Tag: rookie wide receiver

Steelers fans call for answers regarding rookie Roman Wilson

Fans are left frustrated by the Steelers’ silence on rookie WR Roman Wilson’s health and his role amid roster changes.

Memo to HC Mike Tomlin: fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers need clear answers regarding rookie WR Roman Wilson.

Thanks to Tomlin’s coaching style, keeping his cards close to his vest, Wilson’s health—or lack thereof—has gone radio silent the past few weeks.

A little over a month ago, Pittsburgh Steelers WR coach Zach Azzanni seemingly referenced that Wilson was preparing for his stint on IR to be short, likely the NFL minimum of four missed games. However, Wilson never returned in Week 13, nor Week 14, and fans want to know why.

With Pittsburgh Steelers WR George Pickens expected to be out for an unspecified amount of time with a grade 2 hamstring strain, Wilson could potentially bring some much-needed life and energy to a bare Steelers wide receiver room.

Understandably confused and upset, here are some of the best reactions to the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ lack of information regarding rookie wide receiver Roman Wilson and his potential health concerns.

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2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State

Marvin Jr. looks to improve the Harrison brand as an NFL wideout

There is a consensus best wide receiver in every NFL draft. But no rookie prospect has a father who was a Top-5 receiver in NFL history. To say that expectations are high is an understatement.

In high school, Harrison helped St. Joseph’s Preparatory School in Philadelphia to win three consecutive state championships while setting career receiving yardage (2,625)  and touchdown (37) records for the Philadelphia Catholic League. He left as a four-star prospect and was heavily recruited as one of the top receivers entering college in 2021. He selected Ohio State over his father’s alma mater Syracuse.

Harrison was little used as a freshman, playing behind Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Chris Olave. With Wilson and Olave opting out of the Rose Bowl before entering the NFL draft, Harrison’s first start resulted in six catches for 71 yards and three touchdowns to help win the game.

As a sophomore, he became the primary wideout and recorded two straight 1,200-yard seasons with 14 touchdowns in each. Harrison played with C.J. Stroud in 2022 and recorded his career-best marks in catches, yards, and touchdowns. Harrison was considered the best wideout in college last year and won the 2023 Fred Biletnikoff Award as the best receiver in the NCAA.

Height: 6-3
Weight: 209 pounds
40 time: 4.3ish estimated

Harrison attended the NFL Combine and was measured but declined to participate in any drills. He had nothing to win by doing them. Harrison is not considered a burner per se, but then again, he recorded a 22.2 mph touchdown catch versus Youngstown State. That matches up with D.K. Metcalf’s 22.23 mph as the NFL’s fastest play for last year. There’s no concern about any physical attribute or measurement for the future star.

Marvin Harrison Jr. stats (2020-23)

Year School Games Catch Yards Avg. TD Rush Yards TD
2021 Ohio State 13 11 139 12.6 3 0 0 0
2022 Ohio State 13 77 1263 16.4 14 2 32 0
2023 Ohio State 12 67 1211 18.1 14 2 26 1

Syndication: USA TODAY

Pros

  • Best college receiver for the last two years
  • Versatile and played on outside and in slot
  • Hall-of-Fame genetics at play
  • Elite hands and body control win on contested catches, deep routes, and over-the-middle receptions
  • High production came despite constant double teams and press coverage by defense
  • Rare combination of speed and a 6-3 frame
  • Tremendous instincts on all aspects of getting open and catching the ball
  • Knows how to influence defensive backs to break free and optimize positioning for the catch
  • Solid blocker

Cons

  • Doesn’t break many tackles despite size and strength
  • Disappointed when did not workout at NFL Combine or the Ohio State Pro Day
  • Some ball security concerns

Fantasy outlook

While a few believe Malik Nabers should be the first wideout taken, the majority of analysts and scouts expect Harrison to be the first selected, likely the fourth-overall after the Top-3 quarterbacks are selected. He is a lock for the Top-5 by all accounts and will be drafted by a team looking for an immediate difference-maker. Likely the Arizona Cardinals who currently hold the No. 4 pick, or the Los Angeles Chargers who pick at No. 5.

There is always a chance of a trade. Unless some team moves up to grab him or a different player which slides him back, Harrison should be paired with either Kyler Murray or Justin Herbert and either case bodes well for the rookie since both teams have a glaring need at wideout and  above average-quarterbacks who are in their first or second year of a new offense.

