Laddie Morse and John Cooney of PASS2Win.com
Below you’ll find the breakdown of three wide receivers in the coming NFL draft. The last two, could help the Chiefs while the first one would be a project and likely end up an undrafted free agent project at that.
Ricky Seals-Jones, Texas A&M
“The biggest scouting question for this huge wideout is do pro personnel people view Seals-Jones as a WR or TE? Lining up at 6’5-240, Seals-Jones is a physically imposing presence before the snap. In action, he has a few flaws that cut into his potential for being an NFL wideout. Off the line Seals-Jones is slow-starting and lumbering in routes. His route skills are flat and quite shallow. Soft in his breaks, Seals-Jones rolls out of his stems and gives DBs plenty of clues when to close. His hands are suspect as well. Seals-Jones will at times gobble up passes his way, even in traffic. Other occasions he is drop-prone and allow the ball to get on-top of him, negating his length advantages. Seals-Jones was a highly sought after high-school recruit as he entered college, but didn’t quite meet his collegiate potential. Again, mushy route chops and inconsistent hands, as well as stout SEC competition, all contributed to putting a cap on his performance. He’ll face even stiffer opposition in the NFL. As an outside pro receiver Seals-Jones will struggle to get open. He is not overly effective using his size to his advantage, which is how he’d have to win contested throws. TE may be his best bet, and he has work to do in that job as well, namely blocking.” -John Cooney
Ricky Seal-Jones ranks as the #322nd overall prospect in this year’s draft by CBS Sport. However, DraftTek has him ranked as the 160th best overall prospect. At 6-foot-5 inches he has some intriguing physical qualities but his performances on the field haven’t shown much promise: as redshirt junior Jones-Seals caught 26 passes for 333 yards and 1 TD. He’s likely to be some teams camp body. Good luck to “Risky” Seals-Jones.
Ricky Seals-Jones short highlight tape.
Travis Rudolph, Florida State
“Rudolph is a lunch pail wideout that provides his QBs with a reliable set of hands. He gets his mitts out away from his body to snatch footballs to completion. The 6’1-190 receiver shows average speed (high 4.5s at best) and good-not-great route applications. He lines up in all WR positions and is most effective getting separation out of the slot. Somewhat soft breaks and foot-speed often result in Rudolph fighting for his receptions, with a DB close to his hip. Plays where Rudolph breaks [into the] open are often manufactured by play-call, using picks or counter-cross routes to spring the Seminoles’ pass-catcher. He’s a willing blocker in run support, but is not overly effective in that role. Rudolph can pick up YAC at times, following blocks patiently. His pro potential appears to be that of a solid slot receiver. He won’t win many long races to the stripe against NFL CBs, mostly because he doesn’t explode off the line and winds up to top gear. But he has enough reliability tools to be a competent pro.” -John Cooney
Travis Rudolph is ranked #129 by CBS Sports. DraftTek has him at #67.
Travis Rudolph’s highlight tape.
Artavis Scott, Clemson
“Scott is a 5’10-193 possession receiver with excellent hands, practical game speed and keen after-catch vision. His Clemson WR schooling is a huge plus for his NFL chances. Scott is estimated to run his forty dash somewhere around low 4.5s, if not better. He is not a turf-burning route runner, but is sharp cutting off his stems and setting up his routes to get open. Catches the ball with confidence short or deep. Scott is effective inside-and-out and is nifty inside the 20. He has been utilized as the short, under target at Clemson, caddying in routes for play-making WR Mike Williams. Scott has the speed chops to expand his route tree in the NFL and play deeper than he was asked at Clemson. His fine run skills translate well on jet sweeps and hitches off the line. Scott also is a competent punt returner, opening another avenue to the NFL. He is sure to shine in workouts for scouts and I’m betting he’ll impress in his 40 as well as catch drills.” -John Cooney
CBS Sports ranked Artavis Scott as the #119 best prospect in this year’s draft while DraftTek has him at #98. I think Scott deserves to be in the top 100 and will likely be drafted in the top three rounds. I like him enough to wonder if it was Deshaun Watson who made Scott good or the other way around? We’ll see.
Artavis Scott’s Highlight tape.
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