To get a better look at the Detroit Lions fifth-round pick, wide receiver Quintez Cephus, let’s take a look at how draft analysts evaluated him in their 2020 NFL Draft guides and website profiles.
The Athletic
Evaluator: Dane Brugler’s “The Beast”
“A three-year starter at Wisconsin, Cephus was the go-to receiver in head coach Paul Chryst’s pro-style scheme, lining up both inside and outside. A
basketball-first athlete the first 18 years of his life, he took a winding road to this point in his career, including a 22-month absence from the field at Wisconsin (broken leg and off-field issues, including his expulsion after the sexual assault charges), returning in 2019 to lead the team in receiving. Cephus is a good-sized athlete with the catch radius and toughness that translates well to the pro game. Although he doesn’t labor in/out of his breaks, his patterns lack nuance and he must adopt more attention to detail. Overall, Cephus needs to better coordinate the athleticism within his routes, but his hardwood background is apparent with his body control and ball skills, displaying NFL impact potential if he adds polish.”
NFL.com
“After missing all of 2018, Cephus got right back into the swing of things culminating with memorable games against Ohio State and Oregon. Size and body positioning create workable windows in tight quarters and his ball skills build trust with the quarterback. He’s a build-up runner who lacks suddenness to uncover and may need to be motioned, bunched, and lined in the slot to help with early separation. Teams know he can catch it but will need to see him get open. Cephus is a possession receiver with the profile of a capable WR3/4.”
Pro Football Focus
“Cephus has a lot of traits that make you think his game can translate to the NFL. He’s one of the best receivers at handling press coverage in the entire draft class and proved as much in his matchup with the Ohio State cornerbacks this season. Cephus has tremendous ball skills with numerous highlight reel catches on his tape. Unfortunately, Cephus is just so far below average athletically for the position that it’s difficult to see him consistently separating in the NFL. It would be one thing if he was an overly physical, imposing receiver with his athleticism, but at only a shade over 200 pounds, it’s unlikely Cephus will be imposing his will on NFL cornerbacks.”
The Draft Network
“Quintez Cephus is one of the more undervalued receivers in the class of 2020. Cephus can win from the outside, he can win from the slot and if he played in about 100 other offenses in college football he’d have had drastically better production. Significant off-field allegations (since cleared) kept him off the field in 2018 but Cephus bounced back with a strong 2019 campaign, showing effective releases, strong hands and an assertive mentality with the ball in the air. Potential starter.
Draft Wire
“Cephus made a name for himself as a well-rounded pass-catcher at Wisconsin. His ability to track the ball and use body control in the air makes him a nice target for quarterbacks. He is a projected slot receiver at the next level with some ability to play outside.”