2016 NFL Draft: A big-bodied, productive receiver at UCLA, is Thomas Duarte a top-130 talent at the position?
There are few wide receivers in the NFL Draft that are as big and physical as Thomas Duarte.
A dominant force at UCLA last season, Duarte compiled 872 receiving yards on 53 receptions, including 10 touchdowns. With the team’s offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone leaving, it made the junior’s decision that much easier.
Will the former Bruin regret bolting for the league a year too early, or is he ready to produce in the pros?
Let’s take a look at Duarte’s draft stock.
Vitals
Ht: 6-2
Wt: 231 pounds
Class: Junior
Hometown: Fullerton, CA
Prospect Video
Strengths
The biggest asset in Duarte’s game is his size. Using a broad, long frame with large hands, he’s able to overwhelm defenders. For a 6-foot-2, 231-pound receiver, the standout Bruin possesses some surprising speed and quickness. He gets off the line smoothly and can capably work the middle of the field or the outside. There are few passes thrown Duarte’s way that are out of his catch radius, as his size and ability to extend for the ball make him a tough matchup.
WeaknessesMore from NFL Mocks
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For how much of an advantage Duarte’s size is, his ability to make plays after the catch is severely lacking. He’s fairly easy to tackle in space and isn’t quick or fast enough to elude defenders. Not many can really dominate down the seam like Duarte can, but too often he’ll drop routine passes in traffic, which is something that needs to change if the UCLA product wants to make a 53-man roster.
Verdict
It’s hard to say if Duarte made the right decision to leave school a year early, forgoing his senior season.
He certainly has the size, athleticism and toughness to develop into a productive wideout, but there are some glaring concerns that need some work before that can happen.
A project receiver with a boatload of potential, Duarte can expect to be selected anywhere between the fourth and sixth round.