WR: Speed, quickness, route quality, can they get open, can they catch it?
by John Cooney
Editor’s Note: John Cooney at PASS2win.com has released his notes on Corey Davis, Zay Jones, Dede Westbrook and Ryan Switzer while focusing on their speed, quickness, route quality, can they get open, can they catch it? Let’s take a look.
Corey Davis, Western Michigan
“Davis is viewed as the top WR prospect in this year’s draft. Pump the brakes some here. Davis owns impressive size at 6’3-209, so that’s attractive. His numbers at Western Michigan are eye-popping; 97-1500-19 TDs just last season and 332-5285-52 TDs in 4 seasons at Western Michigan. He’s hauled in 90+ catches the past 2 campaigns and over 1400 yards in 3 straight seasons, with 12 or more scores in those 3 years. Davis put up those chart-topping numbers mainly winning with his physical tools over game-savvy. He was unable to perform at the Combine or his Pro-Day workouts due to his recovery from ankle surgery. Davis is estimated to run a sub-4.5 forty, but I’ll debate that speed based on game tape evidence. The long and lean wideout has room to add quality muscle in his pro career. He shows inefficient footwork and a horrid initial back-step in his get-off, killing initial burst off the snap. Davis struggles to beat press at the line and doesn’t often separate in routes on his own. Part of the issue beating coverage is his slow take-off, but he is also a soft router that rarely makes sharp cuts or take good angles back to the QB. His game speed appears slower than his estimated 4.48 gait. Being a long-limbed athlete Davis runs with slower-twitch strides. He does show potential build-up speed to turn in big plays. Hands are suspect, which is a concern. Davis often short-arms balls, resorting to body-catching. Even when he does get his arms extended, Davis is inconsistent in securing his catch-n-tuck, suffering drops. He is average tracking the deep ball, but shows the same flaws downfield, body-catching or buttery fingers. His biggest game of 2016, vs Ball State, Davis broke over 270 yards receiving, but drops left an abundance of yards still on the field. Don’t be blinded by the stat-sheet filling numbers of this wideout’s college career; he has flaws that could prove tough to overcome in the NFL. And with no Combine or Pro Day drills to gauge his speed and hands quality, pro personnel best raise the yellow flag of caution with Corey Davis.” -John Cooney
- CBS Sports Ranking: 15th overall
- DraftTek Ranking: 13th overall
Zay Jones, East Carolina
“Zay Jones has snared 81 or more footballs the last 3 seasons at East Carolina. He shows good WR size at 6’2-201 and surprised most with a solid 4.45-forty. Jones’ career YPR is a mushy 10.7, suggesting he lacked true difference-making speed as a possession receiver; the impressive 40 dash helps ease some scouts lock on Jones overall potential. He put up a solid 36.5 vertical and his 11’1 broad jump connotes burst. Game speed doesn’t translate into Jones’ excellent Combine results and there is concern his workouts are well-manufactured via specific training for the events. Last season Jones hauled in a whopping 158 passes for 1748 yards. A closer look again brings cause for pause as Jones averaged just 11.1 YPR and though he set a career high in TDs, tallied just 8 out of the 158 catches. Jones owns superior and confident hands. He is technically sound, getting his arms out and snatching the ball down instantly. Jones lines up anywhere in WR formations but is best suited for the slot. His game speed is clearly not up to his Combine status as he lacks explosion off the line and fails to find a breakaway gear. Jones runs excellent short patterns but shows little ability to separate on mid-range and deep routes. Jones is a possession wideout as a pro. He accumulates yards rather than creates them, showing little ability to turn out big plays or YAC for additional numbers. East Carolina produced a similar NFL prospect in 2015 with Justin Hardy, the bowl subdivision record holder for career catches at that time. Jones broke Hardy’s marks for career receptions and appears to be headed for a similar role in the NFL as Hardy; slot-guy.” -John Cooney
- CBS Sports Ranking: 72nd overall
- DraftTek Ranking: 45th overall
Dede Westbrook, Oklahoma
“Had some off-field issues in 2012 and 2013 that could cause teams to lower his draft grades. Westbrook played just 2 seasons at Oklahoma after starring in junior college ranks. Turned 80 catches into a stellar 19.1 YPR and 17 scores. Westbrook didn’t run at the Combine but burned a scintillating 4.39-forty at his Pro Day, with an explosive 1.54-ten split. Didn’t face much press due to Sooners’ scheme, but evaporated cushion rapidly and smartly in 2016. When facing press-man Westbrook was able to get off the line and string together moves to shake free. He will get CB’s hips turned. Westbrook uses excellent drive-and-stop rhythm in setting up his routes. A friend to his QB as he angles back to the ball consistently. While built thin (6’-178), Westbrook is a fearless pass-catcher and is surprisingly tough to tackle after the catch. HE will battle for the contested throw and with good hands, often makes the catch. He is lethal on vertical routes and tracks the ball downfield well. For a smallish, speed type Westbrook shows excellent hands technique and gets the arms out most often. This is a sharp route runner that plays fast, with a feel for the position and brings loads of energy to the field. He was limited to the right side of Oklahoma’s offense, most time lining up near the sidelines and will have to show he can use the entire field. Dede Westbrook is a home run threat but with a broader route tree than that of the vertical flyer. He is a YAC-attacker with explosive first step and multi-move route skills. Early on in his NFL career Westbrook may be limited to linear stems and patterns, but he shows the tools to grow into a full blown pro playmaker.” -John Cooney
- CBS Sports Ranking: 134th overall
- DraftTek Ranking: 59th overall
Ryan Switzer, North Carolina
“Switzer is a nifty, darting route runner that cuts on a dime and is tough to cover. He small at just 5’8 but compact, weighing in at 181. The North Carolina wideout is not swift, but he is quick and elusive in routes. His hands are outstanding, in that he catches everything thrown his way. He plays with a style very similar to former Patriot slot-machine, Wes Welker, but could also translate into a Danny Woodhead type. Switzer is multifaceted handling the football. He is a confident, secure slot and outside receiver (though size limits his outside pro potential), dangerous on WR screens and hitches and able to pick up big yards on jet sweeps and end arounds. In his 4 seasons at North Carolina Switzer has thrown for 2 TDs, caught 19 and added 7 scored on punt returns. In 2016 the diminutive demon snared 96 passes for 1112 yards (11.6 YPR) and 6 TDs. That’s what he brings to the pro game, a steady, gutsy, tough football player that catches the rock with his hands and with consistency. With short legs and just above average speed, Switzer won’t win many races to the end zone in the NFL. But his sharp YAC ability, excellent vision and feel for his position and toughness Switzer can be an opposing defenses nightmare underneath. Time, place and offense will be key to Switzer’s NFL future production.” -John Cooney
- CBS Sports Ranking: 159th overall
- DraftTek Ranking: 204th overall
&
Editors Note: While WR is probably near the bottom of the Chiefs needs list… what if a WR like speedster John Ross or a top-notch prospect like Corey Davis falls into John Dorsey’s lap at pick #27? Should he take that WR if he’s the BPA?
