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* RD 2 Bengals Select Tyler Boyd, WR *


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6'1

197 lbs

4.58 (40)

Despite experiencing uneven quarterback play during his time at Pitt, Boyd became the most prolific pass-receiver in the school’s history, setting records for receptions (254 in three years) and receiving yards (3,361). Boyd grew up not far from Pittsburgh, and stood out even in a football-crazy state like Pennsylvania, setting the state record with 117 career touchdowns and winning the Class A Player of the Year twice. As a freshman, Boyd didn’t disappoint, garnering third-team All-ACC honors with 85 catches covering 1,174 yards and seven scores. He also ran for 108 yards and earned 425 kick return yards for the season, as well as returning a punt 54 yards for a score in the team’s bowl game. Boyd received first team all-conference nods as a receiver in his sophomore (78-1,261, eight TD receiving) and junior (91-926, six TD receiving, 349 rush yards), while collecting second-team All-ACC honors as a returner in 2014 (442 kick return yards, 162 punt return yards). With all of that production in just three seasons, it was no surprise Boyd entered the 2016 NFL Draft.

Pro Day Results


40-yard dash: 4.5 seconds

Analysis

Strengths

Ultra-competitive. Known for powerful hands that clamp instantly onto ball and finish heavily contested catches. Has over-­the­-middle toughness. Plays with outstanding body control and has ability to gyrate and contort in mid­air in order to make acrobatic catches look easy. Brimming with confidence. Targeted 124 times or more in each of his three seasons. Able to create window through route polish. Sinks into breaks and comes out low with good turn radius when needed. Sits in space and slows routes when necessary to prevent safety from crowding him in deep middle. Has handled some kick return and punt return duties during his time at Pitt.

Weaknesses

Relatively low touchdown production to target rate. Marginal long speed. Isn't a threat to run by corners and has to win with routes and hands. Just a possession receiver much of the year. Limited YAC potential due to lack of shake in open field and power to break tackles. Became a fumble factory on punt returns this year and ball security must be addressed. Lacks juice to be full-­time kick returner. Separation windows close quickly due to average get­away quickness out of breaks. Needs to use body better to protect the catch rather than just relying on strong mitts.

Sources Tell Us

"I think he can overcome some of his speed deficiencies with good routes and he has hand strength like (Jarvis) Landry in Miami. I would take him in the second or third." -- AFC East scout

NFL Comparison

Keenan Allen

Bottom Line

Pittsburgh asked Boyd to be a running back and possession receiver this season, but that doesn't define what he can be in the pros. Boyd makes up for a lack of speed with vice ­grips for hands and being intelligent in his routes. Boyd isn't a stand­alone WR1, but he can be a very productive starter in a play-­action attack that allows him to play to his strengths.
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Tyler's are the new Johnsons

 

i like the pick... He'll contribute from day 1. 

 

Also like that he was probably Stealers fans (the real ones from Pittsburgh, not the bandwagoners all over the country) favorite college player. And he's on our team now. Hahahaha suckas

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PLAYER OVERVIEW

A three-year starter, Boyd played with three different starting quarterbacks each of his three years with the Panthers, but his production was consistent each season, leaving Pitt as the school's all-time leading receiver. 

 

With streaky quarterback play and running back James Conner sidelined for 2015, the Pittsburgh play-calling manufactured touches for Boyd as the clear top playmaker on offense, including hand-offs and shorter routes.

 

Boyd saw early playing time as a true freshman, starting 10 games and leading the team with 85 catches (new ACC freshman record) and 1,174 receiving yards, breaking Larry Fitzgerald's Pittsburgh freshman records in both categories. 

 

Boyd started 12 games in 2014 as a sophomore and set a career-best with 1,261 receiving yards to become the first player in ACC history to tally 1,000-plus receiving yards in both his freshman and sophomore seasons, earning First Team All-ACC honors. 

 

He started 12 games in 2015 as a junior and led the team in receiving for the third straight season with a career-best 91 catches for 926 yards (only time he finished below the 1,000-yard mark) and six touchdowns. Boyd was the lone unanimous First Team player on the All-ACC team.

STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES

STRENGTHS: Gliding athlete with an instant accelerator to reach his top speed with his initial strides. Sharp cuts and burst off his plant foot, mixing his gears well in his patterns. 

 

Quick release off the line of scrimmage with natural route running prowess, setting up defenders and selling routes with beautiful body fakes. Easy body control to twist mid-air and adjust to obscure ball placement. Excellent hand-eye coordination with strong hands to pluck, extending his catching radius beyond what most his size can - attacks the ball, doesn't wait for it. 

 

Lack of body strength shows in traffic, but surprisingly efficient in contested situations. Tough over the middle and always looking to pick up yards after the catch with his innate field awareness. Highly competitive playing temperament and lunch pail worker. 

 

Lined up everywhere in the Pitt offense, including outside and in the slot. Also lined up as a running back (8.3-yard career rushing average, 63/520/1) and quarterback, displaying a strong arm to be a passing weapon (3-for-4 passing in his career for 96 yards). Return man on special teams, averaging 24.4 yards on kickoff returns (46/1,124/0) and 8.8 yards on punt returns (27/238/1). Leaves Pitt with the school career records for receiving yards (3,361) and receptions (254).

 

WEAKNESSES: Underwhelming size with a thin torso and lean body features. Limited bulk and lacks the power to fight through tackle attempts or pick up yards after initial contact. Lacks an ideal build to take consistent punishment in the NFL. 

 

Majority of his routes at Pitt are within seven yards of the line of scrimmage (screens, slants, etc.) and unproven as a consistent downfield threat. Will hear ghosts around him, leading to focus drops. Holds the ball too loose as a ballcarrier, leading to ball security concerns. Struggles to gain correct positioning as a blocker with below average functional strength - too easily pushed around and needs technique work to mask his lack of power. 

 

Off-field decision-making needs investigated - arrested and charged with a DUI (June 2015), leading to a suspension over the summer and 2015 season opener.

 

COMPARES TO: Nelson Agholor, Philadelphia Eagles - Agholor has a little more twitch and Boyd is more detailed, but there are similarities on film between the two wide receivers.

 

IN OUR VIEW: A graceful athlete, he trusts his hands and uses quick eyes to snatch and immediately analyze his surroundings, but his body size does lead to durability concerns, especially over the middle. Despite average measureables, Boyd is an exquisite catcher of the football and able to stand out by paying attention to the details, putting his value in the top 50 range. His ideal NFL fit is in the slot in a Jarvis Landry-type role.

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He looks like a more athletic Marvin Jones.

I wonder how measureables compare coming out of combine.

He's a bit slower, but he's a really good route runner and has good hands.

And just to make the rivalry more interesting his family is a bunch of stealer fans.  I wonder if they convert?

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Stealer fans are pissed again as he was a hometown Pittsburgh guy and star at Pitt ... it's like Marvin (who is also from Pittsburgh) is now just fucking with Stealer fans and the city ... it's personal bitches! :P

Their 2nd round pick doesn't look overwhelming either.

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