Today’s prospect is a physically impressive and diversely skilled wide receiver who figures to be in the mix for the Lions’ second-round pick.
Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado Buffaloes
Height: 6-1
Weight: 227 (from combine)
Athletic profile courtesy of Kent Platte
Pros
- Incredible ball skills. His QB play at Colorado forced Shenault to make catches away from his body, leading into traffic, adjusting to poor placement regularly. No receiver in this draft is better at adjusting to make catches on non-pinpoint throws.
- Toughness. Shenault plays wideout like a linebacker, overly physical and often dishing out contact rather than taking it. He’s great at contested catches as a result. Shenault is very difficult to tackle with his violent running style, size and attitude.
- Good feet. He’s not a speedster or blessed with outstanding quickness, but his feet allow Shenault to get separation. He changes his foot cadence well, exhibiting good foot frequency for a bigger receiver.
- Away-from-ball work. Shenault sells his routes and goes full-bore even when he’s not directly involved in the play. His blocking is above-average and he will crack inside on LBs without issue.
Cons
- Injury history. Shenault missed time in 2018 with turf toe. When he returned he suffered a torn labrum in his shoulder. He had surgery for both. Shenault also missed one game in 2019 with a strained oblique.
- Identified role. Shenault did everything for the Buffaloes offense and that leaves him less polished at any one role than a lot of his fellow prospects. His shallow experience at a lot of tasks might get trumped by players with a strong depth of experience playing outside receiver, or in the slot.
- Speed. Shenault is not a blazing vertical threat. That’s not his game or style of play, and he’s good at varying his speeds. But if a team is looking for a field-stretcher on the outside, he’s not that guy.
Overall
Shenault calls to mind the playing style of Anquan Boldin, a physical, sure-handed wideout with bulk and aggressiveness. He’s versatile and athletic enough to play inside or outside and even play some of the H-back/gadget roles in NFL offenses. While his long speed and agility aren’t optimal, Shenault has proven on film he can use his great feet and nuanced movements to get free. He’s a high-effort player that oozes leadership and intensity, a tone-setter.
There are durability concerns that are exacerbated by his physical style of play. He’ll face stronger and more varied coverages in the NFL and will need to prove his skills translate. There is a higher bust factor than normal that goes in hand with his injury history.
Projection
Where I’d take him: If Shenault is on the board at No. 35 overall, he needs to be a strong consideration for the Lions
Where I project he’ll be drafted: 25-40 overall