2016 NFL Draft Profile: Josh Doctson, WR TCU

TCU wide receiver Josh Doctson has experts all over the place evaluating his talent for the 2016 NFL Draft, but how would he fit with the Minnesota Vikings?

Before the NFL Scouting Combine, one of the names that was used in Mock Drafts the most often when it came to the Minnesota Vikings #23 overall selection in the 2016 NFL Draft was TCU wide receiver Josh Doctson. Much of that has changed now, as many other players have been mocked to the Vikings, but Doctson is an interesting player that many experts can’t seem to agree on.

The game tape on Doctson doesn’t lie. He’s a dangerous playmaker. But looking at how that translates to the NFL level can be interesting. There seems to be a lot of debate about his ability to be physical with defenders and fight for possessions as well as his need for improvement on the crispness of his route running.

Still, there are plenty of reasons to love Josh Doctson. He’s got amazing leaping ability and a good initial burst of speed when the play starts. On paper, he has the statistics that lead many to believe that he can be a #1 receiver in the NFL, catching 214 passes for 3177 yards and 34 touchdowns in his 3 years at TCU and one year at Wyoming.

Here are the measurables that Josh Doctson had at the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine according to NFL.com:

Feb 27, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas Christian wide receiver Josh Doctson runs the 40 yard dash during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Height: 6’2″

Weight: 202 pounds

Arm Length: 31 7/8

Hand Size: 9 7/8″

40 Yard Dash: 4.50 seconds

Weightlifting: 14 reps

Vertical Jump: 41″

Broad Jump: 131″

3 Cone Drill: 6.84 seconds

20 Yard Shuttle: 4.08 seconds

60 Yard Shuttle: 11.06 seconds

Josh Doctson compares to:

CBS Sports: Jordan Matthews, Eagles
NFL.com: Terrance Williams, Cowboys

Fit for the Minnesota Vikings:

With the recent news that the Vikings are going to try to work out a deal with Mike Wallace to stay in Minnesota, it is unsure as to whether or not the team will be looking for another wide receiver. However, if the front office sees him as a #1 wideout, they’ll be likely to pull the trigger on him if available in the first round.

My Take:

I like what I see from Doctson, but I don’t love it. The deeper I look past the highlight videos and check out the game tape, the more frustrated I get watching the rounded routes and indifference to run blocking. With Stefon Diggs emerging as a solid #2 wide out and plenty of depth with Jarius Wright and Adam Thielen, it seems as though it would become Doctson vs. Wallace on the outside.

I couldn’t justify a first round selection based on that, but if he falls into the second round like some experts are saying he might, the gamble could be worth it there once the Minnesota Vikings grab a stud in round one.

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