Harrison is as hyped as any wideout in recent memory, boosted not only by the production of the last two seasons but also with his bloodlines. He’ll be an exciting pick in a fantasy football redraft league and an expensive acquisition in a dynasty league.

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU

Brian Thomas led the NCAA with 17 receiving touchdowns

Louisiana-born Brian Thomas Jr. elected to remain at home when he committed to LSU in 2021. He played in 12 games as a freshman alongside Kayshon Boutte and Malik Nabers. The Fighting Tigers improved in 2022 with the addition of quarterback Jayden Daniels, but Malik Nabers was the only receiver to see a marked increase that season. Last year, Daniels threw for 40 touchdowns, and Nabers (89-1596-14) and Thomas (68-1177-17) led LSU in receiving and are in this draft.

It was a breakout season and has propelled him up the draft boards. Nabers may be drafted as early as fifth overall. Thomas is also expected to be selected in Round 1, and may be taken as high as the fifth wideout in the latter half of the initial round. The LSU passing offense was prolific for these last two years and Jayden Daniels is expected to be drafted among the first three quarterbacks that kick off the Day 1 selections.

Thomas was fortunate to have one of the best college quarterbacks for these last two years, but Daniels was also blessed with Nabers and Thomas. While Nabers ranked No. 2 in the nation with 1,569 receiving yards, the 17 touchdown catches by Thomas were No. 1 in the NCAA – two more than any other receiver.

Height: 6-3
Weight: 209 pounds
40 time: 4.33 seconds

Thomas did well at the NFL Combine. His 4.33 40-time was the second fastest of those who tested. His height and weight was identical to both Marvin Harrison Jr. and Rome Odunze who are expected to be among the first five receivers taken.

Brian Thomas Jr. stats (2021-23)

Year School Games Catch Yards Avg. TD Rush Yards TD
2021 LSU 12 28 359 12.8 2 2 6 0
2022 LSU 13 31 361 11.6 5 0 0 0
2023 LSU 13 68 1177 17.3 17 1 (-6) 0
Syndication: The Daily Advertiser

Pros

  • Elite combination of height, weight, and speed – very athletic
  • Superior speed and burst makes him a vertical threat
  • Solid body control to box out defenders and win contested catches
  • Big play threat whenever he lines up
  • Speed and burst that makes him hard to overthrow
  • Touchdown machine both breaking clear after catch and using physicality in the end zone in traffic
  • Fluid route runner that can influence defenders using cuts and double cuts
  • Respect for his speed opens him up for short passes and yards-after-catch

Cons

  • Should expand route tree to reach potential
  • Can be knocked off balance by defensive backs
  • Still has room to grow in consistency with focus
  • Just one season of note in college and that was in a top passing offense with Nabers there to concern secondary

Fantasy Outlook

Thomas had just one one monster season, and he was inside of a prolific offense. But he has all of the desired attributes of an NFL outside wide receiver and he led the country in receiving scores while playing in the SEC. He’d be a tremendous addition to an offense that already has a No. 1 wideout and wants to pair him with a talented rookie that may take a year or two to reach his potential.

Thomas started out this spring as a potential Top-10 pick but  more recent projections have him somewhere in the middle. That means any NFL team could potentially move up or down to reach him.

Potential landing spots include the Bengals as an attractive option, especially if Tee Higgins were to be traded. The Indianapolis Colts and Kansas City Chiefs have also been mentioned, though the Chiefs would need to move up to reach him. It’s not impossible for him to end up with the Chargers if they move back a few spots. The Bills and Steelers could also be interested.

Thomas may evolve into an elite No. 1 wideout for an NFL team, but he could be equally valuable as part of a tandem in any of the top passing teams. Thomas should offer at least moderate fantasy value even as a rookie, but his ceiling is not yet known.

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas

Adonai Mitchell offers fantasy points even as a rookie

Adonai Mitchell is still more potential than proven, having gone to two high schools and then initially playing for the Georgia Bulldogs. He started as a freshman and ended up as the No. 3 receiver behind tight end Brock Bowers and wideout Ladd McConkey as the team advanced to the 2021 national championship. While Bowers and McConkey excelled in 2022, Mitchell lost most of his second year to a high ankle sprain.

