2012 NFL Draft: Thoughts on Alshon Jeffery

by Jimmy on Feb 11, 2012 8:44 AM CST in 2012 NFL Draft

Many of you here know that I am very high on Alshon Jeffery. There are some concerns about his weight, but he is a football player. He is not going to be a 4.3 guy, but he has the size to make up for what he lacks in speed. Jeffery would be deadly in the red zone.

Since I am always up for a good debate, here is an article I came across this morning by Josh Norris who calls Jeffery the eighth best receiver in this draft:

Simply put, Jeffery cannot separate. This was clear in his bowl game effort against Nebraska's Alfonzo Dennard, who repeatedly jammed Jeffery at the line of scrimmage. Dennard completely overmatched Jeffery downfield, as the receiver created no space against Nebraska's physical corner....Jeffery does not use his large frame effectively, either. Plenty of slow receivers make a living converting catches in traffic, but Jeffery loses way too many 50/50 balls for that to be the foundation of his game....Jeffery is the eighth best receiver in the draft, and a massive risk as a first-round pick.

I will admit that I did not watch any of that bowl game, but Jeffery had 4 catches for 148 yards and a touchdown. He was separating from someone. Of course 51 of those yards did come on a Hail Mary at the end of the first half (highlight after the jump), but the fact that he was able to go and get that football is why you draft him.

In the second video after the jump, you will see Jeffery running right by Dennard for a 71 yard catch. Trust me, if he can find enough separation for Connor Shaw to get him the football, he will be able to get separation for NFL quarterbacks.

Click the link to read that whole article. He is highlighting the most overrated players in the draft. He is pretty spot on with the rest of them.

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The problem with the video of the long catch is that the article highlights the fact that jamming him was the problem.

It doesn’t seem to be like he got jammed on that catch. But i would be wary about someone that has trouble getting jammed in college, it will only get worse in the NFL. Also wide receivers with weight issues are always a fairly large risk.

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by BonzosMontreaux on Feb 11, 2012 9:11 AM CST reply actions

I never understood weight issues with NFL players...

these dudes have all the tools in the world to ensure they will always be in top physical health and they just get lazy. To me, its more of a maturity/discipline problem then it is a problem controlling his weight.

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by StPrattrick on Feb 11, 2012 9:37 AM CST reply actions

Nothing about what Josh Norris says makes me want to draft this dude anywhere near the first round.

At all.

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by StPrattrick on Feb 11, 2012 9:38 AM CST up reply actions

I can think of at least 5 WRs I'd take ahead of him

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by nolesbroncos3456 on Feb 11, 2012 11:04 AM CST up reply actions

I haven't watched Jeffrey play all that much.

But if him separating really is an issue, that’s a huge red flag. It’s not going to get any easier in the NFL.

And as far as the bowl game goes, I think the fact that the catch total is so low is more of a problem than the yards total being so high.

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by TennesseeTyrants on Feb 11, 2012 9:40 AM CST reply actions

Matt Miller ranks Jeffery above Blackmon

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by JustinS on Feb 11, 2012 10:00 AM CST reply actions

That's just crazy

I’m not anti-Jeffery but Blackmon is absolutely elite in every aspect of his game. Blackmon will be this years AJ Green. Especially if he ends up on a team with an already established QB like St. Louis

by b-riddle on Feb 11, 2012 10:15 AM CST up reply actions

Sam Bradford is far from established

by NoMoreMustache on Feb 11, 2012 10:44 AM CST up reply actions

neither was the ginger

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by nolesbroncos3456 on Feb 11, 2012 11:01 AM CST up reply actions

If Blackman is this year's AJ Green

Then Jeffrey is this year’s Julio Jones…

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by TitanNDCClothing on Feb 13, 2012 3:08 PM CST up reply actions

I don't think Norris presents any new information.

The knock on Jeffery has always been speed/separation and weight. That’s a given, and its probably why he’ll be going in the late first or early second. However, playing in what I’m to understand is the vaunted SEC, he put up 700 yards this year with scrubs at QB and 1500 last year. He must be doing something right.

I’m a little shocked that Norris says he loses too many 50-50 balls. Jeffery’s hands are what stood out to me on tape. He may not be fast, but if you put the ball near him, I trust him to come down with it. He’s also got the leaping ability of Larry Fitzgerald.

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by WinnipegTitanFan13 on Feb 11, 2012 12:05 PM CST reply actions

Jeffery is a big mystery, and therefore a big risk.

I’ve rarely seen a player in whom people see so many positives and negatives simultaneously. That adds up to high bust potential, too high for the first round.

The Titans’ #1 is better spent elsewhere.

by MeanMrMustard on Feb 11, 2012 2:38 PM CST reply actions

Kenny Britt is 6ft 3 and 215lbs fast and very physical.

If we can get a similar player in the first or second round, I would pull the trigger. That would complete our receiver position for a while, allowing the Titans to focus future first round picks on less sensational positions. Also if we would just sign Finnegan that would complete our corner position for a while. I used to think Alshon Jeffery was the only receiver not named Blackmon that I would take in the first, now I just don’t know if I would even go with receiver. Not sure there is a KB clone among them. I definitely want the best player available between Safety, Guard/Center, DE, or WR. At this point I’m just glad its not my decision.

Btw.. WalterFootball.com has Jeffery ranked as the second best receiver in this draft class. One month later we are talking about him as a high second rounder…weird huh.

by Jason Jones on Feb 11, 2012 3:43 PM CST reply actions 1 recs