NFL draft profile: Ohio State WR Braxton Miller is worth the wait
Shutdown Corner is counting down the top 50 prospects in the 2016 NFL draft with a scouting report, quotes from NFL evaluators and a projection where they might be drafted.
50. Ohio State WR Braxton Miller
6-1, 201 pounds
Key stat: 24 catches, 329 yards, three TD receiving; 40 rushes, 234 yards, one TD rushing in 2015 after switching from quarterback to wide receiver
The skinny: After a thrilling season opener against Virginia Tech (three catches, 79 yards, TD; five rushes, 61 yards, TD) that had some whispering Heisman after one week, Miller faded to the background a bit in the Buckeyes’ loaded offense. But the two-time Big Ten Player of the Year quarterback looked like a polished receiver and dangerous playmaker again at the Senior Bowl practices, and he built on a good (not great) combine with a 4.41 40-yard dash at his pro day.
Best-suited destination: Miller might not be instant coffee in the NFL, and he’ll have to go to a team that is both willing to be patient with his development as a wide receiver, learning how to beat different coverages and set up defenders, and also manufacture his touches to make the most out of him. He’d be best in an offense that spreads the ball around, uses lots of three- and four-receiver sets and is willing to dial up a gadget play or two to get the ball in Miller’s hands each week. Teams such as the New England Patriots, Minnesota Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys, Carolina Panthers and Pittsburgh Steelers make a lot of sense for Miller.
Reason he’ll rise in draft: Miller is a special athlete — his three-cone drill and shuttle times at the combine show that — with great open-field running ability. So do his two 1,000-yard rushing seasons as a college quarterback. He also appears to be quite coachable and fully committed to a position switch that really could pay off in a year or two. NFL teams like his intelligence and personality.
Reason he’ll fall in draft: Impatient teams might want a more finished product on Day 2 of the draft, and Miller is still very green at the position. He might not have tremendous special-teams value, either, and he possesses neither elite size nor speed for receiver and might never be a true No. 1, even if he maxes out his potential.
Scouting hot take: “I’d take a chance on him. He slimmed down and looked good at the [Senior Bowl] practices. The [Dallas Cowboys] coaches seemed to really like him there. … [He’s] competitive and wants to get better.” — AFC West area scout
Player comp: Randall Cobb on the high end, Ronald Curry on the low end
Expected draft range: Second to third round
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Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Eric_Edholm
