2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: TE Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas

Sanders will not be drafted for his blocking skills – he’s a pass catcher and one of the best in this draft.

Ja’Tavion Sanders was a five-star recruit coming out of high school and joined the Texas Longhorns where he only saw action in three games as a freshman and caught no passes. The Longhorns were run-heavy that year with Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson and only wideout Xavier Worthy (62) managed to catch more than 24 passes that year.

As a sophomore, Sanders became a starter and was second only to Worthy (60) in receptions with 54 catches. His five scores were second only to Worthy. As a junior, he caught 45 passes while Worthy (75) and Adonai Mitchell (55) were also instrumental in the Longhorn’s passing scheme. All three players are in the 2024 NFL draft and the two wideouts are expected to be early calls.

Sanders declared for the NFL draft and posted a respectable 4.69 40-time at the NFL combine, along with prototypical size and weight for a receiving tight end.

Height: 6-3
Weight: 245 pounds
40 time: 4.69 seconds

Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Table: Ja’Tavion Sanders NCAA stats (2021-23)

Year School Games Catch Yards Avg. TD Rush Yards TD
2021 Texas 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2022 Texas 13 54 613 11.4 5 0 0 0
2023 Texas 14 45 682 682 2 1 12 0

Pros

  • Works well in traffic using size
  • Run after catch posts big gains in a vertical passing attack
  • Too fast to be covered by a linebacker
  • Strong hands that almost never drops passes or fumbles
  • Plus-level downfield blocker
  • Smooth route runner
  • Already familiar with multiple alignments
  • Reliable target that highpoints the ball well

Cons

  • More of a receiver than a blocker could limit to just role work
  • Needs work as a run blocker
  • Still needs development after only two playing years in college

Fantasy outlook

Ja’Tavion Sanders projects as a Day 2 pick and potentially the second tight end selected after Brock Bowers is tabbed early in the first round. Sanders is a receiving threat and should end up with a team looking to expand their passing scheme to include the tight end. He’s been likened to the Bills’ Dalton Kincaid and the Cardinals’ Trey McBride.

Taken in Round 2 means that his new team has every intention of integrating him as quickly as possible into the passing equation. Potential landing spots include the Colts who’ll be re-introducing quarterback Anthony Richardson, the Chargers who lost virtually every notable receiver including Gerald Everett, and the Saints. He could also end up on a team that already has a strong tight end but are interested in developing Sanders to take over in the future like the 49ers, Texans, or even the Chiefs.

Sanders higher cost in the NFL draft will most likely send him to a team that wants payoff next year, if not 2024. This is considered a deeper draft for tight ends than most, and recent rookie tight ends have shown that the position is more valued and a better opportunity even in their first season.

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR Xavier Worthy, Texas

Pure speed.

Don’t blink.

You might miss Xavier Worthy running the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. The ex-Longhorn wideout posted a 4.25 40-time in his initial attempt and then jogged past previous record holder John Ross by running a 4.21. The old record had stood since 2017.

If you ever have the chance to break an all-time record in anything, ideally it should be while compared to the best talent and in front of every potential employer. It marks as the highlight of the 2024 NFL Combine.

Worthy went to high school in Fresno, California and originally committed to the University of Michigan before changing over to the University of Texas. He wasted no time in making his mark, posting school freshman records with 981 yards and 12 touchdowns. He went on to earn All-Big-12 honors in all three seasons, peaking with 75 catches for 1,014 yards as a junior. He announced that he would enter the NFL draft instead of playing out his senior season.

Height: 5-11
Weight: 165 pounds
40 time: 4.21 seconds

Worthy’s knock, same as virtually every other speedster is his size and more so his weight that was lower than expectations when he weighed 165 pounds at the combine. He had been listed officially as 172 pounds at Texas.

In the last five seasons, there were only two wide receivers with any fantasy value that were as light as Worthy. DeVonta Smith (6-0, 170) and Tank Dell (5-10, 165). Smith has always been an outlier for a thinly built receiver, even while he starred at Alabama. Dell is listed at the same weight and fell to the third round in the 2023 NFL draft. Also notable, Dell missed a game with a concussion and then later suffered a broken leg in Week 11 in his only NFL  season.

