Tyrie Cleveland Overview
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6’-2”
Weight: 209 pounds
School: Florida
NFL Combine Performance Data
40 Yard Dash: 4.46 seconds
Bench Press: 13 reps
Vertical Jump: 39.5”
Broad Jump: 126.0”
Tyrie Cleveland 2020 NFL Draft Profile
After four years with the Florida Gators, wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland is hoping to make his mark on the NFL. The Jacksonville native saw the field for 337 snaps, recording just 24 receptions on 32 targets for 354 yards and one touchdown. Stats don’t tell the whole story, but Cleveland’s 64.2 grade from Pro Football Focus leaves a lot to be desired.
Cleveland initially joined the collegiate football ranks as a four-star recruit. Initially from Jacksonville, Cleveland spent his high school years playing football in Houston after his brother was murdered. Cleveland spent the majority of his true freshman season on the bench with the understanding that he’d earn a larger role with experience. However, that larger role never developed, as Cleveland never recorded more than 24 receptions, 36 targets, 410 yards, or three touchdowns in any of his years with the Gators.
Strengths
- Impressive testing numbers in the broad jump, vertical jump, and 40 yard dash;
- Runs a lot faster than he appears thanks to his long strides;
- Surprisingly quick out of breaks, hardly loses and speed;
- Large catch radius;
- Good potential for yards after the catch;
- Special teams experience.
Weaknesses
- Cannot beat press coverage;
- Lack of production is a red flag for potential NFL success;
- No notable improvements during the course of his college career;
- Despite build, doesn’t know how to use his muscle in contested catch situations;
- Too many drops, lets the ball come to him instead of attacking it with his hands;
- One-speed runner;
- Tends to telegraph his routes.
NFL Comparison: Jabar Gaffney
Teams With Need at Position: Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles
Projection: Round 6/7
Bottom Line on Tyrie Cleveland
Based on raw athleticism alone, Tyrie Cleveland has what it takes to last in the NFL. The Florida product put up an impressive 4.46 40-yard dash and topped it all off with an 83rd and 90th percentile performances in the broad jump and vertical jump, respectively. He has a way to fool defenders by running a lot faster than you’d think thanks to his long strides. Additionally, his larger build and long arms create a large catch radius, and he has the raw skills to be pretty dangerous after the catch. As a bonus, he has experience on special teams and could spend a couple of years as a gunner while perfecting his receiving skills.
Unfortunately, Cleveland is a long ways away from consistently contributing on offense. Despite his NFL build, Cleveland has no answer for press coverage and has no physicality to his game. He routinely gets outmuscled in contested situations and isn’t a good enough separator to overcome this weakness in his game. Additionally, he struggles to vary his speed and is a body-catcher, which naturally leads to drops. There is some untapped athletic potential here, but it’s anyone’s guess if he ever realizes said potential. He’ll start his career as a special teamer and will probably need multiple years to successfully develop as a receiver.
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
