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2nd Round: Tyler Boyd, WR, Pittsburgh


HoosierCat

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OVERVIEW

Despite experiencing uneven quarterback play during his time at Pitt, Boyd became the most prolific pass-receiver in the schools history, setting records for receptions (254 in three years) and receiving yards (3,361). Boyd grew up not far from Pittsburgh, and stood out even in a football-crazy state like Pennsylvania, setting the state record with 117 career touchdowns and winning the Class A Player of the Year twice. As a freshman, Boyd didnt disappoint, garnering third-team All-ACC honors with 85 catches covering 1,174 yards and seven scores. He also ran for 108 yards and earned 425 kick return yards for the season, as well as returning a punt 54 yards for a score in the teams bowl game. Boyd received first team all-conference nods as a receiver in his sophomore (78-1,261, eight TD receiving) and junior (91-926, six TD receiving, 349 rush yards), while collecting second-team All-ACC honors as a returner in 2014 (442 kick return yards, 162 punt return yards). With all of that production in just three seasons, it was no surprise Boyd entered the 2016 NFL Draft.

 

PRO DAY RESULTS

 
40-yard dash: 4.5 seconds

ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS

 Ultra-competitive. Known for powerful hands that clamp instantly onto ball and finish heavily contested catches. Has over-­the­-middle toughness. Plays with outstanding body control and has ability to gyrate and contort in mid­air in order to make acrobatic catches look easy. Brimming with confidence. Targeted 124 times or more in each of his three seasons. Able to create window through route polish. Sinks into breaks and comes out low with good turn radius when needed. Sits in space and slows routes when necessary to prevent safety from crowding him in deep middle. Has handled some kick return and punt return duties during his time at Pitt.

WEAKNESSES

 Relatively low touchdown production to target rate. Marginal long speed. Isn't a threat to run by corners and has to win with routes and hands. Just a possession receiver much of the year. Limited YAC potential due to lack of shake in open field and power to break tackles. Became a fumble factory on punt returns this year and ball security must be addressed. Lacks juice to be full-­time kick returner. Separation windows close quickly due to average get­away quickness out of breaks. Needs to use body better to protect the catch rather than just relying on strong mitts.

SOURCES TELL US

 "I think he can overcome some of his speed deficiencies with good routes and he has hand strength like (Jarvis) Landry in Miami. I would take him in the second or third." -- AFC East scout

NFL COMPARISON

 Keenan Allen

BOTTOM LINE

 Pittsburgh asked Boyd to be a running back and possession receiver this season, but that doesn't define what he can be in the pros. Boyd makes up for a lack of speed with vice ­grips for hands and being intelligent in his routes. Boyd isn't a stand­alone WR1, but he can be a very productive starter in a play-­action attack that allows him to play to his strengths.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/profiles/tyler-boyd?id=2555466

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STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES

STRENGTHS: Gliding athlete with an instant accelerator to reach his top speed with his initial strides. Sharp cuts and burst off his plant foot, mixing his gears well in his patterns. 

 

Quick release off the line of scrimmage with natural route running prowess, setting up defenders and selling routes with beautiful body fakes. Easy body control to twist mid-air and adjust to obscure ball placement. Excellent hand-eye coordination with strong hands to pluck, extending his catching radius beyond what most his size can - attacks the ball, doesn't wait for it. 

 

Lack of body strength shows in traffic, but surprisingly efficient in contested situations. Tough over the middle and always looking to pick up yards after the catch with his innate field awareness. Highly competitive playing temperament and lunch pail worker. 

 

Lined up everywhere in the Pitt offense, including outside and in the slot. Also lined up as a running back (8.3-yard career rushing average, 63/520/1) and quarterback, displaying a strong arm to be a passing weapon (3-for-4 passing in his career for 96 yards). Return man on special teams, averaging 24.4 yards on kickoff returns (46/1,124/0) and 8.8 yards on punt returns (27/238/1). Leaves Pitt with the school career records for receiving yards (3,361) and receptions (254).

