Cat Scratch Reader
What questions surround the most debated prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft?
Nothing gets the people going quite like arguing over prospects in the NFL Draft. By this time in the process, fans and analysts alike are locked into their convictions about whether a player is destined for a bust in Canton, or selling paper products out of the office park down the street.
While everyone has their opinions, it is always a good exercise to take a break from the extreme ends of the discourse and get an understanding about why certain players draw more disagreement than the rest of their counterparts. With that in mind, let’s take a look at what makes some of the most hotly contest prospects in this years draft so polarizing, and what key questions the Carolina Panthers must ask themselves when considering putting these players in the black and blue.
One of the most discussed players of this draft cycle is Xavier Worthy – and for good reason. He became a household name after setting the 40 yard dash record at the NFL Combine with a blazing 4.21 second finish. That’s not just track speed either, as his explosiveness shows up on the field too, evidenced by a 99th percentile PFF Game Athleticism Score. Worthy could provide difference making speed both down the field and creating yards after catch once he gets the ball in space.
While he’s extremely fast, some of that is due to him being a razor-thin 5’11 and 165 lbs. He didn’t miss any games during his college career, but coming into the NFL with a 1st percentile weight invites concern about his fragility, especially once he starts taking hits over a seventeen game NFL season. Beyond injury concerns, he has little strength and that weakness shows up as a blocker and when he needs fight through contact at the catch point.
Key question: Is Worthy going to be an explosive receiver with consistent enough production to warrant a top 40 pick, or will his size limit his versatility to just being a one-trick pony in the NFL?
Keon Coleman’s highlight reel is one of the most entertaining in this year’s draft class. Coleman uses all of his 6’3, 215lb frame to his advantage by routinely out-competing defensive backs at the catch point, sometimes only needing one hand to get it done. Coleman also works hard in the run game as a dominant blocker, considered by many to be the best in that department among this years crop of receivers. Coleman’s game speed is commendable and he was the fastest receiver in the gauntlet drill at the NFL Combine. He also returned some punts at Florida State and that skillset shows up after the catch.
While being able to win contested catch situations is certainly a good thing, it should not be the primary aspect a NFL player’s game is built upon. Generally speaking, players who...
