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Scouting The Draft: Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt

We continue to look at some of the top prospects for the 2014 NFL draft in relation to the Jets.

By David Wyatt Hupton
Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Introduction

Can you tell we are now just a month away from the draft, we're going into overdrive with reports to try and bring you as much information before me and Scott go live on draft night. We've focused heavily on the cornerback and wide-receiver position so far this year and we are going to continue the trend now with the all-time leading receiver in SEC history, Jordan Matthews.

Matthews leaves quite the legacy at Vanderbilt. He ended his commodores career as the all-time leader in receptions in SEC history (262) as well as the all time leader in yards in SEC history (3,759). He set school records for touchdowns (24), receptions and receiving yards. To put it quite frankly, he is one hell of a productive player, a productive offensive weapon in what is widely considered to be the best defensive conference in college football.

Jordan Matthews is considered by many to be a second round talent that could fall into the third depending on how the draft board fell.

Mesurables

Height: 6'3

Weight: 212lb's

Arms: 33 1/4"

Hands: 10 3/8"

40 Yard: 4.46

Bench: 21

Vertical: 35.5"

Broad: 120"

3 Cone: 6.95

20 Yard: 4.18

60 yard: 11.84

Statistics

Year Receptions Yards Average Long Touchdowns
2013 112 1477 13.2 55 7
2012 94 1323 14.1 78 8
2011 41 778 19,0 49 5
2010 15 181 12.1 35 4

Positives

  • Highly productive receiver at the college level.
  • Excellent speed, size combination with good length and nice vertical ability.
  • Very balanced athlete who has excellent body control.
  • Uses his frame well, knows how to use his body to block out defenders.
  • Gets in and out of his breaks quickly, doesn't round off. Nice control.
  • Shows good straight line speed and long strides to gain separation.
  • Good at adjusting to the ball once it is in the air.
  • A very reliable red-zone target.
  • Good versatility, has lined up inside and out and as a punt returner.
  • Tough competitor who gives good effort at all times, including when being asked to block
  • Leadership, was a team captain.
Negatives
  • Could do with putting a little weight on. Does get out-muscled in contested match-ups more than you would want.
  • Doesn't have elite speed, and only average acceleration off the line.
  • Does sometimes struggle getting off the line when faced with press-man coverage.
  • Needs to consistently catch the ball with his hands and not his body.
  • Has been known to drop a pass or two due to concentration lapses, but this isn't a massive problem.
  • Doesn't have much to offer once he has the ball in his hands.
Conclusion

I happen to really like Matthews. He has some good things to offer and his combination of speed and size make him an interesting target. I think he's a lot better than people give him credit for, and his production in the SEC is outstanding. He's a reliable possession receiver and he can present some match-up nightmares due to his size. For a second round prospect (I really don't think he lasts until the third), he could be the bargain of the draft.

Would I draft him for the Jets?

In the second round? absolutely with no hesitation.

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