Scouting Profile: Jaelen So Strong, WR, Arizona State

[Dustin]

Just a note. It's crazy hard to evaluate WRs and DBs without All-22. You have no idea what they are doing off camera, so I have just what I see to work with. Thankfully a lot of the time they go to All-22 if that player makes the catch.  

 

Previous Installments:

 

The RBs - Hub Post

 

 

Games watched: vs USC, vs Stanford, vs Wisconsin, vs Notre Dame

 

The Good: 

 

The first thing you'll notice about Strong is his large frame. He's all of 6'3" 215 lbs. 

 

Willing run blocker. 

 

Viable vertical threat when able to build up a head of steam.

 

Great at catching the ball on back shoulder fades. 

  ex. http://www.draftbreakdown.com/gif-embed/?clip=251975&gif=ConcernedFrigidAsiansmallclawedotter

 

Attacks the ball in the air better than any receiver in this class. 

 

Strong double move. 

 

Plays both outside the numbers and in the slot. 

 

Great at using his body to box out defenders. Uses his size to his advantage. 

  ex. http://www.draftbreakdown.com/gif-embed/?clip=251921&gif=BrownEnchantedGrunion(i know he didn't catch this because he was out of bounds, but it illustrates my point)

 

Locates ball well and plucks it out of the air. 

  ex. http://www.draftbreakdown.com/gif-embed/?clip=251975&gif=TeemingHeavyArgentineruddyduck

  ex. http://www.draftbreakdown.com/gif-embed/?clip=251975&gif=SimpleRipeJunebug

  ex. http://www.draftbreakdown.com/gif-embed/?clip=251921&gif=ActualChubbyAmericanwarmblood

 

Wins most of his 50-50 jump balls. 

 

Amazing body control.

 

Catches the ball in traffic. To go along with that, he's strong at the catch point. Can catch passes why absorbing hits. 

  ex. http://www.draftbreakdown.com/gif-embed/?clip=246516&gif=DamagedMindlessGuernseycow

 

Tough. Won't allow himself to be bullied in press. 

  ex. http://www.draftbreakdown.com/gif-embed/?clip=246516&gif=WelcomeWellgroomedAmericanquarterhorse

 

Draw A TON of DPIs.

 

Penchant for making incredible grabs. 

 

Lives up to his name. Not many DBs will be able to match his strength. 

 

The Bad:

 

Inconsistent hands. Struggles to haul in ball when thrown outside of his frame. 

 

Occasionally catches with his chest instead of his hands. 

 

Bobbles the ball sometimes when making a catch.

 

Average athlete overall. Has a very good vertical and strength, but lacks speed and quickness. 

 

While he is great at high-pointing the ball and winning 50-50 passes, a lot of it is from face far inferior player, not to say he won't be able to do it in the NFL, but he needs to be able to fully extend his arms to maximize his size. Not to say he can't do that, but didn't really need to in college. 

 

The Ugly: 

 

Doesn't create much separation. Wouldn't call him a bad route runner, but even just average route-running ability combined with his average athletic ability makes it hard for him to get away from DBs. 

 

Not a YAC guy at all. Doesn't posses elusiveness or lateral agility. 

 

Conclusion: 

 

Strong isn't a finished product, but the things he does well, he does very well. He's going to be a huge redzone threat in the pros thanks to his size, leaping ability, body control and strength. He'll never be one of those elite all-pro WRs, he is physically limited, but he'll provide a huge security blanket for whoever his QB is at the next level.

 

Projected Round: 2

NFL Comp: Anquan Boldin, San Francisco

 

Up next: Devin Smith, WR, Ohio State

[Defjamz26]

I thought he was a bit overrated. I don't think he's as good as Moncrief coming out. He's pretty much what I call the new "Prototype" WR prospects that come out every year:

 

-6'3' and gets labeled as a "big body/jump ball" receiver

-Best receiver on his team with a below average QB, so gets a lot of attention and credit

-Numbers that are to die for

-Not a crisp route runner

-Not always a world beater when it comes to speed.

 

We see a lot of these guys come out lately. All with the same measurables and production. Sort of like Allen Robinson. I agree, he's a 2nd round pick unless someone really falls in love with him.  He won't dominate like that at the next level.

[Superman]

 

Projected Round: 2

NFL Comp: Anquan Boldin, San Francisco

 

Your write-up made me think of Braylon Edwards.

[Dustin]

Your write-up made me think of Braylon Edwards.

 

That's a good comparison. I was thinking a little Alshon Jeffery as well. 

[COLTS449]

I like Strong and I think he's going to be a really good receiver first of all. You guys have compared him to different receivers but I kind of see him as a combination of Boldin, Jeffery, and Allen.