2019 Raiders Draft Prospect Profile

Name: D.K. Metcalf

Position: Wide Receiver

School: The University of Mississippi

Height: 6’3”

Weight: 230 pounds

Draft Projection: Day 1

Stats

Hands

With Metcalf, there is no catch that seems beyond his grasp. With long arms and a superior catch radius, he easily grabs the ball out of the air in a variety of circumstances. When contacted by a defender with the ball approaching, he maintains proper balance and anchor, jostling with the defender to make the sure grab. As a result, no quarterback should fear throwing the ball his way while he’s tightly covered. Chances are Metcalf, depending on ball placement will win that battle.

Speed

On any level, receivers Metcalf’s size is pigeonholed into the slow-footed possession route. However, he is a far different type of wideout. With seven receptions over 50 yards in two seasons, Metcalf shows the vertical burst to get open deep and the explosion to get even with the corner and then pull away. Moreover, his powerful strides are the key to the ability to blur downfield.

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Route Running

Regardless of the route, Metcalf explodes from the line with power. When jammed, he will either used hand quickness, or raw power to throw the corner away. After, during his route, he cuts sharp, precise angles, giving his quarterback an open target to find him.

Agility

Despite his large frame, Metcalf displays quick feet and hip flexibility, in order to sell his routes or cut across the field at a moment’s notice. Under those circumstances, he becomes a nightmare for any corner.

Red Flag

While his traits make him the first receiver off the board, Metcalf does present an injury risk. While he healed from a broken foot in 2016, his neck raises eyebrows. In October 2018, Metcalf sustain a neck injury that required season-ending surgery. While the extent and exact description of the trauma suffered remains unknown, doctors cleared him last week.

Raiders Fit

With three picks in the first round, the Raiders could select Metcalf. On the other hand, is he a top five pick? How healed is his neck? If he is healthy and the doctors give him a clean bill of health, Metcalf is the best receiver, based on physical tools and ceiling in this draft. Yet, that if remains the scariest part of the conversation. Meanwhile, on the first, he easily steps into the number one wideout slot on the team. Derek Carr would have his true lead wideout. Edgar Bennett and Jordy Nelson could mentor Metcalf about the nuances. In return, the Raiders would get a player capable of scoring from anywhere on the field and provide them with the consistent hands that Amari Cooper could not.