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Braxton Miller, WR , Ohio State: 2016 NFL Draft Scouting Report

By Eric Robinson

Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Braxton Miller (1) against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Buckeyes defeated the Fighting Irish 44-28. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Braxton Miller (1) against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Buckeyes defeated the Fighting Irish 44-28. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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In recent seasons, we’ve seen Matt Jones, Ronald Curry, Terrelle Pryor, Josh Cribbs, and Tom Brady’s right hand man, Julian Edelman. What these men have in common is the unique switch from collegiate signal callers to wide receivers. A task that may seem simple to some but is more complex than you think.

So for Ohio State quarterback turned wide receiver Braxton Miller, the switch may have not only elevated his career but it may have been a move that should have happened a long time ago. Can Miller make the proper transition? Let’s hop into his scouting report to find out.

Braxton Miller

Height: 6’1

Weight: 201 lbs

Strengths: Combine results of 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash, 35 inch vertical jump, 10 feet 3 inches in the broad jump….NFL size with room to be in the 210 lb range…..Plenty of burst and acceleration to create separation in his routes….Solid ability as a route runner given only one season of WR experience…..Applies very impressive hand/eye coordination & concentration…..Exceptional footwork…..Able to score or create big plays at any point on the field….Plays with a chip on his shoulder….Displays leadership by willingness to learn and sharpen football IQ….Impressive Senior Bowl week showed he’s further along than expected.

Weaknesses: As stated earlier, Miller only has one season of WR experience….Roughly two seasons away from being truly ready for the NFL level on a full-time basis…..Blocking needs to improve……Hands are good but has room to grow….Shows a tendency to run his routes upright which allows defensive backs to easily disrupt his routes/timing…..Has gotten by in certain occasions due to raw athleticism. Of course with his one season on the job, not a whole lot of production as Miller only racked up 25 total catches all last season.

Bottom line: There is something about Miller when watching his tape. He looks as if he’s a natural at certain times. His ability in the open field is electric. If you have to hold your breath at times when watching him, it’s common. Defenders seems to do the same. The only way Miller can reach his true ability is patience.

Miller needs to be patient as does the coaching staff that drafts him. Given time, Miller can be a swiss-army knife for a team. In many occasions such as Miller’s, a converted QB is usually occurring at the pro level instead of the collegiate level where scouts, GMs, and coaches can take a first hand view on what he could actually turn out to be.

He’s as electric and dependable when he’s executing an end-around as he his on the open field. The move to wide receiver was a calculated and logical move for Miller and his NFL future. If, and that is a reasonable if, Miller reaches his ceiling, the former QB can be one of the best playmakers in the entire league.

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