Josh Harper
Fresno State, WR
Height: 6.1
Weight: 180
Age: 23
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Athleticism: B-
Has good playing speed and has the foot speed and quickness to gain vertical separation. Has good agility for a player of his height and shows off good to very good burst and acceleration. Was able to hang with athletes from Power 5 teams.
Catching: B-
Has a good set of hands and outright drops are very rare. Shows the ability to pluck outside his frame especially to his left or right. Adjusts well the errant pass laterally. Has some difficulty scooping low throws. Has good focus and can make the catch in traffic without taking his eyes off the ball or hearing footsteps. Leaping ability is just average and has not had much success with jump balls. Needs better sideline awareness, especially in the endzone with where his feet land.
Routes: C+
Is very quick moving off the line and can be dangerous when he gets a free release. Capable of using his hands and upper body to beat press coverage, but lacks physicality in his routes and can be outmuscled in jump ball situations and downfield. Didn’t run a wide variety of routes in Tim DeRuyter’s spread offense, but showed good burst out of his breaks to separate one-on-one. Has the athletic ability to stretch the field and be a vertical threat for a quarterback excels at bucket throws.
After Catch: C+
Slick mover after the catch and shows wiggle and elusiveness on bubble screens. However, doesn’t run with power and would duck out of bounds for no gain, rather than make any contact with a defender. Vision with the ball in his hands is just adequate.
Blocking: D
Scrawny, even for a wide receiver and lacks much power and toughness as a blocker. Will get in the way, but doesn’t throw an actual block very often, and effort is underwhelming. Gets downfield well, but is more of a lamppost than a brick wall for defenders to get past.
Red Flags: Level of Competition, Frame, Minor Durability Concerns
Bottom Line: Fresno State has produced a number of talented NFL receivers in the past several years under Pat Hill and Tim DeRuyter, and Josh Harper is just the latest. While Harper is athletic and can catch, he lacks a physical element to his game and his effort can be dictated by opponent and situation, two things which must change to succeed in the NFL. However, Harper has the tools to develop into a solid number two receiver in a West Coast offense.
Comparison: Terrance Williams
Grade: 8.3 (3rd Round)
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Main Photo: Cary Edmondson – USA TODAY Sports
