Category: Prospect Profiles

2020 NFL draft: K.J. Hamler scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Penn State wide receiver prospect K.J. Hamler

K.J. Hamler | WR | Penn State

Elevator Pitch

Hamler is an electric athlete who brings an aspect of speed and elusiveness to an offense that very few in this draft class can replicate. Though not the biggest or most physical receiver, he has high-end No. 2 receiver upside.

Vitals

Height | 5-9

Weight | 178

College Bio Page

Career Stats

Strengths

If you’re looking for a dynamic wide out in this class, Hamler’s among the best you can end up with.

The Penn State alum is explosive off the snap, is quick to reach top speed as a vertical threat and has dangerous acceleration once he gets the ball in his hands. He changes direction seamlessly, both as a YAC threat and as a route runner. His lateral agility and vision as a ball-carrier is top-notch, and he does a great job of sinking his hips into his cuts as a route runner.

Hamler has shown some good instincts as a route runner, as well. He does a good job of stemming routes and taking advantage of defensive back leverage to create separation. He can also eat up soft spots against zone coverage pretty well. Though not a dominant outside receiver, he can be a game-wrecker coming out of the slot in the NFL.

Weaknesses

Hamler’s weaknesses can be inferred from looking at his height and weight. He’s a smaller receiver, and he doesn’t play with great physicality in tight-window situations. His catch radius is limited, giving him a low ceiling in the red zone.

That lack of play strength affects him when he goes up against press, as he doesn’t have the power in his hands to create separation in ways other than a speed release. He isn’t fantastic at breaking tackles after the catches, and his focus can use some work, as that can present some issues with drops from time to time.

Projection: Day 2

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2020 NFL draft: Josh Uche scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Michigan edge defender prospect Josh Uche

Josh Uche | EDGE | Michigan

Elevator Pitch

Uche brings plenty of athleticism and versatility to the edge rusher position. The burst he brings off the edge, his fluidity in space and the flashes he’s shown as a pass-rushing technician make him an intriguing project, though he might not be able to take on a full-time starter role early on in his career.

Vitals

Height | 6-1

Weight | 245

College Bio Page

Career Stats

Strengths

The pure athletic ability that Uche brings to a defense makes him a valuable chess piece.

An explosive rusher off the edge, Uche has great first-step acceleration for a 245-pounder. He is a fluid defender who has top-notch hip and ankle flexibility, which allows him to rip and dip underneath offensive tackles, as well as change direction in the open field. That athleticism also gives him some value dropping back in coverage, as he is able to offer solid range in zone, as well as above-average abilities as an edge rusher in man.

Though Uche is a shorter edge rusher, he uses that to his advantage. He plays with good pad level and does a good job of being the lower man in most of his reps. He has flashed the ability to convert speed to power, and his hand usage has been impressive at times, especially at the Senior Bowl.

Weaknesses

Uche has athletic tools to spare, but he still has some work to do before becoming a full-time impact starter in the NFL. Part of that stems from his play strength: he doesn’t pack a powerful punch at the point of attack, and his anchor strength is inconsistent. That lack of power in his game also makes it tougher for him to make an impact against the run.

While he has shown some promise with his hand usage, he’s still a work in progress in terms of his instincts and heading into each rep with a plan as a pass-rusher. He’s also only a one-year starter, and his lack of length off the edge is below average.

Projection: Day 2

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2020 NFL draft: Denzel Mims scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Baylor wide receiver prospect Denzel Mims

Denzel Mims | WR | Baylor

Elevator Pitch

An incredibly deep class of wide receivers could see Mims drafted lower than he would be in most drafts, but make no mistake about it: he is the truth. A lengthy wide out with insane athleticism and more than enough physicality, he has the tools to develop into the big-bodied target a lot of teams love to line up on the outside.

Vitals

Height | 6-3

Weight | 207

College Bio Page

Career Stats

Strengths

As far as physical attributes go, very few receivers in this class can compare to Mims.

A 6-foot-3 receiver with plenty of length and track star speed – he ran a 4.38 in the 40-yard dash at the Combine – Mims possesses a rare combination of size and athleticism. He accelerates well off the snap and has great deep speed, allowing his team to use him as a vertical threat to stretch the field. He does a good job of utilizing footwork to create separation, and he has a good speed release against man coverage.

