Josh Imatorbhebhe 2021 NFL Draft Overview
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6′-2″
Weight: 220lb
School: Illinois
Josh Imatorbhebhe 2021 NFL Draft Profile
This year’s NFL Draft has another deep wide receiver class on its hands. Josh Imatorbhebhe is one of the more underrated wideouts that is projected to go in the last few rounds of the draft.
Josh Imatorbhebhe played football at North Gwinett High School in Suwanee, Georgia. Other than football, Imatorbhebhe also played basketball. Knowing he is now 6-foot-2, that is not a surprise. During his senior year, Imatorbhebhe was ranked the 29th best wide receiver in the recruiting class of 2016. He was also ranked the 123rd best player in the nation. He raised many eyebrows by jumping a 47.1 inch vertical at a Nike SPARQ. Despite colleges like Oregon and Auburn offering him, Imatorbhebhe decided to enroll at USC.
While redshirting in 2016, the following year, Imatorbhebhe only played in two games, catching two passes for 11 yards. After not getting much offensive attention or playing at USC, he transferred to the University of Illinois. His first year as an Illini saw his production skyrocket. Quarterback Brandon Peters and Imatorbhebhe established an immediate connection, as he caught 33 passes for 634 yards for nine touchdowns in 13 games played. In 2020, his stats took a dip compared to his breakout season the year prior. Imatorbhebhe caught 22 passes for 297 yards for three touchdowns in seven games.
On December 17th, 2020, Josh Imatorhbhebhe declared for the 2021 NFL Draft.
Strengths
- Great size for a boundary vertical threat
- Shows elite explosiveness
- Could be a YAC receiver in today’s NFL
- Will make cornerbacks pay on the 50/50 ball
- Fools cornerbacks on back-shoulder throws
Weaknesses
- Not the fastest receiver on the field
- Needs to work on blocking; penalized heavily in 2019
- Underdeveloped/average route runner
- Instincts and football knowledge are underdeveloped
Player Comparison: Donovan Peoples-Jones
Team Fits: Kansas City Chiefs, Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Jacksonville Jaguars
Projection: 6th-round
Bottom Line On Josh Imatorbhebhe
Josh Imatorbhebhe is one of the more underrated vertical threats in this draft class. His size and ability to go up and get the football compares to some of the best at the next level. With some explosive plays at the college level, in my opinion, Imatorbhene has a chance to accumulate a good chunk of yards after the catch.
Despite the positive qualities, Imatorbhebhe will have to be consistent when running his routes. If he is paired with a few good receivers and a good coach at the next level, best assure that route running won’t be a weakness for the young wideout. Blocking is not the biggest necessity for a wide receiver, but if he can lower the number of penalties and improve, his playing time will only increase at the next level.
Josh Imatorbhebhe will start out as a developmental receiver in the NFL. As of right now, his floor comparison is Donovan Peoples-Jones. If teams are willing to overlook and fix the negatives in his game, Imatorbhebhe will be remembered as one of the late-round steals for years to come.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
