JARD – Aim High!

As I was thinking about the team and combine this past week, I came across a four leaf clover, a player at the combine from the United States Air Force Academy. This is pretty rare indeed. The types of athletes the Academy can attract is limited on several fronts. They have to pass certain physical tests which can limit the size of player allowed. Additionally, the players have to be top of their high school class, go through military training, and commit to 5 years of service after graduation, just to name a few.

When I came across a player at the combine with my former alma mater listed, I was intrigued. I immediately recognized the name, from seeing him play the last couple of years. He is a wide receiver that will graduate in a few months.

What I found most interesting is that a wide receiver from Air Force was invited to the combine. What makes this so interesting you ask? Well, Air Force runs about 99.9% of the time. How could this guy get an invite with that little tape of actual receiving?

So, to answer this mystery I dug into the stats a bit and also looked over what I would consider the Top 10 Combine Statistical Receivers. Let’s not confuse this with any actual display of talent, just measurements and drills.

Before I get into the rest of this article, I would like to let everyone know I do NOT claim to be a combine guru or super scout or anything of that nature. I am simply someone that “runs the numbers” and “plays the odds”.

Air Power

Jalen Robinette – a brief bio from NFL.com

“Usually it’s Georgia Tech producing a big-bodied receiver with deep-ball skills out of an option attack. The Academy’s got the hot pass-catcher this season, however, with Robinette getting a lot of notice from scouts. He led the Falcons in receiving yards in his first season on campus (16-291, three TD), although he didn’t start any games. Robinette received honorable mention All-Mountain West notice in both his sophomore (43-806, four TD) and junior (26-641, five TD) seasons. He averaged 27.4 yards per catch in 2016, which led the nation. Robinette was named first-team All-Mountain West after the season (35-959, six TD).”

Having watched Robinette for a few games, I can say that when he gets the ball thrown his way he comes up big more times than not. Also, and this is important in Chief town, he is recognized as a great blocker. This is a must in their option offense.

Stats?

As you can see below, he isn’t a top performer in any of the statistical performance categories, although I would say the bench is somewhat impressive for an Academy grad.

What does stand out is his size. From what I am told, this is VERY hard to teach. However, I would think a strong conditioning program can add inches to the jumps, add reps to the bench, and shave seconds off the run.

– 120 in broad – 31.4 in vert – 4.62 40 yd – 13 Bench – 4.46 20 yd shuttle

– 33 3/8 arm length – 10 7/8 hands – 6’ 3” 220 lb

When I looked at my Top 10, Robinette had the third longest arms, biggest hands, tied for tallest, and weighed second most.

Top 10

Below is the group I pulled up as my Top 10. I valued the broad and vertical jumps the most, followed by speed, then power. I also discounted some for smaller size. This is a combination of scientific and gut analysis.

