NFL Draft 2014 Preview (14 page)

WR [Z, X, F] KELVIN BENJAMIN, #1 (JUNIOR)

FLORIDA STATE
>
Grade: 6.30

Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 240 | Sp: 4.62 | Arm: 34 7/8 | Hand: 10 1/4

History:
Highly recruited out of Florida prep power Glades Central, where he also played basketball. Played through a partially torn right knee ligament as a junior in 2009. Redshirted in ’11. Played all 14 games in ’12 and had 30 catches for 495 yards (16.5-yard average) and four touchdowns. Started all 14 games for the national champions in ’13 when he led the Atlantic Coast Conference in touchdown receptions (including the game winner in the BCS Championship) by hauling in 54-1,011-15 (18.7).

Strengths:
Possesses rare size with an 83-inch wingspan. Is a physical mismatch vs. defensive backs and linebackers. Eats cushion and separates with long strides. Strong approach to the ball — is not easily knocked off course and will enter the middle on crossers. Outstanding jumpball catcher — climbs the ladder, plucks the ball at its highest point and regularly snatches it out of the air with superb body control and the grace of a ballerina. Creates separation with his body. Adjusts surprisingly well for the low ball and tracks it well over his shoulder. Energetic football demeanor. Confident and competitive. Strong-handed. Uses his body well to shield the defender from the ball and can beat double coverage. Good run strength after the catch (see three tackles broken on TD run vs. Florida) and does not go down easy. Strong enough to handle defensive ends when motioned inside to chip and delivered some head-snapping, crackback blocks (see North Carolina St.). Emerged as a clutch, go-to, big-play receiver — caught the game-winning TD in the national championship game vs. Auburn and consistently was targeted in critical situations and in the red zone. Scorched Florida CB Loucheiz Purifoy and created mismatch problems from the slot.

Weaknesses:
Lacks elite, top-end speed and many catches are contested. Hand use could improve releasing vs. tight, press coverage. Overly grabby. Is not yet a nuanced route runner and does not sink his hips and pop in and out of his breaks. Does not shake many defenders after the catch. Will make the easy concentration drop and focus could stand to improve at the break point (three drops vs. Florida). Seeks to run before securing the ball and double-catches more than he should. Blocking effort/sustainability has room to improve on the move. Has a 32 1/2-inch vertical jump and recorded the slowest 60-yard shuttle time (12.10 seconds) of any receiver at the Combine.

Future:
A tight end-sized, intimidating, big-play receiver with a rare wingspan, Benjamin has the overall strength, length and wide catching radius that will demand extra coverage be rolled his way. Showed continual improvement, is still growing into the position, and possesses the traits to become a legitimate No. 1 receiver. A very intriguing mismatch weapon with ascending talent.

Draft projection:
Top-20 pick.

Scout’s take:
“The league is going back to big receivers now. (Benjamin) is in vogue. doesn’t have elite speed — you don’t see him get on top of (defensive backs) — but he’s field fast. My problem is — I don’t think he is a good route runner. He’s a third-year junior with only two years of experience. If you lined him up in the slot, he could almost be like Jimmy Graham. ...He’s a big red-zone (target). He’s not always a natural catcher and not dynamic with the ball in his hands. He will jump and catch in traffic.”

WR [Z] CHRIS BOYD, #80 (JUNIOR)

VANDERBILT
>
Grade: 5.15

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 206 | Sp: 4.72* | Arm: 32 5/8 | Hand: 9 5/8

*Strained his right quad while running 40.

History:
Also played basketball as a Georgia prep. Redshirted in 2010. Started 7-of-13 games in ’11 and caught 31 balls for 473 yards (15.3-yard average) and eight touchdowns. Started all 13 games opposite Jordan Matthews in 2012, recording 50-774-5 (15.5). Did not play in 2013 — was dismissed from the team in September after he entered a conditional guilty plea for his role in attempting to cover up the rape of an unconscious student (four other Vanderbilt players were charged with rape and aggravated sexual battery charges). According to an account by the Deputy Attorney General, Boyd was sent a picture of the aggravated rape, which he deleted. Additionally, Boyd was said to have abandoned the unconscious victim. Ultimately received an 11-month, 29-day suspended sentence for misdemeanor criminal attempt to commit accessory after the fact, and will have his record cleared if and when he completes unsupervised probation. Did not participate fully in the Combine because of a quad injury suffered running the 40, but continued to participate in most of skill drills.

