NFL Draft 2014 Preview (19 page)

Strengths:
Very good size. Shows a jab step to get into routes cleanly and is equipped to combat the jam. Can use his frame and physicality to create separation on slants and “post-up” throws (strength was evidenced by benchpressing 225 pounds 23 times at the Combine, leading all receivers and besting some lineman. Nice catch radius — extends to snag throws off his body. Soft, dependable hands. Nice strength after the catch. Good blocker — subdues cornerbacks, shields, stalks and sustains. Improved steadily over three years as a starter.

Weaknesses:
Is high-cut and shows some lower-body stiffness in his route running. Average burst off the line. Not a quick-twitch athlete — could struggle to shake loose from more athletic corners. Lacks foot speed to separate vertically. Is straightlinish after the catch and will not make anyone miss. Marginal special-teams utility. Football was not his first love.

Future:
A prep basketball standout, Latimer is a well-built, sure-handed, West Coast possession receiver whose hardwood background is evident in his leaping ability, body control and hand-eye coordination. Lacks ideal explosiveness, gear change and flexibility. Could be effective running slants and making contested catches to beat zone coverage and succeed in the red zone. Has a ceiling as a No. 3.

Draft projection:
Fourth- to fifth-round pick.

WR [F, X, Z] MARQISE LEE, #9 (JUNIOR)

USC
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Grade: 6.23

Ht: 5-11 3/4 | Wt: 192 | Sp: 4.46 | Arm: 31 3/4 | Hand: 9 1/2

History:
Highly recruited Parade All-American who starred as an all-purpose football player, basketball player and track competitor as a California prep. Also competed as a sprinter and long jumper for the USC track team. Made an immediate impact as a true freshman in 2011 when he was named Pac-12 Freshman Offensive Co-Player of the Year — started 8-of-12 games and produced 73 receptions for 1,143 yards (15.7-yard average) and 11 touchdowns with 10 kickoff returns for 285 yards (28.5), including an 88-yard score against Washington. Teaming with Bills ’13 second-rounder Robert Woods for the second year, totaled 118-1,721-14 (14.6) in 13 starts, garnering the Biletnikoff Award, Paul Warfield Award and Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year. Was the Trojans’ leading receiver for the second year in a row in ’13 when he managed 57-791-4 (13.9) receiving, 10-164 (16.4) on kickoffs and 8-46 (5.8) on punts. Did not play against Arizona, Utah and Colorado because of knee and shin injuries. Also had 24 career rushes for 146 yards (5.5) and zero touchdowns. Owns or shares 24 USC records and three conference records. Team captain.

Strengths:
Very good athletic ability. Is a nifty runner after the catch — can navigate through traffic and create with the ball in his hands. Can shift into top gear and run by tacklers — terrific acceleration and short-area burst. Fine route runner — understands how to set up defensive backs and has an innate feel for coverage. Understands how to manipulate man and zone coverage and can create separation when he needs to uncover. Very good hand-eye coordination. Tracks the deep ball very well — has a knack for running underneath it. Attacks the ball and plucks it out of the sky. Very good competitive, functional playing speed. Has game-breaking return ability — exceptional vision and traffic burst.

Weaknesses:
Average size and run strength. Does not break many tackles. Was slowed by nagging injuries, and body is not built to withstand a lot of punishment. Can do a better job securing the ball through traffic — has shown a tendency to flag the ball. Long-term durability could become an issue.

Future:
An extremely motivated, dynamic, playmaking receiver, Lee’s junior season was plagued by shoulder, knee and leg injuries and a revolving door at head coach, where he cycled through three. Showed all the traits desired in a No. 1 receiver early in his career and has overcome a lot of adversity in his life to get to this point.

Draft projection:
First-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“(Lee) is really talented. He didn’t put up big numbers, but he is smooth, explosive, can change gears. He is a cinch first-rounder. The only thing I didn’t like were the concentration drops. He will snatch the ball outside his frame and extend and pluck the ball out of the air and then he’ll have some easy drops on simple routes. He does it at practice too. He still has good hands. He is going to catch eight out of 10, and five of them will be ‘wow’ catches. ... I think he could be a No. 1 receiver in the league.”

