It is no secret that this incoming 2015 wide receiver class will more than likely not parallel the production of the once-in-a-generation 2014 class, however that does not mean its devoid of talent. Pre-combine at the top of the class you have: Amari Cooper, Devante Parker, Kevin White, Dorial Green-Beckham, Jaelen Strong, Devin Funchess and Sammie Coates to name a few. Then there is the lesser talked about but also very talented core of wide receivers that wont yield your first round draft price tags such as: Devin Smith, Rashad Greene, Ty Montgomery, Justin Hardy, and lastly the receiver this article is about, Kansas States Tyler Lockett just to name a few.
The key here is to open your eyes to the idea of finding upside talent in the rounds beyond the first. Odds are, unless you are in a 14-team league and assuming he does not explode at the combine, Tyler Lockett should be available and waiting for you when it is your turn to select in the second round.
Meet Tyler Lockett, a 5′-11″ & 175-pound wide receiver out of Kansas State University. No he is not your plus-sized prototypical pass catcher, but in the new era of the NFL have we not seen a rise in under-sized, high performance receivers as of late? The Antonio Browns, the Randall Cobbs, the Odell Beckhams, the TY Hiltons, there are just so many now days. So what makes Tyler Lockett worthy of one of your draft picks? For starters Lockett does not just win, he wins big. Coming off his 2014 senior season Lockett posted an absurd final stat line of: 106 catches, 1,515 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. He’s projected as a slot receiver in the NFL and in recent seasons we have watched many players flourish to top 15 numbers from this spot. So now that we’ve knocked out his measurables, and recent stats lets enter what I’d like to refer to as the “film room” and see first hand just what makes Lockett as good as he is.
Tyler Lockett is now No. 2 at K-State in all-time receptions with 207. Passed Jordy Nelson. #KStateFB
— KSU In Season (@ksuinseason) November 21, 2014
Below is a clip that I’ve cued up just on the route replay of K State vs Michigan from the Buffalo Wild Wings bowl game. What I want people to recognize from this clip is just what the analyst noticed, Lockett’s ability to not only sell the route, but have the innate awareness to avoid that contact by the corner. His ability to avoid the contact was the difference between the corner staying in his back pocket by slowing him down and him having a wide open area to make a touchdown catch inside of. There is so much more here as well though; not only does Tyler sell this route perfectly and get up field, but he tracks the ball all the way in, meanwhile maintaining perfect distance off the sideline to make the play. Of course this was an excellent touch pass by the quarterback, but Tyler Lockett really turned what could have been a potentially contested jump ball into a wide open touchdown catch.
In this second clip you’ll see Tyler Lockett’s ability to again sell a move with a quick step and head fake, then immediately turn on the 4.4 jets once he has earned inside position and gained the necessary space to make the play. What is especially significant about this catch is that again he tracks the ball all the way to the corner, while laying out to make the grab and just before he travels out of bounds he makes the quick visual adjustment to not only get one foot in, but both. He awareness of his surrounding boundaries and ability to cut angles to maximize his available open space is truly special.
So whats the catch? (Get it? Ah never mind). The current knocks on Tyler Lockett pre-combine are his overall size (primarily weight), hand size which is estimated to be on the smallish size (just the opposite of the vacuum Odell Beckham) and an apparent problem with dropped passes. I think of all of these perceived negatives on Lockett the dropped passes may be the most blown out of proportion and least concerning. The reason I say this is because if he is dropping passes it is due to concentration issues rather than an inability to make the play as my film work has proven today.
Got chills a little bit on that leaping catch from Tyler Lockett as he got hit. The hops, toughness, hands on that play were spectacular.
— Wescott Eberts (@SBN_Wescott) October 18, 2014
Finally here is the third video for people interested in more on Tyler Lockett. This 3:12 long highlight video does a great job of capturing some of his most elite moments. From his premier route running to his next level vertical threat abilities, everything is put on display here. He is truly a talented prospect that can make all the big time catches, and you cannot help but be excited about him after watching a video like this.
Conclusion
Like any athlete coming out of college there are going to be knocks on him, whether it be hand size or drops. Tyler Lockett, however, comes out as a very polished route runner with a knack for creating separation, two intangible skills that have turned other prospects (Cordarrelle Patterson) into bench warmers. So for your money why not take the chance on perhaps the next dominating under-sized wide receiver to enter the NFL? He is an all-around special talent as a receiver or kick returner. I think he is tremendously undervalued everywhere else but here at UTH. So when it is your pick in the second round and you see Tyler Lockett there in big bold letters, do not hesitate to lock up a quality future option in your next rookie draft.
Good luck, and thanks for checking out my first of hopefully many film sessions on incoming rookie prospects!
