2022 player profile – Page 2 – Syndication Server

2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR Jameson Williams, Alabama

Jameson Williams could be a stellar addition to any football team if he can replicate that one good year that ended with an ACL tear.

Jameson Williams presents a very interesting case to be one of the early-drafted wideouts this year. There’s a lot to like from his 2021 performance with he dominated opposing secondaries while the Crimson Tide advanced to yet another College Football Championship. He hails from an Alabama program that produced Jaylen Waddle, DeVonta Smith, Henry Ruggs III, and Jerry Jeudy in just the last two years.

And yet his first two seasons were spent at Ohio State where he was a reserve with special teams play. Williams was behind Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson for the Buckeyes, and both of those receivers are also in this draft. Williams helped fill the void that was left with Waddle and Smith left for the NFL draft last season and the Crimson Tide had to remake their receiver corps (not that unusual for Alabama, nor often a problem either).

There’s no contesting that he had a tremendous season in 2021. But he also tore his ACL in the College Football Playoff National Championship. That throws at least some uncertainty on here he should be valued on NFL draft boards. His injury kept him from performing at the NFL Combine, but there’s plenty of tape to review from his 79-catch, 1,572-yard performance last year.

He’s had the surgery and is reportedly ahead of schedule in is recovery that was expected to be 5-7 months. There’s still a chance that he could be ready by training camp, but even if he wasn’t ready by the season’s start, that shouldn’t have much bearing on where he is selected.

Height: 6-2
Weight: 189 pounds
40 time: sub-4.4 seconds estimated (did not run at combine)

Williams could be a stellar addition to any football team if he can replicate that one good year that ended with an ACL tear. But – he only managed the one notable season and as with so many Alabama players entering the draft, the question always exists – how much did the perpetually-stacked offense around him help his production?

Table: Jameson Williams NCAA stats (2019-21)

Year	School	Games	Catch	Yards	Avg.	TD	Runs	Yards.
2019	Ohio State	4	6	112	18.7	1	0	0
2020	Ohio State	6	9	154	17.1	2	0	0
2021	Alabama	15	79	1572	19.9	15	3	23

Pros

Highly productive as a starter for Alabama
Fast – accelerates instantly and has that elite extra gear
Burst and start-stop is special, can blow past coverage
Long limbs with large catch radius
Impressive route runner
Outstanding ability to get separation
Deadly from slot with a free release
Consistent yards after catch as a slippery speed merchant
Good football intelligence helps him respond to differing types of coverage
Versatile and more than just a deep threat
Big play ability makes him dangerous every down
High character

Cons

Recovering from ACL tear in January
Possible one-year wonder
More of a vertical receiver
Lanky build could suffer versus aggressive NFL cornerbacks

Fantasy outlook

Jameson Williams enjoyed an elite 2021 season that ended in the National Championship when he tore his ACL. He’s certainly more of a risk that other receivers that crested 1,500 yards in a single season thanks to that injury and the fact that he couldn’t win a starting job for two years at Ohio State. And both of the Buckeye wideouts he couldn’t surpass are also in this draft.

He’s still expected to be taken in the back half of the first round. His redraft value will be lower since he may not be 100% up to speed by the start of the season and he’s only played for one year as a starter – albeit with great results.

With any receiver, the value depends on the quarterback and overall offense that he joins. Williams should be a higher pick in a dynasty league where his worth should increase in future years. He’ll be tracked throughout the offseason and preseason to determine how likely he’ll be a notable factor as a rookie. But he could end up a steal for his team in future years if he can display the form of 2021.

2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB James Cook, Georgia

Cook’s versatility will make him an attractive addition to any NFL backfield, and many scouts believe he’s underrated due to his lack of statistics from the last four years.

James Cook hails from the Georgia Running Back Factory that served up D’Andre Swift, Sony Michel, Nick Chubb, and Todd Gurley in recent drafts. He also is the younger brother of Dalvin Cook, so he has the genetics and pedigree to be an NFL running back. Cook was the third-ranked running back in the 2018 recruiting class, and teammate Zamir White was the first-ranked. Just being a Georgia running back says a lot.

