FlankerBack Paul Richardson ~ Colorado
Buffaloes ~ 6003/175
Buffaloes ~ 6003/175
Regarding Flankers
Flankers ~ or FlankerBacks ~ for those who don't know and are interested in knowing ~ are the "Wide Receivers" who line up a step or two off the Line of Scrimmage on one end or the other ~ hence the term "Flanker."
They tend to be smaller than the Split End though usually larger than the SlotBack, if there is one.
And they're actually considered "Backs" ~ like HalfBacks or FullBacks...or QuarterBacks!! ~ which I find rather cool.
*Please do note, though: Schematically, the Flanker is whoever lines up as the Flanker...But for the purposes of these Scouting Reports, I am applying this NomenClature to those who are Flankers by trade, so to speak: Those whose Skills Sets apply best to that particular Job Description. What their Coaches might do with them, once they're drafted, is another matter all together. Ditto, the Split Ends & SlotBacks. In any case, many play multiple Roles.
The most compelling Attributes of a FlankerBack in the 21st Century, are, in my view, and in no particular order:
Separation. Getting Open. This encompasses their ability to beat Press, their Acceleration out'f the Blocks, their Routing Precision, their Agility, their Ricochet, their capacity to outsmart Defenders, and their Instincts.
Catching. This encompasses Hands, Catch Radius, Vertical Agility, and Timing.
Navigation. How well he Navigates the Field in Pursuit of Yards After Catch: Power, Agility, and Field Vision.
Blocking. Having a WideOut who doesn't Block effectively is like having 10 Men on the Field of Battle.
They tend to be smaller than the Split End though usually larger than the SlotBack, if there is one.
And they're actually considered "Backs" ~ like HalfBacks or FullBacks...or QuarterBacks!! ~ which I find rather cool.
*Please do note, though: Schematically, the Flanker is whoever lines up as the Flanker...But for the purposes of these Scouting Reports, I am applying this NomenClature to those who are Flankers by trade, so to speak: Those whose Skills Sets apply best to that particular Job Description. What their Coaches might do with them, once they're drafted, is another matter all together. Ditto, the Split Ends & SlotBacks. In any case, many play multiple Roles.
The most compelling Attributes of a FlankerBack in the 21st Century, are, in my view, and in no particular order:
Separation. Getting Open. This encompasses their ability to beat Press, their Acceleration out'f the Blocks, their Routing Precision, their Agility, their Ricochet, their capacity to outsmart Defenders, and their Instincts.
Catching. This encompasses Hands, Catch Radius, Vertical Agility, and Timing.
Navigation. How well he Navigates the Field in Pursuit of Yards After Catch: Power, Agility, and Field Vision.
Blocking. Having a WideOut who doesn't Block effectively is like having 10 Men on the Field of Battle.
Paul Richardson Scouting Report
Separation ~ Extraordinary. Richardson will probably always have some difficulty getting off Press Coverage because'f'is wiry Frame, but he brings a dynamic fusion of Acceleration and Fluidity to the table, he is an highly impressive Route Runner, and he displays an outstanding sense of Timing and Spatial Diagnostics for finding the Open Zone.
Catching ~ Exceptional. Tremendous Hands, Timing, and Vertical Agility. Can get Boxed Out, though.
Navigation ~ Excellent. Explosive combination of Acceleration and Fluidity. Won't drag too many Defenders, mind you.
Blocking ~ Decent. Strong Effort, dubious Frame for the job.
Catching ~ Exceptional. Tremendous Hands, Timing, and Vertical Agility. Can get Boxed Out, though.
Navigation ~ Excellent. Explosive combination of Acceleration and Fluidity. Won't drag too many Defenders, mind you.
Blocking ~ Decent. Strong Effort, dubious Frame for the job.
Paul Richardson Prospectus
Paul Richardson exhibits a genuinely exciting Fusion of explosive Acceleration, silky-smooth Fluidity, and Route Running Prowess that is actually startling in its development and intricacy. Watching him work Route Trees, shuck left and fake right, and work up and down the Gears, all to baffle and befuddle Defenders, is, like the extraordinary Matt Waldman tweeted, very much like watching a savvy Veteran out there. And his nose for the Open Zone is exceptional.
There are certainly more talented WideOuts coming out next Month, but I don't believe that there are any WideOuts in this entire Draft Class, as ridiculously deep as it is, who're more prepared to make an immediate Impact.
I should also note that I do not share the prevailing worries about how well he'll hold up at The Next Level. I do not suggest that his wiry Frame isn't a concern in that regard, only that small guys build long Careers all the time.
He might also very well play SlotBack, part time or even full time, which'd be advantageous in getting him away from Press Coverage while unleashing his remarkable fusion of Acceleration and Fluidity with more Space to work with.
Most likely, he'll be moved around a bit, between Flanker and SlotBack. He could definitely excel at either.
Thanks, as always, to the extraordinary Work by the men of Draft BreakDown!!
There are certainly more talented WideOuts coming out next Month, but I don't believe that there are any WideOuts in this entire Draft Class, as ridiculously deep as it is, who're more prepared to make an immediate Impact.
I should also note that I do not share the prevailing worries about how well he'll hold up at The Next Level. I do not suggest that his wiry Frame isn't a concern in that regard, only that small guys build long Careers all the time.
He might also very well play SlotBack, part time or even full time, which'd be advantageous in getting him away from Press Coverage while unleashing his remarkable fusion of Acceleration and Fluidity with more Space to work with.
Most likely, he'll be moved around a bit, between Flanker and SlotBack. He could definitely excel at either.
Thanks, as always, to the extraordinary Work by the men of Draft BreakDown!!
Yank Rank: Beast ~ SemiSleeper!!
| Consensus Market Value 2nd/3rd Round | Yankee Grade 1st Round |
Please Note: This and all Evaluations issued by this Site are produced by a ludicrously unqualified Amateur, privy to not even the tiniest fraction of Coach's Tape, Scouting Expertise, Face to Face Interviewing, Experience, or Inside Information enjoyed by the Professionals. As such, anything put forth is certainly misinformed, euphonious, derivative Tripe, and should be rejected out'f hand and indeed shunned by all men of Good Will!!
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