Table: Player NCAA stats (2020-23)

Year School Games Catch Yards Avg. TD Rush Yards TD
2021 Texas 12 62 981 15.8 12 1 7 0
2022 Texas 13 60 760 12.7 9 2 14 0
2023 Texas 14 75 1014 13.5 5 4 35 0
Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

  • Very, very fast
  • Very, very quick
  • Uses speed to his advantage with start-stop and explosive burst
  •  Instant breakout as freshman and delivered every year
  • Not just a deep threat, runs routes at all three levels
  • Willing blocker despite size
  • Elite body control, balance and ball tracking
  • Scored twice during 40 punt returns in college
  • Highly competitive
  • Only 21 years old

Cons

  • Light frame works against him in contested catches
  • Prone to concentration drops
  • May struggle against NFL-level press coverage
  • Hand strength concerns on ball security and contact with ground
  • Weight-height ratio causes durability considerations

Fantasy outlook

Worthy led the Longhorns in receiving yards for all three seasons, though his teammate Adonai Mitchell (6-2, 205) also expected to be highly drafted and was slightly higher on many draft boards. Worthy’s triumphant 40-time is now expected to get him past  Mitchell and may even sneak into the first round of this receiver-rich draft. Post-combine, Worthy is considered a Top-10 wideout and his draft slot depends on a team looking for a speedy receiver to fit their needs.

The only two comparable in size with Worthy are DeVonta Smith and Tank Dell. Smith is slightly larger and exceeded expectations as the No. 2 receiver in the Eagles’ passing scheme. Dell is a better parallel in that they are the same weight. He was an emerging star in Houston but was concussed and later broke his leg after only 47 catches.

It always relies on where a receiver lands and the quarterback that he will be paired with, along with the immediate receiving needs of his new team. Until that becomes clear, expect him to offer a field-stretching target as a rookie in likely a No. 3 role. The benefits of his speed compared against his potential size limitations suggest a great later pick in Best Ball formats where the occasional big game compensates for mostly low to moderate weekly output.

Worthy should offer fantasy value as a rookie, and while it is rare for someone as light as he is to become a weekly fantasy consideration, it is not without precedent. That makes him a target even in redraft leagues looking for position depth that may surprise. But that eye-popping 4.21 40-time can be overvalued. The other sub-4.3 wideouts were J.J. Nelson, Tyrone Calico, Marquise Goodwin, Jerome Mathis, and John Ross. Not exactly a Hall of Fame grouping.

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Blake Corum, Michigan

Corum brings elite rushing skills and a winning attitude

The prized high-school recruit from Maryland opted to play for the Michigan Wolverines where he he headed up an elite rushing attack and made a name for himself as one of the best backs in the country.  He broke their all-time record for rushing touchdowns while playing under Jim Harbaugh who has also moved this year by heading up the Los Angeles Chargers.

After two seasons of part-time play, Corum became the Wolverine’s  starting running back with spectacular results. After piling up almost 1,500 rushing yards as a junior, he again shined during the their campaign to win the National Championship ending a tick below with 1,245 rushing yards but upped his scoring total to 28 touchdowns on the season. He ended his college career by rushing for 134 yards on 21 carries for two scores against Washington to become the 2024 College Football National Championship MVP.

Height: 5-8
Weight: 213 pounds
40 time: 4.53 seconds

Corum is only 5-8, but put on a show at the NFL Combine where he led all backs with 27 reps in the bench press, ran a solid 4.53 40-time, and added to his volume of highlight reels from the last two seasons.

