2014 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Martavis Bryant

Strengths:

Height

Length

Competes for the ball

Straight-line speed

Good on jump balls

Sideline receiver

Red-zone weapon

Third-down ability

Athletic

Upside

Weaknesses:

Raw

Drops passes

Route running

Doesn’t play as physical as size indicates

Summary: Many scouts were expecting Bryant to have a massive 2013 season for Clemson. DeAndre Hopkins left the team for the NFL and junior Sammy Watkins was expected to see tons of double-coverage. Bryant stood out in practice leading into the year, but the junior’s season fell short of expectations.

With Hopkins and Watkins playing ahead of Bryant, he caught nine passes for 221 yards and two scores in his freshman season. As a sophomore, Bryant averaged 30 yards per catch while totaling 305 yards on 10 receptions and four touchdowns.

Bryant had an ugly performance to open 2013 season against Georgia as he dropped a few passes that could have been big plays for Clemson. Bryant didn’t record a reception against the Bulldogs, but he did recover the onside kick that clinched the 38-35 win for the Tigers. Bryant came alive against Georgia Tech with five receptions for 176 yards and one touchdown. He caught 42 balls for 828 yards and seven touchdowns for the year.

At the Combine, Bryant surprised with an excellent 40 time of 4.42 seconds; a great time for such a big receiver. The Combine really helped Bryant to force teams to take a closer look.

As a receiver, Bryant is a project for the NFL. He has great height and length to go with some straight-line speed, but he needs a lot of development. Bryant drops too many passes and must improve his hands. His route-running needs a lot of work as well. Plus, Bryant is a finesse player for a big receiver. He should add some strength and start pushing around defensive backs.

That being said, height and length can’t be coached, and Bryant is tall with some speed to stretch the field. He has a good skill set to work with, too, but it is somewhat troubling that he didn’t produce more during his junior season. Bryant looks solid as a second-day pick.



Player Comparison: Malcom Floyd. If Bryant pans out he could be a receiver similar to Floyd. Floyd (6-5, 225) is heavier, but he has been a quality pro who can operate in different levels of the defense. Floyd was a undrafted free agent following the 2004 NFL Draft, but Bryant should go much earlier.

NFL Matches: Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, New York Jets, Cleveland, Philadelphia, New Orleans, Carolina, San Francisco, Denver, Seattle

Bryant has a lot of landing spots late on the the second day. Early in the third round, he would be a good fit in Tampa Bay or Jacksonville. The Bucs need help a lot of help at wide receiver, and Bryant could be a good fit for Jeff Tedford’s offense. The Jaguars need more weapons for their new quarterback given Justin Blackmon’s shaky status.

If the Browns pass on a receiver in Round 1, they could target Bryant on Day 2. He would be a nice option with one of Cleveland’s third-round picks – if he makes it there.

Pittsburgh needs help at receiver, plus Bryant should be big enough for what the Steelers are looking for. Baltimore and the New York Jets would be potential fits for Bryant, too. Both teams signed free agent wide receivers, but each could use more help in its receiving corps.

Elsewhere in the NFC South, Carolina has a massive need at receiver, and Bryant could give the franchise a wide out with size. The Panthers are locked into drafting a wide receiver early. New Orleans also could consider a wide out. The Saints lost some weapons this offseason in Darren Sproles and Lance Moore. The team has some older veterans at receiver, and Bryant would give New Orleans some play-making youth.

The Eagles could use more talent at receiver after cutting DeSean Jackson. Philadelphia is inclined to add receivers with size like Bryant.

The 49ers could use more young talent at wide receiver. San Francisco has a lot of picks on the second day, and Bryant could be in play for them late in the second round.

Seattle lost Golden Tate in free agency, but the Seahawks would probably prefer drafting a receiver with more size. Bryant could fit the defending champs.

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