RADIO
This year's crop of wide receivers hasn't generated nearly as much enthusiasm as last year. In the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, three receivers were taken in the first 10 picks, followed by another three WR in the second round. In 2018, only two WR are projected to be first-rounders with a steep drop-off after the next tier of prospects.
Big, physical receivers and speed burners usually catch the eye of GMs and draftniks, but the most productive receivers often bring important intangibles like toughness, field awareness, and the ability to run routes cleanly. This may explain why players like Cooper Kupp and Dede Westbrook outperformed much higher picks like Corey Davis and Mike Williams in their rookie campaigns.
Miami Hurricanes receiver Braxton Berrios is undersized by NFL standards and may not set any speed records at the Combine, but he has a great deal of positive traits which make him a potential dynasty sleeper and player to watch on draft day.
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Keep an Eye Out for Berrios
At 5'9" and 177 pounds, he might be easy to miss. A diminutive receiver who will surely be put in the slot wherever he plays, the most immediate comp that comes to mind is Cole Beasley. This is more than fair, as they are nearly identical in stature, all the way down to arm length (28 1/8 for Berrios, 28 7/8 for Beasley). Wes Welker is another similar player still fresh in the recent memories of fantasy players as well, although Welker was a whopping 185 lb toward the end of his career. With a wing span of 68", Berrios will need to show good speed in order to secure a draft selection. He's previously been recorded at a 4.48 40-yard dash and could do even better at the Combine. This easily beats the 4.65 that Welker put up and is better still than 4.54 for Beasley.
Berrios doesn't stand out in terms of college productivity either. During his time at UM, Berrios wasn't featured prominently in the offense until his senior year. Overshadowed by current NFL players like Phillip Dorsett, David Njoku, Stacy Coley, Clive Walford, and Rashawn Scott, he was a part-time player who averaged less than one and a half receptions per game (1.36) and caught a total of five touchdowns in 33 games in his first three seasons at the U.
Everything changed in 2017, however, as he benefited from injuries to main target Ahmmon Richards, who missed half the season with various ailments. He finished as the Miami Hurricanes’ leading receiver with 55 catches for 679 yards and nine touchdowns last season, which was second in the ACC. With opponents like Florida State, Clemson, Notre Dame and Virginia Tech on the schedule, Berrios didn't just shine against weak competition or in a small-conference setting.
PFF's early draft profile was overwhelmingly positive for Berrios: "All told, he saw a 128.4 passer rating when targeted, or 19th-highest among all draft-eligible receivers with at least 41 targets. He was extremely valuable as a slot receiver, running 97.1 percent of his routes from an inside alignment." There is little reason to think he couldn't replicate the same success for an NFL team that he had playing in a pro-style offense in Miami.
Intangibles Galore
While one productive season doesn't necessarily translate to success at the pro level, Berrios brings much more to the table. Berrios was one of 13 finalists for the Campbell Trophy, known in college football as the “Academic Heisman.” He wasn't just the top student on the Miami football team, he was valedictorian of the business school at Miami.
Berrios also brings value as a return man, something he did regularly for the Canes. He returned 47 punts for 488 yards and a touchdown over his four-year career. As a senior, he was first in the ACC in yards per punt return with a 15.9 average, which also placed him fifth in the NCAA. Even better, he didn't record a single fumble in his college career.
Motivation certainly won't be an issue, as Berrios is more than eager to prove his doubters wrong. In a report by Miami Herald's Barry Jackson, Berrios spoke on the myth that he isn't fast enough for the NFL. “I’m over the quick, not fast thing,” he said two days before the Orange Bowl. “That [misconception] will be done by February. I’ll show it’s not a joke.”
Berrios received positive reviews for his recent work at the Senior Bowl, showcasing his speed, hands, and work ethic. This may have earned him even more interest from scouts looking for a reliable receiver in the latter portion of the draft.
Possible Landing Spots
While it sounds too good to be true, the hometown Dolphins may be in line for the services of a new slot receiver. Jarvis Landry is still without a contract and may be lured away by a bigger salary if the Phins fail to pony up his proper market value. If the Ravens move on from Jeremy Maclin, as they reportedly are wont to do, and don't draft a WR early after being burned by Breshad Perriman's lack of production, he could find himself with a large role right away for team that narrowly missed the playoffs. The Broncos are likely to take a hard look at Berrios on draft day too, as they've been scouting him already. Apparently his performance in the Senior Bowl caught their attention and WR Coach Zach Azzanni already knows Berrios from his recruiting days in college. Berrios himself said, “I like the Broncos coaching staff a lot. I’m starting to build relationships with them and we’ll see where it goes.”
No matter where he ends up on draft day, Berrios is an under-the-radar performer who is determined to shine and prove that he's more than just a student-athlete. He could pay immediate dividends, a la Cooper Kupp, in the right situation; he's worth late-round consideration in dynasty drafts and could even emerge as a re-draft option right away for full-PPR leagues.
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