Table: Player NCAA stats (2020-23)RB

Year School Games Runs Yards Avg. TD Catch Yards TD
2020 Michigan 6 26 77 3.0 2 5 73 0
2021 Michigan 12 144 952 6.6 11 24 141 1
2022 Michigan 12 247 1463 5.9 18 11 80 1
2023 Michigan 15 258 1245 4.8 27 16 117 1
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

  • Superior vision combined with deadly jump cuts
  • Strong runner that runs through arm tackles
  • Tremendous burst  makes him capable of chunk plays
  • Elite decision-making skills for picking lanes and slipping through traffic
  • Gym rat with rare combination of strength and speed
  • High character guy with a winning attitude
  • Smart player who also won academic honors at Michigan
  • A backfield asset regardless of scheme

Cons

  • Smaller size at 5-8 brings durability concerns; already suffered a meniscus tear to end 2022.
  • Marginal use as a receiver in college
  • Questions regarding pass protection may limit third downs
  • Likely better fit in a committee and lacks the size for short yardage work.
  • Will turn 24 during the season

Fantasy outlook

Corum was a beast for the Wolverines and instrumental in their success the last two seasons including that National Championship Offensive MVP in January.  He doesn’t project as an every down back due to his size and potential injury concerns but he brings a skillset that will add to any offense. He’s more likely a Day 2 pick and may slide a little further if his previous knee issues and size cause concern.

The natural assumption is that he’d fit great with the Chargers who switch to HC Jim Harbaugh who already knows how to use him. Adding him as a complement to a back like Austin Ekeler should create a formidable 1-2 punch. He’s been speculated to end up with the Cardinals, Packers, Titans, or Bills. But he’d be a fit regardless of franchise because he brings a set of skills that would benefit any team, and that’s furthered by his intelligence and maturity. And falling out of the first round, if not the second, means any team could access him.

He brings a big name to the NFL after winning a National Championship and that could see him overvalued by some in the fantasy community. He should provide fantasy value as a rookie in a role that may expand during the season, but he’s unlikely to be asked to step in and take over a backfield. Corum has elite rushing skills but has to match them weekly against players that were college all-stars and remain healthy.

2024 NFL Combine fantasy preview

Time to get a first look at the 2024 NFL rookies measurables – the real ones, not the ones that their college PR machine publish.

Spring is not far off and neither is the NFL draft. The NFL Combine is that stopping place between college play and an NFL team submitting that player name in Detroit  sometime between Thu, Apr 25, 2024 – Sat, Apr 27. This is the first time college players get officially measured, where quarterbacks may get shorter, running backs weigh less, and receivers slow down from what their college bios may have claimed.

This is where fantasy football starts for the new year. There are always rookie surprises and plenty of reasons to take the chance on a new player, hoping you landed a big value (cough-cough-Puka Nacua-cough). This is the official start of the hype machine stoked by player agents and highlight films, bought into by franchises trying to appease the fan base and the source of tremendous optimism. Many will not measure up in the long-run, but many will. And it all starts here.

NFL Combine schedule

Thursday, February 29th, 3 PM ET – Defensive Linemen/Linebackers

Friday, March 1st, 3 PM ET – Defensive Backs, Tight Ends

Saturday, March 2, 1 PM – Quarterbacks, Running Backs, Wide Receivers

Sunday, March 3, 1 PM – Offensive Linemen

Saturday is the day when you get a first look at players that will likely show up in nearly every round in your fantasy drafts. Tight ends test on Friday but have historically been minor contributors in their first season, at least until last year when Sam LaPorta shattered that concept when he ended as the No. 1 fantasy tight end.

Invited Players

Here’s the list of players that will appear, and a quick breakdown of the top players in their positions so you’ll know who to pay extra attention.

QUARTERBACKS

Top prospects

Caleb Williams, USC – Widely expected to be the 1.01 pick of the draft by the Bears. Two years starting at USC totaled 8,170 pass yards, 72 pass TDs, 524 rush yards and 22 rush TDs. Highly coveted franchise quarterback.

Drake Maye, North Carolina – Can run well but the 2-year starter in North Carolina is a deadly passer who peaked with 4,321 pass yards and 38 TDs in 2022. Huge at 6-4, 230 pounds and can make any throw, and ran for up to 698 yards in a season. Expected to be a Top-5 pick.

Jayden Daniels, LSU – Heisman Trophy winner. Mature, experienced, dual-threat fifth-year quarterback who peaked in 2023 with 3,812 pass yards, 40 pass TDs, 1,134 rush yards and ten rush TDs. Top-5 pick likened to Lamar Jackson but maybe even a better passer.