But they used a committee backfield, and Cook had minor playing time for the first three seasons. He played behind D’Andre Swift, Elijah Holyfield, and Zamir White until his senior year, when he started several games in a timeshare with White, and Cook saw his busiest season as a receiver while the Bulldogs won the Orange Bowl over Michigan and then a national championship versus Alabama.

Cook’s best game was in the 2021 Orange Bowl when he ran for 32 yards on six carries and then caught four passes for 112 yards and a score. He later rushed for 77 yards on six carries and caught two passes for 15 yards in the championship against the Crimson Tide.

Height: 5-11
Weight: 190 pounds
40 time: 4.42

Cook was always productive when given a chance but was little used in the Georgia committee backfield until last season when he finally came close to the same touches as White. He’s expected to be a Day 2 pick in the second or third round, which speaks to his potential more than his past production.

Table: James Cook NCAA stats (2018-21)

Year	School	Games	Runs	Yards	Avg.	TD	Catch	Yards.
2018	Georgia	10	41	284	6.9	0	8	89
2019	Georgia	13	31	188	6.1	0	16	132
2020	Georgia	8	45	303	6.7	2	16	225
2021	Georgia	15	113	728	6.4	4	27	284

Pros

Highly versatile back
Excellent receiver including work from the slot
Effective runner with over 6.0 yards per carry each year
Receiving skills of a wide receiver
Accelerates to the hole and has elite start-stop and lateral moves
Speed to take any play the distance
Mismatch against linebackers on pass plays
Low mileage back with durability should have a longer career
Could be a three-down player if needed
Can throw half-back passes

Cons

Not a power-rusher like so many other Bulldog running backs
Size suggests optimal career as a third-down back
Was arrested in 2019 on two misdemeanors but has since been exemplary so not a real concern
Poor pass blocking has to improve
Less likely to be successful with inside running at the NFL level

Fantasy outlook

Cook has the build and a resume to show that he’s well-suited to a role as a pass-catching back, but he’s not just a third-down player. His size may limit his rushing role, but he has plenty of moves and enough speed to do damage as a running back as well. He may not move the pile, but his quick feet and change-of-direction skills will be useful in the NFL as a runner, if only as a complement to a primary rusher.

As with any running back, his fantasy value will depend mostly on his opportunities. Cook has low mileage, but he spent four years with one of the elite college programs and comes off a national championship. He can contribute as a rookie though he’ll be drafted mostly as a secondary back or even depth until the depth chart opens up enough to get him on the field consistently. Cook can be a factor on all three downs.

Cook’s versatility will make him an attractive addition to any NFL backfield, and many scouts believe he’s underrated due to his lack of statistics from the last four years.

His fantasy value will spike if he lands on a team that relies heavily on running backs as receivers. He’s likely not as productive as Alvin Kamara but shares much of the same skillset. He’ll appeal more in leagues with reception points and could play as a third-down back as early as this year. But he carries the potential to be even more, so his dynasty value will be higher.

2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: QB Malik Willis, Liberty

Malik Willis is ready to run onto fantasy rosters even as a rookie.

As a high school senior in Atlanta, Malik Willis threw for 2,562 yards, rushed for 1,033 yards and scored 37 total touchdowns. He signed with Auburn and played behind Jarrett Stidham for two seasons with appearances in 11 games but transferred to Liberty College in 2020, where he became a starter for the next two years.

Granted, he traded SEC opponents for those on independent Liberty’s schedule – Troy, Middle Tennessee State, North Texas, Army, and the like. But Willis became one of the most electric dual-threat quarterbacks in the nation. He was the leading passer and rusher for the Liberty Flames the last two seasons and led them to a 10-1 record in 2020 as the No. 17 team in the AP rankings.

Height: 6-0
Weight: 219 pounds
40 time: 4.4 (estimated – did not run at combine)

He enters the NFL with both elite skills and areas of concern. Willis was a star at the NFL combine, displaying his arm strength and deep ball touch. Better yet, he impressed in interviews and left teams comfortable with his maturity, intelligence, and ambition. He did not run since he had nothing to prove. He has elite speed.