WR [F]-PR ERIK LORA, #88

EASTERN ILLINOIS
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Grade: 5.10

Ht: 5-10 3/8 | Wt: 203 | Sp: 4.51 | Arm: 29 5/8 | Hand: 9 1/2

History:
Lightly recruited Florida prep. Wore jersey No. 22 his first two seasons. As a true freshman in 2009, recorded 23 receptions for 320 yards (13.9-yard average) and two touchdowns in 12 games (one start). Started 9-of-10 games played in ’10 and snagged 50-478-2 (9.6). Did not play against Central Arkansas. Sat out the ’11 season while recovering from a herniated disc in his back and torn labrum in his hip. In ’12, set the FCS single-season receptions record and was the Ohio Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Year after starting all 12 games at inside receiver and racking up 136-1,664-12 (12.2). Was the Panthers’ leading receiver for the third straight season in ’13 when he started 12-of-13 games played at IR and posted 123-1,544-19 (12.6). Did not start against Tennessee-Martin (gave way to a fullback). In his career, rushed 21 times for 180 yards (8.6) and zero touchdowns, returned 24 punts for 224 yards (9.3), including a score, and returned eight kickoffs for 144 yards (18.0). Also completed 3-of-4 pass attempts (75 percent) for 53 yards with two touchdowns and zero interceptions. Teamed with Walter Payton Award winning quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

Strengths:
Highly competitive. Solid football IQ. Good coverage recognition and field awareness to uncover — has a knack for getting open and continuing to work free. Catches on contact and without breaking stride. Runs hard after the catch. Carries a swagger. Outstanding productivity (career leader). Has punt return experience.

Weaknesses:
Has a non-descript body with short arms. Not a blazer. Could struggle to separate vs. man coverage in the pros. Lacks strength to beat tight press coverage or factor as a blocker. Limited speed and elusiveness to create after the catch. Can be tracked down from behind. Not explosive or dynamic in the return game to create big plays. Durability has been an issue — missed sophomore season after having hip surgery.

Future:
A tough, instinctive, crafty slot receiver with very reliable hands. Has benefitted from a high-octane, dink-and-dunk spread passing game featuring a lot of quick-hitting routes. Must prove he can stay healthy and create separation vs. better competition to carve a niche.

Draft projection:
Late draftable pick.

Scout’s take: “
Two words — Tim Toone. (Selected 255th overall as Mr. Irrelevant by the Detroit Lions in 2010.)”

WR [X, H] MARCUS LUCAS, #85

MISSOURI
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Grade: 5.10

Ht: 6-3 3/4 | Wt: 218 | Sp: 4.58 | Arm: 33 5/8 | Hand: 9 3/8

History:
Highly recruited three-sport athlete (basketball, track) out of Missouri. Saw very limited action in 10 games in 2010, catching three balls for 23 yards (2.3-yard average) and zero touchdowns. Played all 13 games in ’11, starting three at the “X” receiver, and tallied 23-414-5 (18.0). Led Tigers receivers in ’12 when he started 6-of-12 games and caught 46-509-3 (11.1), though he was demoted in favor of Bud Sasser the second half of the season. Started all 14 games at the “Y” receiver in ’13, snagging 58-692-3 (11.9).

Strengths:
Outstanding size and body length. Has good hands. Tough to enter traffic and catch on contact. Will do dirty work between the hashes. Has H-back potential.

Weaknesses:
Shows only one gear and struggles to pop out of breaks or separate with quickness. Long strider with build-up speed. Is not strong or creative after the catch and is easily corralled.

Future:
A lean, long-limbed, rare-sized, possession receiver, Lucas lacks starter-quality positional traits and does not play big, yet, with continued development, offers intrigue to teams as a developmental H-back.

Draft projection:
Late draftable pick.

Scout’s take:
“No. 85 is a tweener. He’s big and tough, but he can’t separate. He’ll probably have to be a flex tight end. He is not like Delanie Walker, but he has a good body. He’s not a slouch.”

