Tulsa wide receiver Keyarris Garrett could be a steal in the late rounds of the 2016 NFL Draft for the Minnesota Vikings, but has some issues to work on.
With all the talk about wide receivers in the 2016 NFL Draft, one name that is largely overlooked is Tulsa’s Keyarris Garrett. The reason for this is unknown, because when you watch Garrett, you see an NFL pass catcher on tape. But it’s the little things that can scare teams away from wanting a guy like him on their team.
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Physically, Garrett has the tools needed to be a star in the NFL. He’s got the height, leaping ability, and agility to be a mismatch for almost any cornerback. When you add in his long arms and ability to pinpoint passes, he is one of the best in the 2016 NFL Draft at winning jump balls.
There are some problems though. His routes need work and he needs to work on acceleration off the snap. Ability to get separation can be a big problem if he can’t fix those two big areas. He’s also too patient, and needs to show more aggressiveness to get to the football and make a contested catch without drops due to concentration issues.
Here are Tulsa wide receiver Keyarris Garrett’s numbers from the events at the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine according to NFL.com:
Height: 6’3″
Keyarris Garrett compares to:
- CBS Sports: -none-
- NFL.com: Rodney Smith, Cowboys
Fit for the Minnesota Vikings:
If the Vikings fail to get a top wide receiver in the first couple rounds of the NFL Draft, Minnesota may look to pick up a guy like Garrett in hopes of developing him into a red zone threat because of his size. However, it is unlikely he will be a top priority for the team, as he is still a work in progress.
Next: 5 WR options for the Vikings in the 2016 NFL Draft
My Take:
If the best wide receivers are gone in the first two rounds, taking Keyarris Garrett in the third round isn’t a huge gamble. He provides a different skill set from the other pass catchers on the roster, and although he would need a lot of development, he does have the potential to be a breakout player in the NFL. It is just the dropped passes and acceleration issues that scare me the most, as well as the route running. If he can work on those, he could be a value pick for the Vikings.