Rest of field

  • Sam Hartman, Notre Dame
  • Devin Leary, Kentucky
  • J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
  • Joe Milton III, Tennessee
  • Bo Nix, Oregon
  • Michael Penix Jr., Washington
  • Michael Pratt, Tulane
  • Spencer Rattler, South Carolina
  • Austin Reed, Western Kentucky
  • Kedon Slovis, BYU
  • Jordan Travis, Florida State

RUNNING BACKS

Top prospects

Jonathon Brooks, Texas – Tore his ACL late last year and will not participate in combine drills. Three-down back that can offer dynasty league value that pays off in 2025. May have been the first RB selected prior to injury.

Trey Benson, Florida State – Two-year starter for FSU, averaged 6.1 YPC as a rusher and scored 24 TDs total with two 900+ yard seasons as a rusher. Downhill runner may be first back selected and can offer two-down skillset while upgrading his role as a receiver.

Braelon Allen, Wisconsin – Another bruising runner at 6-2, 238 yards who offers two-down rushing at first and can grow into a better receiver. Three-year starter for Badgers who may end up as the Thunder in a committee backfield but can play all roles. Only 20 years old.

Audric Estimé, Notre Dame – Took over as the primary back in 2023 and ran for 1,341 yards and a school-record 18 TDs while catching 17 passes for 142 yards.  Tough to tackle combination of speed and power should be a Top-5 pick for the position.

Blake Corum, Michigan – Team captain of the National Champs is smaller at 5-8, 200 pounds but four-year back started the last three with 2023 serving up 1,245 rush yards and 27 TDs after tearing meniscus at the end of 2022. Elite back that played behind an elite O-line. Will be 24 in November.

Rest of field

  • Rasheen Ali, Marshall
  • Emani Bailey, TCU
  • Isaiah Davis, South Dakota State
  • Ray Davis, Kentucky
  • Daijun Edwards, Georgia
  • Frank Gore Jr., Southern Mississippi
  • Isaac Guerendo, Louisville
  • George Holani, Boise State
  • Bucky Irving, Oregon
  • Dillon Johnson, Washington
  • Jawhar Jordan, Louisville
  • Dylan Laube, New Hampshire
  • MarShawn Lloyd, USC
  • Jase McClellan, Alabama
  • Kendall Milton, Georgia
  • Keilan Robinson, Texas
  • Cody Schrader, Missouri
  • Will Shipley, Clemson
  • Jaden Shirden, Monmouth
  • Tyrone Tracy Jr., Purdue
  • Kimani Vidal, Troy
  • Michael Wiley, Arizona
  • Miyan Williams, Ohio State
  • Jaylen Wright, Tennessee

WIDE RECEIVERS

Top prospects

Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State – As hyped as any rookie wideout in recent history. Will be the first wideout taken. Big, fast, elusive, and won the Biletnikoff Award as best receiver. Two years at Ohio State both ended over 1,200 yards and 14 TDs. Considered a tier above all other college wideouts.

Rome Odunze, Washington – Led the nation with 1,640 receiving yards on 92 catches with 13 TDs. Expected to go in first half of Round 1. Great size at 6-3, 215 pounds with elite hands and a quarterback’s best friend with catch radius and ability to get open.

Malik Nabers, LSU – Junior season exploded for 89-1,569-14 stat line playing with  QB Jayden Daniels. May be the No. 2 WR selected. Only 20 years old and likely a Top-10 overall pick. Tough to tackle and a speedster that averaged 17.6 YPC last year. Expected to provide Year 1 fantasy starter production.

Brian Thomas Jr., LSU – The other half of LSU’s deadly wideouts led team with 17 TDs on his 68 catches for 1,177 yards and averaged 17.3 YPC in his breakout season. Solid speed with 6-5 frame will be a difference-maker at the next level and should be a Round 1 pick with immediate fantasy value.

