Dez Bryant, 6-2/210
Wide Receiver
Oklahoma State
Dez Bryant Scouting Report
By Matt McGuire
Strengths:
Above average height
Good muscle definition
Great hands
Will come back to the quarterback and present a window
Dominant on jump balls
Attacks ball at apex
Gets off line of scrimmage
Coordinated and can adjust to the ball
Knows how to set up a receiver and flip their hips
Athletic
Nice sideline awareness
Tough to tackle
Explosive punt returner
Good running vision
Decent amount of upside
Weaknesses:
Route running is still suspect
Rounds off digs and deep outs
Not very fast
Lacks deep speed
Could be more elusive
Doesn't always generate maximum YAC
Needs to eat up cushion more quickly in off man
Needs to work on reading coverages as he does not always identify the zone
A little sluggish coming out of breaks
Summary: Bryant is a talented receiver, but he doesn't seem to project as a No. 1 wideout at the next level. He has the skill set of a dominant No. 2 who can really help a quarterback in the red zone and on third down.
Player Comparison: Chad Ochocinco. Ochocinco and Bryant have very similar builds and great ball skills, but unfortunately lack above average speed.
Golden Tate, 5-11/195
Wide Receiver
Notre Dame
Golden Tate Scouting Report
By Matt McGuire
Strengths:
Extremely productive
Very athletic
Adequate speed to stretch a defense
Great hand-eye coordination
Nice Y.A.C.
Makes acrobatic catches
Strong; not an easy tackle
Plucks ball at apex
Experience in West Coast offense
Comes back to quarterback when play breaks down
Versatile; can play Wildcat, slot, split end
Shows nice vision after catch
Eats cushion quickly
Shifty runner
Intelligent
Great instincts
Good leadership
Had some DOMINANT games
Plays with heart; very competitive
Weaknesses:
Very poor route runner
Doesn't sink hips in break
Doesn't sell route very well
Average size
Not much of a blocker
Doesn't have elite speed
Can he beat jam at next level?
Questionable deep threat
Might need some development
Occasionally drops a routine catch
Summary: I think Tate's draft stock is dependent on his 40 time. If he can run in the 4.4s, then he is a first-round pick. If he doesn't, then it is questionable. Tate profiles as a very good No. 2 receiver at the next level, but don't count on him to be Andre Johnson. Tate played baseball at Notre Dame and was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks out of high school in 2007. Tate profiles as a late first- to early second-round pick.
Player Comparison: Steve Smith (Giants). Tate and Smith of course have the size comparison, but they are both natural receivers with good speed.
Arrelious Benn, 6-2/220
Wide Receiver
Illinois
Arrelious Benn Scouting Report
By Matt McGuire
Strengths:
Very big, strong frame
Tough and competitive
Displays great body control
Nice catch radius
Physical runner after the catch - doesn't shy from contact
Good job of reading coverages
Will find the soft spots in zone
Savvy route runner
Changes speeds and really sells the corner
Impressive ball skills
Does a good job of sinking hips and exploding out of breaks
Not afraid to go over the middle
Solid speed and athleticism
Prototypical possession receiver
Love his hand-eye coordination
Nice vision
Terrific agility and change of direction
Great overall skill set
Weaknesses:
Lacks elite vertical speed
A little slow to eat the off-man cushion
Hands were somewhat inconsistent as a junior
Poor junior year production (read summary)
Primarily played in the slot at Illinois - will be asked to be a flanker/split end
Summary: Benn has the talent and polish to contribute very early in his career and I don't doubt that he will be a No. 1 receiver for some team. He wasn't very productive as a junior, but most people I've talked to say the quarterback situation at Illinois really hurt Benn's numbers. Benn will be a far better red=zone weapon in the NFL than he was in college. Benn is expected to go in the latter half of the first round.
Player Comparison: Anquan Boldin. Boldin, like Benn, has a big frame with very good ball skills, athleticism and toughness.
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