Dynasty Draftnik

Broncos, UDFA. Enters the Broncos as probably their 5th-best WR, so he has pretty good chance of making the roster. He’ll definitely make a practice squad or roster somewhere, though. Needs to work on his hands and routes before he can be expected to make an impact, but he should be able to get that type of coaching up on the Broncos behind Wes Welker. His best bet is to contribute as a returner and then work his way into a WR rotation. Could put up some fantasy-relevant numbers with Peyton Manning at QB.

All-Star Games: NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.

Positives: Adequate speed and acceleration. Above-average quickness and burst. Quick feet allow him to make crisp cuts. Runs like a running back, and is tough and balanced after the catch. Okay hands. Above-average concentration in traffic and on contested passes, and will hold the ball even with a big hit. Okay routes – above-average quickness into and out of breaks, and has good double moves. Fields punts cleanly in traffic. Patient on returns and waits for blocks to develop. Adequate upper body strength. Also worked out as a running back at pro day workouts. Excellent lateral quickness and ability to change directions in Combine drills.

Negatives: Below-average height and bulk. Small hands. Below-average track speed for his size and for the position. Lets passes get to his body too often, and consistently has trouble extending for passes away from his frame, which showed up in Combine drills also. Needs to focus on completing routes to keep defensive backs away from the ball. Doesn’t get much deep separation. Takes too many risky decisions as a punt returner, and will try to return some that he should just fair catch. Generally below-average vertical leap and lower body explosiveness in Combine drills.

Projection: Worth a late-round flier in dynasty rookie drafts and has WR3-or-better potential with enough playing time.

Bears, Tryout.

All-Star Games: Was a very late addition to NFLPA Game roster, but did well in the game.

Positives: Above-average hands. Above-average speed and acceleration. Gets upfield quickly after the catch, with a pretty quick first step, making the first man miss. Runs adequate routes.

Negatives: Doesn’t always look passes into his hands, and will turn upfield before securing the ball. His routes are merely adequate, and he needs to be a little more crisp on the out routes. Suspect kick return hands. Fairly smart punt return fielding decisions.

Broncos, UDFA. As probably the eighth or ninth wide receiver on the Broncos going in, his chances of making the team aren’t great. Isn’t particularly athletically gifted, and his routes need work. Could stick on some team’s practice squad, but is probably a better bet for another league.

All-Star Games: NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.

Positives: Runs with adequate speed and above-average track speed. Can extend well to catch passes away from his frame at times. Shows fair concentration in traffic. Tracks passes fairly well over his inside shoulder. Good downfield blocker who latches on and maintains blocks. Above-average ability to change directions at pro day drills.

Negatives: Below-average height, with slim build and very small hands. Below-average speed. Though he can extend to catch away from his frame, he will also drop some easy passes. Needs to learn to attack the ball in the air to keep it from defenders. Below-average routes and rounds them off consistently. Not much vision on kick returns. Below-average ball security technique, and holds the ball low through traffic or on kick returns. Poor lateral quickness at pro day drills. Below-average upper-body strength.

Projection: No need to draft.

UDFA. Was signed by Bengals as UDFA but released before training camp. His chances of making a team aren’t great, but he could stick around on a practice squad for a while.

All-Star Games: NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.

Positives: Above-average height and bulk. Adequate hand size. Above-average concentration on contested passes, and can catch some difficult ones. Good effort on off-target passes, and adjusts to underthrown passes well. Above-average balance after contact and can keep his feet for more yards after the catch.

Negatives: Inconsistent hands, and will let easy passes get to his body and drop some easy ones over the middle. Runs with below-average speed. Pulled left hamstring at pro day in early March 2014.

Projection: No need to draft.

UDFA. Signed by the Saints as a UDFA but was released in August. Could stick on a roster somewhere, but not in New Orleans.

All-Star Games: Shrine Game.

Positives: Good height and above-average bulk. Above-average hand size. Fairly reliable hands and he looks passes into his hands while he extends to grab them. Shows good concentration on errant passes. Has pretty good long speed once he builds up to it and he gets fair deep separation on go routes. Above-average blocker downfield. Adequate track speed. Above-average overall athleticism.

Negatives: Lets passes get to his body at times. Below-average acceleration and is slow getting off the line. Below-average quickness – isn’t very elusive after the catch and doesn’t make the first person miss. Suspect hands and concentration on contested passes. Generally poor routes – rounds them off and doesn’t complete them – especially on comeback routes.

Projection: No need to draft.

Was signed by Dolphins as a UDFA but was cut in July.

All-Star Games: Medal of Honor Bowl and NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.

Positives: Very good height and bulk. Above-average hand size. Runs with average speed. Above-average concentration in traffic and is willing to go over the middle. Runs fairly strong after the catch. Above-average body control and can adjust to off-target passes well and is nimble on the sidelines. Runs adequate routes and is surprisingly quick into his breaks for his size. Can track well over his inside shoulder. Good upper-body strength.

Negatives: Below-average hands – will drop some easy ones and will body catch at times. Below-average acceleration. Despite his size, he is surprisingly easy for cornerbacks to redirect in his routes, and he needs to work harder against press coverage. Doesn’t always realize that his quarterback is being blitzed and should change his route.

UDFA. Was signed by the Colts as a UDFA but released in August. Has enough NFL receiving skills that he should make an NFL team.

All-Star Games: NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.

Positives: Above-average bulk for the position, and is built solidly. Adequate hand size. Above-average quickness. Has good, soft hands that accept the pass instead of fighting it, and he extends for passes away from his frame well. Above-average body control and concentration on difficult catches, and he adjusts well to off-target passes. Okay routes. Fairly nimble on the sidelines and can get both feet down. Adequate downfield blocker. Shows good field sense and knows when to get out of bounds to stop the clock.

Negatives: Below-average height for the position. Tends to round out some routes and lacks crispness in his cuts. Below-average vision on kick returns, and will run into his own blockers.

Projection: No need to draft.