From now until the 2019 NFL Draft takes place, we hope to showcase as many prospects as possible and examine both their strengths and weaknesses. Most of these profiles will feature individuals that the Pittsburgh Steelers are likely to have an interest in, while a few others will be top-ranked players. If there is a player you would like us to analyze, let us know in the comments below.
#8 Riley Ridley/WR Georgia – 6’2 200
The Good
– NFL frame and length, prototypical size for a receiver
– Long strider helps make him a vertical threat, good deep speed
– Excellent body control and ability to make tough, contested catches along the sideline
– Shows suddenness as a route runner, sinks his hips and creates space at the top of his route on breaking concepts
– Able to beat press coverage, sets up defender well to win off the line
– YAC threat, size and balance makes him tough to tackle in the open field, fights hard for extra yards, good effort player
– Good hands who plucks away from his body, natural catcher
– Very willing blocker who shows want-to, asked to do plenty of it in Georgia’s run-first offense
– Some versatility, played snaps in the slot
– Ran relatively varied route tree, wasn’t limited to just deep routes
The Bad
– Very little college production and limited starting experience, never even had a 90 yard game at Georgia
– Will occasionally lose focus and drop easy catches
– Could do better job of stacking corners at the top of his route to win vertical
– Doesn’t have any return value, didn’t do it in school
Bio
– 19 career starts, declared as a true junior
– Career: 69 receptions, 1015 yards (14.