Tag: Mike Strachan

Lions 2021 NFL draft: A wide receiver for every round

Identifying a WR prospect for each round of the 2021 NFL Draft for the Detroit Lions

The ongoing series of Detroit Lions prospects at a position for each round of the 2021 NFL draft moves to offense. After covering linebackers, safeties and cornerbacks, the shift to wide receiver spotlights the biggest positional need on offense.

Right now, the Lions depth chart is loaded with NFL journeymen on short-term deals. Tyrell Williams, Breshad Perriman and Kalif Raymond are the top three after signing in free agency, with holdover Quintez Cephus and 2020 opt-out Geronimo Allison rounding out the crew.

In short, wide receiver a position of dire long-term need for both high-end impact and depth for Detroit. Expect at least one Lions pick to get devoted to wide receiver, and it’s certainly possible multiple WRs come off the board to the Lions in this deep, diverse draft class.

The projected rounds here are based on a sampling of mock drafts and projections as of April 10. The Lions do not have picks in the sixth or seventh round as of now but we included prospects for those rounds just in case…

Panthers have met virtually with at least three 2021 NFL draft prospects so far

On that score, the Panthers have met virtually with at least three 2021 draft prospects, per Justin Melo at the Draft Network.

The NFL will eventually get back to business as usual, perhaps as soon as this summer. Commissioner Roger Goodell told reporters earlier this week the league expects stadiums to be full for the 2021 season and wants to see the fans back. For now, a lot of the work is still being done online, though.

On that score, the Panthers have met virtually with at least three 2021 draft prospects, per Justin Melo at the Draft Network.

Oregon CB Deommodore Lenoir

Lenoir (5-foot-11, 195 pounds) can play either the slot or outside corner positions – an obvious plus for the Panthers, who need help at both spots. He’s a willing tackler with some sharp ball skills, notching six interceptions and 21 pass breakups in 45 games with the Ducks.

Here’s a look at his tape against Iowa State.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ofcdirzzsM

Lenoir is projected to be picked between rounds 4-6.

Boise State CB/KR Avery Williams

Williams (5-foot-9, 188 pounds) is another corner prospect from the Northwest that Carolina has an eye on. He posted similar numbers compared to Lenoir in college, totaling four picks and 22 passes defensed.

With Williams there’s a huge bonus in the return game, though. Between punts and kickoffs, he racked up almost 2,000 total yards and scored a remarkable nine return touchdowns, tying an NCAA record. Here’s some of Williams’ best work on special teams.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dfcem-36hU8

Carolina could use a new return specialist and Williams is by far the best in this class.

Charleston WR Mike Strachan

The Panthers have also Zoomed with a local Division II receiver prospect who’s got size and athleticism to spare.

Strachan (6-foot-5, 228 pounds) is a track star who’s broken a number of school receiving records, totaling 2,332 yards and 27 touchdowns.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQECTXrevVU

Even after signing tight end Dan Arnold, the Panthers could use another weapon with Strachan’s build. He’s projected to be a Day 3 pick.

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Report: Jags have met with Division II standout WR Mike Strachan of Charleston

The Jags appear to be one of three teams with their eyes on Division II standout Mike Strachan of Charleston University.

After a 1-15 season that marked the worst record in the NFL, the Jacksonville Jaguars are the team that needs to cast the widest net to acquire prospects this offseason. One of the latest prospect interviews by the Draft Network’s Justin Meloproves they’ve been doing just that with a Division II standout. 

That player is Charleston receiver Mike Strachan, who Melo reported has met with the Jags, Carolina Panthers, and Los Angeles Chargers virtually this offseason. The 6-foot-5, 225-pound pass-catcher was also scheduled to attend the 2021 NFL Combine, which would’ve given him some more exposure this offseason, but the NFL decided to cancel the annual event because of the coronavirus pandemic. 

Still, even without Strachan attending a pre-draft all-star game or having to attend the combine, it’s easy to see how he got on the NFL’s radar. From the highlights that we could garner, he clearly used his size well, was a threat up the sidelines, and flourished in 50-50 jump ball situations. Those traits helped him to finish the 2019 season with 78 receptions for 1,319 receiving yards, and 19 touchdowns. 

Yes, you read that right, 19 touchdowns. 

In 2018, Strachan was able to accumulate just over 1,000 receiving yards, too, while adding 48 catches and eight touchdowns to the mix. As a result, he was an All-MEC player in his last two seasons in college. 

Strachan also ran track for Charleston, where he was the 200-meter and 400-meter MEC Champion in back-to-back years. And as fans know, when a player has a solid mix of height, weight, and speed, the NFL won’t hesitate to let their interest be known.

While the Jags have Laviska Shenault Jr., D.J. Chark Jr., and Collin Johnson on the roster, it wouldn’t be shocking to see them add some more help at receiver during the offseason. With 11 draft picks, it wouldn’t hurt to add a late-round prospect, which Strachan could be viewed as by scouts. Then again, the young receiver says he expects to have a pro day sometime in March, and if Strachan knocks that out of the park, his projection could rise.

Regardless, Jags fans should watch Strachan’s name carefully heading forward. Once his pro day is official, we’ll be sure to update this story and monitor whether or not the Jags are in attendance. 

https://youtu.be/YQECTXrevVU