Jaydon Mickens, WR, Washington: 2016 NFL Draft Scouting Report
By Ross Woomer
Jaydon Mickens enters the 2016 NFL Draft after seeing playing time in all four seasons at wide receiver at the University of Washington. He ranks number two in school history for all-time receptions with 203.
As a freshman, Mickens caught a touchdown at Colorado and started in UW’s bowl game versus Boise State. He started as a sophomore and was tabbed for 22 of his final 27 games.
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He played in the 2016 NFLPA Collegiate bowl and accumulated over 2,000 career receiving yards.
Measurables
Height: 5′ 11″
Weight 170 lbs
40-yard dash: 4.51 seconds
Vertical jump: 35.5 inches
Broad jump: 10’1″
Bench press: 15 reps
Strengths
Mickens is exciting to watch. He makes decisive, ankle-breaking cuts and plays on his toes with quick, swift moving feet. He has break-away speed and knows how to run the football.
He isn’t afraid to take a hit and is able to hang onto the ball. He reels in passes thrown in tight space, has good sideline presence, and is a creative route runner.
On 32 attempts, Mickens recorded three rushing touchdowns and 190 rushing yards at UW.
Weaknesses
Mickens is smaller in stature and lacks the eyebrow-raising height for a receiver. He doesn’t always get-up for the football and rather waits for the ball to come to him. Mickens doesn’t have the best hands and a lot of his highlights were end-around runs.
This shows he has great vision and natural ball carrying abilities but his catching consistency could use some improving. Mickens plays with 100% energy and approaches every defender ready to make him miss, however his ability to make defenders miss won’t come as easily at the professional level.
Potential Fits
Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants
Final Thoughts
It’s obvious on tape that Mickens plays to have fun and with passion. He’s smaller, but strong for his size. Mickens excels at running the football and finding and penetrating open holes. He flashes self-confidence when in front of a microphone and is a serious candidate for being a late-draft steal.
Teams looking to add speed or a potential special teams returner to their depth chart will take a look at Jaydon Mickens.