The WRs of the 2024 Draft

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6. Ricky Pearsall, Fla., 6'1", 190. Grade 89.9 Borderline Franchise tier, immediate starter with room to grow as he plays.
Comp. Chris Olave

Pearsall is explosive with big-play ability as a ballcarrier and vertical receiver. He has a dynamic catch radius and toughness at the catch point. He’s the type of option
a veteran quarterback can throw open on a variety of routes over the middle and also lean on up the boundary. Like Chris Olave, Pearsall may not look like the
prototype primary weapon, but his overall skills make him a capable weapon who can deliver as a primary or 1-B for an NFL offense. His breaks are especially impressive.
At the catch point, Pearsall has all of the techniques needed to catch the ball and he has a flair for the spectacular. CBs will underestimate his athleticism and well developed
technique of route running when they face him the first time or two. He gain respect quickly. Pearsall releases well from the LOS with no wasted motion. He sinks low to work
off the LOS at full throttle. He has a full tool box of foot techniques and his hands are quick and violent. His counters against man/man press are impressive. He has good
acceleration into his stem to stack defender and uses head fakes to further shake them. He’s consistently good at selling stems and moving defenders at the top of his stems.
His breaks are well rehearsed, instinctive and sudden. He consistently gains separation, at least plenty for an avg NFL QB. He has good boundary awareness, tracks balls well
and catches with proper overhand technique away from his defender. He can one hand balls very well. Pearsall made some spectacular catches while I watched him of balls
that looked like they were uncatchable. He catches balls with a good radius but the one thing I'd like to correct is his hands position on back shoulder catches. Too often his
tendency is to catch the ball with underhand technique rather than to reach out for the ball away from his body with the overhand technique. After the catch, he transitions
well to a runner with vision to set up blocks and stop-start, jump cuts to avoid tacklers. He will use a stiff arm regularly and lower his shoulder when he can. His blocking
could be better, he gets impatient and throws himself at his target instead of being more patient to square up to drive. His QB in '23 could have been better throwing him open.

No injuries noted.

 
chevss454 said:
6. Ricky Pearsall, Fla., 6'1", 190. Grade 89.9 Borderline Franchise tier, immediate starter with room to grow as he plays.
Comp. Chris Olave

Pearsall is explosive with big-play ability as a ballcarrier and vertical receiver. He has a dynamic catch radius and toughness at the catch point. He’s the type of option
a veteran quarterback can throw open on a variety of routes over the middle and also lean on up the boundary. Like Chris Olave, Pearsall may not look like the
prototype primary weapon, but his overall skills make him a capable weapon who can deliver as a primary or 1-B for an NFL offense. His breaks are especially impressive.
At the catch point, Pearsall has all of the techniques needed to catch the ball and he has a flair for the spectacular. CBs will underestimate his athleticism and well developed
technique of route running when they face him the first time or two. He gain respect quickly. Pearsall releases well from the LOS with no wasted motion. He sinks low to work
off the LOS at full throttle. He has a full tool box of foot techniques and his hands are quick and violent. His counters against man/man press are impressive. He has good
acceleration into his stem to stack defender and uses head fakes to further shake them. He’s consistently good at selling stems and moving defenders at the top of his stems.
His breaks are well rehearsed, instinctive and sudden. He consistently gains separation, at least plenty for an avg NFL QB. He has good boundary awareness, tracks balls well
and catches with proper overhand technique away from his defender. He can one hand balls very well. Pearsall made some spectacular catches while I watched him of balls
that looked like they were uncatchable. He catches balls with a good radius but the one thing I'd like to correct is his hands position on back shoulder catches. Too often his
tendency is to catch the ball with underhand technique rather than to reach out for the ball away from his body with the overhand technique. After the catch, he transitions
well to a runner with vision to set up blocks and stop-start, jump cuts to avoid tacklers. He will use a stiff arm regularly and lower his shoulder when he can. His blocking
could be better, he gets impatient and throws himself at his target instead of being more patient to square up to drive. His QB in '23 could have been better throwing him open.

No injuries noted.

