Michael Floyd of Notre Dame ~ 6.3/225
"Notre Dame wideout Michael Floyd finished this week’s game against Utah and CB Brandon Burton with four catches for 39 yards and one touchdown. And although he still showcases strong hands and the ability to use his big frame to box out a DB and go get the football, overall his game hasn’t been nearly as impressive this season as last.
He is now up to 227 pounds, which is a long way away from the 200-pound mark he came in at as a freshman — and it shows. Floyd is not generating nearly the same type of separation for himself out of his breaks, especially in the three-step game, as he did last season, isn’t as shifty off the line vs. press coverage and looks more like a bulked-up possession type guy than a game-breaking No. 1 type that he seemed to be last year. Burton was routinely able to get into his frame, re-route him off the football and made it tough for him to separate on all levels of the field. Even on Floyd’s touchdown catch he was jacked off the line and it took a special effort from him to adjust and make a tough snag out of his break.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I loved Floyd coming into the season — even thinking he might be the best WR prospect in the nation — but this additional weight has made him a tighter, less effective player which will cause him to fall some on draft day."
He is now up to 227 pounds, which is a long way away from the 200-pound mark he came in at as a freshman — and it shows. Floyd is not generating nearly the same type of separation for himself out of his breaks, especially in the three-step game, as he did last season, isn’t as shifty off the line vs. press coverage and looks more like a bulked-up possession type guy than a game-breaking No. 1 type that he seemed to be last year. Burton was routinely able to get into his frame, re-route him off the football and made it tough for him to separate on all levels of the field. Even on Floyd’s touchdown catch he was jacked off the line and it took a special effort from him to adjust and make a tough snag out of his break.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I loved Floyd coming into the season — even thinking he might be the best WR prospect in the nation — but this additional weight has made him a tighter, less effective player which will cause him to fall some on draft day."
"Skinny: The St. Paul, Minnesota native teamed up with 2010 second-round pick Golden Tate to give the Fighting Irish the deadliest one-two receiving punch in the nation. Many of Jimmy Clausen’s long pass completions were a product of Floyd’s ability to high-point the football and make catches in traffic. The wide out is blessed with impeccable timing, leaping ability, hands and concentration. In his last 14 contests Floyd has turned in nine 100-yard games and found the end zone 14 times. That’s the good…now for the bad. During that same stretch (starting on September 27, 2009) the Golden Domer has missed eight full games (out of a potential 22) due to injury. A knee strain caused him to miss three games as a freshman and he missed five more as a sophomore thanks to a broken collarbone. A strong finish to his 2009 season indicates that there are no long-term effects, but it certainly calls his durability into question. If he can avoid the trainer’s room in 2010 it will go a long way in securing a first round slot for Floyd when he decides to put his name in for the NFL Draft, which could be as soon as 2011. Checking in at number 19 overall on our 2011 NFL Draft watch, Floyd currently sits behind SEC standouts A.J. Green and Julio Jones, but the Notre Dame product possesses the skill set to challenge any and all comers as a pass-catching prospect. Gone are Clausen and Charlie Weis but with highly-touted Dayne Crist lining up under center (ok, mostly shut-gun) and Brian Kelly calling the plays, don’t expect any drop-off in Notre Dame’s aerial attack.
SCOUT'S TAKE
Entering his junior season Floyd stands out as one of the elite prospects in the 2011 NFL Draft in terms of upside, making him a possible top-10 pick if he declares following the 2010 campaign. His combination of football instincts, pro-style offense experience, a limitless route tree, exceptional athleticism and incredible hands make him a unique prospect at the position. He enters the season behind fellow juniors A.J. Green and Junior Jones, but that does not mean the Notre Dame product can’t emerge as the top wide receiver prospect in next year’s draft. Floyd has the potential to quickly become an elite number one receiver in the NFL and a quarterback’s best friend for a decade. More important than putting up gaudy numbers in Brian Kelly’s pass-happy offense, Floyd needs to prove to the scouting community that his previous injuries were fluky and not a forewarning of an injury-plagued career."
SCOUT'S TAKE
Entering his junior season Floyd stands out as one of the elite prospects in the 2011 NFL Draft in terms of upside, making him a possible top-10 pick if he declares following the 2010 campaign. His combination of football instincts, pro-style offense experience, a limitless route tree, exceptional athleticism and incredible hands make him a unique prospect at the position. He enters the season behind fellow juniors A.J. Green and Junior Jones, but that does not mean the Notre Dame product can’t emerge as the top wide receiver prospect in next year’s draft. Floyd has the potential to quickly become an elite number one receiver in the NFL and a quarterback’s best friend for a decade. More important than putting up gaudy numbers in Brian Kelly’s pass-happy offense, Floyd needs to prove to the scouting community that his previous injuries were fluky and not a forewarning of an injury-plagued career."
"Fluid and natural, Floyd effortlessly adjusts to the errant throw and makes the reception away from his frame. He’s an enticing target that uses his body to shield away opponents and effectively blocks off the line of scrimmage when necessary. Floyd shows deceptive speed on the field yet is not a true burner. His return from injury, which forced him to the sidelines part of last season, is long awaited."