While that was a disappointment after his encouraging freshman campaign, he still ended with four receptions for 65 yards and two scores during the College Football Playoff games. After two seasons playing behind Bowers and McConkey and wanting to be closer to family, he entered the transfer portal and went to the Texas Longhorns for his junior season.

There he paired with Xavier Worthy as the top receivers for what would become the No. 3 Longhorns and Mitchell topped 100 yards on three occasions while his 11 receiving touchdowns easily led all Texas receivers.

Height: 6-2
Weight: 205 pounds
40 time: 4.34 seconds

Both Worthy and Mitchell declared for the NFL draft and attending the combine where they owned the 40-yard dash. Worthy set the new combine record with a 4.21 while Mitchell ranked No. 3 with his 4.34 40-time.

Adonai Mitchell stats (2020-23)

Year School Games Catch Yards Avg. TD Rush Yards TD
2021 Georgia 15 29 426 14.7 4 0 0 0
2022 Georgia 6 9 134 14.9 3 0 0 0
2023 Texas 14 55 845 15.4 11 2 1 0
Syndication: Austin American-Statesman

Pros

  • Elusive with the ball; can vary speed and direction instantly
  • Strength and size to win contested catches
  • Power to break tackles and gain the extra yard
  • Has quickness and physicality to beat press coverage
  • Knows how to bait defenders to get them out of position
  • Speed and burst to keep defensive backs on their heels
  • High-level ability to track the ball and navigate the sidelines vertically and horizontally

Cons

  • Needs work with run blocks
  • Route running needs refinement and consistency
  • Has worked only on the outside
  • Has occasionally misjudged deeper passes

Fantasy Outlook

Mitchell’s potential is hard to gauge since he only caught 38 passes in two seasons at Georgia and then only played one year at Texas. But there’s plenty to suggest that he’s already NFL-ready and may top out as an elite WR1 for his team. It speaks volumes when he is expected to be a mid to late first-round pick despite only 93 college receptions. He may be selected as highly as the fifth-overall wideout drafted.

He has it all – size, speed, power, and athleticism. The top four wideouts in the draft seem as near locks, but Mitchell should lead the rest of the rookie class and may be as good as any first-year receiver. He’s been linked to the Jaguars, Bills, Buccaneers, Panthers and Browns. The most ideal landing spot would be the Bills at pick No. 28 since they’ve dealt away Stefon Diggs and will be in the market for immediate receiver help. The Jaguars are another attractive landing spot as they try to replace Calvin Ridley.

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR Ja’Lynn Polk, Washington

Polk worked his way up to starting in the 2023 National Championship

Ja’Lynn Polk committed to Texas Tech as a freshman but was just a part of a revolving committee for wide receivers and transferred to Washington the next year. He injured his clavicle on his first play and missed nine games, while Rome Odunze (41-415-3) and Jalen McMillen (39-470-3) were the top receivers.

In 2022, Michael Penix Jr. took over as the starting quarterback and the Husky passing offense instantly flourished. While both Odunze and  McMillen were still the top receivers, Polk started to exert his potential with 41 catches for 694 yards and six scores.

Polk finally came into his own as a senior, logging 69 catches for 1,159 yards and nine touchdowns. That was still second to Odunze (92-1,640-13), but Polk overtook McMillen as the No. 2 receiver in Washington’s high-powered passing offense that reached the National Championship.

Height: 6-1
Weight: 203 pounds
40 time: 4.52 seconds

Along with the rest of the Huskies’ passing offense, Polk enters the NFL draft and is expected to be a Day 2 selection.

Table: Ja’Lynn Polk NCAA stats (2020-23)

Year School Games Catch Yards Avg. TD Rush Yards TD
2020 Texas Tech 10 28 264 9.4 2 0 0 0
2021 Washington 3 5 114 22.8 1 0 0 0
2022 Washington 13 41 694 16.9 6 1 15 0
2023 Washington 15 69 1159 16.8 9 4 32 1
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

  • Versatile and equally effective in the slot or on the outside.
  • Big-play receiver with a 17.1 YPC on his 115 catches with the Huskies
  • Large catch radius along with top ball-tracking skills
  • Precise route runner who consistently tacks on extra yards after the  catch
  • While slender in build, has the strength and size to compete for the ball and superior hands that will not drop or fumble

Cons

  • Occasional lapses in concentration
  • Needs more experience in expanding route tree and competing against press coverage after playing as one of several talented receivers in a pass-heavy offense
  • Marginal blocker

Fantasy Outlook

Polk is a natural receiver that has responded well when given a higher volume of targets. He can fit into any offense in any receiving role, and while he may not be truly elite in any single area so far, he’s very good in everything and has no real weaknesses. If he lands in a pass-heavy offense, he is at his best when facing man coverage.

