2020 NFL Draft scouting report: Penn State wide receiver KJ Hamler
Complete 2020 NFL draft scouting report for explosive former Penn State wide receiver KJ Hamler.
The 2020 NFL Draft is loaded at the wide receiver position, there’s no question about it. The big names like Jerry Jeudy, CeeDee Lamb and Henry Ruggs III get all the attention, but there’s a receiver from the Big 10, KJ Hamler, who is deserving of some attention too. This is my scouting report on 2020 NFL Draft prospect, KJ Hamler.
Measurables and Production
Height: 5-9
Weight: 176 pounds
Career Stats (26 Games): 1,658 yards, 13 touchdowns
Redshirt Sophomore (2019) Stats: 904 yards, 8 touchdowns
The production isn’t incredible, but he had his best year in 2019. Let’s see what the film had to say.
Film Assessment
Games Watched: 2019: Michigan, Ohio State, Memphis, Iowa
Separation Ability: Quick twitch player. Crisp route breaks, and he sells breaks well. Hamler does well to separate from defenders at the top of his route. Fantastic speed and quick feet allow him to sell his breaks well and have quick cuts. Will tear up man coverage because of his quickness. Will find spacing in zone coverages, tough to cover in short or intermediate ranges, will create separation easily.
Hands: Guilty of not extending for the ball. Sometimes lets the ball come into his frame. He will need to do better at going out to get the ball in the NFL as defenders in the NFL will be able to break-up a pass if he continues to wait for the ball. Catching balls in short to intermediate ranges isn’t an issue; usually has enough separation between him and defenders. Needs to improve vertical receiving skills as a whole.
Contested Catch: Not the most physical of receivers. Won’t typically try to win through contact. Doesn’t win in traffic. Size really limits how physical he can be at the catch point. Will get outmuscled by defenders. Tough to use him in vertical passing routes due to the lack of physicality. Will not be someone you want in contested situations at the next level; generally suited for short-intermediate routes where he can use his natural ability to separate.
YAC Ability: Fantastic in the open field. Lightning quick and can easily pull away from defenders. Can’t give him much space or he will make you pay. Shows a mix of fantastic breakaway speed and lightning-quick feet allow him to make people miss and move around in the open field with ease. Sees the field well and can navigate around it with ease when given the chance.
Functional Athleticism and play strength: Athleticism is no problem at all. Strength is a concern. Slight frame causes him to get out-muscled while blocking and in contested situations. Will work primarily from the slot to maximize athleticism and minimize strength deficiencies
Film Grade: Second Round Evaluation
Summary:
Hamler is a highly athletic receiver who will primarily run out of the slot. With his dynamic ability in the open field and strong ability to create separation, he will be successful against man coverage where he can go one-on-one with a corner.
Next. Two-round 2020 NFL mock draft. dark
He won’t win against physical corners due to the lack of strength and size, but a good coach won’t ask him to. In an age where athletic receivers are winning more and more, K.J. Hamler could be a popular target on the second day of the 2020 NFL Draft.