1. Robert Davis – 136 in broad – 41 in vert – 4.41 40 yd – 19 Bench – 4.28 20 yd shuttle

– 33 arm length – 9 5/8 hands – 6’3” 219 lbs

2. Evan Engram – 125 in Broad – 36 in vert – 4.42 40 yd – 19 Bench – 4.23 20 yd shuttle

– 33 ½ arm length – 10 hands – 6’3” – 234 lbs

3. John Ross – 133 in broad – 37 in vert – 4.22 40 yd – No Bench – No 20 yd shuttle

– 31 ½ arm length – 8 3/4 hands – 5’11” 188 lbs

4. Zay Jones – 133 in broad – 36.5 in vert – 4.45 40 yd – 15 Bench – 4.01 20 yd shuttle

– 32 ½ arm length – 9 hands- 6’2” 201 lbs

5. Jehu Chesson – 132 in broad – 35.5 in vert – 4.47 40 yd – 10 Bench – 4.09 20 yd shuttle

– 33 ¼ arm length – 9 1/8 hands – 6’3” 204 lbs

6. Chris Godwin – 126 in broad – 36 in vert – 4.42 40 yd – 19 Bench – 4.00 20 yd shuttle

– 31 5/8 arm length – 9 1/8 hands – 6’1” 209 lbs

7. Michael Rector – 129 in broad – 36.5 in vert – 4.42 40 yd – No Bench – 4.19 20 yd shuttle

– 32 ½ arm length – 9 ¼ hands – 6’ 193 lbs

8. Curtis Samuel – 119 in broad – 37 in vert – 4.31 40 yd – 18 Bench – 4.33 20 yd shuttle

– 31 ¼ arm length – 9 1/2 hands – 5’11” 196 lbs

9. Josh Malone -121 in broad – 30.5 in vert – 4.40 40 yd – 10 Bench – 4.19 20 yd shuttle

– 31 3/8 arm length – 9 5/8 hands – 6’3” 208 lbs

10. Quincy Adeboyejo – 123 in broad – 34.5 in vert – 4.42 40 yd – 8 Bench – 4.14 20 yd shuttle

• 31 ¾ arm length – 9 3/8 hands – 6’3” 197 lbs

The reason I am valuing the jumps more than speed is due to KC already having some speed and needing some possession receivers. We need some combinations of size and leaping ability. Someone that can block out and/or go up and high point the ball.

My perspective on the Andy Reid offense is that it relies on the short pass with a high probability; it also needs a speedster to back the secondary off some. Well, I think we have a touch of speed in our receiver group. What we need now is another big body receiver to block/catch the important short routes.

Jalen Summary

I also pulled the analysis section from NFL.com. Here it is.

“STRENGTHS Outstanding NFL size with long arms and monster hands. Plays grown man football down the field. Able to leap and rise above the masses to pull down the deep ball. Physical and unfazed by contact. Plays with plus balance and body control when attacking the football. Has a knack for late separation down the field and plays with sharpened focus when ball is in the air. Showed off quick shake press release at Shrine practices. Has the raw size and tools that teams will covet.

WEAKNESSES Missed out on catches outside his frame. Yards per catch totals bolstered by open opportunities in Air Force play-action game. Too tall into his routes robbing him of early acceleration. Overly-exaggerated head fakes into his brakes and stems don’t fool anyone. Route-running is very raw and will need time to be developed. Needs to play faster when setting up routes underneath. Pattern matchers could eat him up early on. Can be slow to get head around and find the football. Doesn’t go looking for contact as run blocker.

NFL COMPARISON Cody Latimer

BOTTOM LINE Robinette has impressive size and vertical ball skills, but his route-running is extremely raw due to the limitations of Air Force’s option-based attack. Like others before him from similar offenses, Robinette is a traits-based prospect with a high ceiling, but he could need a redshirt year to become comfortable with the route requirements of a pro-style attack.”

When I read this the first or second time, I noticed a couple of key takeaways.

1. Size of an NFL receiver (again, can’t teach size)
2. Physical player with balance and control while ATTACKING the ball
3. Doesn’t look for contact as a run blocker
4. Raw route running

I would disagree with his run blocking. At Air Force, that is a major part of they job. If he wasn’t good at it, he wouldn’t be on the field. Their offense doesn’t pass anywhere near enough for that skill to outweigh blocking.

His route running can be taken care of with solid coaching. I like what they say about attacking the football. We need guys that want the ball not wait for it. Based on my experience at the Academy, that is what those players do. They don’t believe in giving up or not giving everything for their team. They are there to win.

Here is a little video on what he can do. And, before you discount it too much because it is against Army. Consider this is a big rivalry and always a hard fought game of pride.

Summary

As I am sure you surmised from the summary of my Top 10 vs. Jalen Robinette, he doesn’t grade out well with the speed, power, jumping stats, but does on the size. If a recruiter/GM/coach can see the value in this kid’s personality and commit to a development program, they may very well have a diamond in the rough.

I only say this because I graduated from that fine institution, but his character is worth a lot. It only depends on the coaching staff’s belief they can train him up some. I would bet the house he will give everything he has to help the team succeed.

While I am not anywhere near promoting him as an upper round talent, I am saying he may be worth a 6^th or 7^th. If he goes UDFA, then we need to work him out some more and maybe get him on the practice squad for the time being. I can see this guy flourishing as a possession receiver on the shorter routes, with the occasionally surprise big gainer.

What do you guys think?

Until next week, there’s The Rub!

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