He’s big enough to be a red-zone weapon, fast and strong enough to do damage from anywhere on the field. A lack of top-end speed may limit him from being a common deep threat but Polk is a solid target with burst and strength.

He’s like a Round 2 selection which means he’ll end up with a team looking to add him immediately into the receiving equation. He’s potentially linked to the Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Tennessee Titans, and New England Patriots. If the Cards skip on taking Marvin Harrison Jr. with their first-round pick, Polk is a likely option and would land him in an offense with an above-average quarterback.

Polk may never be a Top-10 fantasy wideout, but he brings plenty of talent and upside to any NFL team and should become a fantasy starter if only eventually.

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR Jalen McMillan, Washington

Jalen McMillan is a slot-receiver searching for a team

Jalen McMillan only managed a single catch as a freshman but began to work his way into the receiver rotation as a sophomore when his 470 receiving yards led the Huskies, including the 415 yards by fellow second-year player Rome Odunze who is expected to become one of the first wideouts selected this year. McMillan is more likely to be a late Day 2 pick.

McMillan operated more as a slot receiver in college while Odunze and Ja’Lynn Polk handled the outside roles. McMillan peaked in 2022 with 1,098 yards and nine scores when quarterback Michael Penix Jr. took over. Odunze also saw a marked increase, heading the team with 1,145 yards.

As a senior, Penix blew up with 4,903 passing yards and 36 touchdowns, but those primarily went to Polk (69-1159-9) and Odunze (92-1640-13), while McMillan dropped to 45 catches for 559 yards and five scores. He was limited to only seven games due to a knee injury in Week 4.

All three wide receivers – Odunze, Polk, and McMillan declared for the NFL draft, along with quarterback Penix.

Height: 6-1
Weight: 197 pounds
40 time: 4.47 seconds

Table: Jalen McMillan NCAA stats (2020-23)

Year School Games Catch Yards Avg. TD Rush Yards TD
2020 Washington 3 1 16 16.0 0 2 14 0
2021 Washington 11 39 470 12.1 3 0 0 0
2022 Washington 13 79 1098 13.9 9 1 2 0
2023 Washington 7 45 559 12.4 5 3 30 1
Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

  • Speed and burst are exceptional; nice fit into a vertical scheme
  • Strong and reliable hands meet the ball away from the body and almost never drop the catch
  • Polished route running with great speed control that adjusts to the pass, at his best with in-breaking routes
  • Understands how to influence defenders and create separation
  • Valuable deep threat thanks to his burst and top-end speed
  • Agility and fluidity makes him dangerous when in the open
  • Deadly receiver over the middle – gets open, catches in traffic and doesn’t let the ball get away from him
  • Tough and dedicated with solid instincts

Cons

  • Slender build and history poses durability concerns
  • Lack of physical bulk and strength impacts yards-after-catch when inside congested areas
  • Lacks elite balance and often tackled on first contact with defender
  • Likely limited to the slot in the NFL

Fantasy outlook

McMillan does offer a lot to an NFL team, even if it falls short of elite difference-making. He had the benefit of playing at Washington with a great quarterback who also benefitted his two fellow Husky receivers, who are both projected to be selected ahead of McMillan.

He’ll almost certainly be a slot receiver in the NFL and with that no better than their No. 2 receiver, if not their No. 3. But he has a valuable role to play on any team, and likely going in the third round, will be available to any team looking for a technician that can run precise routes and help create holes where the quarterback is throwing.

That means he’ll likely fall short of reliable fantasy value as a rookie but could show up as a starter in the right situation. He won’t be the No. 1 guy for an NFL team or a difference-maker in fantasy football, but he has solid NFL value as a piece of a larger passing puzzle.

