2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Zay Flowers





  • Zay Flowers, 5-10/180

  • Wide Receiver

  • Boston College


  • Zay Flowers Scouting Report
    By Charlie Campbell

    Strengths:
  • Dangerous playmaker
  • Routinely makes difficult catches
  • Threat to score and rip off long gains on any touch
  • Superb hands
  • Natural hands catcher
  • Smooth route-runner
  • Has a burst out of his breaks
  • Consistently generates separation
  • Sudden
  • Challenges a defense vertically
  • Finds soft spots in zone
  • Superb on double moves
  • Speed to go vertical
  • Tough and competitive
  • Tracks the ball well
  • Excellent on 50-50 passes for a small receiver
  • Impressive catch radius for a small wideout
  • Dangerous runner after the catch
  • Elusiveness to dodge tacklers
  • Special teams return ability




  • Weaknesses:
  • Undersized
  • Light
  • Short
  • Will have problems with long NFL corners
  • Could be limited to being a slot receiver
  • Could have a hard time getting off contact
  • Needs to get stronger


  • Summary: Boston College has struggled in recent years, and part of that has stemmed from injuries at the quarterback position. Despite that, Flowers was a steady playmaker and an impressive wideout. The 2020 season was shortened by COVID-19, but Flowers still managed to have breakout sophomore season. hauling in 56 passes for 892 yards and three touchdowns. In 2021. he recorded 44 catches for 746 yards and five touchdowns while playing the majority of the season with a backup quarterback. In 2022, Flowers recorded 78 receptions for 1,077 yards and 12 touchdowns. If Flowers had been playing for Alabama or Ohio State, he could have had a massive year and been one of the most acclaimed wide receivers in the nation.

    There is a lot to like about Flowers for the NFL because he is dynamic receiving weapon. Flowers is a explosive playmaker who is a threat to score and rip off long gains on any reception. Given his speed off the line and his second gear, Flowers is fast through his route and possesses burst out of his breaks to consistently create separation. He is dangerous on double moves thanks to his route running and suddenness, which allow him to get open downfield while challenging defenses vertically. Flowers has superb hands and is a natural hands catcher who is very reliable at securing ball.

    Flowers is dangerous once he haas the ball in his hands because he is shifty runner who will juke defenders and weave his way downfield for extra yards. Via excellent body control, leaping ability, and secure hands, he makes some incredible catches to bail out inaccurate throws. While Flowers is not a big wideout, his ability to make leaping grabs makes him outstanding on 50-50 passes while also giving his quarterback a larger catch radius than that of most small receivers. Flowers brings a gritty and tenacious style to the field, providing feisty presence energized his teammate as well as augmenting his big-play ability.

    Flowers face some limitations for the NFL in terms of being short and light. He could have problems with longer cornerbacks, and getting off jams and reroutes could be an issue for him as a pro. His size might limit him to mainly being a slot receiver in the NGL.

    At worst, Flowers looks likely to be a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He has a chance of ending up as a first-round pick.



    Player Comparison: T.Y. Hilton Hilton (5-10, 183) and Flowers are almost identical in size and bring similar styles of play to the field.






    RELATED LINKS:


    2023 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie’s | Walt’s


    2023 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings


    2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports








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