Table: Malik Willis NCAA stats (2018-2021)

Year	Team	Games	Runs	Yards	TD	Pass	Complete	Yards	Avg.	TD	Int
2018	Auburn	7	16	221	1	7	6	45	9.3	1	0
2019	Auburn	5	12	88	1	7	5	24	3.4	0	0
2020	Liberty	10	141	944	14	265	170	2250	9.0	20	6
2021	Liberty	13	197	878	13	339	207	2857	8.4	27	12

Pros

Tremendous dual-threat potential
Dangerous running in the open field
Elite RPO skills in the right offense
Cannon arm but can drop deep rainbow passes into a basket
Good vision on scrambles and roll-outs
By all accounts a leader and high character individual that teammates will rally behind
Raw tools are elite
Speed to burn any defender when in the open

Cons

Takes unnecessary sacks when pressed
Footwork in the pocket needs work
Accuracy issues when scrambling
Can throw too hot to shallow receivers
Tends to look for big play rather than settle for lesser gains or throwaways
Worked against lesser competition and in simpler offense at Liberty
Shorter stature may impact seeing over the line

Fantasy outlook

He’s compared to recent running quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson and particularly Jalen Hurts, who led the NFL in quarterback rushing yards last year. There is no doubt that Willis can fit into the NFL and his run ability will be fantasy-relevant even as a rookie. He may be the first quarterback taken in the NFL draft.

There’s plenty to love about Willis. Elite rushing skills, cannon arm that can make any throw, highly competitive. While his rushing ability and deep-ball skills are already formidable, he’ll need to continue to work on his intermediate passing, where he needs to improve at reading defenses, adjust ball velocity on shorter passes, and be more accurate. He was only a two-year starter at a smaller college and needs continued development as a pocket passer. If he can master that intermediate game as he has deep throws and rushing, then Willis will be one of the elite quarterbacks in the NFL.

One of the qualities that he brings, unlike so many other college quarterbacks, is leadership, maturity, intelligence and willingness to learn. He’s well-liked and respected by teammates.

His rushing ability will always make him fantasy-relevant. How quickly he can learn to be a better passer will limit or propel his fantasy value.

2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR Chris Olave, Ohio State

Chris Olave is the prototypical wide receiver with a shot at becoming a No. 1 wideout for an NFL team

Chris Olave is the prototypical wide receiver with a shot at becoming a No. 1 wideout for his NFL team. He blew up as a senior in high school with 1,764 yards and 26 touchdowns and opted to sign with the Buckeyes.

He played for four years, starting the final three. He considered declaring for the NFL draft after his junior season but opted to remain for one more year in order to improve his resume and draft stock after the 2020 season was shortened due to COVID. It worked. Olave ended his collegiate career with 65 catches for 936 yards and 13 touchdowns and is a likely first-round draft pick in April.

Height: 6-0
Weight: 187 pounds
40 time: 4.39 seconds

Notable too is that Olave played along with Justin Fields through 2020 and was the leading receiver for Fields last two seasons. That topped out at 840 receiving yards as a sophomore during his only full season with Fields. In 2021, Fields left and while Olave posted a career best 936 yards on 65 catches, he was only the third on the Buckeyes in receiving yards and catches with C.J. Stroud as the new quarterback that remained in the pocket. Both Garrett Wilson (70-1,058-12) and Jaxon Smith-Njigba (95-1,606-9) were more productive than Olave.

Table: Chris Olave NCAA stats (2018-2021)

Year	Team	Games	Catch	Yards	Avg.	TD	Runs	Yards	Total Yards	Total TDs
2018	Ohio St.	7	12	197	16.4	3	0	0	197	3
2019	Ohio St.	13	48	840	17.5	12	2	5	845	12
2020	Ohio St.	7	50	729	14.6	7	1	0	729	7
2021	Ohio St.	11	65	936	14.4	11	0	0	936	11