Keon Coleman, Florida State – Transferred to FSU as a Junior and ended with 50 catches for 658 yards and 11 TDs as their leading receiver. Plenty fast enough with a 6-4, 215 pound frame. Projects as a productive No. 2 NFL wideout for a team that needs a possession receiver and end-zone target.

Troy Franklin, Oregon – Improved all three seasons with the Ducks and ended with 81 catches for 1,383 yards and 14 scores in 2023. The 6-3 speedster was timed at a 4.35 40-time and expects a Day 1 call as a premier deep threat that can still play the middle.

Xavier Worthy, Texas – Another potential field-stretcher who topped out at 75 catches for 1,014 yards last year and scored 26 times in his career as a third-year Longhorn. The 6-1 receiver has his 172-pound weight work against him but he’s expected to run a 4.3-ish 40-time and can offer a valuable role as a returner that may see him sneak into Day 1.

Ladd McConkey, Georgia – Struggled with injury last year but turned in 58 catches for 762 yards and seven scores for the Bulldogs as a sophomore and projects as a slot receiver at 6-0 and 185 pounds. Precise route runner that shined at the Senior Bowl and should be called on Day 2.

Rest of field

  • Javon Baker, UCF
  • Jermaine Burton, Alabama
  • Jalen Coker, Holy Cross
  • Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky
  • Jacob Cowing, Arizona
  • Ryan Flournoy, Southeast Missouri State
  • Anthony Gould, Oregon State
  • Lideatrick Griffin, Mississippi State
  • Jha’Quan Jackson, Tulane
  • Cornelius Johnson, Michigan
  • Xavier Legette, South Carolina
  • Luke McCaffrey, Rice
  • Jalen McMillan, Washington
  • Bub Means, Pittsburgh
  • Adonai Mitchell, Texas
  • Ricky Pearsall, Florida
  • Ja’Lynn Polk, Washington
  • Brenden Rice, USC
  • Tayvion Robinson, Kentucky
  • Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, Georgia
  • Ainias Smith, Texas A&M
  • Jamari Thrash, Louisville
  • Devaughn Vele, Utah
  • Devontez Walker, North Carolina
  • Malik Washington, Virginia
  • Tahj Washington, USC
  • Xavier Weaver, Colorado
  • Jordan Whittington, Texas
  • Isaiah Williams, Illinois
  • Johnny Wilson, Florida State
  • Roman Wilson, Michigan

TIGHT ENDS

Top prospects

Brock Bowers, Georgia – If there is another Sam LaPorta in this draft (and there had never been before), then it would clearly be Bowers who led the Bulldogs in catches, yards, and receiving TDs in all three of his seasons. As a freshman he scored 13 times. As a sophomore, he caught 63 passes for 942 yards. He’s expected to be a Top-10 pick and offer fantasy value even as a rookie. He’s in a tier all by himself for college tight ends.

Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas – He may be the second tight end drafted, but is considered a significant drop from Brock Bowers. Sanders is a 6-4, 256-pound receiving tight end who turned in around 50 catches for 650 yards for the last two years. He’ll be more of a development player than a Year 1 contributor.

Rest of field

  • Erick All, Iowa
  • AJ Barner, Michigan
  • Jaheim Bell, Florida State
  • Devin Culp, Washington
  • Dallin Holker, Colorado State
  • Theo Johnson, Penn State
  • Trey Knox, South Carolina
  • Tanner McLachlan, Arizona
  • Tip Reiman, Illinois
  • Ben Sinnott, Kansas State
  • Brevyn Spann-Ford, Minnesota
  • Cade Stover, Ohio State
  • Jack Westover, Washington
  • Jared Wiley, TCU

Combine drills and tests

Players are allowed to participate or opt out of any activity. Below are the seven tests used and their current record holders.

