Baylor
Ht. 5-10 Wt. 195
Hands: Wright has reliable hands and is prone to few drops. If they come they usually look to be concentration issues over the middle. He won’t drop many. His ability to track the football is uncanny and makes him so special. He brings in tough over the shoulder throws with a regularity. Despite being 5’10, he is a tenacious catcher that appears to want it more than defenders.
Route Running: Wright runs crisp routes as he can get in and out of his breaks faster than most. He has experience in the slot and outside and looks equally effective at either. Hands down the top vertical route runner in this draft. Shows the savvy to stem back to the sidelines on the deep fade and vertical routes prior to the catch to shield defenders.
After the Catch: Wright is extremely dangerous with the ball in his hands. Despite not having great size he possesses the power to break tackles in the open field as well run right by defenders. He’s an explosive and sudden runner that gets to top speed very quickly. If not for his prowess in the vertical game he could make a living running underneath coverage and turning up field for extra yards.
Athleticism: Wright’s a sudden athlete that possesses track speed and balance. The former three sport star doesn’t have elite size but makes up for it with plus strength and arm length. He has the long speed to stretch defenses vertically and the agility to make things happen in the open field.
Bottom Line: Kendall Wright is rated as my second best receiver in this draft and not far off from Justin Blackmon. He draws favorable comparisons to Mike Wallace of the Pittsburgh Steelers. His ability to stretch the defense on vertical routes and catching instincts make him a special player. With the top of the draft loaded with big receivers with adequate speed, Wright could benefit as he’s by far the fastest of the bunch. Wright is more than just a vertical, stretch the defense guy as he has the tools to be a solid all around receiver in the league.
Draft Projection: While most see him as a mid to late first round pick, I have him in my top 10 for the 2012 NFL Draft.
