http://www.cincinnati.com/story/spo...-2nd-round-tyler-boyd-wr-pittsburgh/83652844/
Bengals 2nd round: Tyler Boyd, WR, Pittsburgh
Paul Dehner Jr. and Jim Owczarski, jowczarski@enquirer.com 10:10 p.m. EDT April 29, 2016
(Photo: Charles LeClaire, Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)
With the second-round pick at No. 55 overall the Bengals selected Tyler Boyd, a receiver out of Pittsburgh.
The Bengals finally pulled the trigger on the much-needed receiver. Tyler Boyd didn't possess the skill set of the crop of four top wideouts that went in the first round but brings savvy route-running and dynamic play after the catch. He shows incredible skill setting up defensive backs and a noticeable competitiveness and confidence putting them away at the point of attack. Brings versatility considering he played all over the field last year, including lining up as a running back at times and taking a number of quick-hit screens. Will be interesting to see how he vibes with a quality quarterback and the position was uneven during much of his tenure with the Panthers.
ENQUIRER ANALYSIS
Boyd doesn't own the speed to take the top of the defense like the burners in this draft, but becomes an instant asset on opening day as a jack-of-all-trades type without a glaring weakness. He's closer to the Mohamed Sanu mold than Marvin Jones was coming out of college, but brings a dynamic element with the ball in his hands.
Cincinnati stayed conservative, waiting for the draft to come to them. They could have pulled the trigger on a trade up for Ohio State's Michael Thomas, who fell to No. 47 overall and New Orleans. Opting to hang back cost a more complete player, but still receive quality value at the most glaring position of need with Boyd.
MEASUREABLES
Broke Larry Fitzgerald's Pitt records for yards and receptions as a freshman then broke his career records as well finishing with 254 receptions and 3,361 receiving yards for the Panthers. Left after his junior season as the lone unanimous pick on the All-ACC first team.
ROLE EXPECTATION
A good chance exists Boyd will start the season as the Bengals' starting slot receiver. Offensive coordinator Ken Zampese views him as capable of playing the slot right away and can quickly learn the outside spots as he progresses.
COACHSPEAK
Wide receivers coach James Urban on if Boyd can block:
“Well, you’ve got to watch a lot of film to see when he doesn’t have the ball. He’s going to do it our way. He’ll do it our way, I guarantee you that. And he’s willing. He’s willing. He just wants’ asked to do a lot of those things we’re going to ask him to do. So there will be a learning curve there. But we have full confidence that he’ll do that and we’re going to push him to do things our way.”
HE SAID
Boyd on growing up in Pittsburgh and going to the University of Pittsburgh and growing up a Steelers fan:
"I'm going to completely go opposite of that and go against the Steelers and cause them all hell. I'm strongly aware. My family members and friends are all Steelers fans and root for the Steelers, but at the end of the day they are all going to root for me."
DRAFTNIKS SAY
Pro Football Focus draft guide summarizing Boyd:
“Outside of his struggles to get separation and win downfield on go-routes, he doesn't really have a weakness, but there also isn't anything he's significantly better at than his peers. While he might not be the type of receiver that a team builds their offense around, he does have the ability to develop into a good second or third option in the NFL.”
NFL Draft Scout analyst Dane Brugler on Boyd:
"With streaky quarterback play and running back James Conner sidelined for 2015, the Pitt play-calling manufactured touches for Boyd, including hand-offs and shorter routes, as the clear top playmaker on offense. 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 – second round prospect and his ideal NFL fit is in the slot in a Jarvis Landry-type role.”
HIGHLIGHT VIDEO
Bengals 2nd round: Tyler Boyd, WR, Pittsburgh
Paul Dehner Jr. and Jim Owczarski, jowczarski@enquirer.com 10:10 p.m. EDT April 29, 2016
(Photo: Charles LeClaire, Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)
With the second-round pick at No. 55 overall the Bengals selected Tyler Boyd, a receiver out of Pittsburgh.
The Bengals finally pulled the trigger on the much-needed receiver. Tyler Boyd didn't possess the skill set of the crop of four top wideouts that went in the first round but brings savvy route-running and dynamic play after the catch. He shows incredible skill setting up defensive backs and a noticeable competitiveness and confidence putting them away at the point of attack. Brings versatility considering he played all over the field last year, including lining up as a running back at times and taking a number of quick-hit screens. Will be interesting to see how he vibes with a quality quarterback and the position was uneven during much of his tenure with the Panthers.
ENQUIRER ANALYSIS
Boyd doesn't own the speed to take the top of the defense like the burners in this draft, but becomes an instant asset on opening day as a jack-of-all-trades type without a glaring weakness. He's closer to the Mohamed Sanu mold than Marvin Jones was coming out of college, but brings a dynamic element with the ball in his hands.
Cincinnati stayed conservative, waiting for the draft to come to them. They could have pulled the trigger on a trade up for Ohio State's Michael Thomas, who fell to No. 47 overall and New Orleans. Opting to hang back cost a more complete player, but still receive quality value at the most glaring position of need with Boyd.
MEASUREABLES
- Height: 6-1
- Weight: 197
- 40-yard dash: 4.58
- Vertical jump: 34 inches
Broke Larry Fitzgerald's Pitt records for yards and receptions as a freshman then broke his career records as well finishing with 254 receptions and 3,361 receiving yards for the Panthers. Left after his junior season as the lone unanimous pick on the All-ACC first team.
ROLE EXPECTATION
A good chance exists Boyd will start the season as the Bengals' starting slot receiver. Offensive coordinator Ken Zampese views him as capable of playing the slot right away and can quickly learn the outside spots as he progresses.
COACHSPEAK
Wide receivers coach James Urban on if Boyd can block:
“Well, you’ve got to watch a lot of film to see when he doesn’t have the ball. He’s going to do it our way. He’ll do it our way, I guarantee you that. And he’s willing. He’s willing. He just wants’ asked to do a lot of those things we’re going to ask him to do. So there will be a learning curve there. But we have full confidence that he’ll do that and we’re going to push him to do things our way.”
HE SAID
Boyd on growing up in Pittsburgh and going to the University of Pittsburgh and growing up a Steelers fan:
"I'm going to completely go opposite of that and go against the Steelers and cause them all hell. I'm strongly aware. My family members and friends are all Steelers fans and root for the Steelers, but at the end of the day they are all going to root for me."
DRAFTNIKS SAY
Pro Football Focus draft guide summarizing Boyd:
“Outside of his struggles to get separation and win downfield on go-routes, he doesn't really have a weakness, but there also isn't anything he's significantly better at than his peers. While he might not be the type of receiver that a team builds their offense around, he does have the ability to develop into a good second or third option in the NFL.”
NFL Draft Scout analyst Dane Brugler on Boyd:
"With streaky quarterback play and running back James Conner sidelined for 2015, the Pitt play-calling manufactured touches for Boyd, including hand-offs and shorter routes, as the clear top playmaker on offense. 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 – second round prospect and his ideal NFL fit is in the slot in a Jarvis Landry-type role.”
HIGHLIGHT VIDEO