40-yard dash – WR John Ross, Washington (4.22, 2017)

Bench press (225 pounds) – DT Stephen Pea, Oregon State (49 reps, 2011)

Vertical jump –  Tie WR Chris Conley, Georgia (45″, 2015) and CB Donald Washington, Ohio State (45″, 2009)

Broad Jump – CB Byron Jones, U. Conn. (12’3″, 2015)

3-cone drill – WR Jeff Maehl, Oregon (6.42, 2011)

Shuttle run – WR Brandin Cooks, Oregon State (3.81, 2014)

S2 eval testing – The NFL relied on the Wonderlic Test but the results were not made available to the public and the test ceased to be used starting in 2022. The test did no favors to QB Vince Young and RB Frank Gore, who both scored a “6” on the 0 to 50 scale. Ryan Fitzpatrick was the top quarterback with a score of 48.

The new S2 evaluation measures visual learning, instinctive learning, impulse control, and improvisation. The results are not made public either and came under scrutiny after the NFL released the scores of three rookie quarterbacks – Bryce Young (98%), Anthony Richardson (79%),  and C.J. Stroud (18%).  Stroud was the second pick of the draft behind Young, and easily outperformed the others despite the rating.

2023 fantasy football rookie dynasty/keeper rankings

Which rookies have the most long-term fantasy football value?

Looking for fantasy football rookie rankings for your dynasty or partial-keeper league? We have you covered.

Of course, injuries and radical personnel changes cannot be forecasted with much certainty. Variations in league settings and scoring formats notwithstanding, here are snapshot rankings depicting how the top rookies stack up for the long haul.

Dynasty fantasy football rankings by position

2023 NFL Draft: Day 3 fantasy football recap

Recapping all of the noteworthy fantasy football picks from Rounds 4-7.

StThe 2023 NFL Draft’s final day is here, bringing us Rounds 4-7. We’ll examine any noteworthy selections who may have a role in fantasy football.

Be sure to check out our Day 1 and Day 2 coverage for a better feel of how these rookies all fit into fantasy plans for the upcoming year and beyond.

Round 4 fantasy football reaction

2023 NFL Draft: Day 2 fantasy football recap

Live blogging all of the notable Day 2 fantasy football selections.

The 2023 NFL Draft brings us Day 2, comprising of the second and third rounds. It was a trade-filled opening day that included several fantasy-relevant picks. Follow along on the second day for all notable fantasy football reactions of the night.

Also see: DAY 1 | Day 3

Round 2 fantasy football reaction

2023 NFL Draft: Day 1 fantasy football recap

Live blogging the impact of each fantasy-relevant pick from Round 1.

The 2023 NFL Draft is finally upon us, and prospects are now rookies with NFL cities to call home. Follow along for real-time analysis of the opening round’s impact on fantasy football plans for 2023.

Fantasy draft season may not be close to hitting its crescendo, but hardcore gamers have been selecting players prior to the conclusion of the collegiate bowl season. It’s time to let the real fun begin!

Also see: Day 2 | Day 3

Round 1 fantasy football reaction

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR Kayshon Boutte, Louisiana State

Kayshon Boutte has elite potential for a third or fourth round price.

Kayshon Boutte carries the same potential as he flashed back in high school when his senior season saw him post 47 catches for 1,005 yards with 15 touchdowns, and he ran for 874 yards and 12 more scores. He was ranked the No. 2 wideout in the nation when he signed with LSU.

Boutee was an immediate starter, thanks partly to Ja’Marr Chase opting out for 2020 in that COVID-impacted season. His calling card came in 2020 when he set an SEC record for receiving yards in a game when he caught 14 passes for 308 yards and three scores against Ole Miss. He earned Freshman All-American and SEC All-Freshman Team honors. His sophomore season was cut short after six games due to an ankle injury.

Height: 5-11
Weight: 195 pounds
40 time: 4.5 seconds

His junior season was uneven and less productive, and he originally planned to return for a fourth year but then opted to declare for the draft and skip their Citrus Bowl matchup with Purdue. Boutte flashed elite talent at times, but his lack of consistency will drop him back further in the draft.