Strengths:
Excellent frame. Chews up ground with long strides. Controls his body and uses size to his advantage. Good hands — extends to catch off his body. Adjusts to throws. Good potential as a blocker — can engage and stalk. Good work ethic.

Weaknesses:
Average burst off the line. Lacks elite top-end speed to separate vertically. Not strong to beat the jam. Shows some hip stiffness and is fairly straight-linish. Has to be hit in stride to pick up chunk yards after the catch.

Future:
Tall, slender, short-to-intermediate possession receiver who could compete for a job as a No. 4 or No. 5 in a West Coast offense. After having sat the year out, Boyd’s Combine performance was unspectacular and how he fares in the pro day process will affect his standing.

Draft projection:
Priority free agent.

WR [X]-PR COREY “PHILLY” BROWN, #10

OHIO STATE
>
Grade:
5.00

Ht: 5-11 3/8 | Wt: 178 | Sp: 4.47 | Arm: 31 3/4 | Hand: 9 3/8

History:
Prepped in Pennsylvania, where he was a running back and track standout. Suffered an MCL tear as a junior. Appeared in all 13 games (one start) in 2010, tallying eight receptions for 105 yards (13.1-yard average) and a touchdown. Started all nine games played in ’11, managing 14-205-1 (14.6). Missed four games (ankle). Started 11-of-12 games in ’12 and caught 60-669-3 (11.1). Started all 14 games in ’13, tallying 63-771-10 (11.9). Also returned 41 career punts for 400 yards (9.8), including two scores. Team captain. Did not lift at the Combine because of a right shoulder (A/C Joint) injury.

Strengths:
Works himself open short-to-intermediate. Adjusts to throws. Quick enough to elude the initial tackler and pick up yards after the catch. Functional blocker. Lined up inside and outside and has punt-return experience.

Weaknesses:
Has a lean build and relatively small hands. Needs to get stronger in order to combat the jam. Not an explosive athlete. Average initial quickness into routes. Lacks elite top-end speed to beat defenses vertically. Bland, unrefined route runner. Lets throws into his body. Inconsistent traffic player. Average production and playmaking.

Future:
Adequate-sized, monotone, fairly nondescript receiver lacking exceptional athletic traits for the pro game and will need to prove himself in the return game to stick.

Draft projection:
Priority free agent.

WR [X, F] -RS JOHN BROWN, #5

PITTSBURGH STATE (KANSAS)
>
Grade: 5.24

Ht: 5-10 | Wt: 179 | Sp: 4.37 | Arm: 30 1/2 | Hand: 8 1/2

History:
Has a daughter. From Miami-Dade County, Florida. Began his college career at Mars Hill in 2008, when he played all 11 games (two starts) and caught 27 balls for 619 yards (22.9-yard average) and seven touchdowns. Added 29 kickoff returns for 718 yards (24.8), including an 87-yard score, and 15 punt returns for 117 yards (7.8). Did not play in ’09 (academics). Redshirted at Coffeyville (KS) Community College in ’10. Signed with Division II Pitt State for ’11 — started 12-of-14 games and hauled in 61-1,216-12 (19.9). Also had 24-616-1, including a 100-yard score, on kickoff returns and 27-369 (13.7), including two scores, on punts. Started all 10 games in ’12, catching 63-973-8 (15.4) and returning punts 28-430-1 (15.4) and kickoffs 16-395 (24.7). Started all 12 games in ’13 and posted 61-1,198-14 (19.6) receiving, 12-389-1 (32.4) on kickoffs and 23-264 (11.5) on punts. Was PSU’s leading receiver three-straight years. Three-time captain. Did not lift at the Combine because of a left A/C joint injury.

Strengths:
Athletic and flexible. Accelerates off the line. Field fast. Stretches the field and tracks deep throws. Gets in and out of breaks quickly. Good hands. Playmaking ability as a receiver and return man. Has worked as a gunner. Well respected, coachable team captain. Led all receivers at the Combine with a 2.46-second time in the 20-yard split.

Weaknesses:
Lacks ideal size. Has very short arms and small hands. Limited functional strength. Can be jammed and rerouted. Can be outmuscled for contested catches. Cannot bust through tackles. Poor blocker. Will be a 24-year-old rookie.

