2014 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jarvis Landry

Strengths:
  • Excellent hands
  • Can make tough, contested receptions
  • Very good run-after-the-catch ability
  • Quickness for the short to intermediate part of the field
  • Polished, well-rounded receiver
  • Adept at finding soft spots in zone
  • Good route-runner
  • Body control
  • Quickness
  • Scheme versatility
  • Tough
  • Physical
  • Good blocker
  • Quality athlete
  • Red zone weapon
  • Durable




  • Weaknesses:
  • Lacks speed
  • May not be fast enough to consistently get separation
  • Not a deep threat
  • Not a big receiver


  • Summary: The LSU Tigers have been known as a running offense for many years with a string of big physical bruising running backs. However, over the past couple of seasons, LSU has featured a dangerous passing attack and the receiving tandem of Landry and Odell Beckham, Jr. is the reason why.

    Landry flashed for LSU in 2012 and did a nice job of moving the chains in the team’s run-heavy offense. He caught 56 passes for 573 yards and five touchdowns. He caught 77 passes for 1,193 yards and 10 touchdowns during his junior season. Landry was a very reliable wideout for Zach Mettenberger to move the chains. The ultra-fast Beckham commanded extra help over the top, and Landry was able to exploit single coverage underneath.

    At the Combine, Landry showed a striking lack of speed with a 4.77 time in the 40-yard dash. A slower time wasn’t a complete shock, but that was much worse than expected.

    Landry is a good possession receiver for the middle of the field. He is a plus route-runner and is very skilled at making contested catches over defensive backs. Landry is tough and physical with good hands. Part of the reason for contested catches is Landry doesn’t always generate separation, and that could be an issue in the NFL against faster defensive backs.

    Landry isn’t big, and he isn’t fast. He is a gritty receiver and happened to be a very good college player, but this observer believes he’s just a No. 2 or 3 receiver in the NFL. If he has some stud receivers next to him, Landry could be a nice complement to move the chains with defenses focused on the star, similar to his role in college when he worked with Beckham. However, if Landry expected to be beat top cornerbacks, he could struggle as he doesn’t have mismatch size or speed for the NFL.

    Sources have told WalterFootball.com that Landry was graded as a third-round pick, but they believe that the team that likes him enough to draft him could take him in the second round.



    Player Comparison: Andre Roberts. Roberts has been a solid contributor in his NFL career. He has played with a star receiver and some shaky quarterback play, so that has limited his opportunities. Roberts (5-11, 195) and Landry are the same size. They are polished wideouts with good hands, solid route-running and toughness. Both are quick, but not fast. Roberts was a third-round pick by Arizona, and Landry could go on day two as well.

    NFL Matches: San Francisco, Detroit, New York Jets, Baltimore, Tampa Bay, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Carolina, Indianapolis

    The 49ers could use Landry as a long-term replacement for Anquan Boldin. San Francisco has a lot of extra picks so they could draft multiple wide receivers early in the draft.

    Philadelphia could snatch Landry on day two. Chip Kelly likes intelligent receivers who have some size and run-after-the-catch ability.

    Both Detroit and Tampa Bay are in need of receivers. Landry would be a nice complement to Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate. The Lions could consider Landry if they don’t take a receiver in the first round. The Bucs need a wideout; Mike Williams is having lots of off the field problems, plus Vincent Jackson is aging.

    Cleveland also could target Landry early on day two as a No. 2 receiver to go with Josh Gordon.

    In the middle of round two, both the Jets and Ravens need some receiving weapons for their quarterbacks. The Ravens never replaced Boldin adequately, while New York is needing more receiving weapons for Geno Smith. Respectively, Steve Smith and Eric Decker aren’t enough to be the solutions for those teams.

    Both the Panthers and Colts are in need of some long-term wideouts for their franchise quarterbacks. Carolina needs an upgrade at receiver, and cutting Steve Smith leaves a big hole. Ditto for Reggie Wayne. Indianapolis could use a young receiver with size to pair with T.Y. Hilton.



    RELATED LINKS:


    2014 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie’s | Walt’s


    2014 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings


    2014 NFL Draft Scouting Reports








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