Overview
Position: Wide receiver
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 195 pounds
School: LSU Tigers
Combine Performance Data
40-yard dash: 4.52 seconds
Bench press: 11 reps
Vertical jump: 39.5 inches (third among wide receivers)
Broad jump: 11 feet, 3 inches (second among wide receivers)
Three-cone drill: 7.19 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.26 seconds
Malachi Dupre 2017 NFL Draft Profile
LSU’s Malachi Dupre is a prime candidate for evolving into a better pro than he was a college player. His services were heavily underutilized in LSU’s run first offense that also featured very poor quarterback play. Leonard Fournette was the star of the show and that left LSU’s receivers out of the spotlight. This means that it’s unclear what NFL teams may be getting with them.
During his freshman season, Dupre logged just 14 receptions. What stands out from that campaign is his five touchdowns and 22.7 yards-per-reception average. When Dupre did get the ball, he usually picked up yardage in chunks. His primary role was a big play guy they could use every once in a while to take advantage of match-ups and exploit defenses. His big frame helped him be a contributor the moment he stepped on the field. Dupre’s 318 yards and five scores that year were actually good for second on the team in both categories.
In 2015, Dupre’s sophomore season, he stepped up as the team’s number one receiving option. He had his career best season and led his team in receptions (43), yards (698) and touchdowns (six). Those numbers would be typical of a team’s number three guy in a more pass-oriented offense. LSU simply stayed away from throwing the ball. They had no reason to do it because their running game was so potent.
Malachi Dupre’s junior season was statistically similar to his 2015 season, though he saw a drop off in scoring. He had 41 receptions, 593 yards, and just three touchdowns. He led his team in all three categories, which speaks to how little the LSU offense used its receivers. To put those numbers into perspective, Devin Lauderdale of Texas Tech, the nation’s top passing offense, had 31 receptions, 307 yards, and two touchdowns. Lauderdale was sixth on the team in yards, fifth in receptions, and tied for fifth in touchdowns. Dupre’s numbers have been unimpressive due to low usage, but he still leads his team by a wide margin.
Strengths
- Good hands;
- Eager to pick up yards after catch;
- Fantastic size;
- Athletic;
- Willing blocker.
Weaknesses
- Speed average at best;
- Developmental prospect;
- Slow off the snap;
- Separation needs improvement.
NFL Comparison: Kelvin Benjamin
Teams with Need a Position: Los Angeles Rams, Carolina Panthers, Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals
Projection: Round five or six
Bottom Line
Malachi Dupre was seriously underused at LSU and his potential is still untapped. He is a raw prospect who will need time to learn and get accustomed to the league, but there’s a lot of upside once that happens. Dupre is physically what teams look for in a wideout with a big 6’4 frame, and at just 195 pounds there’s room for him to add weight. Dupre will likely be a late round pick but once he gets a couple years in the NFL he has potential to be a starting receiver because of his build and skill set.
