Wide receiver

South Carolina

6-3 216

Draft board overall prospect rank: #55

Draft board overall wide receiver rank: #8

Overall rating: 77 (2nd round)

40 time: 4.48

Games watched: South Carolina/Arkansas, South Carolina/Vanderbilt, South Carolina/Clemson

Positives

·         Excellent size (6-3 216)

·         Great hands

·         Incredibly productive 2010 season (88 catches for 1517 yards and 9 touchdowns)

·         3 year starter

·         Physical with defensive backs

·         Strong

·         Can catch the ball with a guy draped on him

·         Good blocker

·         Big, outside target

·         Good body control

·         Wide catch radius

·         Played through injuries

·         Solid 40 time (4.48)

·         Tough to tackle in the open field

·         Flashes elite talent

·         Good work ethic to lose weight after season

·         Played with terrible quarterbacks

·         Consistently double teamed

Negatives

·         Weight concerns (played in the 230s)

·         Durability concerns

·         Lost 20 pounds in the offseason to perform well in the 40, which is a sign of good work ethic, but 215 is not his playing weight

·         Will he be able to stay at 215?

·         Major regression in 2011 (49 catches for 762 yards and 8 touchdowns)

·         Only 1 100 yard game in 2011

·         Lacks top end speed

·         Slow out of his breaks

·         Route running could use work

NFL Comparison: Mike Williams (Seattle)

Alshon Jeffery is an interesting prospect. Coming into the season, he was seen as a potential top 10 pick after an incredibly impressive sophomore season in which he caught 88 passes for 1517 yards and 9 touchdowns. However, his junior year was a real disappointment in comparison and after 49 catches for 762 yards and 8 touchdowns, he’s probably a 2^nd round pick, though he could sneak into the late 1^st.

He did play through various injuries in 2011, when he only had one game of over 100 yards. He also battled terrible quarterback play. He was still his team’s leading receiver by 20 catches and almost 400 yards and he was consistently double teamed, opening things up for the rest of his team. However, the major problem was his lack of top end speed. Defensive backs were able to use this against him and sit on all of the short routes he was running.

He played in the 230s at South Carolina and looked out of shape, especially in 2011. He lost 20 pounds or so to improve his 40 time and he ran a solid 4.48 at his Pro Day (he mysteriously didn’t run at the Combine). However, NFL decision makers are still not convinced. Anyone can lose 20 pounds for a short period of time and it displays his good work ethic that he was able to do so, but his natural playing weight is in the 230s. NFL decision makers aren’t convinced that he can still in the 210s.

Jeffery looks like a 2^nd round pick and a #2 receiver. He won’t be a #1 guy, but he should be a great, outside possession receiver. He’s a great short route runner, with excellent hands and body control. He doesn’t get a lot of separation, but he’s good at making catches even when blanketed by defenders. He’s also incredibly tough to tackle in the open field and breaks tackles like a running back. However, speed, weight, and durability concerns will probably keep him out of the 2^nd round.

A comparison for him was tough. Mike Williams is a popular one because the former USC receiver (who went 10^th overall) played weight problems throughout his career. However, Jeffery has a good work ethic so I don’t see him ever ballooning up to the 250 pounds Williams was at when he eat himself out of the league. However, there are similarities, even down to the type of college receiver they each were.