Tyler Vaughns 2021 NFL Draft Overview
Position: Wide receiver
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 190 pounds
School: USC
Tyler Vaughns 2021 NFL Draft Profile
Tyler Vaughns grew up in Pasadena, CA. In his senior season in high school he recorded 1,319 yards and 13 touchdowns. He was a four-star recruit, a Top 100 prospect on ESPN’s board and the 12th best receiver recruit in the class. Vaughns didn’t have a shortage of big name schools trying to recruit him. Despite schools like Alabama, Notre Dame, Georgia, Florida and Oklahoma trying to recruit him, Vaughns decided to remain in-state and attend USC.
Vaughn redshirted his freshman year at USC. But in the next three seasons, from 2017-2019, he received All-Pac-12 honorable mention honors. In 2017 he had 57 receptions for 809 yards and five touchdowns in 13 games. The 2018 season saw Vaughns amass 674 yards on 58 catches and six touchdowns in 12 games. He also led the conference in punt return average that season. In 2019 he totaled 74 receptions for 912 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games and was named the USC Offensive Perimeter Player of the Year for his efforts. Vaughns only played in six games in 2020, but he still had 406 receiving yards on 33 receptions and three touchdowns. While at USC Vaughns averaged 12.6 yards per catch and became only the third player in USC Trojans history to reach 220 career catches (Robert Woods and Marquise Lee are the other two).
Strengths
- Good height and length
- Instinctive body control, particularly while in the air
- Can high point the ball consistently
- Good at making contested catches
- Consistent production throughout his college career
- Crisp route runner
- Has demonstrated the ability to line up inside and outside
- Good at creating separation
- Has a knack for finding the open spot in zone coverage
- Good eye/hand coordination
- Has return/special teams experience
- Sufficient blocking skills in the run game
- Excellent footwork
Weaknesses
- Needs to add some bulk to his frame
- Doesn’t possess top-end speed
- He will be 24 years old by the start of his NFL career
- Four-year starter but never led the team in receiving
NFL Comparison: Tyler Boyd
Teams With Need at Position: Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Tennessee Titans
Projection: Sixth round
Bottom Line on Tyler Vaughns
Tyler Vaughns doesn’t have top-end, breakaway speed, as evidenced by his 4.69 40-yard dash during his pro day. And while he may not wind up being a top receiver in the NFL, he is a steady and reliable pass catcher and could be a good number four or number five receiver and provide depth. He also has some special teams experience and could immediately make an impact as a returner.
Vaughns will more than likely never become high profile number one or even number two receiver in the NFL, but he could provide some great value to the team that selects him this year. He may eventually become a reliable number three receiver.
Main Photo
