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.
#1 Jazz Ferguson/WR Northwestern State – 6’4/5 227
The Good
– Rare size with length (34 1/4 inch arms)
– “Above the rim” player, comfortable and capable of attacking the ball on fades and nine routes, high points it, and plays like a power forward boxing smaller defenders out
– Shows impressive long speed for his size and long-strider who covers a ton of ground
– More fluidity in his game than expected, able to sink his hips and effective running double-moves and advanced routes
– Willing to be “the guy” and came up clutch in game’s biggest moments
– Tough for corners to bring down one-on-one in space, gives him value in RPOs and quick/smoke screens
– Doesn’t dance and works hard to get upfield immediately after the catch, didn’t get “cute” despite obvious talent advantage
– Effort blocker whose size and length is a real asset
– Productive 2018, dominated lower competition with real nose for end zone
– Highly touted prospect who commanded interest from top Power 5 schools
– Tested like a top athlete at the Combine, elite level triangle player
The Bad
– Hands are smaller than expected relative to his frame (9 1/4 inch hands)
– Obvious competition concerns, declared as a redshirt junior, and didn’t have chance to play in pre-draft bowl games, making it hard to answer those questions
– Tends to double-catch the ball, gets his eyes upfield too quickly and creates drops and loses out on YAC chances
– Want to see him run intermediate and breaking routes harder, create more burst at the top
– Agility and change of direction in route tree isn’t great, bolstered by poor testing numbers (worst 20 shuttle, third worst three cone)
– Needs to play with some physicality and intensity underneath as he does downfield
– Off field concerns that caused him to leave LSU and play at lower level
– Time missed created limited body of work, just one year of action
Bio
– Only played one full year of football
– 2018: 66 receptions, 1117 yards (16.