Leading up to the 2021 NFL Draft, I will be evaluating and grading over 50 wide receiver prospects. I’ll write scouting reports on 3-5 wide receiver prospects and organize them in a weekly journal.
Each scouting report will include background information, strengths, weaknesses and an overview of them as a prospect. The intent is to illustrate where they will be able to succeed on an NFL field, but some potential areas where they may struggle as they transition to the pro ranks.
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DeVonta Smith, Alabama, 6-1 175
Background: A fourth-year senior, DeVonta Smith caught the game-winning touchdown in overtime of the national championship game as a true freshman. After modest production as a sophomore, he led a stacked Alabama wide receiver corps in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns as a junior. Smith won the Heisman Trophy in 2020, producing over 1,800 yards and 23 receiving touchdowns for the national champion Crimson Tide. Smith left the national championship game in the second half with a hand injury after a legendary first-half performance.
Strengths: Technician as a route runner who has above average speed to maintain separation. Clean footwork at the top of the route and through double moves, exceptional fluidity and acceleration once he changes direction. Capable of running a full route tree, and his route detail is advanced. Creates separation from the slot or on the boundary, and has had success against press coverage due to his footwork, loose hips and advanced release set. True route salesman, especially out of his stance where he’s able to instantly create space from defensive backs. Without notable power in his slight frame, Smith is effective after the catch because of a mixture of elusiveness and plus long speed with his stride length.
Weaknesses: Smith’s lack of size and strength can show up throughout the game and certain aspects of playing wide receiver. His frame doesn’t limit him at the catchpoint, but he can get knocked off his stem at times during intermediate routes. While slippery as a ball carrier, he doesn’t have much power or contact balance and has rarely broken tackles after the catch. He consistently struggles to stay on blocks, even when his effort is strong.
Overview: DeVonta Smith projects well into just about any NFL offensive system, with his ideal fit coming at the “Z” receiver spot. There, Smith can be used on motions or stacked alignments for free releases. He has the potential to be the leading wide receiver on an NFL offense, and will be a candidate for a 1,000 yard season early in his pro career.
Player Comparison: Keenan McCardell
Ja’Marr Chase, LSU, 6-1 208
Background: After a promising freshman season, Ja’Marr Chase exploded as a true sophomore on LSU’s national championship team. Chase recorded 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns on his way to the Biletnikoff Award for best wide receiver in the country. Chase opted out of the 2020 season after a 221-yard and 2 touchdown performance against first-round pick cornerback A.J. Terrell in the national championship game.
Strengths: Built at a burly 6’1, Chase has dominant strength that he uses in a variety of ways. Fights through contact during his route stem, will win while he’s contested at the catchpoint, breaks tackles after the catch and clears space as a blocker. He works back to the football through defensive backs, at proper angles and rips the ball into his body with authority. Against press coverage or late in the route, Chase will use extension to beat defensive backs and create separation. Uses his frame to box out when necessary, and can be a force over the middle of the field due to his strength. Difficult for defensive backs to bring down, and he’ll create explosive plays due to his power and contact balance. Strong enough to be schemed into run blocking.
Weaknesses: Chase can be overly concerned with countering press coverage moves at the line of scrimmage, often getting held up during his stem. Can take an extra moment to start his press coverage release, getting initially jammed and eventually unable to get into his route. Will run his route with his pads too high, resulting in extra steps and time at the top of the route as he needs to sink his weight. His strength is his ultimate weapon, but he has the explosiveness to be a more consistent separator on vertical routes and over the middle, he’s just not getting the most out of his athletic traits.
Overview: Ja’Marr Chase projects as a leading “X” receiver in the NFL due to his strength and vertical presence on the outside of the formation. After outproducing Justin Jefferson while at LSU, Chase’s baseline is high for the next level.
Player Comparison: Justin Blackmon
Jaylen Waddle, Alabama, 5-10 183
Background: A third year junior, Jaylen Waddle entered Alabama as a heralded recruit, and burst onto the scene winning SEC freshman of the year in 2018. Despite leading the country in yards per route run as a sophomore, he took a bit of a backseat on a deep wide receiver depth chart. He started off the 2020 season as arguably the best wide receiver in the country, before an ankle injury that knocked him out of seven games and continues to linger as the draft process approaches.
Strengths: Game breaking speed, but even more impressive acceleration out of his stance. Defensive backs are forced to provide him with extra space at the line of scrimmage or risk getting beaten over the top. Productive against double team or bracketed coverages. Surprisingly strong through contact with broader shoulders for a smaller receiver, and will pluck the ball out of the air while contested. Beautiful ball skills in the air. Particularly explosive through double move or on in-breaking routes, separating over the middle and maintaining that separation with speed. Pairs his vertical routes with Dig or Curl routes. Mixes the speed of his route stems, and will force defensive backs to open their hips too early as he accelerates. Dynamic ability after the catch, finding pockets of space behind his blockers. Possesses the speed and change of direction to break angles, creating chunk plays for the offense.
Weaknesses: Waddle was less involved in the Alabama offense as a sophomore in 2019, and then was only able to appear in four games before injuring his ankle on the opening kickoff against Tennessee. He returned for the national championship game, but was hindered by the ankle and will enter the NFL Draft process nursing that same injury. Majority of his reps throughout college came in the slot. Lack of experience and advanced age at 22 years-old (despite being a true junior) will be a concern.
Overview: Waddle should enter the league and be used in a vertical passing offense, stretching the field from the slot. As he gains comfortability in the NFL, his in-breaking and double move routes can be showcased. The NFL team that drafts him should highlight his yards after catch ability, which will effect how defenses need to align. With his success against double coverage, he has the potential to be an elite option at the position in the NFL.
Player Comparison: T.Y. Hilton