 

WEAKNESSES: Underwhelming size with a thin torso and lean body features. Limited bulk and lacks the power to fight through tackle attempts or pick up yards after initial contact. Lacks an ideal build to take consistent punishment in the NFL. 

 

Majority of his routes at Pitt are within seven yards of the line of scrimmage (screens, slants, etc.) and unproven as a consistent downfield threat. Will hear ghosts around him, leading to focus drops. Holds the ball too loose as a ballcarrier, leading to ball security concerns. Struggles to gain correct positioning as a blocker with below average functional strength - too easily pushed around and needs technique work to mask his lack of power. 

 

Off-field decision-making needs investigated - arrested and charged with a DUI (June 2015), leading to a suspension over the summer and 2015 season opener.

 

COMPARES TO: Nelson Agholor, Philadelphia Eagles - Agholor has a little more twitch and Boyd is more detailed, but there are similarities on film between the two wide receivers.

 

IN OUR VIEW: A graceful athlete, he trusts his hands and uses quick eyes to snatch and immediately analyze his surroundings, but his body size does lead to durability concerns, especially over the middle. Despite average measureables, Boyd is an exquisite catcher of the football and able to stand out by paying attention to the details, putting his value in the top 50 range. His ideal NFL fit is in the slot in a Jarvis Landry-type role.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/2071582/tyler-boyd

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2 minutes ago, HoosierCat said:

Love the pick. Big hands, fights for the ball, hard worker. Hate hearing the ball security issues but that can be coached up. More a Sanu replacement than Jones but to be expected at this point in the draft.

Interesting to note that Jones was a 5th round pick.  Not a shoe-in they can find that kind of late round talent again...but still.

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Looking at the highlights, he's not fast, but he's quick with a long stride.  Really good body control and gets contested balls.  Not sure how he'd figure in the return game but he looks better than Tate.  Seems to be a perfect fit for the slot and has more upside than Sanu.  Good pick.

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8 minutes ago, cincyhokie said:

Looking at the highlights, he's not fast, but he's quick with a long stride.  Really good body control and gets contested balls.  Not sure how he'd figure in the return game but he looks better than Tate.  Seems to be a perfect fit for the slot and has more upside than Sanu.  Good pick.

I would think Williams would be a good returner aslong as he isn't starting

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37 minutes ago, HoosierCat said:

 

He's a DB's nightmare??? Well then, I expect exceptional things from him this season, perhaps the getting over the hump type of things

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25 minutes ago, cincyhokie said:

Looking at the highlights, he's not fast, but he's quick with a long stride.  Really good body control and gets contested balls.  Not sure how he'd figure in the return game but he looks better than Tate.  Seems to be a perfect fit for the slot and has more upside than Sanu.  Good pick.

Second coming of Carl Pickens

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Mixed feelings here

I like speed at the WR posiiton, and he doesn't have it, but the highlight reel makes him look very natural as a WR

I will not make a judgement call here til I have seen him in stripes

That said - can anyone say with any onfidence that we went BPA here, as we allegedly always do? This seemed to be the very definition of a need pick

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7 hours ago, TJJackson said:

Mixed feelings here

I like speed at the WR posiiton, and he doesn't have it, but the highlight reel makes him look very natural as a WR

I will not make a judgement call here til I have seen him in stripes

That said - can anyone say with any onfidence that we went BPA here, as we allegedly always do? This seemed to be the very definition of a need pick

He has been on the radar for a while along with Micheal Thomas from OSU in various spots from late first to here. 

Its why missing on WR in the first wasn't a big deal.   

There isn't much difference between the 2nd round WR this year and the guys taken day 1

 

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He is a great route runner has a wide catch radius with very strong hands.  His only hit is his top end speed, but he has one of the best short area quickness in the draft.

I think he was close enough to BPA and a big position need.  He is more ready then Shephard to play right away.

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