Jeremy Maclin WR 6’ 198 Missouri So. 4.45

Maclin was impressive in camp as a freshman but a knee injury caused him to sit out the 2006 season. He worked hard through rehab and was ready for a big impact on the field last year. He had an amazing freshman season, accounting for 2,776 all purpose yards. Maclin caught 80 passes for 1,055 yards and nine touchdowns, and added two punt returns and one kickoff return for a touchdown. Maclin also ran for 375 yards and four touchdowns, earning Big 12 Freshman of the Year and various All America honors for his all around production. He did not slow down as a sophomore, catching 102 passes for 1,260 yards and 13 touchdowns, while adding 293 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Not to be outdone, he averaged just under 12 yards per punt return with one taken back for a touchdown and held a 24 yard kick return average, with one touchdown return.

Strengths

Maclin is one of the most electrifying players in college football. He impacts the game in a variety of ways, and is a legitimate threat to score every single time he touches the football. He is very quick, with excellent acceleration. Maclin can make defenders miss, and quickly reaches top speed and pulls away from defenders when he gets into the open field. He uses his speed and playmaking ability to score as a receiver, runner, and returner. Maclin also has a very sturdy frame for a receiver and is willing to go over the middle of the field and make things happen. His ability to produce as a freshman is a testament to his work ethic. He is always going 100% and ready to make things happen on every snap.

Weaknesses

It is difficult to truly criticize Maclin’s game because of his versatility and all around playmaking ability. His development for a second year player on the field is impressive, but he will need to work on running routes and getting open. Most of the Missouri offense operates within ten yards of the line of scrimmage so Maclin is given the ball and uses his natural gifts to make plays.

Future

Not many sophomores declare for the draft. Very few declare and are taken in the top half of the first round, but that is what Jeremy Maclin is battling for. He was electric on the field in his two seasons at Missouri, and has followed that up with impressive performances at the combine and his pro day. Maclin was a smooth athlete that had impressive timings in the 40 at both stops. He ran a 4.45 at the combine, then turned in 4.43 and 4.47 times at his pro day. More importantly, Maclin showed fantastic acceleration and change of direction ability in drills. He actually scored the highest of all the upper echelon receivers on the wonderlic, posting a score of 25 on the test. Maclin has set himself up well to be second receiver taken, with a slight chance of landing in the top ten.