Click to expand...

where do they think Pearsall will go in the draft?
I see Pats mock drafts that go 5 rounds and we only picked 1 receiver by then. I am assuming/guessing one high pick and one mid draft pick, but what do I know
 
Heard Burton described as the 4th best WR and an absolute lunatic by the PFF crew.
 
7. Jermaine Burton, Bama, 6', 200 lbs. Grade 88.2. Immediate starter and learning on the go.
Comp. Robert Woods

Burton is sneaky good and he's 1 of those guys who should do better in the NFL than in college because of his polish as a WR. He was held back by Milroe, his QB at Bama.
Burton is a versatile player who can be effective working all three receiver positions on the field. At this point in Burton’s career, he hasn’t had an opportunity to perform in a role that’s optimal for his skills bc of his transfer and loss of his QBs. Burton’s short-area quickness makes him an ideal flanker who can do work in the slot. He spent a lot of time at split end and while he has the speed, vertical leap, and route running skills to function there, he’s more adept at quick-hitting routes where he can use his skills after the catch than he is positioning himself along the boundary in contested scenarios. He’s a good stop-start mover with an understanding of patience and suddenness when executing release packages. Placing Burton at flanker where he earns a little more space between himself, and the defender will allow Burton to optimize his strengths to earn separation and yards after the catch. It doesn’t mean Burton shouldn’t be used in a variety of roles, buthis primary spot should be flanker or the slot. He has all of the tools of an effective NFL route runner but as a flanker or slot option, he’ll do his best work to get defenders on his back hip and this is where he excels as a pass-catcher. He attacks the ball early and has the focus to win when a safety coming downhill. He’ll win the ball while defenders use him as a ping-pong ball.As a vertical threat, Burton has small improvements to make with his positioning relative to the defender with the ball in the air. He also uses a suboptimal underhand attack of the target on jump-throughs. He wins with this attack in the college game more often than he’ll likely win with it in the NFL. He’s a better shield/wall-off blocker than a striker at this stage of his career but he’s a willing participant who has the tools to refine his game. Burton has strong footwork, pacing, and variety with his release packages. He’s a patient runner when he has blocks or room to press one lane and bounce/cutback to another. He has a two-quick release footwork and he’ll counter the defender’s hands with a shed. When Burton sheds he can do sowith violence although he doesn’t incorporate it with violence with every rep. He will use it violently when paired with a shoulder reduction to set up a blade release. Another pairing is a feet-switch with a shoulder reduction. His double up is a good illustration of his short-area quickness. It’s also his go-to move off the line when running red-zone slants. He also has a nice one-step stretch during a short stem that sets up a crossing route. When an inside shade defender jams him, Burton uses a strong & sudden throw-by to earn an outside lane. Burton has the speed to challenge a high safety on a vertical route in the middle of the field. He has less success winning vertically against a cornerback playing off him. He can beat a CB playing tight, earning 1-2 stepsup the boundary on vertical and deep routes. He wins against defenders based on his quickness rather than speed. He breaks efficiently and uses head/shoulder fakes routinely. He snaps the break off cleanly & quickly with eyes to the QB. Against zone, he will identify the second-level defender, work to the proper depth, and settle into the open triangle. His hand positioning is top notch. Burton shows all the signs of being well coached. He needs to work on his use of the boundary although he tracks balls very well. On fades he work too far. When transitioning to a runner his go to move is to spin away from contact otherwise he needs 2 steps to get going. He has good vision and balance.

Injuries: Groin pull at GA., no injuries at Bama

 
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Any chance that Daniels becomes the next Mac?

Mac had Waddle and Chase in college and just couldn't get it done in the NFL

Daniels with Nabers and Thomas may follow the same trajectory, no?
 
patfan64 said:
Any chance that Daniels becomes the next Mac?

Mac had Waddle and Chase in college and just couldn't get it done in the NFL

Daniels with Nabers and Thomas may follow the same trajectory, no?
Click to expand...
Let's see, if Daniels has no receivers, a lousey OL, and an OC who is really a DC, then there is a chance that that he could be the next Mac.
 
