The jury is still out for what Pittsburgh wide receiver Tyler Boyd can be at the professional level, but will the Minnesota Vikings be checking him out?
There is a lot of debate over what kind of player Pittsburgh’s Tyler Boyd is. Is he a slot receiver? Can he play outside? Is he a running back? Is he a gadget guy? These kind of questions can make analysts worry that he’s a jack of all trades, but a master of none. However, there are enough encouraging things about Boyd that he will be giving a shot during day 2 of the 2016 NFL Draft.
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Boyd shows the heart of a champion. He has a drive and determination to be the best at anything he is asked to do. Accelerating quickly, Boyd can reach top speeds pretty quickly, which could make him a favorite to be an immediate contributor on special teams. The fact he can play multiple positions could add value to his draft stock. Finally he has some of the most sure hands in the draft, not dropping contested passes often.
Sadly, those hands don’t seem to be as good for holding on to a football. He had a major problem with fumbles and that is an issue that will have to be addressed by any team drafting him. In addition, Tyler Boyd might not be a player who can stretch the field, as he struggles to get separation when going vertical. Also, his suddenness doesn’t seem to be apparent when running routes.
Here are Pittsburgh wide receiver Tyler Boyd’s numbers from the events at the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine according to NFL.com:
Height: 6’1″
Tyler Boyd compares to:
- CBS Sports: Nelson Agholor, Eagles
- NFL.com: Keenan Allen, Chargers
Fit for the Minnesota Vikings:
Minnesota could be looking to add a wide receiver in the 2016 NFL Draft and if they fail to land one of the top prospects, they may take a look at Tyler Boyd. But that all depends on if they see more of a Keenan Allen type player or if they see a guy who won’t be able to find a niche in the league.
Next: 5 WR options for the Vikings in the 2016 NFL Draft
My Take:
I don’t see the Vikings looking for a project pass catcher. Especially not one that has fumbling issues considering how Minnesota needs to control time of possession and how every single opportunity on offense is important for the team. While some team will want to see what they can get out of Boyd, I don’t think he’ll be high on the Vikings list of wide receiver options.