Pros

Holds Ohio State career record with 35 receiving touchdowns.
Scoring threat on every play, dangerous after catch
Excellent route runner
Experienced and mature receiver
Creates separation at all three levels
Impressive football intelligence, finds the open areas
Can start and stop on a dime, tremendous balance
Great hands
Works with quarterback when play breaks down
Highlight reel catches
Elite speed can be lethal on vertical routes
Impressed at the combine

Cons

Was at best with a mobile quarterback, not a pocket passer
Lacks the bulk for effective run blocking
Lanky frame may struggle against outside press
Needs to improve strength to handle aggressive cornerbacks

Fantasy outlook

Chris Olave was a playmaker at Ohio State and a touchdown machine in their offense. He’s expected to be a first-round pick that will be selected as early as the middle of the round. He’s a tremendous athlete and his intelligence and maturity cannot be overvalued.

This natural pass-catcher helped Justin Fields become a top draft choice last year, and his one season with a pocket passer resulted in career marks for Olave. His great hands and elite speed will translate well into the NFL and as a mature, four-year player at Ohio State, Olave shouldn’t have as long of a learning curve as many other wideouts.

Olave will be drafted to become an eventual No. 1 receiver for his team, if not a challenger even as a rookie. His only downside is that 6-0, 187-pound frame that could impact his blocking skills and ability to handle physical corners. He’ll likely add a few more pounds of muscle in the NFL.

He’ll be taken early enough that there’s no question about his fantasy relevance as a rookie. He’s worth a pick in any fantasy draft, and if he lands in an advantageous situation, he could quickly work his way into being a fantasy starter.

2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Breece Hall, Iowa State

Breece Hall to be the must-have rookie RB?

Breece Hall stepped in as the starter for the Iowa State Cyclones in the year when David Montgomery left for the NFL. By comparison, the two backs played three seasons there, and Montgomery rolled up 3,507 total yards and 26 touchdowns. Hall turned in a total of 4,675 yards and 56 scores.

Hall exploded as a dynamic back in his second season when he was the leading rusher in the FBS (1,572 yards) and was the first running back since LaDainian Tomlinson to run for over 100 yards and score in seven straight games to start a season. He racked up 1,472 rushing yards last season with a lofty 5.8 yards per carry as the Cyclone’s primary weapon. Hall was named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year in 2020 and 2021.

Height: 5-11
Weight: 217 pounds
40 time: 4.39 seconds

He enters the NFL draft with a throw-back style of resume, having been a prolific rusher and workhorse, who also proved himself as a worthy receiver when the occasion arose.

Table: Breece Hall NCAA stats (2019-2021)

Year	Team	Games	Runs	Yards	Avg.	TD	Catch	Yards.	TD	Total Yards	Total TDs
2019	Iowa St	12	186	897	4.8	9	23	252	1	1149	10
2020	Iowa St	12	279	1572	5.6	21	23	180	2	1752	23
2021	Iowa St	12	253	1472	5.8	20	36	302	3	1774	23

Pros

Consummate rusher with prototypical size, great vision and instincts
Patient runner that makes use of blockers and then is gone with one cut
Vertical runner that can pick up tough yards in the interior and advance to the second level
4.39 40-time includes burst and an elite second gear
Devastating runner and capable receiver for a complete package
Big-time wheels – five 75+ yard touchdowns in college
Drops pads and absorbs contact without loss of balance
Workhorse that never has to leave the field
Highly durable even with heavy workload

Cons

Exactly 800 touches over three seasons, so higher mileage
Less adept at lateral cuts and moves
Will need to work on pass protection skills
Patience can lead to getting caught behind line

Fantasy outlook

This is the guy.

He’s very likely to be the first running back selected in the NFL draft and the first rookie runner taken in fantasy drafts. There may be no position in fantasy football that is over-drafted more than a rookie running back, but Hall could meet expectations depending on where he lands.

He offers a three-down, power-back ability that doesn’t need a committee around him. This is considered a down year for running backs and the position may not be drafted until the second round, but Hall will be among the first called and likely before the others.

A speedy rusher that can move the pile or break through it with a vertical style of running is the sort of thing that can deliver immediately in the NFL. Hall can catch the ball, but only as a function as a running back drifting to the flat or snagging a screen pass.

