Combine results
GRADE
5.47
DeAndre Smelter (WO38)
HT: 6'2" WT: 226LBS.
POSITION: WR
SCHOOL: Georgia Tech
ARM LENGTH: 32 5/8"
HANDS: 11"
COMBINE RESULTS
ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
Big receiver with physicality to match. On hitch routes, showed shake to make first defender miss and also showed he can punish defenders with a stiff-arm. Talented after the catch. His football intelligence really stands out. Has understanding of leverage within his routes and will adjust his route to counter the defender's actions. Able to create separation underneath by pushing cornerbacks with good route speed. Consistently worked back to quarterback when plays got off schedule. Uses wide frame to box out cornerbacks on back-shoulder throws near the boundary. Wins when ball is in the air with physicality, body control, well-timed leaps and strong hands. Capable run blocker. Great competitor with mature background.
WEAKNESSES
Suffered an ACL tear late in season and timetable for 2015 return is uncertain. Average foot quickness for his size, which could lead to some slowness in release against press coverage. Takes an extra step to gear down into breaks. Played just two seasons of college football. Limited exposure to full route tree in Georgia Tech's triple-option offense. Overly reliant on size and body control for catches. Ability to separate from athletic cornerbacks is a concern for scouts and has been exacerbated thanks to ACL tear.
SOURCES TELL US
"I hate that he tore his ACL. We throw the phrase 'athlete' and 'competitor' around quite a bit in this business, but he embodies that. If he hadn't had a shoulder problem, I think we would be talking about him as a major leaguer right now." -- NFC Area scout
NFL COMPARISON
Eric Decker
BOTTOM LINE
Like Eric Decker, Smelter is a former baseball player with outstanding hand-eye coordination. Both will have entered the draft with questions lingering about a season-ending injury (Lisfranc for Decker). Smelter is an uber-athlete with a background of excellence in every sport he has played. He plays well beyond his experience level at wide receiver. His toughness, natural instincts and football intelligence should earn him a spot on a depth chart, provided there are no lasting effects from his ACL tear.
-Lance Zierlein
I don't see Eric Decker at all. Anquan Bolden or super sized Steve Smith maybe. Smelter has foam finger hands. I'm pretty sure this is the largest at the combine.
GRADE
5.4
Darren Waller (WO41)
HT: 6'6" WT: 238LBS.
POSITION: WR
SCHOOL: Georgia Tech
ARM LENGTH: 33 1/4"
HANDS: 9"
COMBINE RESULTS
ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
Yet another Georgia Tech receiver with great length. Plays to his height. Gathers himself and boxes out defenders on fades and jump balls. Uses long arms and gets on his ladder to sky over cornerbacks and high point throws. Effortless strider with untapped vertical speed to go yard. Plus body control. Usually gets two feet in bounds on sideline throws. Plucks the ball with extended hands. Doesn't fear hits from safeties. Almost impossible to guard on back-shoulder throws. Confident and competitive when the ball is in the air.
WEAKNESSES
Will lose speed when turning to locate ball. Shield blocker in run game, giving very modest effort by Georgia Tech standards. Raw route runner with limited exposure to complex routes. Rounds off in-breaking and out routes. Needs improved understanding of leverage and how to create separation with it. Allows smaller cornerbacks to crowd him. Forced just two pass-interference calls over the last two seasons. Limited production and targets over career.
NFL COMPARISON
Brian Quick
BOTTOM LINE
Late bloomer who is faster than quick and has coveted size-speed combination. Waller isn't just a tall receiver, he has legitimate hands and body control and can impose his size on mismatched cornerbacks. Waller has a low floor, but with a little more competitive fire and technique work, he could become a legitimate touchdown maker in the league.
Been posted before... Extremely small hands (he can't eat a whopper) pretty accurate assessment imo
