2014 NFL Draft Profile: Donte Moncrief, WR Ole Miss

Nov 23, 2013; Oxford, MS, USA; DUPLICATE***Mississippi Rebels defensive back Tony Conner (12)***Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Donte Moncrief (12) advances the ball during the game against the Missouri Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Missouri Tigers defeat the Mississippi Rebels 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports

University of Mississippi wide receiver Donte Moncrief is one of those players that is only missing a few things in order to be a high profile draft option.

He stands 6’2″ tall and weighs in at 221 pounds.  He has a thick body and a nice acceleration that helps him get separation from opposing cornerbacks, but lacks the top end speed to pull away from them.  If he had that super fast top end speed, he would for sure be a first round selection in this year’s draft.

The only other issue with Donte Moncrief is his catches.  While he shows off some of the softest hands on tape, he also makes his fair share of mistakes by trying to catch too many footballs with his body rather than his hands.

Donte Moncrief is a smart player.  He can use his body well in the run game as a blocker as well as he can against opposing cornerbacks.  He also uses that intelligence combined with quick feet to be one of the best route runners in this year’s draft.  Instead, he is projected by many draft experts to be an early selection on day two of the draft.

Here are his statistics over 3 years at Ole Miss:

Jul 16, 2013; Hoover, AL, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Donte Moncrief talks with the media during the 2013 SEC football media days at the Hyatt Regency. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

38 games played

156 catches

2,371 receiving yards

20 receiving touchdowns

Strengths

•  Big, thick body
• Great route runner
• Accelerates well
• Excellent hands

Weaknesses

•  Lacks elite speed
• Catches the ball with his body too often

Fit For The Vikings

Minnesota needs to find competition for the current group of wide receivers that will be entering training camp.

My Take

Donte Moncrief could be an elite talent at the NFL level.  Currently, he is seen as a borderline first round talent that could slip into the second.  However, I don’t see Minnesota using their first or second round pick in the draft on him.