Scouting Profile: Tyler Lockett, WR, Kansas State

[Dustin]

Previous Installments:

 

The RBs - Hub Post

Jaelen Strong, WR, ASU

Devin Smith, WR, Ohio State

Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn

Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Missouri/Oklahoma

Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan

Rashad Greene, WR, FSU 

 

 

Games watched: vs Baylor, vs Iowa State, vs Texas Tech, vs Oklahoma

 

The Good:

 

Shows ability to haul in poorly thrown balls (which was a must with his QB)

  ex. Here he hauls in a ball thrown at his feet: http://www.draftbreakdown.com/gif-embed/?clip=254245&gif=VigorousShorttermDarklingbeetle

 ex. http://www.draftbreakdown.com/gif-embed/?clip=254245&gif=AgonizingPowerlessHammerheadshark

 ex. http://www.draftbreakdown.com/gif-embed/?clip=255334&gif=AnxiousSoulfulGull

 

Plays big. 

  ex. http://www.draftbreakdown.com/gif-embed/?clip=254245&gif=WeeFriendlyFlyingfish

  ex. http://www.draftbreakdown.com/gif-embed/?clip=254245&gif=EasyUnawareCoyote

  ex. http://www.draftbreakdown.com/gif-embed/?clip=255333&gif=FlashyGlisteningAndalusianhorse

 ex. http://www.draftbreakdown.com/gif-embed/?clip=255346&gif=KindheartedSatisfiedHousefly

 

DPI machine. A handful for DBs to cover down the field. 

 

Maintains speed throughout the play. Which is a good combo to have with a QB like Luck who holds onto the ball for a while and scrambles. It's why him and TY are the perfect match. 

 

Routinely clowns defenders with his start-stop ability. Both in route-running and post catch. 

 

Great speed. Probably a 4.35-4.4 guy. 

 

Doesn't open his body up to hard hits. 

 

Absolute technician as a route-runner. Understands the nuances of playing the position. Creates separation both with his route-running, savvy use of hands, and understanding of angles. Almost all of his catches have a defender about 2 yards away. .

  ex.Here you can see him pull off a nice double-move: http://www.draftbreakdown.com/gif-embed/?clip=255333&gif=AcceptableHeavyFreshwatereel

  ex. http://www.draftbreakdown.com/gif-embed/?clip=255346&gif=LeftLikableComet

 

Here is a bonus gif of him putting a cornerback in a body-bag

  ex. http://www.draftbreakdown.com/gif-embed/?clip=254245&gif=GloomyGrimHookersealion

 

Here is another of him showing off that ability to create seperation, while also adjusting to a poorly thrown ball. 

  ex. http://www.draftbreakdown.com/gif-embed/?clip=255334&gif=DirectGrossChevrotain

 

Great sideline awareness and ability to keep feet in bounds.

  ex. http://www.draftbreakdown.com/gif-embed/?clip=255333&gif=FalseEagerFinnishspitz

 

Great vision and acceleration post catch. He sees a lane and hits it. North-south runner. 

 

Fantastic concentration. 

 

Would have been way more productive with even average QB play. There a ton of plays where he is open and the QB throws the ball at his feet, or leads him too close to the sideline on a GO route.

 

Lines up all over the field. He's most productive when split out wide though.  

 

The Bad: 

 

While he is a good YAC guy, he's not Percy Harvin (who is?) as in, he can make a few guys miss, but he's not going to be breaking ankles on a routine basis. 

 

Small. About 5'9 190 lbs. 

 

The Ugly: 

 

Inconsistent in hauling in high-point balls when absorbing contact. Gets out-muscled by bigger DBs fighting for the ball. 

 

Too small to be a run-blocker at the next level. 

 

Conclusion: 

 

Lockett is now officially one of my favorite players in the draft. A lot of places are projecting him as a 4th round pick, which I find strange because too me he is a much better prospect than Brandin Cooks (who went in the first round last year). Lockett is a technician with game breaking speed and smarts. IMO, with the right QB, he can be a dominant player at th next level. He likes to compare himself with Antonio Brown and Wes Welker, and for good reason.

 

Projected Round: 3

NFL Comparison: TY Hilton + Wes Welker

 

Up next: Nelson Agholor, WR, USC

[Superman]

 

He's not the same kind of player, but I look at him like Jordan Matthews last year. I think as time goes on, his stock will continue to improve, but he might not run a blistering 40 (I'm hoping), and for that, combined with his size, he won't get into the top 60. Matthews went at 42, but has a lot more size. 

 

If he's still there at the end of the third round, I'd LOVE to have him. I might even want him at the end of the second round.

[Patagonia Chris]

I agree with both of you. This is a kid that I have liked all season. I have a feeling that he will be the WR in this years draft that makes everyone say "Wait, how did he last that long?". Would love to see him representing the horseshoe next year.

[FalseStart]

There is fast and there is quick... Lockett is quick... Would love to have him there in the 3rd.

[The Peytonator]

I would totally like to see this guy drafted in the third, I don't even care if he's a smurf. Sounds kind of like Antonio Brown, who is in my opinion, the best WR in the game right now. Size isn't everything.

 

If we took him in the third we'd have to call him, Hilton, and Moncrief 'The Big 3's'.

[Shive]

I'd love to draft this kid. While you have to love a WR that can just run by defenders, I've got a soft spot for the savvy, technical route runners. He'd fill the Reggie role well and could be a downfield burner if need be.

[21isSuperman]

 

Here is a bonus gif of him putting a cornerback in a body-bag

  ex. http://www.draftbreakdown.com/gif-embed/?clip=254245&gif=GloomyGrimHookersealion

Wow!  Dare I say, that was Marvin-esque