Tyler Boyd's pro prospects

[rpost3]

I wonder what his NFL grade is. The knock on him seems to be speed, which I personally don't think is a problem. He looks plenty fast to me. And he's obviously great in the air and can catch anything thrown in his general vicinity. Those traits on a guy who will run no slower than 4.5 aren't easy to find.

I think the holes in his game are his frame is kinda slight, he won't contribute on special teams (maybe coverage but he's not a return man), I haven't seen him make many catches where he's gotten popped, he doesn't break many tackles, and...well...he seemed to remove himself from games a lot...even times when his team really needed him out there. Not sure what to make of that.

I'm guessing he's a late 2nd - mid 3rd round pick. Not sure how often similar underclassmen stay another year or enter the draft. I suspect he's gone, but man...if he, Conner and EJ Price all return, then Pitt's a preseason Top 20 team.

 

[TIGER-PAUL]

I think they recommend going back if your not at least day2.
I don't think Pitt would be that high preseason.

 

[mike 301]

I still think he will be back .

 

[Swervin27]

No chance he doesn't get drafted in the first 3 rounds. Every mock draft I've seen predicts him going in early to mid 2nd.. Worst case he slips to 3rd, not going any lower than that. His best opportunity for bigtime money is to earn it in nfl with his second contract, (See McCoy), even if he comes back, he won't move up to a first rounder. Same knock on him now will exist 12 months later.. Might as well start the clock now

 

[PantherO]

Can never fault a kid for leaving early if they are sure there is a pay day. I forget the receiver from Pitt who left early a few years back. Didn't work out for him. I am sure TB will have a different result though.

 

[H2Pittisit]

Whoever bypasses this kid will regret it. He may not have top end speed, but neither did Larry Fitzgerald. He high points the ball, has great hands, and is elusive. I think he will be a difference maker wherever he ends up.

 

[Swervin27]

Can never fault a kid for leaving early if they are sure there is a pay day. I forget the receiver from Pitt who left early a few years back. Didn't work out for him. I am sure TB will have a different result though.

Greg Lee.. Wanny was pissed, real pissed about that. Think the story goes some agent promised the world to Lee, Wanny told him to come back, Lee left and went undrafted.. Sad story.. Happened to Major Harris back in the day at wvu, back then there was no evaluation, you basically got swindled by an agent, took some money and your eligibility is gone..

 

[johnsbe3]

I wonder what his NFL grade is. The knock on him seems to be speed, which I personally don't think is a problem. He looks plenty fast to me. And he's obviously great in the air and can catch anything thrown in his general vicinity. Those traits on a guy who will run no slower than 4.5 aren't easy to find.

I think the holes in his game are his frame is kinda slight, he won't contribute on special teams (maybe coverage but he's not a return man), I haven't seen him make many catches where he's gotten popped, he doesn't break many tackles, and...well...he seemed to remove himself from games a lot...even times when his team really needed him out there. Not sure what to make of that.

I'm guessing he's a late 2nd - mid 3rd round pick. Not sure how often similar underclassmen stay another year or enter the draft. I suspect he's gone, but man...if he, Conner and EJ Price all return, then Pitt's a preseason Top 20 team.

he doesnt go after the ball when contested...he doesnt attack the ball and waits for the ball to get to him...he is not very physical after the catch...he is easier to tackle than most if a defender gets a hand on him...

 

[pittdan77]

I'm not a pro scout but the NFL seems to be all over the map as far as what each team values.

Seems your better clubs prefer guys that can get open and have good hands above all else.

 

[H2Pittisit]

he doesnt go after the ball when contested...he doesnt attack the ball and waits for the ball to get to him...he is not very physical after the catch...he is easier to tackle than most if a defender gets a hand on him...

Apparently, You have never watched Tyler Boyd play

 

[thebadby2]

I wonder what his NFL grade is. The knock on him seems to be speed, which I personally don't think is a problem. He looks plenty fast to me. And he's obviously great in the air and can catch anything thrown in his general vicinity. Those traits on a guy who will run no slower than 4.5 aren't easy to find.

I think the holes in his game are his frame is kinda slight, he won't contribute on special teams (maybe coverage but he's not a return man), I haven't seen him make many catches where he's gotten popped, he doesn't break many tackles, and...well...he seemed to remove himself from games a lot...even times when his team really needed him out there. Not sure what to make of that.

