immediate special teams value, though. Jones returned kicks in all five seasons he played, as well as returned punts for Tennessee in 2021. Though he can excel at both, Jones' build-up speed and weaving rushing style make him a great fit to return kicks from Day 1.

Jones may not be ready to play offense out of the gate, but he can be a team's starting kick and punt returner instantly. Jones' speed and yards-after-catch potential are worth trying to develop at wide receiver, though that may be a longshot for someone set to be 25-years-old as a rookie. The most likely projection for Jones is a starting returner and speed threat off the bench.

GRADE: 6.4 (High-level Developmental Prospect - 5th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 170

POSITION RANK: WR25

PRO COMPARISON: Devin Duvernay

Written by B/R NFL Scout Derrik Klassen

HEIGHT: 6'4 1/8"

WEIGHT: 307

HAND: 10"

ARM: 33 1/8"

WINGSPAN: 6'8 3/8"

40-YARD DASH: 5.21

3-CONE: 7.75

SHUTTLE: 4.95

VERTICAL: 24"

BROAD: 8'6"

POSITIVES

— Efficiently comes out of his stance with above-average quickness, pad level, hand and hat placement to hook shades on outside runs to both sides.

— Shows an impressive understanding and grasp of how to negotiate leverage in the zone-run game with good timing and fits on combo blocks, crafty hand usage and solid angles to line up and connect on backers.

— Adjusts well on the fly against gap exchanges to stay balanced and use independent hands to wall off and secure slanting defenders across his face.

— Plays with a wide, firm base and solid contact balance to stay centered in his anchor, with active hands to reset and refit underneath and inside of the bull rush.

— Flashes the ability to generate torque to get bigger interior defenders leaning, off-balance and uprooted off their feet.

— Sorts out blitzes and line games quickly while staying alert when engaged to peel off and pick up late loopers.

— Looks like a natural center with significant improvement moving to the pivot in 2021 after spending his career prior at guard.

NEGATIVES

— Has adequate play strength and square power, often getting stacked and stalemated at the point of attack on angle-drive blocks.

— Can be late, high and wide with his hands in pass protection, which allows rushers to gain access to his frame and get to his edges quickly.

— Will get to the upfield shoulder of 'backers too quickly on his climb, leaving him vulnerable to run-throughs underneath.

2021 STATISTICS

- 13 starts at center.

- First-team All-SEC selection.

NOTES

— Former 3-star offensive tackle recruit out of Sylvania Northview High School in Sylvania, Ohio. Also played center on the basketball team.

— Switched to right guard from center in fall camp prior to the 2021 season.

— Graduated with his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering in 2019 and is on track to obtain two master's degrees in the spring of 2022 (mechanical engineering and business administration).

— 36 career starts with 23 at right guard and 13 at center.

— Accepted an invite to the 2022 Senior Bowl.

OVERALL

Luke Fortner is a three-year starter inside Kentucky's zone-run scheme. He started for two seasons at right guard before making the switch to the pivot in fall camp prior to the 2021 season. He quickly adapted to the change, showing a natural feel for the angles, timing and spacing needed to efficiently operate as a zone run-blocker at center.

Fortner is smooth and quick coming out of his stance with good pad level, hand and hat placement to work across and hook shaded defenders on outside-zone runs. He excels fitting and working combo blocks with each guard, knowing when to overtake and release based on how the 'backer reacts.

Fortner plays with a wide, firm base and understands how to work underneath defenders when overtaking to create rotational force, torque and seal off the first level. He is agile on his releases to the second level, taking solid angles with good body control and balance to line up smaller targets off combos and in the screen game.

Once latched onto a block, Fortner can leverage his hips and hands to sustain, steer and widen defenders to create cutback lanes. He diagnoses gap exchanges quickly and knows how to adjust his aiming points on the fly to wall off movement across his face.

Fortner is an alert, active pass protector. He has the processing skills to sort out blitzes and line games, work off multiple threats and pick up late loopers.

Fortner's adequate play strength and square power result in his getting stacked and stalemated when having to uproot bigger interior run-defenders on angle-drive blocks. He'll also need to tighten and speed up his strike timing and hand placement in protection to avoid giving easy access to his frame and access to his edges too quickly.

Overall, Fortner's swift adjustment from guard to center in fall camp and ability to process the mental side of the position bolstered his play speed at the pivot to an above-average level. Paired with starter-level quickness and use of leverage to connect and stay attached to blocks at the first and second levels, he looks like a potential starter in a zone-based run scheme. He also has the experience in his back pocket at both guard spots to stick as a backup and provide added value to an O-line room.

GRADE: 7.2 (High-Level Backup/Potential Starter - 3rd Round)

OVERALL RANK: 85

POSITION RANK: IOL11

PRO COMPARISON: Ethan Pocic

Written by B/R NFL Scout Brandon Thorn

Georgia wide receiver George Pickens was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the No. 52 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft on Friday in Las Vegas.

Pickens suffered an ACL injury during spring practice in March 2021. He underwent surgery and returned to the Bulldogs' lineup in late November to help UGA chase down its first national championship since 1980.

