2015 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Phillip Dorsett

Strengths:
  • Extremely fast, elite speed
  • Superb route-runner
  • Deep threat receiver
  • Very sudden in and out of breaks
  • Superb at getting separation
  • Threat to score on any touch
  • Home-run hitter
  • Stretches a defense vertically
  • Explosive play-maker in college
  • Dangerous run-after-the-catch receiver
  • Very polished
  • Reliable hands
  • Quick release off of the line
  • Plug and play; ready to contribute
  • Experienced and successful against quality college programs




  • Weaknesses:
  • Lacks height
  • Won’t be able to outfight big NFL corners for the ball


  • Summary: There are less than a handful of wide receivers who are truly explosive and have elite speedin a typical NFL Draft. Dorsett is one of those few prospects this year. He is extremely fast and could be one of the fastest receivers to enter the NFL over the past six years.

    While Dorsett is extremely fast, he is a polished route-runner who can run a variety of routes. Dorsett isn’t a one-trick pony by any means. He is very good at getting separation from defensive backs and is very sudden in and out of his breaks. Dorsett also has good hands and plays the ball well. Even though he doesn’t have a size advantage, he will attack the ball and can make catches on 50-50 passes.

    Miami was playing a freshman quarterback in 2014 and leaned on running back Duke Johnson. Thus, Dorsett didn’t see many targets and had only 36 receptions on the season. However, the senior showed his talent by averaging 24 yards per reception for 871 yards and 10 touchdowns. A knee injury took away a chunk of his junior year, but as a sophomore, he had 58 catches for 842 yards and four touchdowns.

    Sources said that Dorsett did well in the team interviews. In speaking with Dorsett at the Senior Bowl, he talked about how he helped freshman quarterback Brad Kaaya develop and wasn’t upset about his lack of opportunities as a senior.

    In the 2015 NFL Draft, Dorsett could get late first-round consideration but he’s probably more likely to be a second-round pick.



    Player Comparison: Mike Wallace. Dorsett and Wallace are similar players in that they are deep-threat receivers who are very good at stretching a defense vertically. Both are threats to score on any reception and have elite speed. Dorsett is a more polished route-runner than Wallace was entering the NFL. Dorsett also doesn’t have the attitude issues that Wallace has displayed.

    NFL Matches: Baltimore, Oakland, Miami, New York Jets, New York Giants, Minnesota, Houston, San Francisco, Cleveland, New England

    There are a lot of teams that could target a speed receiver like Dorsett. Late in the first round, Baltimore could think of him as a replacement for Steve Smith. Dorsett’s deep speed would be a great fit for Joe Flacco’s big arm. New England also could use some help at receiver, and Dorsett would be an upgrade for Tom Brady’s weapons.

    Dorsett could land with the Raiders at the top of the second round. Oakland doesn’t have much talent at receiver and lacks a deep threat. Minnesota also could use more receiving weapons for its second-year quarterback.

    At the Senior Bowl, Dorsett told WalterFootball.com that the Jets, Dolphins, and Texans had shown the most interest in him. The Jets need more receiving talent, and Dorsett would give them another deep threat. Houston could use a vertical receiver to pair with DeAndre Hopkins. Miami also looks poised to move on from Mike Wallace, so Dorsett could be a replacement.

    The Giants also showed some interest in Dorsett at the Senior Bowl, and while receiver isn’t a huge need, he could form a lethal deep-threat combination with Odell Beckham Jr.

    The 49ers could move on from Michael Crabtree ,and with the age of Anquan Boldin, it makes sense for San Francisco to add more weapons for Colin Kaepernick.

    The Browns will be without Josh Gordon in 201,5 and obviously, he can never be relied on to stay on the field. Cleveland has to improve its wideouts, and a home-run hitter like Dorsett could be a good addition for the Browns in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Cleveland showed interest and met with Dorsett at the Senior Bowl.




    RELATED LINKS:


    2015 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie’s | Walt’s


    2015 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings


    2015 NFL Draft Scouting Reports








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