http://www.conquestchronicles.com/2...-nfl-scouting-combine-usc-juju-smith-schuster
2017 NFL Scouting Combine: USC WR Juju Smith-Schuster impresses
Juju Smith-Schuster may have surprised many at the NFL Scouting Combine with his 40 time.
by
nickdempsey Mar 4, 2017, 3:31pm PST
Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
Once again in the fold of producing top-tier talent into the
NFL Draft, the
USC Trojans were represented on Saturday by arguably their best player over the past three seasons in junior wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster.
Ever since announcing his decision to choose USC over Oregon and Notre Dame during his senior year at Long Beach Polytechnic High School, Smith-Schuster has seemingly been destined to reach the NFL with his increasingly promising potential.
Measurements: 6'1″ | 215 lbs | 32 7/8 arms | 10 1/2 hands
Bench: 15 reps
Vertical jump: 32.5″
Broad: 120″
40 Yard Dash: 4.54
The measurements were as expected for Smith-Schuster, however the biggest question heading into the draft was his speed. His sub-4.6 speed might have surprised most, but his speed on film is very clear.
Registering 74 receptions for 914 yards and 10 touchdowns in his final season at USC, Smith-Schuster displayed what has consistently been his style over the past three seasons—brutally physical.
From the snap, Smith-Schuster uses his strong hands to create initial separation on routes, and continues his physical play by using his body to shield the ball from the defender.
With normally reliable hands, Smith-Schuster consistently fought for the ball—whether it was running fearlessly up the middle of the field with drags and slants, or boxing out defenders over the top for deep passes. Often times however, Smith-Schuster couldn’t get in front of speedier defenders for the short routes, or got beat downfield with the inability to create separation.
With speed being the biggest knock on Smith-Schuster, his physical gifts in his strength and explosiveness perfectly complimented his aggression and competitiveness. Once he has the ball in the hands, he showed an innate ability for yards after the catch, as his speed on the field becomes real and his fondness for stiff arms keep defensive backs on the grass.
His most obvious fit seems like a possession receiver for West Coast offenses, yet his pro-style experience has proven he can lineup outside the numbers and bully his way downfield in high-volume passing offenses.
Most of Smith-Schuster’s comparisons float between
Detroit Lions’ wide receiver
Anquan Boldin and former All-Pro Terrell Owens. Amongst the two, the competitiveness, physicality and YAC is the common theme.
The best comparison for Smith-Schuster of the current players in the NFL is that of All-Pro wide receiver Dez Bryant. Much like Bryant, Smith-Schuster is a strong, physical player who isn’t afraid of running routes across the middle of the field and thrive to make spectacular jump ball catches. They are both fluid athletes who have great body control to catch the ball at awkward angles in high points. Both are highly competitive leaders who leave everything on the field.
With the abundance of talent at the wide receiver position in this year’s draft, Smith-Schuster is most likely to be taken in the 2-3 rounds for a team looking for strong number two wide receiver along an established pro—or a potential top wide out for a young quarter back in need of a reliable target. At any rate, Smith-Schuster should hit the ground running and make an immediate impact in the NFL.
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/rams-745690-one-receiver.html
Bonsignore: Rams ready to sort through bevy of receivers at combine
March 4, 2017
INDIANAPOLIS – The wide receivers finally made it to Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday for their on-field workouts at the NFL Scouting Combine. All 58 of them, which is an extraordinary amount of prospects and typifies the heavy emphasis these days on throwing the ball.
Inside the stadium, the Rams scouting and coaching contingency watched intently, wide receiver being such a significant need and, based on how many of them the Rams requested formal interviews with and reach out to informally, this week a particular point of focus this week.
And not just here, either.
The opening of free agency on Monday is expected to offer a slew of interesting possibilities, and the Rams appear poised to be active as new head coach Sean McVay begins building the offense to his specifications.
“We’re confident that we know that market and who, in that market, fits Sean the most,” said Rams general manager Les Snead.
Depending on how aggressive they are next week – and there are strong indications they’ll at least kick the tires on a group that should include Washington’s DeSean Jackson, Cleveland’s Terrelle Pryor, Chicago’s Alshon Jeffery, Washington’s Pierre Garcon – the Rams’ receiver need might not be as compelling as it is right now.
Nevertheless, the Rams at their core are a draft and development organization, so ideally some long-range answers to a position that’s befuddled them for years were on the field Saturday.
Armed with the 37th overall pick in next month’s draft – and eight picks total across the second and seventh rounds – good chance one or two of them might be getting a call from McVay and Snead eventually.
Their draft position eliminates them from consideration for the top prospects – Clemson’s Mike Williams, Western Michigan’s Corey Davis and Washington’s Johnson Ross – but they’re well situated to tap into the next wave. And history shows impact receivers can be found beyond the first round.
With that in mind, here are some wide receivers who should be available when the Rams make their first pick.
JUJU SMITH SCHUSTER, USC, 6-2, 220, 2016 stats: 13 games, 70 catches, 914 yards, 10 TDs: T
here’s been a lot of talk at the combine that Smith-Schuster profiles as an Anquan Boldin type receiver, which makes a lot of sense. Like Boldin, Smith-Schuster isn’t a blazer, but he’s a big, physical, competitive receiver adept at route running and using his body to create an advantage in one-on-one battles. With the ball in his hands, he’s a punishing runner and isn’t afraid to use his size and strength as a weapon.
“Yeah, definitely. Anquan Boldin,” Smith-Schuster concurred. “His speed, at the same time the way he plays, the way he approaches the game, basically the overall how he plays his game and how tough he is. I kind of see myself the same way.”...
I actually think Dareus Rodgers is a lil safer...guys got grippers....but terrible measurements. Did he even train for this?
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