Wide ReceiversPlay makers, prima donnas, highlight reels

Goals

• The goals of this lesson will be:

• Gain an understanding of the physical traits that NFL scouts are looking for when evaluating wide receivers

• Learn what scouts look for on the field when evaluating wide receivers

• You will complete an assessment at the end of this lesson

Wide Receiver Roles

• The wide receiver is expected to two three things

• Catch the ball

• Block for other wide receivers

• Block for running plays

Wide Receiver Physical Traits

• Today’s pass friendly NFL has driven the market for big, strong receivers; however as long as the guy can play size doesn’t seem to matter for receivers.

• 2013 First round pick for the St. Louis Rams, Tavon Austin, is only 5’9”

• If the receiver can play bigger than his body with a good vertical jump and great hands, it doesn’t matter his size.

Wide Receiver Physical Traits

• Here at the desired combine numbers for wide receivers:

40 yard dash: 4.55 seconds Broad Jump: 10’0”

10 yard split: 1.60 seconds 20 yard shuttle: 4.15 seconds

Bench press: 12 60 yard shuttle: 11.4 seconds

Vertical jump: 36” 3 cone drill: 7.00 seconds

Basics of Film Review

• Once again, we turn to Phil Savage, former GM of the Cleveland Browns and current director of the Senior Bowl to give us a breakdown of the wide receiver position.

• Please watch this video and take notes.

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geLiqSSN-Uw

Basic Film Review

• Phil Savage says there are three key things to look at when evaluating wide receivers

• Suddenness, which we are going to call acceleration

• Make Plays

• Size/strength

Hands

• The #1 job of the wide receiver is to catch the ball. How can we determine whether or not that a wide receiver has the ability to catch the ball at the right level?

• Well we can start with a chart that resembles the QB passing chart

• Download the Blank Receiving Chart from BlackBoard and proceed to the next slide.

Hands

• The two major differences between the QB chart and the receiving chart

• No INT numbers needed

• Behind line of scrimmage (LOS) has changed to No Gain; if a receiver catches a ball behind the LOS and doesn’t make it to the LOS there’s no gain on the play and its important to chart that.

Practice

• In this video we are going to watch Penn State standout Allen Robinson, #8.

• Watch the video and chart his progress using the blank receiving chart which you can download from BlackBoard.

• Also keep track of how many times he run blocks or blocks for another receiver.

• Be mindful of the replays. This is broadcast film and not All-22

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDzAtmj_4kA&list=UU3goSfAins9Aj8vWOHbxPZw

Practice

• Did your chart look like this?

If Yours Wasn’t Quite Right• Here are a break down of the plays:

Play #

What Happened Play #

What Happened

1 Five yard completion to the left hash

6 Run block

2 Incomplete to the left hash; 10 to 19 yards

7 Incomplete pass between the hashes; 0-9 yards

3 11 yard completion to the left hash

8 Fumble recovery

4 Run block 9 Run block

5 Forty-six yard completion to the right hash

10 Not involved

Routes

• The next thing that NFL scout look for when evaluating receivers is their ability to use as many different routes as possible.

• Some of this is the result of the offense; yet the best players can run crisp, clean routes.

• The best way to learn routes is view the route tree.

Route Tree

• Route 1: Flat

• Receiver runs a short, prespecified distance and cuts to the side line

• Route 2: Slant

• Receiver runs a short, prespecified distance and cuts inward at an obtuse angle toward the opposite sideline

Route Tree

• Route 3: Comeback

• Receiver runs a medium, prespecified distance and cuts back towards the line of scrimmage away from the ball

• Route 4: Curl

• Receiver runs a medium, prespecified distance and cuts back towards the line of scrimmage towards the ball

Route Tree

• Route 5: Out

• Receiver runs a medium, prespecified distance and cuts out towards the sidelines

• Route 6: Dig

• Receiver runs a medium, prespecified distance and cuts towards the middle of the field

Route Tree

• Route 7: Corner

• Receiver runs a long, prespecified distance and cuts at an angle to the corner of the end zone away from the ball

• Route 8: Post

• Receiver runs a long, prespecified distance and cuts at an angle to the center of the goal post in the endzone

Route Tree

• Route 9: Fade or Go Route

• Receiver runs as fast and as far as he can in a straight line towards the end zone

Suddenness

• What Phil Savage described in his video as suddenness can be described as the receiver being able to accelerate at a high rate

• When the receiver gets the ball in his hand is he already at his top speed or does he speed up and cover ground faster than the defense?

Suddenness

• Suddenness can be viewed on tape but we can also get a realistic preview in the 10 yard split from the 40 yard dash.

• Remember the time we are looking for is 1.60 seconds to cover 10 yards

Blocking

• As alluded to earlier wide receivers are expected to block for the running back and/or other wide receivers

• When evaluating wide receivers we need to see that the receiver latches on to his assigned block and doesn’t give him room to make the tackle until the play is over.

• If a receiver can catch and block; he will be a useful commodity for his team.