Overview
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 190 pounds
School: Memphis Tigers
Combine Performance Data
Bench Press: 22 reps (second among wide receivers)
Anthony Miller 2018 NFL Draft Profile
Though he might be one of the smallest receivers of this draft class, do not let Anthony Miller‘s size fool you. He plays with a big chip on his shoulder and put up impressive numbers while at the University of Memphis.
Miller was born in the city of Memphis and became a two-sport standout at Christian Brothers High School. As a football player, he finished his career as the school’s all-time leader in receiving yards (1,779 yards) and second in receiving touchdowns (14). During his senior year, Miller helped lead the school to a state quarterfinals appearance and was named to the All-Mid-South Team at the conclusion of the season. He participated in the 2012 Liberty Bowl All-Star Classic and shined as he scored two touchdowns in his final high school football game. Miller was also a four-year varsity hurdles runner for the school’s track and field team and became the 2013 110m hurdles state champion with a time of 14.44. The same year, Miller finished second in the state’s long jump competition with a jump of 22’11.75″.
Despite the impressive numbers in both sports, Miller flew under the radar and was an unranked prospect on both ESPN and Rivals.com. He did not receive any D-1 offers and decided to walk-on at his hometown university. Miller made the team and redshirted his first year but he impressed the coaches enough during that season and was named the offensive scout team player of the year. The following year, Miller suffered a preseason injury that forced him to miss the entire 2014 season.
As a sophomore, Miller started four games and played in all 12 that season recording 47 catches, 694 receiving yards and seven total touchdowns (two rushing). The following year, Riley Ferguson took over at the quarterback position and Miller really excelled with his new teammate. In 2016, Miller hauled in 95 catches, 1,434 receiving yards, 14 touchdowns and had eight 100-yard receiving games – all being school records. Miller was named to 2016 All-American Athletic Conference second team and decided to return for his senior season.
Miller went on to break all of the records he set the previous season finishing his senior year with 96 catches, 1,462 receiving yards, and 18 touchdowns. His 18 receiving touchdowns was best in the NCAA last year and he was eventually named a Consensus All-American. Miller was invited to play in the 2018 Senior Bowl, but he suffered a foot injury during the Tigers’ bowl game which caused him to miss an extended period of time. Miller was not fully healthy by the time of the NFL Combine and could not participate in any of the on-field drills. He only participated in the interviews and the bench press.
Strengths
- combination of great footwork and hands to get off press coverage;
- exceptional route runner;
- explodes out of breaks;
- can play both outside and slot receiver;
- ran the whole route tree while in college;
- excellent with the ball in his hands after the catch;
- wins a lot of 50-50 balls despite his small stature;
- high intensity, high motor player;
- does not back down from a challenge, an ultimate competitor;
- has great footwork near the sidelines;
- capable kick and punt returner;
Weaknesses
- lacks ideal size;
- has tendency to drop short passes;
- questions about his return from the foot injury;
- double catches balls at times;
- needs to work on securing the ball better when running after the catch;
NFL Comparison: Steve Smith
Projection: Second round
Teams With Need at Position: Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans
Bottom Line
When you compare the film, Miller has one of the best all-around skillsets of any receiver in this draft class. There is not any route he can’t run and his playmaking ability after the catch is tremendous. If it were not for his foot injury, Miller would have received a lot more national attention at both the Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine. Instead, because of his lack of size and the fact he played a smaller football program, a lot of NFL teams are going to overlook him. Miller has been overlooked his entire career and being passed up by NFL teams will only add size to that chip on his shoulder. In five to 10 seasons when we look back at the receivers in this draft class and their careers, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Miller as one of the best.
