2020 NFL Draft scouting report: Colorado WR Laviska Shenault
After a career filled with mediocre production. What does the film say about 2020 NFL Draft prospect Laviska Shenault?
There is no shortage of talent at the wide receiver position in the 2020 NFL Draft. Jerry Jeudy, CeeDee Lamb and Henry Ruggs have pretty much solidified their spot in the first round, but there are still talented players like Laviska Shenault hoping to hear their name called on night 1 of the 2020 NFL Draft. This is my scouting report on Colorado wide receiver, Laviska Shenault.
Measurables and Production
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 220 pounds
Career Stats (27 Games): 149 Receptions-1943 Yards-10 TD
Junior (2019) Stats: 56 Receptions-764 Yards-4 TD
Shenault was put into a tough situation in terms of production. The quarterback play at Colorado was not the best, but he was still their top option. However, despite his modest production, the tape shows a different story.
Film Assessment
Games Watched: 2018- Nebraska, UCLA. 2019- Oregon, USC, Colorado State, Nebraska
Separation Ability: Consistently able to beat press coverage with physicality and quick movements. He breaks off his routes with harsh turns and suddenness. Consistently separated from DBs but wasn’t thrown to frequently.
Shenault can beat off-coverage with his fantastic speed; he has blown right by defenders in off-coverage. Route tree isn’t as developed as you like to see, but that could be due to the schemed touches Colorado liked to use him in. Not polished as a route runner quite yet.
Hands: Snags the ball out of the air well and has strong hands to hold onto the ball. Not the best ball tracker, but when he’s able to get his eyes on and it make a play for it, he’ll most likely come down with it. Comfortable in short to intermediate areas and will allow that ball to get to him before he takes off with it.
Contested Catch Ability: Fantastic ability to get up and beat the DB at the catch point. He is an extremely explosive player who can out-muscle defenders and box them out. Overall, he’s a physical player who fights for good positioning and will often beat the defender.
His frame gives him the size to be able to fight for positioning against bigger defenders and his explosiveness and secure hands allow him to fight for the ball at the catch point and come down with it.
RAC Ability: Smart in the open field. Has fantastic field vision to become a threat in the open field. There isn’t much experience in this area, but he could be used in the return game. He seems to know what he’s going to do as he catches the ball. Shenault has great speed and if he can make people miss, it’ll be tough to catch him.
Blocking Ability: Has the size and frame to be a productive blocker, but he seemed disinterested. When he’s been engaged as a blocker, he wins, but he doesn’t always want to block. The want-to seems to be a theme in Shenault’s game, he’ll sometimes take plays off but it is most evident while watching him blocking.
Best Trait: RAC Ability
Worst Trait: Blocking
Film Grade: 2nd Round Evaluation
Summary
Shenault projects as a starting receiver at the next level but it might take a year for him to reach his full potential. He has a rare blend of size and athleticism that makes him incredibly versatile. However, there are many little things he will need to work on at the next level to reach his full potential.
Three-Round 2020 NFL mock draft. dark. Next
He needs to develop his route running skills, ball tracking, and overall want-to at the next level. Shenault sometimes takes plays off, but that can be coached out of him. We should expect to see Shenault as a starting X receiver within two years in the NFL.