Future:
Lean, fluid, speedy Division II standout with a playmaker’s resume. Will have to overcome size and strength limitations, but his burst and hands give him the opportunity to earn a role as a slot receiver and return man.

Draft projection:
Late draftable pick.

WR [X] MARTAVIS BRYANT, #1 (JUNIOR)

CLEMSON
>
Grade: 5.34

Ht: 6-3 3/4 | Wt: 211 | Sp: 4.46 | Arm: 32 5/8 | Hand: 9 1/2

History:
Was a non-qualifier as a South Carolina prep and spent 2010 at Hargrave Military Academy (Va.). Joined Clemson in ’11 when he played all 14 games (two starts) and tallied nine receptions for 221 yards (24.6-yard average) and two touchdowns. Appeared in 10 games in ’12, managing 10-305-4 (30.1). Did not play against Boston College or Georgia Tech (groin), and was academically ineligible for the Chick-fil-A Bowl. Started 11-of-13 games in ’13, totaling 42-828-7 (19.7). Did not start against Wake Forest as punishment for a throat slash gesture, and gave way to a fullback and tight end against Maryland. Also returned 14 career kickoffs for 291 yards (20.8).

Strengths:
Superb body length with a long, rangy frame. Very good straight-line, separation speed. Can drop his hips surprisingly well for as tall as he is and is fairly shifty after the catch. Good red-zone target — effective making back-shoulder catches. Flashes the ability to climb the ladder and highpoint the ball. Has return experience.

Weaknesses:
Shaky hands — tends to double-clutch the ball and makes too many easy drops. Is not a polished route runner — is stiff in and out of his breaks. Lacks toughness desired to work the middle of the field. Must prove that he is willing to work to assimilate a playbook and learn the finer points of the game.

Future:
A lean, long-limbed, rangy, outside-the-numbers, big-play receiver, Bryant declared for the draft early with underclassmen nipping at his playing time late in the season. Will require additional seasoning to make a mark in the pro game. A better tester than football player at this stage of his development, he has tools to be molded if he learns to hone his focus.

Draft projection:
Fourth- to fifth-round pick.

Scout’s take: “
His demeanor, work ethic and motor are what trouble me. He has bad hands. The league is all about potential, and you look at his numbers on paper, he has a lot of it. This is just deep enough of a WR draft where you don’t have to reach on a roll-of-the-dice receiver.”

WR [F]-RS ISAIAH BURSE, #1

FRESNO STATE
>
Grade: 5.20

Ht: 5-10 3/8 | Wt: 188 | Sp: 4.59 | Arm: 30 1/4 | Hand: 8 3/8

History:
Played quarterback and safety as a California prep, leading his team to a small school state championship. Appeared in all 13 games as a true freshman in 2010 and caught 13 balls for 190 yards (14.6-yard average) and two touchdowns. Played all 13 games (one start) in ’11, snagging 40-436-1 (10.9) while setting a single-season FBS record for kickoff returns and yards with 75-1,606 (21.4). Started 11-of-13 games in ’12 and produced 57-851-6 (14.9). Started all 13 games in ’13, racking up 100-1,026-6 (10.3). For his career, returned 126 kickoffs for 2,835 yards (22.5) and 29 punts for 344 yards (11.9). Also rushed 32 times for 191 yards (6.3) and completed a 43-yard touchdown pass as a freshman. Team captain.

Strengths:
Good athlete. Shows some suddenness as a route runner to climb defensive backs and can create separation when he needs to with short-area burst and speed cuts. Keeps working zones to come free and has a knack for finding soft spots in coverage. Scrappy competitor. Carries a swagger. Strong-handed. Field-fast. Catches on contact and fearlessly crosses the middle. Sifts through traffic and fights for extra yardage. Good vision, elusiveness and cutback ability in the return game. Football smart. Respected team leader.

Weaknesses:
Has a small frame with short arms and tiny hands. Does not track the ball very well over his shoulder and makes some easy drops. Lacks run-after-the-catch strength and does not power through tackles. Average long speed — lacks top gear to kick it into overdrive and pull away from the pack. Could improve as a blocker

Future:
Quicker-than-fast, short-striding slot receiver and sudden punt returner with the competiveness and swagger desired to earn a role in multiple phases. Is crafty, fiery and tough enough to make it. Has similarities to Jaguars 2013 fourth-round pick Ace Sanders, though not as explosive.