Washington Redskins Draft Profile: Ryan Grant, WR

Ryan Grant

Wide Receiver

Height: 6'0"   Weight: 199 lbs.

Tulane

College Stats:

• 2013 - 77 receptions, 1,039 yards, 9 TD's
• 2012 - 76 receptions, 1,149 yards, 6 TD's
• First-Team All-C-USA (2013 and 2012)

2014 NFL Combine:

• Arm length - 31"
• Hand size - 9-5/8"
• 40-yd dash - 4.64 s
• 20-yd shuttle - 4.11 s
• 3-cone - 6.68 s (combine top performer)
• Vert - 35.5"
• Broad - 9'11"
• Bench press - 8 reps

NFL Video

Combine Video

Strengths: Has great body control, coordination, and footwork.  Crafty route runner with proper timing, precision, and depth.  He's very adept at setting up his moves during his routes to create just enough separation.  He knows how to win one-on-one.  Solid quickness and good sized hands.  Excellent at tracking the ball and watching it into his hands.  Doesn't have a lot of drops.  He's a natural at over-the-shoulder catches and shows good reflexes and focus.  Great versatility and has experience lining up inside and outside.  Gritty and tough after the catch.  Seems to play with a chip on his shoulder and plays determined and confident.  Overall has good size, especially in the slot.  An excellent "hands catcher."  Great at snatching the ball out of the air and away from his body.  Quick, especially after the catch.

Weaknesses: Needs to get stronger and more physical.  Average height and strength.  Lacks elite quickness and speed.  Not really a vertical threat.  Not going to win any jump balls and struggles in contested situations.  Average blocking ability (needs to get stronger to help in this area).

Bottom Line: While having only average size and speed, Grant understands how to play WR and works very hard.  He's a very reliable pass catcher.  He has experience in the slot and on the outside.  Isn't elite in any one area, and certainly wouldn't be called flashy, but he doesn't have any major weaknesses and is solid in most areas required of an NFL WR.  His routes and hands are both reliable and his production over the past two years speaks for itself.  Could end up being a nice #3 or #4 WR.  He's always been productive if also a bit boring.  Said to have one of the best pair of hands in the draft.

I like the pick.  Grant strikes me as what you want in a fifth round pick.  He's good at ST's and has great hands.  He's reliable and I like that.  He's got great hands which seems to be the most important skill/trait when it comes to playing WR and he's a great route runner, which is probably the second most important thing.  I think he'll be a ST's contributor from day one on the 'Skins and will compete to be our #4 or #5 WR.  Everyone knows Garcon, Jackson, and Roberts are locked in as our top three WR's, but this pick puts Hank, Moss, and Robinson on notice.  He'll be competing with those three, along with David Gettis, Nick Williams, and Dez Briscoe for the last two or three WR spots.  His hands, route running, reliability, and versatility (both in where he lines up and in his ability to contribute on offense and ST's) will help him have a chance.