With the fifth pick in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, No. 105 overall, the Cleveland Browns selected wide receiver Antonio Callaway of Florida. The pick was one of the most controversial selections in the entire draft because of the off-field transgressions of Callaway, including missing the entire 2017 college season (More on this in my next piece).

But, the talent is there in the former Gator receiver. In 26 games at Florida, he notched 89 receptions for 1,399 yards and seven touchdowns along with a rushing touchdown, a passing touchdown and three touchdowns as a returner. In his last action in 2016 as a sophomore, he had 54 receptions for 721 yards and three touchdowns with a rushing touchdown and a kick return touchdown.

Based on just the field, Callaway was one of the most talented receivers in the 2018 NFL Draft. What makes him so good? Well, let’s take a look at the strengths of wide receiver Antonio Callaway’s game.

Browns 2018 NFL Draft Film Room Series

QB Baker Mayfield: Strengths and Weaknesses

CB Denzel Ward: Strengths and Weaknesses

OL Austin Corbett: Strengths and Weaknesses

RB Nick Chubb: Strengths and Weaknesses

Edge Rusher Chad Thomas: Strengths and Weaknesses

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Explosive Speed

Callaway is an explosive speedster who can run past any defender. At the NFL Scouting Combine, Callaway ran a 4.41-second 40-yard dash. His speed is his best asset. He uses it to make plays with the ball in the hands, running past defenders for bigger gains. But, he also uses this speed to get open in his route running. He is a home run threat with this speed. Here are some examples of his explosive speed.

In the first play versus Kentucky, Callaway is lined up in a one-on-one matchup as the outside receiver on the left. Callaway’s speed wins in this play. With a nice play design, Callaway was able to draw single coverage. He comes off the line and does a nice stutter-step move to get the defensive back flat-footed. Callaway then shoots upfield and speeds past the defender with ease, gaining big separation. The receiver gives the quarterback a wide-open target with this cushion. Callaway is able to catch the ball and then finish it off for a touchdown using his speed to keep away from the defender.

The second play comes against Tennessee where Callaway is lined up as the outside receiver on the left side of the field. This is another example of Callaway using his speed to gain separation from his coverage. An off-man corner is covering him with just a single high safety to help over the top. Callaway comes off the line and runs seven yards downfield. He then fakes a post route by taking a step inside. This single step causes the cornerback to get flat-footed and squared. Callaway is able to take advantage of this using his breakaway speed. He is able to easily breeze past the corner and make a wide-open target for the quarterback to hit for a big gain.

The last play versus Florida State, Callaway is called to run a wide receiver sweep to the right. Callaway takes the handoff and starts to run to the right. He then sees the edge and hits it with his speed. He is able to beat multiple defenders who had the angle on him using his explosive speed. When all is said and down, Callaway sped down the field for around 20 yards.

Route Running

Callaway is a really talented route runner. He knows how to use his body and feet to fake out defenders and disguise his routes. He has quick feet to smoothly change directions. His route running ability is another thing that helps him gain separation. Another aspect of his route running is his intelligence to find open spots in the defense and to help the quarterback with an easier throw. He will work for his quarterback to get open and make the throw as easy as he can. Here are some examples of his route running ability.

In the first play versus Kentucky, Callaway is in the right slot where he is supposed to run a flag route. He gets off the line and is covered by just one defensive back. When he reaches the defender, who lined up in off coverage, Callaway uses his quick feet to fake an outside route. His fake to the outside causes the defender to make a false step to the outside. This allows Callaway to get past the defender. He then stacks the defender, moving over the top of the defensive back so he cannot regain his spot alongside the receiver. He is wide open as he cuts to the pylon, but the quarterback misses him.

In the second play versus Alabama, Callaway is lined up in a one-on-one matchup versus 2018 first round pick Minkah Fitzpatrick on the left side of the field. Callaway is running a quick slant route into the inside. The receiver comes off the line and hesitates for a second to make Fitzpatrick get nervous and make a jab at him. This jab plays right into Callaway’s move. He swipes the defensive back’s arms to swim inside for the slant. The move allows him to gain the inside positioning and a little separation for the quarterback to hit him for a touchdown.