The expectation is that he’ll likely show up at the start of the second round of the NFL draft but may end up near the end of the first if a team moves up. That means that any of the 32 teams will have a shot at the Cyclone’s star.

The teams with the biggest apparent need at running back are the Falcons and Texans, but their offensive lines and overall outlook are not ideal for a running back looking to get 15 to 20 touches per game. The Bills could consider him and that would set fantasy drafts on fire.

Last year, Najee Harris went to a weaker Steeler team with a declining offense and blockers and still was taken in the second round of fantasy drafts and ended Top-3 in most fantasy scoring. Hall has that sort of potential, especially if he ends up on an above-average offense that will use him like Harris was (307 carries, 74 receptions).

Much relies on where he lands and the opportunity there. But don’t expect Hall to be a bargain in a fantasy draft. He’ll be one of the “sleeper” darlings for the summer.

2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR Drake London, USC

Drake London enters the NFL as a top wideout prospect

Drake London committed to USC to play both football and basketball after excelling in high school in Moorpark, California. After an encouraging freshman year, he opted to focus solely on football and started for all six games in the COVID-shortened season of 2020. He was named Second Team – All PAC-12 and entered last year with the expectation of being one of the best college receivers. He did not disappoint.

London only played for eight games as a junior due to a fractured ankle but was on a pace to end with 132 catches for 1,626 yards and 11 touchdowns. He’d broken 1,000 yards by Week 8 and while the injury ended a likely Biletnikoff Award, he was still named as the PAC-12 Player of the Year.

His first two seasons at USC saw him behind Michael Pittman Jr. and Amon-Ra St. Brown. When he assumed the No. 1 role last year, he was nearly unstoppable, recording 88 catches for 1,084 yards and averaging 11 catches per game over just eight games. London caught up to 16 receptions as a possession receiver that dominated the target share. And that was during one of the worst seasons (4-8) in USC history.

Height: 6-4
Weight: 219 pounds
40 time: 4.5 seconds (estimated – did not run at the combine)

Due to his ankle injury, London attended the NFL Combine but only for interviews and did not perform or get measured. He intends to have his own Pro Day on April 5, separate from the official USC Pro Day held on March 23. He is still working towards full recovery from his ankle injury but is expected to be completely ready for the 2022 NFL season.

Table: Drake London NCAA stats (2019-2021)

Year	Team	Games	Catch	Yards	Avg.	TD	Runs	Yards	Total Yards	Total TDs
2019	USC	13	39	567	14.5	5	0	0	567	5
2020	USC	6	33	502	15.2	3	0	0	502	3
2021	USC	8	88	1084	12.3	7	1	2	1086	07

Pros

Rare combination of size and athleticism
Elite hands and ball skills at all levels
Impressive timing on leaps
Crisp routes and success at all three levels of the defense
Uses height and strong hands to win almost all 50/50 balls
Experienced both outside and in the slot
Basketball skills add to superior catch ability
Dominated NCAA defenses
Size makes him a formidable downfield blocker
Smart receiver that finds the open spot

Cons

Lack of elite speed is compensated with size and football IQ
Didn’t measure at combine but should at Pro Day
Needs work on run blocking
Not quick off the line
Most experience was in the slot, not outside

Fantasy outlook

Drake London rates to be in the first round, usually as a Top-3 rookie wideout and has the chance of being the first name called for his position. Breaking his ankle last season short-circuited an electric performance on an otherwise ineffective Trojans’ team. London was described as “a quarterback’s best friend”. He was so proficient with receptions, that he didn’t need the ball thrown to him, merely “at him,” and he’d come down with it.

A perceived lack of top speed, and quickness getting there, is a downgrade by some scouts, but there is no arguing how well he played, and on a team without any other elements of an elite offense around him. London compares to Mike Evans who logged much the same measurables when he entered the NFL.

London needs to prove that the fractured ankle is not of any ongoing concern – and it isn’t expected to be. But his recovery meant that he wouldn’t have logged as fast in a 40-time back at the NFL Combine, so he’s delayed his personal Pro Day as long as he can.