Mims’ catch radius is fantastic, as his length and his lower-body explosiveness allow him to jump up and fight for nearly any ball thrown his way. He has good body control and does a commendable job of adjusting his body to make tough grabs. Though still developing as a route runner, he has gotten progressively better throughout his time at Baylor, executing different techniques to break man and improving the sharpness in his cuts. He’s also a capable and willing blocker who plays with a high motor on running plays.

Weaknesses

Although Mims has the raw tools to become a standout player in the league, he will have to undergo some development to do so. His route-running prowess can use some work, as he doesn’t use his hands very well to separate from press-man. The offense he participated in didn’t have him running an extensive route tree, so he’ll have to prove himself capable of stringing together route concepts in the pros.

Despite his impressive numbers at the Combine, Mims doesn’t have stellar abilities after the catch. He isn’t an incredibly elusive ball-carrier and is very much a vertical runner when he gets the ball in his hands. His frame could also stand to add a little bit of bulk to it, but that’s not a major issue.

Projection: Top 40

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2020 NFL draft: Brycen Hopkins scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Purdue tight end prospect Brycen Hopkins

Brycen Hopkins | TE | Purdue

Elevator Pitch

Hopkins is an athletic receiving tight end with the potential to be a high-volume ‘U’ tight end at the next level. While he’s a work in progress as a blocker, his speed, body control and route-running abilities should see him be high in command in a class that doesn’t have a lot of top-end talent at his position.

Vitals

Height | 6-4

Weight | 245

College Bio Page

Career Stats

Strengths

In a league where tight ends have more and more value as pass-catchers, Hopkins should be able to fit right in.

An athletic player with a good frame for his position, Hopkins is a very fluid weapon who can flip his hips seamlessly and burst well coming out of his breaks. He has great body control and is a coordinated athlete in terms of his ability to move across the middle of the field. He’s a refined route-runner for a tight end, as he does a good job of sinking his hips and making sharp cuts.

Hopkins has plenty of experience lined up in the slot, and his combination of size and speed makes him a difficult player for opposing defenses to contain in man coverage. His ball skills are impressive: he excels at adjusting to the ball and high pointing passes in contested situations. The son of former All-Pro offensive lineman Brad Hopkins, the Purdue star has professional football in his blood, too.

Weaknesses

For all the upside that Hopkins brings as a pass-catcher, he still needs to get better as a blocker. His pad level could use some work, as he isn’t great at sinking his hips into contact and staying low when engaged with a defender. His grip strength is decent at best, and he doesn’t have the nastiest of edges as a run blocker.

Drops have also been an issue Hopkins has dealt with from time to time. His film has a handful of double-catches in it, as well as just straight up drops. If he wants to make it into that upper echelon of tight ends in the NFL, then he will have to work on his hands a bit.

Projection: Day 2

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2020 NFL draft: Justin Jefferson scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about LSU wide receiver prospect Justin Jefferson

Justin Jefferson | WR | LSU

Elevator Pitch

A fluid athlete with great body control, impressive ball skills and incredible production in 2019, Jefferson has the potential to be a high-end No. 2 receiver at the next level. With some fine-tuning to his route-running technique, he can be a real problem for opposing defenses in the NFL.

Vitals

Height | 6-1

Weight | 202

College Bio Page

Career Stats

Strengths

Jefferson fits the prototype of the “big slot” receiver that has seen an uptick in popularity in recent years.

His athletic ability is certainly apparent on tape. He possesses top-notch body control and is able to make tough adjustments to the ball in the air, helping complement his focus and strong hands to make his ball skills among the best in the class. as well as change direction seamlessly after the catch. He does a good job of stemming his routes and using leverage points to his advantage.