The final play comes against Tennessee where Callaway is lined up on the right side of the field. Callaway runs a beautiful stop and go route. He runs upfield off the line of scrimmage and begins to slow and make the move to come back inside after ten yards. But, rather than run a comeback route, Callaway instead exploded back up field and past the corner covering him. The fake move by the receiver fools the corner and gets him off balance, allowing Callaway to easily get past the defender. Callaway gets wide open for the quarterback to hit for a big gain.

Returning ability

Callaway is a great returner in both kick and punt returner situations. In his two seasons at Florida, he averaged 29.3 yards per kick return with one touchdown in his six kick return attempts. In 54 punt return attempts, he averaged 12.1 yards per return with two career touchdowns in those 54 returns. Callaway uses his speed, vision, and playmaking ability to make big plays as a returner. Here are some examples of his great returning ability.

In the first play versus Iowa, Callaway catches the punt on the left hash marks. He almost immediately has to avoid the first defender to get downfield. Callaway is able to break the tackle of the defender but is then faced with another defender closing into his face. Callaway is able to stop almost to a complete stop, causing the defender to fall down. The returner runs down the sideline after that, breaking yet another tackle attempt and then spinning around a fourth defender to finish off a really productive return of around 25 yards.

The second punt return comes against Alabama. Callaway catches the return and is given quite a bit of running room. He decides to head straight upfield, right through the coverage team. He uses his explosive speed to split the Alabama coverage team and find an open field where only the punter stands in his way. Callaway easily bursts past the punter and runs all the way for a touchdown.

The last punt return is against LSU. He catches the punt and almost instantly slips, but luckily the first defender overruns him, allowing Callaway to regain balance and head upfield. He goes through the middle of the coverage team but then sees a blocker setting up, so he shoots to the outside, around the block, where there is open field. He then sets up another good block by staying tight to the inside, so the blocker ahead of him can stay locked in front of the defender. He then cuts to the outside and speeds past the defender before he can get free from the block. This leaves the punter and one last defender in front of him. But, Callaway is too fast and is able to outrun both players all the way to the endzone.

Playmaking ability

Callaway is a playmaker. When the ball is in his hands, he can make plays. He uses his speed to turn plays into bigger ones and can make defenders miss with his strength and some quickness. His playmaking ability also extends to him as a pass catcher. He is able to make some incredibly hard catches look easy. He can make plays as a receiver, a rusher, and a returner. Here are some examples of his playmaking ability.

The first example of Callaway’s playmaking ability comes against Kentucky. He is lined up in the right slot, running a post route versus the zone coverage of Kentucky. The receiver runs up the field and after about ten yards, he cuts inside. The quarterback throws the pass, but the throw is a little high. But, Callaway is able to put his right arm out and grab the pass for a one-handed catch. He made a play where many receivers would not have been able to with that poor ball placement throw.

The second play comes against Tennessee late in the fourth with Florida trailing. Callaway runs down the field and finds an open gap in the coverage for the quarterback to complete the pass. When he makes the catch, Callaway heads back toward the line of scrimmage to cause the first closing defender to miss and overrun him. Callaway is able to cut back upfield around the defender who closed too hard on his catch position. He then receives a beautiful block from a teammate that helps spring him. He finishes the playoff with his blazing speed to run all the way to the endzone for the go-ahead touchdown.

The last play comes against Ole Miss. Callaway is running a crossing route from the right side of the field. He is able to get open under the coverage, giving the quarterback an easy throw to complete the pass. When he makes the catch, Callaway looks like he is going to try to split the four defenders trying to close in on him. But, he fakes that move with a step and then cuts back to the outside. This causes the outside defender to close too far inside, exposing the left edge. That defender is unable to make even an attempt to tackle the receiver. That fake step allows Callaway to speed to the outside where a final block from one of his fellow receivers helps him get into the corner of the endzone for a touchdown. He was able to make a play after the catch in this play.