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR Ainias Smith, Texas A&M

Ainias Smith brings a versatile and dangerous set of skills to the NFL

Ainias Smith committed to Texas A&M after filling many roles at high school in Sugar Land, Texas. He was used equally as a running back and wide receiver, plus returned kicks and punts and even threw 27 passes along the way. He also played some free safety and cornerback as one of those talented players that prompt coaches into saying, “how else can we use this guy?”

Smith played minimally as a freshman while playing in a dual role. In 2020, he was officially switched to being a running back where he was given five to ten carries in most games, along with three to five receptions. His 43 receptions, even as a running back, led the Aggies.

He switched back to being primarily a wideout as a junior when his 47 catches again paced the team. He then fractured his right leg after five games in 2022 and missed the rest of the season. He accounted for more than a quarter of the Aggies total offense at the time he was injured.

The fifth-year senior again led the team in receiving last year but was limited to only five carries. He wrapped up his career as a versatile weapon for the Aggies while playing through injuries and contending with inconsistent play from their quarterbacks.

Height: 5-9
Weight: 190 pounds
40 time: 4.5 seconds estimated

Smith’s measurements at the NFL Combine saw him even smaller than the Aggies had stated. He weighed in ten pounds less at 190 and was only 5-9. He was also diagnosed with a stress fracture in his left shin and held himself out of all of the drills. He is expected to be a Day 3 selection.

Table: Ainias Smith NCAA stats (2020-23)

Year School Games Catch Yards Avg. TD Rush Yards TD
2019 Texas A&M 12 22 248 11.3 3 7 54 0
2020 Texas A&M 10 43 564 13.1 6 49 293 4
2021 Texas A&M 12 47 509 10.8 6 8 26 0
2022 Texas A&M 4 15 291 19.4 2 3 11 0
2023 Texas A&M 12 53 75 15.0 2 5 21 0
Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

  •  Versatile play-maker for the Aggies who can fit into an NFL offense looking for a special weapon. Very coachable and can do anything.
  • Excellent vision in open field – homerun ability when he has the ball.
  • Diverse talent set allow him to contribute in many ways. Can run, receive, and return. Likely will be an immediate return man.
  • Adequate pass protection and willing run blocker who is better than most his size.
  • Shifty and elusive. Superior start-stop ability aids yards after catch.

Cons

  • Seemed to lose top-end acceleration after his broken leg in 2022, but hopes that he’s completely recovered for 2024. Stress fracture at the combine doesn’t help.
  • Smaller size and injury history prompts durability concerns.
  • Small catch radius
  • Quicker than fast
  • Lacks the size and strength to land contested catches

Fantasy outlook

The rookie prospects for Ainias Smith are limited. He’s a player that will have much more NFL value for his team than reliable fantasy value. As with most players that enter the NFL with a diverse set of skills, Smith may not fit into a specific role enough for the volume needed to matter in fantasy.

Smith is worth tracking and is likely a Day 3 pick, so he could land anywhere. Until his role is clear and proven on his new team, he’ll be hard pressed to show up much as a rookie, though his ability to return kicks and punts could make him much more valuable.

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR Xavier Legette, South Carolina

Legette may only had one big year, but he brings all the tools to become a starter in the NFL.

Xavier Legette was ranked as a 3-star recruit by ESPN when he left high school and signed with South Carolina, where he only saw marginal work for his first four seasons – only a combined 42 receptions along with a handful of kick returns. He remained as a fifth-year senior and enjoyed a breakout season as the primary receiver for quarterback Spencer Rattler.

Legette went from a little-used depth receiver to catching almost double the amount of passes of any other Gamecock receiver. His seven touchdowns also led the entire team. Had he not played in 2023, Legette lacked the draft value with such a sparse resume. After posting 1,255 yards last year, he’s now expected to be taken on Day 2 with a chance of sneaking into the end of the first round. Most draft boards list him as being between the sixth and tenth rated wide receiver.

Height: 6-1
Weight: 221 pounds
40 time: 4.39 seconds

He’s a size and speed mismatch that always plays well in the NFL.  Legette is a very solid 6-1 and 221 pounds, and yet ran a 4.39 40-time at the NFL Combine, one of only eight receivers that clocked sub 4.4 40-times. He’s a tick older at 23 years, but doesn’t carry the level of experience that his age may normally suggest.

