Justin Hardy
East Carolina, WR
Height: 5.11
Weight: 188
Age: 23
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Athleticism: C+
Doesn’t have the best timed speed, but is field fast and can occasionally threaten vertically. Has good burst and accelerates very well. Is more fluid than sharp or explosive. Is more of a football player than an athlete. Vertical leaping ability appears to be pedestrian.
Catching: B+
Has very good hands and focus to catch the ball off his frame. Outright drops are rare, but won’t make dazzling one-handed catches on the regular. Does a great job of adjusting to the football, something he had to do with regularity for the Pirates. Can make the back shoulder catch and adjust along the sidelines and in the end zone. Better at scooping the low thrown ball than the one over his head. Comfortable making the catch in the middle of the field, but did not have to work in traffic very often.
Routes: C-
Played in a spread offense and didn’t run a wide variety of routes or experience the kind of tight coverage that he will face in the NFL. Lacks a sharp or explosive element as a route runner, but is very fluid and flashes physicality as well. Gets off the line well, and does not get locked down at the line of scrimmage. Utilized primarily from the slot, and likely will play there in the pros, as well. Worked the short and intermediate game mostly, and did not get many opportunities downfield.
After Catch: B
Tough to tackle and even tougher to bring down. Is constantly spinning and fighting when defenders get a hand on him and excels at moving the chains on short throws. Has plus vision and is good enough to return punts in the NFL.
Blocking: B
An above average blocker, who, while he doesn’t sell out in the running game, is very effective blocking downfield and on screens. Patient and doesn’t whiff. Fluid and strong enough to stay engaged with his man.
Red Flags: Level of Competition, System Player
Bottom Line: Justin Hardy is one of the rare collegiate players who posts ridiculous numbers in a college offense and has the tools to be very productive in the NFL as well. Hardy is a slot receiver who is physical and elusive, and can pitch in on special teams as well. He is an ideal fit for a west coast offense and compares favorably to former Notre Dame receiver Golden Tate.
Comparison: Golden Tate
Grade: 8.8 (2nd Round)
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