2020 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR Laviska Shenault Jr.

Big Board ranking: #58

Positional ranking: #12

 

Overview

Position: WR

College: Colorado

Class: Junior

Age: 21

 

Measurables

Height: 6’0 5/8”

Weight: 227 lbs.

Arm length: 31 7/8”

Hand size: 9”

 

Athletic testing

40-yard dash: 4.58 sec.

Vertical jump: N/A

Broad jump: N/A

Bench press: 17 reps

3-cone drill: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

 

Strengths

Extremely physical and well-built target. Runs with rare power for the position. Phenomenal contact balance. Like a running back with the ball in his hands. Quick release at the line of scrimmage. Runs very crisp short and intermediate routes. Sells vertical route to create separation before gearing down. Shows a desired understanding of spacing and will sit in holes against zone coverage. Tough and reliable hands in traffic. Plays faster with pads on. Impressive burst/acceleration. Quick feet and very elusive/sudden in close quarters for his size. Refuses to go out of bounds as a runner. Has experience lining up all over the place. Dangerous when he gets the ball in his hands underneath. Extremely productive wildcat quarterback. Great patience and vision.

 

Weaknesses

Didn’t have a complex route tree. Can track the ball better on downfield passes. Good hands but will have some drops. Doesn’t work to engage and drive as a run blocker. Would like to see more consistency overall as a blocker.

 

NFL comparison

Deebo Samuel

 

Conclusion

Overall, Shenault is a unique wide receiver prospect that can be utilized as a deadly weapon on crosses, drags, screens, pop passes, and even traditional handoffs. To have the biggest impact possible, Shenault will hopefully land in an offense where he can be used similarly to Deebo Samuel with the 49ers.