STRENGTHS
Josh reminds me a lot of Cowboys Terrence Williams and for us older Draftnik’s, the name James Lofton comes to mind. Josh has this smooth as silk stride that gives him an advantage when running routes and catching the ball. He’s a long striding runner with no upper body movement that makes it easy for him to fool a defender when in the middle of his route he does fake shake or lower his shoulders, freezing his opponent and gaining separation easily. This type of body movement or lack of body movement means that Josh will run and get separation easily on the longer routes than the shorter routes. Josh is a big play receiver the type of receiver who on third and long becomes very dangerous and difficult for the defense to defend against. He shows good hands to catch the ball and does a good job catching the ball going over the middle. He is the type of receiver who complements your franchise receiver because he can force the defense on certain downs and distance to roll the coverage his way because of his “sneaky to get deep” skills allowing your Franchise Receiver to be singled up or allowing the middle of the field to be wide open if the defense decides it has to double up on both outside receivers.

CONCERNS
Josh will give you some run after the catch yardage but it’s not his strong skill and because of his long stride and lack of lower body strength I suspect it will never be. His catch radius is good and he can go and get the ball but once again this is not one of his strongest talents also. Josh also struggles if the defenders get physical with him but he does fight them and he will step up and makes plays after struggling and dealing with adversity in a game.

BOTTOM LINE
Josh at times in a game will make plays you don’t expect, the problem is… don’t “expect” him to make plays. That’s the difference between a franchise receiver and not being a franchise receiver. You throw the ball to your top receiver and there is no doubt that he is going to catch it. In fact you are shocked, disappointed and get mad when he doesn’t make the catch and you look for an excuse for him not making the play on the replay. When you throw the ball to Josh in an important part of a game and he doesn’t make the catch your more incline to accept it and emotionally move on. There is nothing wrong with Josh’s game it’s just that he is not going to be that Franchise receiver who can catch the ball in a hurricane or contort his body as he leaps up in the air to catch that 4th and goal pass to win the game. Josh is a catch 22 receiver. Count on him to catch the ball and win the game and he will disappoint you, don’t count on him and he will make an unbelievable play to win the game. Like I said he’s a complementary receiver who can be just good enough to demand double coverage on certain down and distance plays and this will open it up for the rest of his teammates and Oh yes…every once in a while he will make the play that wins the game, as long as you don’t “expect” him too. Nevertheless this kid is a good football player and I’d select him in a minute if I needed a wide receiver because he will make plays.

Drew Boylhart  FEB.2017