The New Orleans Saints selected Wake Forest wide receiver A.T. Perry with the 195th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. While most players selected at this point in the event aren’t exactly destined for greatness, is there a chance New Orleans found a diamond in the rough?
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 198 pounds
School: Wake Forest
2023 NFL Draft Profiles: A.T. Perry Scouting Report
The standout Wake Forest wide receiver has declared for the 2023 NFL Draft. Atorian “A.T.” Perry is a super-sized wide receiver prospect originally from Florida. Perry was named a three-star recruit by 24/7 Sports and received plenty of power five offers. He committed to Wake Forest, where he played all four years and truly broke out as a junior. His junior season he accumulated 1293 receiving yards and 15 receiving touchdowns and was named to his first appearance on the All-ACC team. He likely could have declared for the draft and received high capital but given 2022’s star studded wide receiver class he returned to Wake Forest for his senior season.
A.T. Perry continued to succeed his senior year. Even with less-than-ideal quarterback play, Perry put together 1096 receiving yards and 81 receptions. His 11 touchdowns led the team in 2022 on his way to another All-ACC team award. Between his last two seasons, he accounted for a quarter of all receiving yards and dominated the team’s target share. Perry is a risk for the big play at any moment, using his size and speed to post over one hundred yards in five games as a senior. It should be noted on the A.T. Perry Draft Profile that NC State had a nightmare trying to cover Perry, as he exploded for 159 yards and a touchdown.
Strengths
- For lack of a better term, tall;
- Burner down the field;
- Long speed opens up intermediate route running;
- Tracks ball in the air well;
- Catches with hands, not with body;
- Solid in contested catch scenarios;
- Refuses to go down with the ball in his hands.
Weaknesses
- Lackadaisical on run plays
- Slight frame, needs to eat a cheeseburger or two;
- Accelerates painfully slow, but insane top end speed;
- Separation in shorter routes borderline at best;
- Very clear when the play is designed to him, he visibly doesn’t care if it isn’t;
- Tests fast and plays fast, but only when he wants to.
NFL Comparison: Michael Pittman
Draft Projection: Day Two Pick
Best Fit: Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers, Los Angeles Chargers, New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots
Bottom Line on A.T. Perry
In a draft full of small bodies, A.T. Perry is the prototypical X receiver. Teams are going to covet his deep play ability, ideal size and productivity in college. His ideal landing spot is somewhere with a short area receiver so he can be used as the deep threat. The speed and fluidity are certainly there in his route running, however, he will need to develop his short area quickness and some of the nuance to his game to jump to the next level.
The ACC and other teams Wake Forest played were not exactly known for their elite corner prospects. Another key point for the A.T. Perry Draft Profile is how he faired against Syracuse with one of the top safety prospects in the draft. When a player plays against other draft prospects it’s a key data point, and here’s just a quick run-down of how Perry faired:
- Ten receptions
- 119 yards
- Three touchdowns
Not trying to say that Perry is going to be the next Megatron, but he will be a solid pro and a useful piece to an NFL offense. Most of his best performances came against teams with secondaries that will boast draft prospects (Florida State, Clemson to name a couple).
My mans A.T. Perry makes it look so easy #NFLDraft2023 pic.twitter.com/GHNykKfIqR
— FF Mike Kash (@FFMikeKash) April 10, 2023
A.T. Perry Dynasty Outlook
After scouring mock drafts, rookie big boards and other analysts, one thing is clear. Above all, Perry is criminally undervalued. If he gets top 100 draft capital, which matters for wide receivers, he should be a lock to be a third-round pick in rookie drafts. Given the A.T. Perry Draft Profile, if he is staring down managers in the fourth round, take a swing. Instead of over drafting a wide receiver in the second round, Perry will likely be available towards the end of drafts. Best case scenario he is a top 24 wide receiver, worst case scenario he is an easy cut next draft season.
Main Photo: Trevor Ruzkowski – USA Today Sports
