WR's Thread
PostPosted:9 years 5 months ago
Written by Joe Marino on January 9, 2016
The NFL produced only seven running backs that topped 1,000 rushing yards in 2016, the lowest total since 1991. On the contrary, 26 wide receivers eclipsed the 1,000 yard receiving mark. The value of having receivers that can create offensive production is at an all-time high in the NFL.
NFL teams in search of finding a young, talented receiver to add to its arsenal of offensive weapons must have Rutgers WR Leonte Carroo on its radar. Selected as the team MVP and offensive MVP as a senior, Carroo put together an outstanding college career that demonstrated consistent growth as a player throughout. That steady progress included a yards per game average that rose from 47.8 in 2013, to 83.5 in 2014 and 101.1 as a senior this past season. Carroo caught 29 touchdown passes over his final three seasons with 10 each in his junior and senior years.
A big play threat, Carroo averaged an outstanding 19.5 yards per catch during his college career. Carroo has an obvious second gear that propels him past his opponent and consistently finds himself behind the secondary. He is a smooth runner and naturally glides with his stride. Adept at tracking the ball down the field, Carroo adjusts his body to the football and excels at extending his arms away from his body to haul in passes. He displays good focus and concentration at the catch point to secure the football even when there is contact.
There is a lot to like about Carroo as a route-runner despite some deficiencies to improve upon. The number one item that standouts out to me when evaluating Carroo as a route-runner is his ability to cut and change directions with very minimal throttle down while snapping his head around and bursting in the other direction. He does a terrific job of working his speeds throughout his route to create separation and challenge his opponents ability to mirror during his pattern. Perhaps my favorite aspect of Carroo’s route-running is that he runs every route like he is getting the football with high effort. That type of consistency is rare.
The area that Carroo needs to improve upon regarding route-running is his release out of his stance. Too frequently, Carroo will rock back and have a gather step instead of exploding forward into his release. Physical, press corners at the next level will eat that up and Carroo will never get into his stem. Once Carroo does get into his stem, he shows savvy footwork to work through contact, eat up cushion and get into his breaks. Carroo will also need to show his ability to run a more complex route tree than he was asked to run in college.
My primary concern with Carroo is establishing body positioning on shorter routes which is problematic for him due to his rock back, gather step in his release out of his stance. Despite having excellent quickness, Carroo doesn’t separate as well on short, timing routes as you would anticipate. Carroo’s short arms are also his enemy when needing to body opponents on short routes. This is an area that needs work.
Listed at 6’1” and 215 pounds, Carroo has a stocky, muscular build to compliment his explosive athletic ability. He can pick up yards after the catch because he is decisive to get upfield and has tremendous burst despite not breaking many tackles.
When discussing Carroo, it unfortunately has to be noted that he was arrested and charged with simple assault under domestic violence but was later reinstated to the team. He was also suspended for the first half of the 2015 season opener for violating the team’s curfew. He will have plenty of questions to answer when meeting with NFL teams over the next few months.
Carroo is a player that I fully anticipate having a strong post season leading up to the 2016 NFL Draft at the end of April. His first chance to impress NFL evaluators is in Mobile, Alabama at the 2016 Senior Bowl. Plenty of opportunity will be given to excel in one-on-one’s and show off his hands,athleticism and show progress in the areas I have highlighted. If his play speed matches his timed speed, he will stand out at NFL Scouting Combine and there will be a buzz surrounding his name. All things considered, Carroo will be an intriguing prospect to monitor throughout the scouting process.
http://draftbreakdown.com/evaluating-ru ... te-carroo/
vs Maryland 2015
vs Mich St 2015
vs Indiana 2015