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Introduction
Recently I've been focusing a lot of my time on the defensive side of the football. However we all know that we need offensive playmakers if we want to make it to the playoffs. Right now our offence is as close to being anaemic as you can get. Top round talent is needed, but complimentary players are also required. While watching the Superbowl I was looking at guys like Jermaine Kearse (undrafted) and Doug Baldwin (undrafted) as really nice complimentary players. So I decided to run with the Ryan Grant article this week, a guy who will likely find himself being drafted in the 4th or 5th round.
Ryan Grant was another 2 star recruit, which seems to be a feature this week. He wasn't highly recruited but he found his way onto the Tulane side. After being a stand-out in high school, leading the team in several receiving categories, he had to fight his way up the depth chart at Tulane. As a stand alone point, Grant was an honour roll student in high school as well as being a member of the career and community leaders of America. Character is always important in my opinion when looking at any young athlete.
Measurables
Height: 6'0
Weight: 197lbs
Class: Senior
Projected 40: 4.5-4.6
Statistics
| Year | Receptions | Yards | Average | Long | TD's |
| 2013 | 77 | 1039 | 13.5 | 49 | 9 |
| 2012 | 76 | 1149 | 15.1 | 68 | 6 |
| 2011 | 1 | 27 | 27.0 | 27 | 1 |
| 2010 | 33 | 515 | 15.6 | 73 | 4 |
| 2009 | 9 | 39 | 4.3 | 11 | 1 |
Positives
- Hands: Really soft reliable hands, sees the ball into his hands before turning upfield. Does well to adjust to balls while they are in the air.
- Route Running: Has good quickness and burst off the snap. Dangerous on quick slants and crossing patterns. Gains separation with short area quickness.
- Intelligence: Knows where and when to sit down in coverage. Always manages to find space despite lacking elite speed. Works over the middle well as well as outside.
- Physical Runner: Once he gets the ball in his hands, he automatically turns it upfield as runs through arm tackles, not afraid to mix it up with bigger players.
- Competition: Any player coming from the Conference USA will have questions raised about his level of competition. He's not facing elite defensive backs week in and week out.
- Nothing Flashy: You can call Grant Mr Consistency because that's what he is, he won't blow past you with his speed, he won't come down with a ball in triple coverage, but he's reliable.
- Ball Security: Needs to tuck the ball away more, runs with it very loose and will have it knocked away at the next level, needs to get that strapped to his body when running.
RYAN GRANT TULANE 2012 HIGHLIGHTS (via ben brave)