Charone Peake, WR
School: Clemson | Conference: ACC
College Experience: Senior | Age: 23
Height / Weight: 6-2 / 208 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 4th Round
NFL Comparison: Andre Johnson
College Statistics
Player Overview
Clemson is a powerhouse school. Most notably they have managed to attract some of the greatest wide receiver talent around the country. All the Clemson wide receivers have a similar mold they are big, fast, and have great hands – Charone Peake is no different. It's hard to get a prominent role in Clemson's high-powered offense especially when you play behind guys like DeAndre Hopkins, Sammy Watkins, Martavis Bryant, Mike Williams, and Artavis Scott. It's even harder when your 2013 and 2014 seasons were cut short due to knee injuries. In 2015, due to the unfortunate injury to Mike Williams in the home opener, Peake finally got to show off his skills and they are impressive.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said Peake "was as talented as any player we've had at Clemson". He also said Peake was "faster than any receiver we've ever had". That quite the praise as Clemson has produced speedsters on a consistent basis particularly Martavis Bryant and DeAndre Hopkins.
Strengths
- Excellent deep speed he tracks the ball well in the air and has good body control to adjust and make the catch.
- Able to use his burst and size to get separation.
- Good hands, he catches with them instead of his body.
- Has the athletic ability to make the "WOW" catches.
- Able and willing to block with authority, he plays with intensity and urgency – he put several guys on their butts.
- Physical after the catch, protects the ball and goes after the defenders, has a mean stiff arm too.
Weaknesses
- You want to see him dominated contested catches and jump balls he needs to develop consistency in this area.
- The combine medical process will be paramount for him. Peake suffered a torn ACL in 2013 and had another knee surgery in 2014.
Let's see his work:
Remember that time.... The Charone Peake Chronicles. #GrownManStrength pic.twitter.com/cVYnQLaud3
— Lance Zierlein (@LanceZierlein) February 13, 2016
Charone Peake earlier this year. https://t.co/WT5Ri7O12P
— Jared Stanger (@JaredStanger) January 31, 2016
Charone Peake had a nice week, he's got good size and should be an interesting later round guy
— Steve Shoup (@Steveospeak) January 30, 2016
Charone Peake has great lateral agility and he’s showing that already. #SeniorBowl #Clemson
— Joe Redemann (@JayArr_FF) January 30, 2016
Charone Peake is a 6'2 WR who I think plays more small than big.
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) January 30, 2016
Previous tweet is in reference to Charone Peake's rising stock at the Senior Bowl. #WRU pic.twitter.com/oqTGqBvlDJ
— Dear Old Clemson (@DearOldClemson) January 29, 2016
#SeniorBowl South Team: @ClemsonFB WR Charone Peake was the best route runner on the team this week. He'll be open a lot
— Emory Hunt (@FBallGameplan) January 30, 2016
Charone Peake smoked Bradberry. That's pretty. pic.twitter.com/uAS0YPjmgw
— Jared Stanger (@JaredStanger) January 28, 2016
More good news: This dude Charone Peake is pretty dang good at catching deep balls himself. pic.twitter.com/Vyt0jlf7F1
— Shotgun Alley (@Shotgun_Alley) December 30, 2015
When the Game Was Won || GT
— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) December 23, 2015
The most pivotal play from each game in 2015: https://t.co/9s6FTiGmDr#ALLIN https://t.co/K5EOcFJRmf
Deshaun Watson to Charone Peake for 42 yards. #CLEMvsNCSU pic.twitter.com/eIfXGpViD3
— Sportz Now 1 (@SportzNow1) October 31, 2015
CHARONE PEAKE!!!! @SportsCenter http://t.co/W87VeMV5xu
— Carrie Forrest (@carrieforrest91) September 12, 2015
VIDEO: Clemson Tigers' Charone Peake makes ridiculous one-handed touchdown catch. http://t.co/njljHk1EGZ http://t.co/ByTCDoslyU
— theScore (@theScore) September 6, 2014
How He Would Fit on the Redskins
The Redskins will eventually need to draft a wide receiver who can be a deep threat and who can make the tough catches and move the chains. Peake has the speed and hands to do both, he is also an authoritative run blocker to boot.
He lacks the track record you want to see out of a high draft pick because of him being buried behind NFL level talent and his setback with injuries but Peake in my view is one of the best all-around receiving prospects in this draft. Peake arguably has at least, 2nd round talent. If he can remain healthy and continue to fly under the radar he should be a value pick for the team that selects him. The Redskins could use a big bodied, fast receiver to develop behind our veteran talent until he eventually takes the reigns.