Table: Xavier Legette NCAA stats (2019-23)

Year School Games Catch Yards Avg. TD Rush Yards TD
2019 South Carolina 11 9 80 8.9 1 0 0 0
2020 South Carolina 6 7 113 16.1 0 0 0 0
2021 South Carolina 11 8 63 7.9 1 0 0 0
2022 South Carolina 13 18 167 9.3 3 7 21 0
2023 South Carolina 12 71 1255 17.7 7 9 -9 0
Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

  • Physical attributes tick every box for a prototypical starting wideout in the NFL
  • Elite speed-size ratio that makes him a threat all over the field and can control his high-end throttle to distance himself from defenders
  • Tremendous hands and catch radius makes him a very friendly target for the quarterback
  • Run-after-catch upside with both speed and and influencing the defender with cuts and fakes
  • Makes contested catches using his size and strength, and highpoints making use of his height
  • Strong hands for ball security during and after the catch
  • Good run blocker

Cons

  • Considered faster than quick which will be challenged by press coverage in the NFL
  • Needs more development and polish after only one season of any note during his five years at South Carolina
  • More of a vertical receiver so success will be more scheme-dependent

Fantasy outlook

Xavier Legette rates as a Top-10 talent for wideouts in this draft. That means that he’ll be expensive for his new team and will be selected to quickly develop into a starter. He has all the attributes and measurements of a successful receiver, but he is the rare 23-year-old rookie wideout with just one breakout season to his credit. His speed and size combination will draw plenty of attention and should since he has the promise of being a valuable addition to a vertical passing scheme.

He’s been linked to the Giants in their perpetual quest to land a viable receiver, the Panthers who need help beyond the recently acquired Diontae Johnson, and the Bengals who are likely to move on from Tee Higgins. Cincinnati would be a great spot given the presence of Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase to draw the most attention. Legette may take time to reach his optimal value, but he brings some experience and plenty of potential.

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR Xavier Worthy, Texas

Pure speed.

Don’t blink.

You might miss Xavier Worthy running the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. The ex-Longhorn wideout posted a 4.25 40-time in his initial attempt and then jogged past previous record holder John Ross by running a 4.21. The old record had stood since 2017.

If you ever have the chance to break an all-time record in anything, ideally it should be while compared to the best talent and in front of every potential employer. It marks as the highlight of the 2024 NFL Combine.

Worthy went to high school in Fresno, California and originally committed to the University of Michigan before changing over to the University of Texas. He wasted no time in making his mark, posting school freshman records with 981 yards and 12 touchdowns. He went on to earn All-Big-12 honors in all three seasons, peaking with 75 catches for 1,014 yards as a junior. He announced that he would enter the NFL draft instead of playing out his senior season.

Height: 5-11
Weight: 165 pounds
40 time: 4.21 seconds

Worthy’s knock, same as virtually every other speedster is his size and more so his weight that was lower than expectations when he weighed 165 pounds at the combine. He had been listed officially as 172 pounds at Texas.

In the last five seasons, there were only two wide receivers with any fantasy value that were as light as Worthy. DeVonta Smith (6-0, 170) and Tank Dell (5-10, 165). Smith has always been an outlier for a thinly built receiver, even while he starred at Alabama. Dell is listed at the same weight and fell to the third round in the 2023 NFL draft. Also notable, Dell missed a game with a concussion and then later suffered a broken leg in Week 11 in his only NFL  season.

Table: Player NCAA stats (2020-23)

Year School Games Catch Yards Avg. TD Rush Yards TD
2021 Texas 12 62 981 15.8 12 1 7 0
2022 Texas 13 60 760 12.7 9 2 14 0
2023 Texas 14 75 1014 13.5 5 4 35 0
Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

  • Very, very fast
  • Very, very quick
  • Uses speed to his advantage with start-stop and explosive burst
  •  Instant breakout as freshman and delivered every year
  • Not just a deep threat, runs routes at all three levels
  • Willing blocker despite size
  • Elite body control, balance and ball tracking
  • Scored twice during 40 punt returns in college
  • Highly competitive
  • Only 21 years old

Cons

  • Light frame works against him in contested catches
  • Prone to concentration drops
  • May struggle against NFL-level press coverage
  • Hand strength concerns on ball security and contact with ground
  • Weight-height ratio causes durability considerations

Fantasy outlook

Worthy led the Longhorns in receiving yards for all three seasons, though his teammate Adonai Mitchell (6-2, 205) also expected to be highly drafted and was slightly higher on many draft boards. Worthy’s triumphant 40-time is now expected to get him past  Mitchell and may even sneak into the first round of this receiver-rich draft. Post-combine, Worthy is considered a Top-10 wideout and his draft slot depends on a team looking for a speedy receiver to fit their needs.

