Kenny Golladay: A mid-round vertical threat to rebuild the WR corps

Kenny Golladay, WR
School: Northern Illinois | Conference: Mid-American
College Experience: RS Senior | Age: 22?
Height / Weight: 6-4 / 218 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 3rd or 4th round
NFL Comparison: Andre Holmes

College Statistics

Player Overview

Kenny Golladay started his college career at North Dakota before transferring to NIU. Golladay has a long, athletic, and lean body type that aids him in creating space to make the catch. He also has an impressive combination of size, speed, and natural hands. Golladay will have to answer questions about whether his production can translate to the NFL but he has the physical tools to get the job done. I saw him line up outside and in the slot. To be frank I’m surprised he put up the numbers he did with the level of horrendous QB play he worked with at NIU. Golladay has the speed to get on top of corners and if not jammed at the LOS can make quick work of his competition. At the next level, I think Golladay starts out as a 3rd WR option that can stretch the field but can provide a safety outlet on short routes for his QB as well.

Strengths

• Excellent size for the position with plenty of room to add more mass if needed.
• Good athlete, he can stretch the field with his speed and can extend to make the tough catches.
• Natural pass catcher with strong hands, good at making adjustments while the ball is in the air.
• Willing and effective blocker for his teammates on the run.

Weaknesses

• Though helped by his height he doesn’t boast special jumping ability. He can go up and get it but I would like to see him win more 50/50 balls.
• Level of competition concerns. Had clean get route releases in college but will be tested physically by NFL level talent.
• Needs to be more effective after the catch.
• Route tree questions I saw four: go, crosser, fade, and hitch.

Let’s see his work:

Draft Analyst's Tony Pauline relays that the Bengals worked out Northern Illinois WR Kenny Golladay individually at Friday's pro day.

The Lions also sent their wide receivers coach to the NIU pro day. CBS Sports' Rob Rang thinks that the 6-foot-4, 218-pounder is worthy of more draft love than he is currently receiving, writing that he "looked terrific during the [Combine] position drills." Golladay won't be creeping into the Day 1 conversation, but a mid-round selection on Day 2 is very much in play, here

- Rotoworld

How He Fits On The Redskins

With the losses of Pierre Garcon, Desean Jackson, and seeing that Terrelle Pryor is only on board for 1 year so far the Redskins will likely look to WR options relatively early in the draft. If the Skins are looking in the mid rounds they should take a good look at Golladay because he offers a little something some of the current “long term” (using that loosely) WRs don't have. He is a better athlete than Maurice Harris and provides more versatility and yet another big receiving target for Kirk Cousins in addition to starters Pryor, and Doctson. Golladay has the physical skill set to line up as a Z, X or slot receiver and on the Redskins could serve as a red zone threat, vertical threat, or as an unsuspected option to convert downs.

A line up of Pryor, Doctson, Crowder, Harris, and Golladay would transform the Redskins WR corps from one of the smallest a couple years ago to one of the biggest in the NFL. If the Redskins do pick another receiver relatively high in the draft it may signal the end for Ryan Grant fancy route runner that he is. Golladay has the potential and upside to become an eventual starter in the league.