8. Ladd McConkey, 5'11", 190, GA. Grade 88. Starting immediately with solid role and learn on the go.
Comp. Tyler Lockett without Lockett's boundary game

McConkey has been billed as this year’s Cooper Kupp, but he’s more an aspiring slot version of Tyler Lockett without the proven contested-catch game along the vertical boundary that
Lockett showed at Kansas State. McConkey has the speed to win in the vertical game, but he hasn’t shown a contested-catch arsenal or tracking ability along the boundary in terms of positioning his frame. This wasn’t his role at Georgia so if he shows it, that’s a bonus. McConkey has good footwork with his release packages. His hands aren’t as capable. He flicks at defenders with his counters and lacks the violence and timing that’s necessary to win. He's a tough guy and can be shown proper hand usage for his release in the NFL. The bad news is he has some things to clean up but the good news is he'll become much better than he already is once he gets coached up. Think of him that way.
His vertical game is at its best when he’s running double moves or working from the slot and making angled breaks to the intermediate or vertical boundary. Opponents learn quickly that McConkey has a good arsenal of breaks underneath coverage, so they anticipate him earning separation under them when he’s baiting them with the possibility before accelerating past.
McConkey’s weight drop is deep, and this not only earns him separation with routes breaking back to the quarterback or as the bait with double moves, it also helps him make excellent stop-start moves to force pursuit to overrun angles as a ballcarrier. This skill combined with his patience and expertise with setting up defenders into blockers and hugging those
blocks makes him a strong runner in traffic and in the open field. McConkey has a few minor details to clean up as a pass catcher so these non-fatal errors don’t add up and become a
limiting factor with his game. He doesn’t use the optimal attack against coverage playing behind him and this can lead to drops when hit at the catch point. He also leaves his feet when the ball is on his numbers. This is often a tracking flaw where McConkey doesn't see the trajectory of the ball and it can lead to using the suboptimal attack with his hands.
Overall, I'd say McConkey is a technically-sound attacker of the ball in most target scenarios and can make plays against contact. He has the makings of a productive slot-flanker with some big-play potential in the play-action game and as a ballcarrier on RPOs, screens, and routes crossing zones. That’s enough for him to have the Cooper Kupp role and earn those comparisons even if Kupp technically has a more complete game. His speed breaks already have more snap than in the past. He has also cultivated sharper drive and line steps so his breaks are flat right away and he can break back toward the ball. These are areas he has improved this year. He generally releases well with a variety of foot moves that get him off the LOS. Learning to use
his hands better will help him immensely. McConkey can earn 3-5 steps of separation against a cornerback with his out-and-up double move. His acceleration is good enough to pull away from defenders in the open field after the catch. When running the out-and-up, he’ll drop his weight and turn his upper body outside with enough quickness to leave the CB flat-footed. This is one of his best vertical routes. He breaks well and drops his weight as well as anyone. Against zone, he quickly IDs the 2nd level and settles in at the open triangle. He can track over his shoulder and shows boundary awareness. His start-stop is quick & efficient. He transitions well to run after catch and shows good vision along with quick footwork to avoid tacklers.
He is a solid blocker, doesn't usually overextend, and drives squarely.
McConkey should make a very good slot receiver, using his quickness and sturdy build to his advantage but don't expect him to be Edelman.

Injuries: Ankle sprain in '23.

 
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Here's a current list of WRs the Pats have met with this off season. They all fit well with us except for a couple. Legette is too limited and raw. Demario Douglas is already
way better than McConkey. I didn't study Anthony Frederick.

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Big/Sky/Fly said:
He made Bo Nix SHINE!!!!
Click to expand...
Great route runner the thing that concerns me . Struggles to beat physical CB's. Creating quick separation & tough catches . Has been a big issue here for years.
www.nfl.com

Troy Franklin Draft and Combine Prospect Profile | NFL.com

All Combine and Draft-Related Analysis, News, Video, and Biographical Information for Troy Franklin
www.nfl.com www.nfl.com
Strengths
  • Angular frame with excellent release quickness to elude press.
  • Can hit corners with a wicked crossover to uncover on quick slants.
  • Gives strong vertical push to drive corners off intermediate breaks.
  • Accelerates past and stacks cornerbacks behind him.
  • Innate feel for maintaining distance from nearest defender in open space.
  • Talented after the catch and will hit his share of catch-and-run scores.
  • Explosive leaper with loose upper body to twist and pluck it.