Table: Kayshon Boutte NCAA stats (2020-22)

Year School Games Catch Yards Avg. TD Rush Yards TD
2020 LSU 10 45 735 16.3 5 0 0 0
2021 LSU 6 38 509 13.4 9 0 0 0
2022 LSU 11 48 538 11.2 2 1 41 0

Pros

  • Speed makes him a vertical threat
  • Strong run-after-catch ability
  • Shows up in critical games
  • Burst and quickness to create and maintain separation
  • Capable of a long-gainer on any play
  • Versatile playmaker that just needs the ball in his hands – can play outside or in the slot.
  • Tough player with quick feet that can work the middle
  • Elusive in space and can break arm tackles

Cons

  • Required two surgeries on his ankle
  • Route running not consistently sharp
  • Occasional concentration lapses lead to drops
  • Smaller catch radius
  • Needs to improve on contested catches

Fantasy outlook

Boutte was on the path for a big sophomore season before the ankle injury and wasn’t as effective the following year. He’s shown enough to merit an NFL team using one of their draft picks in the third or fourth round, and his potential suggests that he could be a steal. Boutte has all the measurables that are desired in a No. 1 wideout. Like any receiver, the offense and quarterback he is paired with will have a great impact, but he’s one to watch regardless of where he ends up.

He falls a bit in the draft with his previous ankle injury and needs to keep that as the exception. With only 131 receptions in college, he still has plenty of development left to explore and offers any NFL team an enticing package of skills and physical attributes. He won’t likely step into a No. 1 role on his new team this year, but in the right situation will become fantasy-relevant even as a rookie.

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR Rashee Rice, SMU

Rashee Rice projects to become a No. 1 wideout for an NFL team.

Rashee Rice elected to remain in Texas and signed on with the SMU Mustangs, where he started his final three seasons and gained national attention with a monster senior year. Rice was a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award and on the All-ACC First Team, and the AP All-American Second Team.

He led the Mustangs in receiving stats in each of his three seasons as a starter, increasing his production and value to the team. He dominated the receivers with 96 catches, while no one else had more than 37 receptions.

Height: 6-1
Weight: 204 pounds
40 time: 4.51 seconds

Rice is a big-bodied, capable receiver that could potentially sneak into the bottom of the first round but will likely be later. He’s been a very productive player and leaves for the NFL as more mature and experienced than most other rookie wideouts.

Table: Player NCAA stats (2019-22)

Year School Games Catch Yards Avg. TD Rush Yards TD
2019 SMU 8 25 403 16.1 1 1 0 0
2020 SMU 10 48 683 14.2 5 0 0 0
2021 SMU 12 64 670 10.5 9 0 0 0
2022 SMU 12 96 1355 14.1 10 0 0 0

 

Pros

  • Prototypical blend of height, weight and speed to be a No. 1 receiver
  • Tall frame and soft hands make for a huge catch radius
  • Helps out his quarterback when plays break down
  • Improved in each of his four seasons
  • Elite short-area burst helps with separation
  • Reliable possession receiver with run-after-catch ability
  • Capable in the slot or on the outside
  • Mature 23 year old with 233 career receptions.

Cons

  • Limited route tree while playing in spread offense
  • Boosted stats with a possession role but will face far better defenses in the NFL that won’t give him the short middle
  • Has enough speed but hasn’t been much of a deep threat
  • Occasional concentration drops

Fantasy outlook

Rice expects to be a Day 2 selection. He’s a dynamic athlete who checks plenty of boxes to become a primary wideout and a productive receiver with plenty of fantasy value. He’s been a high-volume weapon for the Mustangs for four years and can make a quarterback look even better working with him when plays break down.

His biggest limitation – which may only be temporary – is that he played a possession role with underneath routes in a spread offense. He’ll have to adjust to playing against a secondary that is not only faster, bigger, stronger, but also not as spread out all over the field. Rice has the speed and after-catch ability to find NFL success if only eventually, as he’ll have a learning curve.

Unlike so many of his fellow rookie wideouts, Rice combines enough weight and height to deal with press coverage and contested catches. He has the speed to break off a long gainer, but he can be used all over the field and succeed at all three levels of the defense.

If Rice reaches the second or third round, he’ll offer excellent value for any team looking to develop a new primary wide receiver or add a very capable No. 2 wideout that can be used in many roles. He’s been linked to potential suitors of the Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots, and Baltimore Ravens.