The 21-year-old Alabama native didn't make a consistent impact upon his return, catching just five passes across four games, but he flashed his game-changing ability with a terrific 52-yard catch against Bama in the national title game:

This catch was unreal from George Pickens 🤯 pic.twitter.com/ZRBUzvNpjb

— ESPN (@espn) January 11, 2022

Pickens finished his three-year tenure at Georgia with 90 catches for 1,347 yards and 14 touchdowns across 24 appearances.

Now he'll look to make an instant impact with the Steelers. Here's the team's updated offensive depth chart following his addition:

WR: Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, Miles Boykin, Rico Bussey

WR: Chase Claypool, Cody White, Tyler Vaughns

SWR: Anthony Miller, Steven Sims, Gunner Olszewski

Pickens possess an NFL-ready frame (6'3", 195 pounds) and strong hands, which have allowed him to regularly win one-on-one battles on the outside. He's also displayed a long stride that makes him a deep threat despite the lack of high-end speed.

Bleacher Report's Nate Tice wrote in his predraft scouting report the receiver arrives as a "useful option for NFL offenses with some room to grow into a more featured role":

"Pickens is a long outside wide receiver with good size and play strength. He plays with a competitive streak that shows up when he is attacking the ball in the air and in the run game as a blocker.

"Pickens' hand-eye coordination and balance show up when he's tracking deep throws and on contested catches. He is a natural catcher of the football and can consistently contort his body and haul in throws at all angles."

Pickens' route-running is the one thing Tice pointed out as an area in need of some improvement if the wideout is going to elevate his game at the next level.

Bleacher Report's Scouting Department listed Pickens as the seventh-best receiver and No. 34 overall player in the class.

The 2020 Sugar Bowl MVP should be a reliable asset for the Steelers as a rookie, even if he doesn't post monster numbers. His effectiveness in the red zone and willingness to make an impact as a blocker figure to earn him ample playing time.

How quickly his partnership with quarterback Mitch Trubisky (or Kenny Pickett if Pickett wins the job) develops will determine when he becomes a major all-situations factor in the Pittsburgh passing attack. He'll join a receiver group currently led by Diontae Johnson.

HEIGHT: 6'0 1/4"

WEIGHT: 194

HAND: 9 3/8"

ARM: 31 1/2"

WINGSPAN: 6'4 7/8"

40-YARD DASH: DNP

3-CONE: DNP

SHUTTLE: DNP

VERTICAL: DNP

BROAD: DNP

POSITIVES

— Rangy, long-armed athlete. Uses his hands and length well in press and attacking the ball.

— Loose, fluid hips allow him to open up and run

— Has a good burst out of his breaks. Best breaks are when he has a clear view of the ball and man.

— Plays with good positioning, especially when running downfield. Gets his head around to play the ball.

— Doesn't panic with the ball in the air. Has the ball skills to attack the ball or timing to play through the hands of the receiver.

— Shows good aggression in the run game. Attacks blockers with his physicality. Has very good strength for the position.

NEGATIVES

— Struggles with pad level at times. Can be high out of breaks, causing false steps and wasted movement.

— Long strider who takes a while to get going. Long speed downfield is a question. Looks to strain at times.

— Change of direction is an issue at times. Shows tightness when moving laterally. Slow reaction and recovery vs. in-breaking routes.

— Often is out of control when tackling in the open field.

2021 STATISTICS

- 11G, 37 TOT, 1 INT, 5 PBU

OVERALL

Andrew Booth Jr. is a full-bodied cornerback with long arms. He has the ability to play multiple techniques from man and zone.

A long strider with above-average speed, Booth occasionally has trouble with his change of direction and breaking, with his top-end speed being a question of concern. There are times where he lacks the crisp breaks desired due to his high pad level.

Though he has good press-man skills, Booth works best when he can see routes develop in front of him. With the ball in the air, he has shown the ball skills needed to defend short and deep passes as well as the ability to play through the receiver.

One of Booth's best attributes is his physicality when taking on blockers. He has the strength to control and shed most blockers from the receiver position.

Though Booth has the mindset needed in the run game, his tackling can be a question at times. He doesn’t always wrap up in the open field and occasionally ankle-bites, making shoestring tackles.

Booth will need to play in a scheme that mixes its coverages and gives him the flexibility to play both press and off coverage.

GRADE: 8.1 (Year 1 Starter - Late 1st-2nd Round)

OVERALL RANK: 24

POSITION RANK: CB5

PRO COMPARISON: David Long

Written by B/R NFL Scout Cory Giddings

HEIGHT: 5'11 1/2"

WEIGHT: 194

HAND: 9 1/4"

ARM: 31"

WINGSPAN: 6'2 3/4"

40-YARD DASH: 4.52

3-CONE: DNP

SHUTTLE: DNP

VERTICAL: DNP

BROAD: DNP

POSITIVES

— Full-bodied player with good strength. Has length to play against bigger receivers and tight ends.

— Has positional flexibility. Played both the slot and outside cornerback.

— Aggressive player who likes to get hands on receivers at the line of scrimmage in press and downfield.

— Plays the ball in the air well. Doesn't panic and has the ball skills and hands to catch the ball. Plays through the reception point.