The only two comparable in size with Worthy are DeVonta Smith and Tank Dell. Smith is slightly larger and exceeded expectations as the No. 2 receiver in the Eagles’ passing scheme. Dell is a better parallel in that they are the same weight. He was an emerging star in Houston but was concussed and later broke his leg after only 47 catches.

It always relies on where a receiver lands and the quarterback that he will be paired with, along with the immediate receiving needs of his new team. Until that becomes clear, expect him to offer a field-stretching target as a rookie in likely a No. 3 role. The benefits of his speed compared against his potential size limitations suggest a great later pick in Best Ball formats where the occasional big game compensates for mostly low to moderate weekly output.

Worthy should offer fantasy value as a rookie, and while it is rare for someone as light as he is to become a weekly fantasy consideration, it is not without precedent. That makes him a target even in redraft leagues looking for position depth that may surprise. But that eye-popping 4.21 40-time can be overvalued. The other sub-4.3 wideouts were J.J. Nelson, Tyrone Calico, Marquise Goodwin, Jerome Mathis, and John Ross. Not exactly a Hall of Fame grouping.

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR Kayshon Boutte, Louisiana State

Kayshon Boutte has elite potential for a third or fourth round price.

Kayshon Boutte carries the same potential as he flashed back in high school when his senior season saw him post 47 catches for 1,005 yards with 15 touchdowns, and he ran for 874 yards and 12 more scores. He was ranked the No. 2 wideout in the nation when he signed with LSU.

Boutee was an immediate starter, thanks partly to Ja’Marr Chase opting out for 2020 in that COVID-impacted season. His calling card came in 2020 when he set an SEC record for receiving yards in a game when he caught 14 passes for 308 yards and three scores against Ole Miss. He earned Freshman All-American and SEC All-Freshman Team honors. His sophomore season was cut short after six games due to an ankle injury.

Height: 5-11
Weight: 195 pounds
40 time: 4.5 seconds

His junior season was uneven and less productive, and he originally planned to return for a fourth year but then opted to declare for the draft and skip their Citrus Bowl matchup with Purdue. Boutte flashed elite talent at times, but his lack of consistency will drop him back further in the draft.

Table: Kayshon Boutte NCAA stats (2020-22)

Year School Games Catch Yards Avg. TD Rush Yards TD
2020 LSU 10 45 735 16.3 5 0 0 0
2021 LSU 6 38 509 13.4 9 0 0 0
2022 LSU 11 48 538 11.2 2 1 41 0

Pros

  • Speed makes him a vertical threat
  • Strong run-after-catch ability
  • Shows up in critical games
  • Burst and quickness to create and maintain separation
  • Capable of a long-gainer on any play
  • Versatile playmaker that just needs the ball in his hands – can play outside or in the slot.
  • Tough player with quick feet that can work the middle
  • Elusive in space and can break arm tackles

Cons

  • Required two surgeries on his ankle
  • Route running not consistently sharp
  • Occasional concentration lapses lead to drops
  • Smaller catch radius
  • Needs to improve on contested catches

Fantasy outlook

Boutte was on the path for a big sophomore season before the ankle injury and wasn’t as effective the following year. He’s shown enough to merit an NFL team using one of their draft picks in the third or fourth round, and his potential suggests that he could be a steal. Boutte has all the measurables that are desired in a No. 1 wideout. Like any receiver, the offense and quarterback he is paired with will have a great impact, but he’s one to watch regardless of where he ends up.

He falls a bit in the draft with his previous ankle injury and needs to keep that as the exception. With only 131 receptions in college, he still has plenty of development left to explore and offers any NFL team an enticing package of skills and physical attributes. He won’t likely step into a No. 1 role on his new team this year, but in the right situation will become fantasy-relevant even as a rookie.