London may not sport elite speed, but he’s been everything else that a team could want from their No. 1 wideout. While he was once described as a tremendously talented tight end, he is not slow. He is a factor on deep routes though his bread and butter is short and intermediate routes that maximizes his catching ability, size advantage and overall football intelligence.

There’s plenty to love about a 6-4 receiver with elite hands and pass-catching skills. Playing on a USC team that trailed in most games last year and that had no other real threats, London still managed to catch at least nine passes in all but one game and turned in over 130 yards in six of the eight. He’d be a great addition to a team with a young quarterback looking to establish a connection that could last for years.

And he’d be a potential rookie of the year if he ends up paired with one of the elite veteran quarterbacks.

2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Kyren Williams, Notre Dame

Kyren Williams brings a complete resume to the NFL as a playmaker

Williams was a four-star recruit coming out of his Missouri high school, where he logged 179 carries for 2,035 yards and 26 touchdowns as a senior. He added 55 receptions for 725 yards for an astronomical 2,760 total yards. He was widely recruited and opted for Notre Dame where he was shelved in his first year to retain full four-year eligibility.

He became the starter in his second season though technically he was still a freshman. Williams was named as the ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2020. After two seasons with over 1,300 total yards in each and a total of 78 receptions, he declared for this draft.

Williams is one of the more interesting players in the draft since there’s a huge division between what he did on the field, and how he measured up at the NFL Combine. There’s no disputing that he was a playmaker for Notre Dame, showing great agility on the field and considered a back that can score on any play. He was a revelation as a pass-catcher, something that is likely to be his calling card in the NFL.

Height: 5-9
Weight: 194 pounds
40 time: 4.64 seconds

He’s considered one of the most complete backs in the draft. Williams was a team captain and a leader in the locker room and on the field. He served as a true three-down back. But his physical measurables were a disappointment at the NFL draft, and that will drop him on most, if not all, draft boards.

Table: Kyren Williams NCAA stats (2019-2021)

Year	Team	Games	Runs	Yards	Avg.	TD	Catch	Yards.	TD	Total Yards	Total TDs
2019	ND	2	4	26	6.5	0	1	3	0	29	0
2020	ND	12	211	1125	5.3	13	35	313	1	1438	14
2021	ND	12	204	1002	4.9	14	42	359	3	1361	17

Pros

Never came off the field in college. Complete back that led the offense.
Shifty runner that was hard to bring down in open field.
Always stepped up when given a bigger workload.
Proven receiving skills and can work from slot.
Can bounce to the outside if needed, but is elusive in traffic.
Durable each year.
Rusher, receiver from backfield or slot, and a punt returner.
Plays bigger than his size.
Excelled in short yardage.
Team leader with a great attitude and unquestioned effort.

Cons

28 5/8″ arms were the shortest of all combine running backs.
4.64 40-time at the combine was 0.01 seconds from being the slowest among running backs.
194 pounds was the second lightest.
Needs to improve pass blocking at the pro level.
More likely to struggle at inside running in the NFL.

Fantasy outlook

Kyren Williams was a Top-3 back on many draft boards and may still be. But his slow 40-time coupled with a smaller size frame than expected is a cause for concern for NFL scouts looking for a back that can contribute at the pro level. Short arms could mean fewer catches though he’s been an outstanding receiver in college, including running intermediate routes from the slot. He’s not just a swing pass out of the backfield when the pass rush draws near.

He ran in 27 touchdowns over the last two years while totaling 415 carries over 24 games. But 5-9 and 195 pounds, his only comparably-sized starting running back is Austin Ekeler (combine: 5-10, 195 pounds), but he ran a 4.43 40-time and he went undrafted. Ekeler is also up to 200 pounds currently.

The only other back that small in the last few drafts was Kenneth Gainwell (5-11, 195) but he ran a 4.44 40-time and was a fifth-round pick.

This is not considered a good draft for running backs with potentially none taken in the first round. Williams is expected to likely be a Round 3 selection, so he could end up on any NFL team. His size and proven receiving ability suggest a role as a third-down back and a complementary role in a committee.