NEGATIVES

— Has average functional strength at times. Can get stuck to blockers and slow to disengage.

— Hip tightness causes him to be rigid in press. Often rounds breaks.

— Average foot quickness and burst out of breaks. Long strider who has trouble sinking hips to get out of breaks when at full speed. Gets bumped off and rounds breaks at the top of routes.

— Has trouble with twitchier receivers. Lacks initial burst and change of direction in press.

— Erratic movements at times. Jumps around in zone, which can lead to poor distribution in zone coverage.

2021 STATISTICS

12 G, 45 TOT, 2 TFL, 2 INT, 7 PBU, 1 FF

OVERALL

Kyler Gordon is a physical cornerback who excels at tackling. He runs through ball-carriers, delivering strong blows all over the field.

With his ability to play close to the line of scrimmage, Gordon excels at blitzing. He plays fast and shows the ability to shoot the gap. Although he plays with good physicality, he at times gets stuck to blockers and has trouble disengaging.

In the pass game, Gordon does his best when he's able to see the routes develop in front of him and can see the quarterback throw the ball. With adequate speed, he sometimes struggles when matched against faster receiving threats.

Gordon's hip tightness shows up when he's asked to swivel his hips in press coverage, as well as when he covers double-moves. He also has difficulty sinking his hips to get in and out of breaks, causing him to round his breaks.

Though Gordon does a good job playing the ball on short or intermediate routes, he struggles to locate and play the ball downfield. He's at his best in underneath zone coverage.

Gordon needs to prove that his speed isn't a liability in his game by performing well in the 40-yard dash and the short shuttles. He looks to be a backup player with a defined role in the NFL.

GRADE: 7.7 (Potential Impact Player - 2nd Round)

OVERALL RANK: 45

POSITION RANK: CB6

PRO COMPARISON: Byron Maxwell

Written by B/R NFL Scout Cory Giddings

HEIGHT: 6'4 1/8"

WEIGHT: 208

HAND: 10 1/8"

ARM: 32 1/2"

WINGSPAN: 6'5 5/8"

40-YARD DASH: 4.36

3-CONE: DNP

SHUTTLE: DNP

VERTICAL: 38.5"

BROAD: 11'4"

POSITIVES

— Very good height and built solidly for the position.

— Flashes understanding of route concepts and polish with his route running. Consistently gets his depth and will stay friendly to the quarterback after his route breaks.

— Good hands. Will snatch throws away from his body.

— Has build up long speed when given a runway to take the top off the defense.

— Has had success as a kick returner in his career. Also has experience on designed rushes.

— Above-average play strength. Will flash good contact balance when bouncing off defenders with the ball in his hands.

— Competitive player who never misses an opportunity to talk to his opponent.

NEGATIVES

— Average tracking deep throws. Inconsistent high pointing throws and will fall away and make himself a small target.

— Can get caught playing high, and more physical cornerbacks can disrupt his releases.

— Inconsistent as a blocker. Doesn’t always utilize his size.

2021 STATISTICS

12 G, 43 REC, 801 YDS, 7 TD, 15 ATT, 114 YDS, 1 TD

NOTES

— 2021 FCS second-team All-American (Associated Press)

— 2021 first-team All-MVFC

— 2020-21 FCS first-team All-American (returner)

OVERALL

Watson brings very good height and size to the receiver position that allows him to play outside, but he does have experience from the slot and even the backfield. Watson is a straight-line runner with build up speed that can take the top off of defenses when given a runway. While he has just average lateral quickness because of his size, he still flashes the ability to create yards after the catch because of his balance and play strength.

His balance and body control also show up with his route running. Watson flashes polish with his routes, consistently getting to the proper depth for the concept being run and not getting antsy and convoluting the play. However, he can be a little loose when breaking on routes and will need to continue to refine. He will also have to continue to learn to use his size when releasing against press coverage and be more consistent with his bend. As he can get caught playing high and exposing his chest on releases and when breaking on routes, which more physical corners will take advantage of.

Watson is a comfortable catcher of the football and will extend for throws away from his body. He is inconsistent when tracking deeper throws and can play small instead of using his size to high point the ball above his head.

Watson’s size and play strength will flash as a blocker, but he will need to be more consistent in that area, as his energy in the run game will come and go based on how he’s doing as a receiver. He is also a very competitive player who loves to bring energy after every one of his catches.

Overall, Watson has the size and enough athleticism and route-running ability to have the upside of a starting X WR. He does require runway to get his long legs going, but he has enough balance to be under control when breaking on routes. He is best when being able to operate in a straight line on routes with no breaks or even as a ball carrier where he can get downhill quickly. Watson does bring some kick return ability that will appeal to teams early in his career. While you would have wanted to see him dominate more at the level he played at, he shows enough athleticism and polish to be useful working outside or on vertical routes from the slot, and he could be a good No. 3-type weapon for NFL teams looking to add size in their receiver room.

GRADE: 7.1 (High-Level Backup/Potential Starter - 3rd Round)

OVERALL RANK: 97

POSITION RANK: WR15

PRO COMPARISON: Bryan Edwards

Written by B/R NFL Scout Nate Tice