2023 NFL Draft Prospect Watch: Boston College WR Zay Flowers Will Be NFL Superstar

The Boston College Eagles have not sent a wide receiver to the NFL Draft since Kelvin Martin went in the fourth round in 1987. Zay Flowers will snap the 35-year-long streak, but how high can the uber-talented wide receiver go in 2023?

Zay Flowers has been one of the most explosive players in college football over the past few seasons. In his first year on campus, Flowers recorded more rushing attempts than receptions, showcasing his ability as a gadget player.

When the 2020 season came around, Flowers got his chance to shine as a pure pass catcher. The shifty wide receiver posted 56 receptions, 892 yards, and nine touchdowns through the air.

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The counting numbers dipped a tad in 2021, but Flowers put up a career-high 17 yards per reception. The Boston College standout saved his best for last in 2022, and even after being offered lucrative NIL deals from other schools during the offseason, he remained loyal to the BC program.

In only six games thus far, Flowers already tallied 42 receptions, 556 yards, and five touchdowns. These numbers put Flowers on pace to eclipse the 1000-yard mark and double-digit touchdown plateau in his final campaign with BC.

Whether or not he reaches these lofty marks, Flowers is only beginning his football story. The game-breaking wideout is making waves on the college football scene and has subsequently landed on NFL Draft radars everywhere.

The 5-foot-10, 172-pound receiver will be docked for his size when the NFL Draft process plays out. Teams would be wise to look closer than the measurements with Zay Flowers.

Flowers possesses NFL traits in droves. The best of these traits include god-given athleticism, underrated route running skills, an ability to catch footballs in traffic, and body control the likes of which I’ve never seen.

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Flowers has multiple plays in his collegiate career that show his small frame jumping over the top of a defensive back to haul in a catch downfield. It is not often that a player of Flowers’ size Moss’s someone, but several deep balls ended this way.

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It’s fair to assume that the jump balls will be less frequent on Sundays, but every other trait should follow Flowers to the league. I would be stunned if he isn’t one of the fastest players at the position in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Straight-line speed isn’t the only selling point with Flowers’ athleticism. He makes the defenders look silly when the ball is in his hands. Several quick-hit plays resulted in Flowers making his assignment touch the grass. All it takes is one cut, and he is gone.

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As far as route running goes, Flowers’ route tree could use more diversity, but that will come with experience. He’s shown to be proficient on the routes he’s typically sent out on (go-routes, deep crossers, out-routes, curls). There is nobody in this class better at tracking deep balls downfield.

To further support the argument for Flowers as a top pick, the Boston College senior rarely shies away from contact. He’s smart enough to know when to go down, but Flowers will fight through traffic to secure the catch if necessary. Flowers’ hands are strong at the catch point.

The biggest drawbacks for Flowers will no doubt be centered around his size. Due to his slight frame, Flowers doesn’t profile as a plus run blocker. He’s also unlikely to spend his career on the outside, which will cause some teams to look past him.

I have talked to a few different talent evaluators, and Flowers is a unanimously loved prospect. Not everyone views him as a day-one pick, but it’s becoming a consensus that Flowers comes off the board sometime on day two. As for me? He’s worth a top-32 pick every single time if you ask me.

Boston College travels to No. 13 ranked Wake Forest Saturday afternoon for an ACC showdown in Winston-Salem. Zay Flowers has another chance to flex his otherworldly explosiveness with NFL scouts watching. Tune in at 3:30 ET; I promise Flowers alone is worth the viewing.