Williams presents a dilemma for evaluators. He was a centerpiece of a Fighting Irish team that went 11-2 and 10-2 in his seasons as the starter. He is as complete a back as any in this draft. Disregard those measurables and he does rate as a Top-3 pick for running backs. But history has rarely been kind to players that were revelations in college but fall short in height, weight, arm length, and speed.

All Williams has done is produce, be a leader, and raise the level of play of those around him. He’ll make an interesting fantasy pick as a rookie and it will rely heavily on the opportunity he is allowed on whichever team he ends up with. He has to answer the question – which is more important? Bringing all the measurables of a prototypical successful back, or having tremendous success in college despite size and speed limitations?

2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR Treylon Burks, Arkansas

Treylon Burks looks to be a Day 1 draft pick

The Razorback star is expected to be a Day 1 selection by a team looking for a possession receiver that has the speed and ability to excel anywhere on the field. He came out of high school ranked as the No. 11 wideout in the country and elected to remain in Arkansas despite being heavily recruited by many schools. He landed on the All-SEC freshman team.

Burks led Arkansas in receiving yards for all three years and just last season caught 11 touchdowns – no other team receiver scored more than twice. He’s big at 6-3 and 225 pounds and has deceptive speed even if he timed slower than expected at the NFL Combine. Burks is a physical receiver with hands so large that he has custom-made gloves. He consistently tacked on yards after the catch and has the strength and size to break tackles and extend catches.

Height: 6-3
Weight: 225 pounds
40 time: 4.55 seconds

Burks was All-SEC last season and was on the Biletnikoff and Maxwell Award watchlist. He’s been a true No. 1 receiver in college and projects the same potential for the NFL.

Table: Treylon Burks NCAA stats (2019-2021)

Year	Team	Games	Catch	Yards	Avg.	TD	Runs	Yards	TD	Total Yards	Total TDs
2019	ARK	11	29	475	16.4	0	9	35	0	510	0
2020	ARK	9	51	820	16.1	7	15	75	0	895	7
2021	ARK	12	66	1104	16.7	11	14	112	1	1216	12

Pros

Big-framed physical wide receiver that can make contested catches and break tackles
Fits into the new style of NFL receiver – can catch and run as a versatile athlete
Powerful core and muscular upper body that can handle press coverage
Huge hands – 9 7/8 inches wide were tops at the combine for wideouts. Can make the highlight-reel catches
Can play a possession role over the middle but also excels as a deep threat where his size and body control gets him above defenders
Great burst and fluid moves with deceptive speed
Solid downfield blocker with the size to move defenders
Offers a big target with a huge catch radius
Moves and cuts very well for his size.

Cons

Mostly played in slot and ran limited route tree
Lacks speed – 40-time at the combine was a disappointment
Had concentration issues that led to some drops
Needs to work on route running for crisper cuts

Fantasy outlook

Burks is likely to be a first-round selection in the NFL draft and presents an intriguing set of skills and potential, while lacking the speed to make him more of a “can’t miss” choice. He was expected to turn in a 40-time in the low 4.4s but only managed 4.55. Still fast enough to be a factor in the deeper passing game, but not quite to the level of previously drafted big receivers that also offered more speed.

He’s also more likely to start slower and needs some adjustment time to the NFL after his more limited route tree. His success at Arkansas came from the slot where he didn’t deal with defenders at the line as much, and he played with marginally talented quarterbacks. He was the only receiver that mattered last year, and his size allowed him to benefit from being the primary target when they did pass.

Still, he has the potential to be a true No. 1 receiver in the NFL. Offenses love a big target with adequate speed and baseball mitts for hands. His slower 40-time was only a disappointment because he had played much faster, and the expectation was that he had elite potential. But his 40-time was right on par with two other big receivers – Mike Evans and Davante Adams.

Where he lands will have an obvious impact on his first-year outlook, but he is expected to be a mid to late first round pick. That means that he has a shot at playing on any team. He was the best receiver in every year that he played at Arkansas. He may face far better defenses in the NFL, but he’ll also likely have a much better offense around him.