Anthony Schwartz 2021 NFL Draft Overview
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 186 pounds
School: Auburn University
Anthony Schwartz 2021 NFL Draft Profile
Overview
The passing game for the Auburn Tigers hasn’t been considered elite since Cam Newton left for the NFL. There have been some receivers that have names for themselves with the Tigers during that time. Anthony Schwartz is one of those receivers who made an impact for the Tigers the instant he arrived on campus. Schwartz came into Auburn as a track star with elite speed. He arrived at Auburn as a four-star recruit and the 30th best wide receiver in the 2018 recruiting class. In his true freshman season in 2018, Schwartz caught 22 receptions for 357 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 211 yards and five touchdowns on 27 carries as he contributed in multiple RPO schemes. His speed and agility were unmatched by many defenders throughout the entire season.
The following season, Schwartz caught 41 receptions for 440 yards and one touchdown. He also accounted for 118 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries. This was the season where he showed he possesses the capability of being the number one receiver as he caught nine receptions for 89 yards in the 20-14 win over the Ole Miss Rebels. This past season, Schwartz had his best colligate performance. He caught 54 receptions for 636 yards and three touchdowns. This scheme limited him to a wide receiver but switched him at slot and outside. He had his first 100-yard game performance in the 30-28 win over the Arkansas Razorbacks. Schwartz caught 10 receptions for 100 yards and a touchdown. Schwartz opted out of the 2021 Citrus Bowl against the Northwestern Wildcats to prepare for the 2021 NFL Draft
Strengths
- Elite breakout speed from the snap of the football;
- One of the fastest receivers in this draft;
- Can play the flex or outside receiver;
- Tracks the ball downfield well;
- Dangerous and elusive runner as he can also use moves to separate himself;
- Highly efficient route runner.
Weaknesses
- Has a small frame for a 6-foot receiver;
- Will have a tough time against defensive backs in contested situations;
- Schwartz will rely on speed alone to beat his defensive backs at the next level;
- Inefficient blocker in the run or screen game;
- Easily contained at the line of scrimmage against press coverage;
- Has raw talent that needs to be defined at the next level.
NFL Comparisons: Will Fuller V
Teams With Need At This Position: Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Washington Football Team
Projection: Late Third Round
Bottom Line on Anthony Schwartz
Every NFL Draft is there an elite speed receiver that brings all 32 NFL programs to their attention. This 2021 NFL Draft, there are several of those wide receivers as the game is constantly looking for a new speedy receiver. While Schwartz is not the most effective and dangerous elite speedy receiver, he is one that teams should overlook. While his 4.27-second 40-dash time is incredible, his ability as a playmaker on the field should make him a player to consider around day two of the NFL Draft. He has the tools and speed to be a dangerous playmaker for many teams needing a fast, deep-threat receiver. At the same time, he also has the athleticism and energy to play in RPO-style offenses like the Baltimore Ravens to be efficient.
There are several aspects of his game that will need to be developed on. Schwartz needs to be more reliable at getting off blocks and being aggressive in contested passes. Relying on speed will not be enough to defeat NFL defensive backs on a consistent level. Whichever team drafts him will need to develop him slowly. They should not ask too much for his ability to won contested passes. He does not come from a program that was highly efficient in developing receivers that soundly defeat defensive backs without pure speed. Schwartz is a project, but he can be turned into a highly dangerous receiver at the next level at the outside receiver or likely the slot receiver. Schwartz looks to be the fourth Auburn wide receiver drafted in the NFL Draft in 14 years.
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