Devin Duvernay Overview
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 210 pounds
School: Texas
NFL Combine Performance Data
40-Yard Dash: 4.39 seconds
Vertical Jump: 35.5″
Vertical Jump: 35.5″
Broad Jump: 123.0″
3 Cone Drill: 7.13 seconds
Devin Duvernay 2020 NFL Draft Profile
When Texas wide receiver Devin Duvernay is brought up in draft circles. the first player that resonates with his ability is San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel. Samuel, a South Carolina product, provided San Francisco with a utility player that was instrumental in their run to Super Bowl LIV.
The 5’10” Duvernay was a multi-sport athlete and a four-star receiver coming out of Sachese High School. He guided his football team to the playoffs and participated in track and field, winning the 2015 100m 6A Championship. Duvernay was ranked #42 in the ESPN 300. The speedster ranked #3 among wide receivers in the nation and #6 from Texas in 2016. Duvernay committed to the Longhorns over SEC powerhouses including LSU and Alabama. In his high school career, Duvernay caught 170 passes for 2,906 yards and 36 touchdowns. He also ran for 1,077 yards on 105 carries in addition to returning two kickoffs for touchdowns.
College
Duvernay was a four-year starter at Texas and made an immediate impact from Day 1. In his first three years at Texas, Duvernay was a nightmare matchup for his opponents in the Big 12. His first career touchdown came against rival Oklahoma on a 63-yard pass. In 2018, Duvernay had three catches for 56 yards in the Big 12 Championship Game against Oklahoma and helped Texas defeat No.5 Georgia 28-21 in the Sugar Bowl by catching two passes for 22 yards.
Duvernay’s senior season was his statistical best as he was given an honorable mention as Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, was a semifinalist for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, and was named the Biletnikoff Award’s midseason watch list. Duvernay caught 106 passes for 1,341 yards and nine touchdowns … both totals are second-most in school history. Duvernay had 12 catches for 154 yards and two scores versus eventual national champion LSU. Duvernay finished his career with three catches for 92 yards and one touchdown in the Valero Alamo Bowl versus No. 11 Utah.
Strengths
- Led the nation in catches;
- Excellent speed in space with a 4.39 40;
- Good awareness for the ball;
- Reliable hands;
- Works well from the slot;
- Most yards come from run after catch.
Weaknesses
- Inconsistency off the line;
- Seems to prefer 9-routes;
- Lacks timing for 50-50 balls;
- Plays more like a pass-catching running back.
- Struggles to separate from double-teams
NFL Comparison: Deebo Samuel
Projection: Mid 2nd- Early 3rd Round
Teams With Need at Position: Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, Las Vegas Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals, Philadelphia Eagles
Bottom Line
Duvernay is more than your average receiver that only prefers go routes such as former Jets wide receiver Lam Jones. Duvernay will probably hear his name on Day 2 or Day 3. His speed, versatility, and playmaking abilities will allow offenses to design more sweep plays and slant routes. He also has family in the NFL as he is cousins with Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray.
In the NFL, he will need to adjust his style of play to an offense that has a complex system. Duvernay struggled with maintaining gaps between him and defenders on non-go-routes. His tight hips will limit his ability to play outside. Duvernay is a developmental prospect that can become a nightmare for defenses if used correctly in the right system.
Main photo:
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