2021 NFL Draft Scouting Report: D’Wayne Eskridge





  • D’Wayne Eskridge, 5-9/190

  • Wide Receiver

  • Western Michigan


  • D’Wayne Eskridge Scouting Report
    By Charlie Campbell

    Strengths:
  • Extremely fast
  • Serious second-gear acceleration
  • Glides through the defense with easy speed
  • So fast he takes any angles from defenses
  • Threat to score and rip off long gains on any touch
  • Very dangerous on slants
  • Consistently creates separation
  • First-step quickness
  • Burst out of his breaks
  • Dangerous run-after-the-catch skills
  • Stretches a defense vertically
  • Deep-threat receiver
  • Sudden
  • Ready to contribute quickly
  • Special teams potential




  • Weaknesses:
  • Very undersized
  • Short
  • Light
  • Needs to develop route running
  • Lacks strength; can get pushed around
  • Too many drops
  • A bit straight line
  • Could be limited to the slot


  • Summary: The 2021 NFL Draft is loaded at the wide receiver position, and Eskridge is among the prospects who are going to be a nice values after the first round. The speedster Eskridge averaged a tremendous 23.1 yards per reception in 2020 with 784 yards and eight touchdowns on 34 catches. He also had large averages in 2018 (20.4) and 2017 (16.9). A clavicle injury caused Eskridge to miss the majority of the 2019 season.

    There is no doubt that Eskridge is extremely fast and presents a speed mismatch for the NFL. He is a true home run hitter who is a threat to score on any touch of the ball. Eskridge has the pure speed to run past defenders and explode down the field for a long gain. He is very dangerous on slant passes to take off through the secondary and explode for a long gain. With a great burst and serious acceleration, Eskridge can generate quick separation, and he bolts downfield in a blur.



    Eskridge is very undersized for the next level. He is short, light, thinly framed, and lacking strength. He could struggle with the length of NFL cornerbacks, and his small size could lead to him having issues maintaining possession through contact, and he can get pushed round to get knocked off routes. Eskridge needs to improve his hands, as he had too many drops, and he has refine his route-running for the NFL.

    Eskridge could be a second- or third-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. He looks like a deep-threat receiver to work out of the slot and potentially contribute as a returner on special teams.



    Player Comparison: T.Y. Hilton. Eskridge reminds me of a T.Y. Hilton in terms of his big-play speed and style of play. If Eskridge lands with the right team, I could see him being a good pro receiver who is similar to Hilton, although maybe not quite as good as Hilton was in his prime.






    RELATED LINKS:


    2021 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie’s | Walt’s


    2021 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings


    2021 NFL Draft Scouting Reports








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