The Green Bay Packers must use the 2020 NFL Draft to provide the finishing touches on a team that won 13 regular-season games and got within one game of the Super Bowl during Matt LaFleur’s first season as head coach.
Between now and the draft, Packers Wire will periodically break down one top prospect fitting the Packers’ roster needs.
Up next is Rhode Island receiver Isaiah Coulter:
What he can do
– 6-2 with 4.45 wheels. Has length/speed combo teams covet
– Explosive off the line. Had a 10-yard split of 1.51 seconds
– Kind of choppy runner who chews up grass with quick, short strides
– Won most of his one-on-one battles with pure athleticism. Corners at his level couldn’t handle length and speed. Will have to become more refined, polished to consistently win at next level
– Caught five of his eight touchdown passes on throws over 20 yards in air in 2019, per PFF
– Encouraging potential getting off the line. Defeats press with quick feet. Can get defender leaning several different ways before exploding past. Has a good plan of attack when corners want to disrupt routes early, an important skill for winning in the NFL
– Three-cone and short shuttle times are baffling (based on tape) and potentially very concerning. Potential deal-breaker for the Packers. If he can’t change direction, as the numbers suggest, he’ll be a limited NFL prospect
– Caught only 57 percent of targets in 2019. A lot of forced passes came his way
– Really comfortable going up and high-pointing the football on off-target throws. Made several catches in the air at full extension. Vertical leap of 36″, should have strong catch radius
– Encouraging tape against Virginia Tech and UConn. Won one-on-one matchups from a variety of positions on the field and with different styles of routes against higher level of competition
– Stepped up and create big conversions on several fourth downs
– Good awareness on the sideline. Made several tough catches near the boundary
– Played almost exclusively outside. Might not have slot versatility, although several snaps against Virginia Tech project possibility of success inside
– Tons of contested catch experience. Rhode Island quarterback targeted him in several tightly contested situations. Play strength and aggressiveness need to improve to raise completion percentage in traffic
– Decent vision with the ball in his hands, but he’s not going to elude many tackles at the next level. Wasn’t a tackle-breaker in college
– Small hands (9″)
How he fits
Coulter is an intriguing developmental type at receiver. He has length, speed and some high-pointing ability, with encouraging traits at the line of scrimmage and several instances of stepping up to the challenge against top opponents or big situations. He might not be ready to contribute early, but he has workable skills that have value if the rest of his games fills in and develops. Teams will want to use his combination of speed and burst to help turn him into a more complete route runner. His current skill set has the foundations of a future contributor, including the ability to separate in consistent ways, but he’ll need to add polish and play strength to his game to become a potential No. 2 or No. 3 receiver at the next level.
NFL comp
At the very high end, PFF likes Robert Woods. That might be a stretch, as Woods is a somewhat unique player, but they actually have comparable size and athleticism, including the (worrisome) agility drills. Allen Hurns is another workable comp.
Where Packers could get him
Day 3, although there’s buzz about him as a top-100 player. The guess here is that teams would be much more comfortable gambling on the player in the fourth round or later. Coulter needs time, but he’s talented.
Previous Prospects for the Pack
WR Tee Higgins
LB Kenneth Murray
LB Patrick Queen
WR Jalen Reagor
WR Justin Jefferson
TE Harrison Bryant
WR Denzel Mims
WR Brandon Aiyuk
WR/TE Chase Claypool
LB Zack Baun
LB Akeem Davis-Gaither
OT Josh Jones
OT Austin Jackson
S Antoine Winfield Jr.
DL Raekwon Davis
DB Xavier McKinney
WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
DL A.J. Epenesa
TE Hunter Bryant
RB Jonathan Taylor
RB Zack Moss
WR Michael Pittman
WR K.J. Hamler
WR John Hightower
LB Jordyn Brooks
LB Troy Dye
LB Willie Gay Jr.
OT Jack Driscoll
WR Devin Duvernay
OT Ezra Cleveland
WR Van Jefferson
OT Andrew Thomas
S Grant Delpit
TE Cole Kmet
OT Tristan Wirfs
QB Jordan Love
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
DB Jeremy Chinn
RB/WR Antonio Gibson
DL Jordan Elliott
DB K’Von Wallace
WR Bryan Edwards
DL Ross Blacklock
LB Logan Wilson
DL Justin Madubuike
RB Cam Akers
LB Malik Harrison
RB Darrynton Evans
WR Lynn Bowden Jr.
WR Gabriel Davis
LB Josh Uche
CB Trevon Diggs
DB Terrell Burgess
OLB Terrell Lewis
CB A.J. Terrell
WR Quintez Cephus
TE Albert Okwuegbunam
QB Jalen Hurts
WR Tyler Johnson
IOL Cesar Ruiz
DB Ashtyn Davis
WR Quez Watkins
OT Ben Bartch
IOL Matt Hennessy
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