Jefferson’s speed is quality, as he can accelerate off the snap well and outrun defenders once he gets into the open field. Some were worried about his 40-yard dash time at the Combine, but he put those concerns to bed with an admirable 4.43 time. His production this past season was through the roof, too: he finished the year with 111 catches, 1,540 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Weaknesses

While Jefferson proved to be capable of separating at the collegiate level, one has to wonder how much of that was related to scheme. He’s a good athlete, but his technique as a route runner could use some cleaning up. His footwork can be a little sloppy at times, and he can struggle to sink his hips into his breaks and make sharp cuts.

He was a reliable target coming out of the slot, but Jefferson doesn’t offer as much value lined up wide. He doesn’t do a great job of using his hands to separate from tight man coverage, and his ability to break press isn’t all that great. His profile is certainly one of an NFL contributor, but he doesn’t necessarily have “No. 1 target” written all over him.

Projection: Round 2

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2020 NFL draft: Jedrick Wills scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Alabama offensive tackle prospect Jedrick Wills

Jedrick Wills | OT | Alabama

Elevator Pitch

A nasty, powerful blocker with ideal technique and intelligence for the offensive tackle position, Wills is a Day 1 starter who can make an immediate impact at either tackle spot. His well-rounded skill set and reliability as both a run blocker and a pass protector should have him drafted highly.

Vitals

Height | 6-4

Weight | 312

College Bio Page

Strengths

Wills does a lot of the important things right for an offensive tackle.

His technique is textbook, as he consistently blocks with his weight underneath him and manages to get leverage through his pad level on a regular basis. He does a great job of using his hands, timing his strikes well and generating plenty of power behind them. Wills’ hand placement is also among the best in this class: he regularly ends up getting them inside the shoulder pads of his opponents.

The footwork with which Wills plays in pass protection is ideal for his position. He has enough lateral quickness to keep up with quicker edge rushers, and he has very good body control in his shuffles. His motor also runs high on a down-by-down basis, showcasing the desire and ability to pummel defenders into the dirt. An intelligent zone blocker, he does a good job of executing his assignments and clearing lanes for his teammates by determining which defender to go after.

Weaknesses

There honestly aren’t a lot of weaknesses in Wills’ game.

Though solid in the athleticism department, his tape isn’t reflective of an elite athlete along the offensive line. His agility in the open field is decent, at best. He can be susceptible to stunts or moves to the inside when going up against athletic defenders.

Wills isn’t necessarily undersized, but his length for a tackle isn’t the best in the class. He has shorter arms for his position, and his height isn’t anything to call home about. That’s being rather nit-picky, as he should be more than capable of playing there in the pros, but it’s just a minor tick to an intriguing profile.

Projection: Top 10

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2020 NFL draft: Mekhi Becton scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Louisville offensive tackle prospect Mekhi Becton

Mekhi Becton | OT | Louisville

Elevator Pitch

Becton is a physical specimen unlike any other offensive lineman in this class. His hulking physique and nasty edge as a run blocker is complemented by surprisingly nimble feet and impressive athleticism for such a big man. He has some polishing to do, but off of pure upside alone, he’s definitely worth taking early in the first round.

Vitals

Height | 6-7

Weight | 364

College Bio Page

Strengths

Well, for starters, he’s huge.

The heaviest player invited to the Combine, Becton is a hefty individual who also possesses stellar length for an offensive lineman. He’s not out of shape by any means, though; he carries the weight very well and doesn’t have much body fat on his frame. That size makes it anything but surprising to know that he’s an absolute mauler in the run game. He plays with a nasty edge, looking to annihilate the competition and drive them into the dirt. His grip strength is admirable, and the power with which he delivers his punches is downright brutal.

Becton isn’t just a massive brute, as the athleticism he brings to the table is palpable. Much commotion has been made about his 5.10 40-yard dash at the Combine, and as crazy as that speed is for such a heavy player, that athleticism shows up on tape. He’s surprisingly light on his feet and has good body control when moving laterally in pass protection. His straight-line speed is also apparent when he’s asked to accelerate to the second level and block in space.

Weaknesses

For as much upside as he possesses already, Becton is still developing as a blocker.

As one would expect for a taller offensive tackle, Becton’s pad level could be more consistent. His hips aren’t incredibly flexible, making it tougher for him to sink down and maintain leverage with his pads. He wins with pure strength and dominant force behind his strikes, but his pad level will need to get a bit better at the next level.