Weaknesses​

  • Below-average strength and could struggle against physicality.
  • Unable to hold off challengers and save catch space when contested.
  • Rolls into intermediate breaks with excessive gather steps.
  • Ball-tracking inconsistencies will pop up at times.
  • Focus drops are part of the package.
 
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9. Troy Franklin, 6'1", 180, Oregon. Grade 87.7 Starter immediately and learning on the go.
Comp. Jameson Williams

Franklin is an elite speedster with excellent acceleration and change of direction quickness. He has proven release skills at the line of scrimmage and routinely stacks defenders to win in the vertical game. Although he can improve how he manipulates defenders with his route stems to become an even better route runner, he adds efficient setups at the top of the stem that earn him separation and should continue to do the job against NFL defenders. Despite occasional bouts of clap-attacks with timing routes breaking back to the quarterback that can lead to drops, Franklin is a reliable pass tracker and ball catcher with other targets. He can make difficult plays although he doesn’t do it as routinely or at as high of a level of the best pass-catchers I detailed above. After the catch, Franklin a lot like Jameson Williams because he’s elusive, patient, and has the dawg in him to finish physically with his momentum-generated power. Franklin also has better contact balance than one would imagine for a player of his size. He has the skills to develop into a starting X receiver in the NFL & within 1-2 seasons he could become a top 10 caliber talent. He shows those traits now but he's a bit raw. His hand positioning for catching the ball is on point. He releases well from the LOS. He's worked at it and that shows up in his play. He has a sudden foot switch with a shoulder reduction to counter the hands of a press defender. He’ll use this move to release against tight coverage as well as steal a release and transition to blocking. He has a pair of two-quicks he’ll use against coverage at the line and will also use this to steal a release. He adds a pair of two-quicks and a swat-swim counter to work outside man coverage. Still another combination is a two-quick with a hard stick and he’ll use this to gain a release. The contrast between patience and suddenness that he has with the release is impressive. He stacks defenders during the stem well but rarely gets a chance to since most are giving him room out of respect for his speed. They know he can flip a field 80 yds in an instant. His breaks lack ideal weight drop and that causes him to take a 3 or 4 foot tap break, not unusual for someone built long and lean. His speed breaks have snap thanks to him punching the boundary arm through the turn, a learned technique. He gets his head around to the ball quickly out of his speed breaks. Franklin has more snap to the turns with his short stop routes. Against zone, Franklin identifies the second-level defender and settles into the open area. He’ll slide further into an open area away from the nearest defender when the ball doesn’t arrive immediately after his break. He tracks balls well against the boundary and catches the ball with proper technique, high pointing when possible. On in and out routes he has a tendency to jump up for the ball to catch it underhanded. He'll have to lose that in the NFL but it's a relatively easy fix. Otherwise his hand positioning is very good. He has a wide catch radius and uses all of it to his advantage. His flexibility allows him to dig balls well below his knees, out front, behind and way over his head. He transitions well into a runner normally using the curvilinear running pattern of a lanky receiver. However, he has short/narrow jump cuts that are effective to elude defenders running at him. Franklin carries the ball high to his chest and can take contact to the ball and the ballcarrying arm. He uses the boundary-side arm against pursuit from the inside. He won't run over many defenders but he's learned to glance off and use his length to gain another 2 yds when falling to the ground. His blocking technique is actually good but at his size his results are lacking.

Injuries - No significant injuries

I realized quickly that I would like Franklin much more than I thought I would. He shows much more nuance from good coaching coming out than Thornton did.
Other than build and speed these are NOT the same WR although they may at times appear the same. Franklin plays with the confidence, nuance and attitude of a well prepared player.
Franklin would be higher on my list if his 10% drop rate were lower. If he solves his focus drops, this kid could be a top 5 WR1 over a multi-year span.

 
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