Giants finally draft the right receiver in CBS Sports' latest mock draft
The New York Giants have been through the wringer when it comes to receivers mocked at pick 25 of next week's NFL Draft. But far too often, in my opinion, the Giants were given the wrong player, often mocking the body types and playstyles they already employ. But as Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports so […]
The New York Giants have been through the wringer when it comes to receivers mocked at pick 25 of next week's NFL Draft.
But far too often, in my opinion, the Giants were given the wrong player, often mocking the body types and playstyles they already employ.
But as Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports so elegantly alluded to in his latest mock draft, the Giants finally round out their receiver room and take the prospect they need.
Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
Here was Wilson's Blurb on why he mocked Johnston to the Giants:
The Giants would love to land an interior offensive linemen or a cornerback here but they would have to reach for one at this spot on the board. Instead, they target another need: wide receiver. Johnston's an above-the-rim playmaker whose athleticism and contested-catch abilities were all over his tape at TCU.
Johnston is one of my favorite receivers in this class, evident by my tweet. Here is my report on the star pass catcher:
One Liner:
A slot receiver in a wide receiver #1 body, Johnston displays a unique skill set given his body type and alignment cues.
Evaluation:
- Extended physique with long limbs
- Displays the footwork and release pattern to beat press
- Very sudden for someone of his size
- Excellent ability to drop his hips
- Smooth strider over the MOF, understands leverage and where/when to run vs zone
- Twitchy in his breaks and after the catch, agility analogous to jitterbug players
- Special, special make you miss ability
- Diverse route tree, return routes, drives/overs, go ball’s
- Can block at the point on screens
- Can hit the house on underneath routes, utilizing short area quicks to get separation and long speed to strike up the band
- Narrow lower half with spindly ankles
- Jumps for the ball when he doesn’t need to
- Shows a lack of confidence and body-catching issues
- Would like to see more alpha in up-ball scenarios
- Will need to learn to work back to the ball
- Good but not great speed, won’t erase cushions when matched up against NFL speed
- Should have more acrobatic catches given his natural catch radius
Summary:
Johnston is special in small spaces with unique quickness that can generate separation at the top of his route or after the catch. He doesn’t have elite speed and tends to play smaller than he is, but fixing that and some body catching could parlay him to a fruitful NFL career.
