Overview
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 195 pounds
School: TCU Horned Frogs
Combine Performance Data
40-yard dash: 4.50 seconds
Bench press (225 pounds): 14 reps
Vertical jump: 41 inches
Broad jump: 10 feet, 11 inches
Three cone drill: 6.84 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.08 seconds
60-yard shuttle: 11.06 seconds
Josh Doctson 2016 NFL Draft Profile
The last two seasons have seen TCU figure prominently into both the Big 12 and national championship picture. Josh Doctson’s standout play at wide receiver is a major reason why. The Mansfield, TX native had over 1,000 yards receiving both seasons and finished his collegiate career as one of the best pass catchers in the history of Horned Frogs football.
But Doctson didn’t start out in Fort Worth. He actually committed to Wyoming out of high school and was a relatively unheralded three-star recruit. After his freshman season, he decided to transfer to TCU which was a mere stone’s throw from his hometown. He sat out a year per NCAA transfer rules and then set about making his mark on the school’s record book.
As mentioned before, those junior and senior seasons really stand out. He combined for 2,345 yards and 25 touchdown receptions and played a part in two of the most successful seasons in TCU history. The Horned Frogs went a combined 23-3 and narrowly missed out on a College Football Playoff appearance in 2014. His crown jewel performance came last season against Texas Tech when he had 18 catches for a school-record 267 yards and three touchdowns. Ironically enough, the previous record came against his former school Wyoming.
Doctson would finish as TCU’s all-time leader in touchdown catches with 29. He likely would’ve bested the school record in career receiving yards if not having to miss the final three games of the season after breaking his wrist against Oklahoma State. Despite the injury, he finished as a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award given to the nation’s most outstanding wide receiver.
Strengths
- has the body frame of a prototypical NFL feature receiver.
- lengthy arms allow him to reel in balls a tad overthrown.
- soft hands and almost effortless catching ability.
- good center of gravity and solid lower body strength.
- can high point the ball as well as any prospect.
- efficient route runner who can find requisite space in the secondary.
- exceptional lateral shiftiness gives him a yards after catch dimension.
- makes contested catches with regularity.
- won’t shy away from a high number of reps on a game-by-game basis.
Weaknesses
- decent frame as mentioned above but needs to add bulk to said frame.
- initial move off the line of scrimmage lacks decisiveness.
- could get corralled by physical corners in press coverage.
- can elude pursuers with lateral quickness but is often brought down on first contact.
- struggles with change of direction on horizontal routes.
- will need to improve as a blocker.
- minor durability concern after broken wrist ended his senior season.
NFL Comparison: Allen Hurns
Teams with Need at Position: Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints
Projection: Late first to early second round
Bottom Line
Doctson’s play over the past two seasons has most draft experts touting him as a top five receiver in this year’s class. He has plenty of characteristics you come to expect out of an NFL-caliber receiver. Consequently, there are some things he needs to work on if he is to realize his potential at the next level. Quarterbacks will love his ability to jump up and come down with the ball in contested situations. Scouts may worry about his lack of bulk and concerns he could get overwhelmed by speedy, physical corners.
The game continues to evolve towards pass-happy offenses and, as such, players with Doctson’s skill set will be high in demand. Though it’s possible he could hear his name called on day one of the draft, don’t be surprised if he has to wait a little bit longer.