"Positives: Graduated from famed Cretin-Derham Hall in St. Paul, Minnesota which has put out multiple sports stars (Joe Mauer, Paul Moliter, Matt Birk, Chris Weinke)... Has good speed, plays faster than his timed speed... Good initial burst off the line of scrimmage... Gets into his routes quickly... Solid runner in the open field, strong and can shed tacklers and also has some wiggle to him... Willing to make catches in the middle of the field... Catches the ball at its highest point... Regarded higher than former teammate Golden Tate who was a second round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft... Good red zone target, big frame and can out jump smaller defenders in the end zone... Has knowledge of how pro-style offenses work after playing for Charlie Weis his first two seasons.
Negatives: Had some leg issues during his freshman season... Missed time in 2009 due to a broken collarbone... Has had some fumbling issues in the past, carries the ball too far away from his body after he catches it... Not very explosive, is more of a slow-twitch athlete... May carry too much weight for his frame, lacks some flexibility and big play ability... Will be more of a possession receiver at the next level, had only two receptions in 2010 that went for over 35 yards."
Negatives: Had some leg issues during his freshman season... Missed time in 2009 due to a broken collarbone... Has had some fumbling issues in the past, carries the ball too far away from his body after he catches it... Not very explosive, is more of a slow-twitch athlete... May carry too much weight for his frame, lacks some flexibility and big play ability... Will be more of a possession receiver at the next level, had only two receptions in 2010 that went for over 35 yards."
"As a freshman in 2008, Michael Floyd started breaking a whole slew of Notre Dame records…and he even missed nearly three games at the end of the year due to an injury. His 48 receptions for 719 yards and seven touchdowns set records in every category for an Irish freshman. In 2009 Floyd once again had to compete with Golden Tate for receptions, but there was plenty of passing to go around for everyone. In yet another injury shortened season, Floyd caught 44 passes for 795 yards and nine touchdowns in just seven games.
Tate is gone in 2010 and this is Floyd's team now. Not having Jimmy Clausen around to throw the ball has dampened Floyd's junior campaign, but he is the team's leading receiver through eight games with 44 catches for 624 yards and six scores. At the same point last year, Floyd was making a lot more out of those catches, but that is not entirely his fault. For the third straight season, Floyd has missed some time with an injury. This time it was a hamstring issue. Floyd has toughed it out and is having some good games, but the offense disappears against better opponents.
With fellow receiver Theo Riddick nursing an ankle injury and tight end Kyle Rudolph out for the year, Floyd will get a ton of opportunities to make plays. Nobody else on Notre Dame is going to do it. Floyd's stock is slowly going down as injury concerns mount and Notre Dame inches their way to another .500 record. However, Floyd is a great all-around receiver and it is hard to see him dropping out of the first round."
Tate is gone in 2010 and this is Floyd's team now. Not having Jimmy Clausen around to throw the ball has dampened Floyd's junior campaign, but he is the team's leading receiver through eight games with 44 catches for 624 yards and six scores. At the same point last year, Floyd was making a lot more out of those catches, but that is not entirely his fault. For the third straight season, Floyd has missed some time with an injury. This time it was a hamstring issue. Floyd has toughed it out and is having some good games, but the offense disappears against better opponents.
With fellow receiver Theo Riddick nursing an ankle injury and tight end Kyle Rudolph out for the year, Floyd will get a ton of opportunities to make plays. Nobody else on Notre Dame is going to do it. Floyd's stock is slowly going down as injury concerns mount and Notre Dame inches their way to another .500 record. However, Floyd is a great all-around receiver and it is hard to see him dropping out of the first round."
"Floyd has suffered through a period of bad Irish football and has been one of the few bright spots on a marginal team. What has stood out especially this season is his physicality in the blocking game, where he will ride defenders into the sideline. He uses his body well to get positioning and routinely wins in traffic.
One of the greatest knocks is that he lacks elite, top-end speed, and too many catches are contested because of his inability to separate with speed or quickness. He does, however, have the toughness and field awareness to be effective inside in the short-and-intermediate passing game. And he tracks the deep ball very well, will climb the ladder to get it and really competes for the ball in the air."
One of the greatest knocks is that he lacks elite, top-end speed, and too many catches are contested because of his inability to separate with speed or quickness. He does, however, have the toughness and field awareness to be effective inside in the short-and-intermediate passing game. And he tracks the deep ball very well, will climb the ladder to get it and really competes for the ball in the air."
Fanatical FootBall Fiend on Michael Floyd
Meh. Looks like a good Receiver, not the great one that was expected at the beginning of the year. As such, he'll probably get over drafted.
As always, the preceding thoughts were regurgitated, derivative tripe, adding no value whatsoever, while in fact obliterating intelligent thought and offending the spirit of all decent men. You are now stupider for having read it, and are encouraged, in the strongest possible language, never to expose your eyes to this Site again.
As always, the preceding thoughts were regurgitated, derivative tripe, adding no value whatsoever, while in fact obliterating intelligent thought and offending the spirit of all decent men. You are now stupider for having read it, and are encouraged, in the strongest possible language, never to expose your eyes to this Site again.
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