Though he’s an athletic big man, Becton’s body control could use some improving. He finds himself getting knocked off balance on occasion, and he sometimes ends up lunging when he strikes, making him susceptible to getting beat. And, while he carries his current weight very well, he might be better off losing a few pounds just to be safe.

Projection: Top 15

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2020 NFL draft: Tristan Wirfs scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Iowa offensive tackle prospect Tristan Wirfs

Tristan Wirfs | OL | Iowa

Elevator Pitch

Wirfs has all of the tools to be a high-end starting offensive lineman for years to come. From his brute strength to his impressive athleticism to his nonstop motor once engaged with a defender, his skill set has much to be excited about. Regardless of whether teams plan on playing him at tackle or guard, he should be an early pick in this year’s class.

Vitals

Height | 6-5

Weight | 320

College Bio Page

Strengths

Wirfs garnered a reputation for being a weight room animal at Iowa, and when you turn on his tape, that’s not surprising to hear.

The three-year collegiate starter has a lengthy and muscular frame that is well-built with ideal proportions for an offensive lineman. His bulk translates to power on film, as he plays with powerful grip strength once he latches onto a defender. Wirfs has the raw upper-body strength to manhandle smaller defensive linemen and knock them off balance. Combining that power with a motor that runs high on every down, he has made his fair share of pancake blocks on the field.

Wirfs tested incredibly well at the Combine, leading all offensive linemen in the 40-yard dash, vertical jump and broad jump. That athleticism translates on tape. He has above-average lateral quickness in pass protection, showing flashes of dynamic explosion coming out of his stance to nullify speed rushers off the edge. He has also shown improvement in terms of his ability to get inside hand placement over the course of his collegiate career.

Weaknesses

While Wirfs has shown impressive athletic ability, he can stand to do so in a more consistent manner. His lateral quickness is superb on some plays, but there are also some downs where he struggles to change direction. Playing with better composure is an area where he can improve.

Wirfs’ hands can be a bit slow at times, as he can get better in regards to the quickness with which he counters pass-rushing techniques. He can also overset from time to time, leaving him susceptible to inside moves. His wingspan is also pretty short for an offensive tackle, making it a possibility he moves to the interior in the NFL.

Projection: Top 15

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2020 NFL draft: Andrew Thomas scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Georgia offensive tackle Andrew Thomas

Andrew Thomas | OT | Georgia

Elevator Pitch

Thomas has the potential to develop into a Pro Bowl-caliber offensive tackle at the next level. He’s a more-than-capable athlete for the position and offers plenty of upside as a pass protector on the blindside, and his experience in Georgia’s run-heavy scheme shows when he’s creating holes for his running backs. A technically-sound blocker who does a lot of the little things right, Thomas should be taken early in this year’s draft.

Vitals

Height | 6-5

Weight | 315

College Bio Page

Strengths

Thomas is one of the most refined blockers in the 2020 draft class.

The way he sinks his hips into contact and maintains leverage through his pad level is fun to watch. His footwork is ideal for the position, and he keeps a balanced base when engaging with defenders. He has improved at getting his hands inside the shoulder pads of his opponents, and the timing behind his strikes is consistent. The three-year collegiate starter plays with active and powerful hands and constantly fights to get the upper hand, no pun intended.

Thomas is a nimble lineman who can keep up athletically with most of the defenders he goes up against. His acceleration coming out of his kick slide is admirable, and he has shown that he can play with lateral quickness when shuffling or when asked to accelerate to the second level. If you’re a team who utilizes its offensive linemen in zone-blocking or reach-blocking situations, Thomas would be a great fit in your system.

Weaknesses

While Thomas brings upside as a technically-sound blocker, he still has some cleaning up to do in his game. His pass sets can be inconsistent, which can make him prone to allowing inside moves to opposing edge rushers. He is a good athlete, but his footwork could be smoothed out a little bit.

Thomas could also stand to bulk up a little bit. His anchor strength hasn’t reached its full potential yet, and he can still struggle with explosive pass rushers who can convert speed to power well at times. Doing that could help iron out one of very few flaws in his game.

Projection: Top 15

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