WR [Z, F] JORDAN MATTHEWS, #87

VANDERBILT
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Grade: 5.80

Ht: 6-3 1/8 | Wt: 212 | Sp: 4.47 | Arm: 33 1/4 | Hand: 10 3/8

History:
Cousin of Hall of Famer Jerry Rice. Receiver-defensive back who also played basketball as an Alabama prep. Played all 52 games of his career. As a true freshman in 2010, started 10-of-12 games and caught 15 balls for 181 yards (12.1-yard average) and four touchdowns. Started all 13 games and paced Commodore receivers each of the next three seasons — produced 41-778-5 (19.0) in ’11; 94-1,323-8 (14.1) in ’12; and 112-1,477-7 (13.2) in ’13. Rewrote the VU receiving records and owns Southeastern Conference records for career receptions (262) and receiving yards (3,759). Team captain.

Strengths:
Good length. Big zone target. Good form as a route runner. Sinks his hips and pops out of breaks. Concentrates, tracks and adjusts. Soft hands and sticky fingers. Has leaping ability to compete in the air. Opens up his stride in the clear and shows nice long speed. Good field awareness. Gives effort as a blocker. Competes and plays with intensity. Tough and intelligent. Lined up outside and inside and has punt-return experience. Team captain and four-year starter with record-setting production.

Weaknesses:
Could stand to bulk up his frame. Adequate line release. Fairly linear. Not a quick-twitch athlete. Does not show elite explosion to separate vertically. Lets some throws into his body and is not immune to concentration drops. Limited creativity and elusiveness after the catch. Can be moody and has some diva in him.

Future:
A relative of Jerry Rice, Matthews departs Vanderbilt as the most productive pass catcher in SEC history. He’s a tall, narrow-framed, West Coast possession receiver with soft hands, a professional approach and the versatility to line up inside or outside and become a solid No. 2 or No. 3. High-floor prospect.

Draft projection:
Second- to third-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“I think he is a solid third-rounder. I am going to (grade) him inside. He’s big, physical enough, handles contact well enough and has good hands. He’s big and strong. He kind of reminds of the guy the Saints found late (Marques Colston). I know some scouts that put him in the first round. If he ends up running a lot better, I’ll push up my grade. If he runs worse, I won’t float him down much. He’s still a good complimentary player. I don’t think he’ll ever be a No. 1 (receiver).”

WR [X, Z] DONTE MONCRIEF, #12 (JUNIOR)

MISSISSIPPI
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Grade: 5.85

Ht: 6-2 3/8 | Wt: 221 | Sp: 4.39 | Arm: 32 3/8 | Hand: 9 1/8

History:
Highly recruited Mississippi prep who also played basketball and won a pair of long jump state championships. As a true freshman in 2011, started all 12 games at split end and recorded 31 receptions for 454 yards (14.6-yard average) and four touchdowns. Was the Rebels’ leading receiver in ’12 when he started 12-of-13 games (gave way to extra tight end against Texas) and snagged 66-979-10 (14.8). Started all 13 games in ’13 and posted 59-938-6 (15.9).

Strengths:
Terrific size. Smooth accelerator — jets off the line, eliminates cushion and has speed to stretch the field vertically. Good balance and body control. Can stem his pattern and leverage defenders. Drives off cornerbacks and creates separation. Knows where the sticks are. Outstanding leaping ability to elevate and pluck throws out of the air. Flashes playmaking ability. Able to sidestep the first tackler and pick up chunk yards after the catch. Gives effort as a blocker to engage and seal. Has experience going head-to-head with NFL-caliber cornerbacks. Will be a 21-year-old rookie and has upside. Tied for the longest broad jump (11’0”) among receivers at the Combine.

Weaknesses:
Needs to sharpen his route running. Inconsistent ball reactions, particularly in traffic — better running through or under passes. Does not always play to his size — gets outmuscled for “50-50” balls and is still coming into his own as a dependable go-up-and-get-it guy. Average hand strength. Tends to trap some throws against his body and occasionally drops catchable balls. Could be more physical. Average elusiveness and open-field electricity. Showed he could be contained — seven games of 60 yards or less as a junior.