'Why Zay Flowers?'
Height & Weight
5'9 -- 182lbs
Ascension grade
Pro-bowl ceiling
55.86 -- WR #4
High-end traits (80th percentile & up)
Separation quickness
Transitional capabilities
Early acceleration
Creating yards post-catch
Movement toolbox
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Low-end traits (30th percentile & down)
Physicality
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Stylistic comparison
Curtis Samuel meshed with Jerry Jeudy
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Projected role comparison
Multi-purpose weapon with primary receiver upside (Kadarius Toney)
Flowers is that kid on the playground everyone hated at recess if you were on the other team.
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The kid with the eyes in the back of his head that no one could put a hand on.
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Gifted mover with some of the best open-field anticipatory skills I've evaluated at receiver. To be able to make the catch and simultaneously make #8 miss.....man.
Wins with both variation and precision in space.
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Negates contact extremely well for a smaller statured receiver - deploys spins to redirect defenders if he feels an over pursuit.
Kadarius Toney-like creativity to his game. Every time he touches the ball you can't predict the outcome or what he is going to do stylistically.
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Free-flowing, constraint free tools that have a mind of their own.
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In-route, abrupt & urgent are the words I would use to describe Flowers.
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As unpredictable during routes as he is post-catch - a good decelerator who gets in & out of steep angles quickly.
On outside breaking routes from the slot he is an extremely tough cover.
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Can get into the defender's hip and snap out of his breaks.
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Baits the defender into a severe overplay here as well.
Not overly physical at the LOS, but is urgent in getting to his landmarks to make himself available for his Quarterback.
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Shows good play speed on vertical routes, doesn't lose speed when tracking flight paths.
This was a play that stuck out on tape even though he didn't get the ball (bottom of the screen)
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The re-direct here is impressive when the defender shows boundary-side leverage.
Deep comebacks, and stop patterns are part of his repertoire as a route runner.
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He can diversify his tree a bit to incorporate more digs, and in-breakers, but this is an encouraging sign that he isn't solely a slot only prospect.
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Deviates path slightly inside, then stops and re-directs towards the boundary to make the play.
Doesn't do this in spades, but shows the ability to make difficult grabs with traffic or near traffic.
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Primarily will be a short to intermediate option in the league, but he presents a threat here as well.
The Quarterback play at Boston College didn't allow for many timing patterns or a tree that showed Flowers depth of talent - however, we see it here.
Can turn, track, and contort to make a play.
If he wants to be an everydown starter in the NFL this is something he will have to show with regularly.
Expectations & Range of outcomes
Said it before & I'll say it again - he has the highest upside in this cycle at receiver along with Quentin Johnston. Has the movement tools, field IQ and three-level potential to be a cornerstone player at his ceiling.
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I am expecting a Stefon Diggs like Ascension with Flowers, moving from secondary option in an NFL offense to one of the league's premier receivers with experience.