I'm guessing he's a late 2nd - mid 3rd round pick. Not sure how often similar underclassmen stay another year or enter the draft. I suspect he's gone, but man...if he, Conner and EJ Price all return, then Pitt's a preseason Top 20 team.

I'd guess he's no earlier than round 3 right now. I believe the biggest concern about him as a pro prospect is his strength and ability to disengage from a defender at the LOS. His hands and body control are excellent, his speed is so-so for the pro game--he won't be outrunning NFL DBs--, his route running is inconsistent--sometimes great, sometimes not--and his physicality at the LOS is very much in question. NFL corners are spectacular athletes, freak combos of size, strength and speed. This because of the freak athletes they face at WR. You don't see the Darrel Green, 5'8 180 pound CB anymore. The current prototype is the Patrick Peterson mold, 6'2, 210-220 and long-armed.

So I think TB is a NFL player, but he's not a kid the scouts are real excited about. The combine could actually hurt him as well, because I doubt he will be among the top 10-15 WRs in the speed category, and he's not all that big. That said, I think he will earn a living playing football on Sundays for many years to come, whether he comes out this year or next.

Larry Fitz wasn't a burner but he was 6'4, 225 and strong as hell. he was special, a once in 10 years type of receiver, and with all due respect to Boyd, they;re not in the same league talent wise. That's no slight to TB, it's hard to imagine who is.

 

[Piranha]

I think he is probably a 3rd round pick right now. If he had a good year as a PR or KR, then I'd say 2nd round. Being a difference maker on ST is important to the pros.

 

[rpost3]

I'd guess he's no earlier than round 3 right now. I believe the biggest concern about him as a pro prospect is his strength and ability to disengage from a defender at the LOS. His hands and body control are excellent, his speed is so-so for the pro game--he won't be outrunning NFL DBs--, his route running is inconsistent--sometimes great, sometimes not--and his physicality at the LOS is very much in question. NFL corners are spectacular athletes, freak combos of size, strength and speed. This because of the freak athletes they face at WR. You don't see the Darrel Green, 5'8 180 pound CB anymore. The current prototype is the Patrick Peterson mold, 6'2, 210-220 and long-armed.

So I think TB is a NFL player, but he's not a kid the scouts are real excited about. The combine could actually hurt him as well, because I doubt he will be among the top 10-15 WRs in the speed category, and he's not all that big. That said, I think he will earn a living playing football on Sundays for many years to come, whether he comes out this year or next.

Larry Fitz wasn't a burner but he was 6'4, 225 and strong as hell. he was special, a once in 10 years type of receiver, and with all due respect to Boyd, they;re not in the same league talent wise. That's no slight to TB, it's hard to imagine who is.

His ball skills are elite but I agree with your overall assertion. An extra 15 lbs from heavy core-centric lifting + diet might've made him a 1st rounder. I wonder what he's like in the weight room. He's listed at 6-2 200lbs right now, and he runs pretty straight up and down, ie highly exposed to big hits. Personally I don't think he's physically ready to immediately thrive in the NFL right now but he will after he puts on weight. We'll find out weather he wants to do that in the league or at Pitt. A valid case can be made for either being the right decision. No wonder he's taking his time trying to make up his mind. I think coming back to Pitt is a tad more of a gamble but the payoff would be a much better rookie contract if he successfully put on weight.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

I think the biggest issue for him is the mental aspect of the game. Everyone seems to agree that he has very good or great hands, yet he drops way too many passes. I think that's because his concentration level slips too often. I think that's also why he can be a great route runner at times, and then other times he isn't.

You just can't mentally go away for a little while every game and be a top receiver in the NFL.

 

[ratking17]

Walsh just tweeted boyd was given a 2nd round grade

 

[9nationalchampionships]

Go get your money TB

Walsh just tweeted boyd was given a 2nd round grade

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

If he's going to go in the second round he's got to leave.

 

[ratking17]

Isn't the money basically the same for rookies regardless of 1st and 2nd round.

 

[Deer Head]

There is a 100% chance he goes and gets drafted in the top 50. They are just playing the game. Everyone knows he is gone. Great for him and Pitt ultimately.

 

[pitt2010]

There is never a guarantee of going top 50 picks. He is a borderline 2nd round pick right now and a good 40 time could solidify the 2nd round. He had a number of key drops. Don't get me wrong, he is a great WR but he is mot on Fitzgerald's level. Not even close...