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Kenny Golladay, WR, Northern Illinois: 2017 NFL Draft Scouting Report

By Brady Lunt

Dec 23, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Northern Illinois Huskies wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) runs the ball as Boise State Broncos defensive lineman Kamalei Correa (8) defends during the first quarter in the 2015 Poinsettia Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Northern Illinois Huskies wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) runs the ball as Boise State Broncos defensive lineman Kamalei Correa (8) defends during the first quarter in the 2015 Poinsettia Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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With so many intriguing talents at wide receiver, it’s easy to get lost. Kenny Golladay may be one of those prospects who has the traits to continue at the next level…

After starting his collegiate career at North Dakota, wide receiver Kenny Golladay transferred to Northern Illinois where he would develop into the teams leading receiver and mostreliable offensive weapon.

In 2015, Golladay earned second-team All-MAC honors after finishing the season with 1,129 yards on 73 catches and 10 touchdowns. An equally impressive 2016 performance saw him take first-team All-MAC honors, after completing his second consecutive 1,000 yard season (1,156) along with eight touchdowns.

Despite steady production, Golladay has flown relatively under the radar. While his combine performance wasn’t bad, it did little to separate him from the pack. His draft stock is a bit of a challenge to hone in, as some teams will likely be intrigued by his size while others may be turned off by technical issues. One thing is for certain, Golladay could be a productive weapon on the right roster.

Measurables

Height: 6’4″

Weight: 220 lbs

Arms: 32 inches

40-yard: 4.50 seconds

Strengths

The first, and obvious, thing that jumps out at you when watching Golladay is his size. At 6’4″, nearly 220 pounds, he possesses the size and length that many teams are pursuing. His size also shows a frame that could handle more weight.

Shows a wide catching radius and made some pretty impressive catches. Was a go-to target for the stable of quarterbacks who saw playing time in 2016 for the Huskies. Demonstrates a strong knack for working cornerbacks and fighting for positioning. High-points the ball and has shown he can use his length to his advantage.

A height, weight, speed prospect that could develop into a steady contributor down the road. Against Toledo (video below), Golladay put together one of his top 2016 performances, finishing with 14 catches, 149 yards, and one touchdown.

Weaknesses

Despite his label as a height, weight, speed prospect, he ran a 4.50. This time ranked him 19th (tied) among all wide receivers at the NFL combine. While not a bad number, it’s something he needs to prove won’t limit his play in the NFL.

In addition, Golladay needs to improve his play after the catch. Too often he relied on quarterbacks to get him the ball deep, rather than making plays in space. Needs to be a more effective route-runner, instead of relying on his size and speed to gain separation.

Final Thoughts

Kenny Golladay is one of my favorite prospects in this class. He possesses elite physical traits, with a frame that should allow him to get bigger and stronger. If he can maintain (and improve) on his speed, while also developing a better route tree, his potential is sky-high. He’d be an excellent addition for a team looking for a size receiver that they can mold as a dangerous threat in the red zone.

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