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Taking a Serious Look at 2016 NFL Draft Receivers for the St. Louis Rams

By Matt Colinco

Jan 1, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (1) celebrates his ten-yard touchdown catch against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the second quarter of the 2016 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (1) celebrates his ten-yard touchdown catch against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the second quarter of the 2016 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 17, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers wide receiver Tyler Boyd (23) catches a touchdown pass against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the second quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers wide receiver Tyler Boyd (23) catches a touchdown pass against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the second quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

Tyler Boyd, Pittsburgh (6’2”, 200 lbs)

Back in 2013, the former basketball and baseball player Tyler Boyd decided to attend the University of Pittsburgh to play for the football team.

It proved to be the right choice, as Boyd went on to break Larry Fitzgerald’s school record for receptions as a freshman and ending his three-year career with 249 receptions for 3,308 yards and 21 touchdowns.

Why the Rams SHOULD Pick Boyd:

Tyler Boyd has the looks of a draft steal at this time during the draft process. He has very mixed reviews from several scouts, but his skill set screams “first-rounder” in my eyes. Boyd is an extremely feisty receiver, and will make sure the ball is caught by any means necessary.

Considering the amount of drops that have deflated the Rams’ pitiful drives over the course of the 2015 season, it’s safe to say that reliable, soft hands are something the team is looking for in the Draft.

Why the Rams SHOULD NOT Pick Boyd:

Like most receivers in this article, Boyd’s route running could use some work. He tends to round out his cuts rather than stopping on a dime, but he has the smoothness and quick feet to improve in that department. He’s definitely not particularly explosive, but he has enough speed to occasionally beat NFL secondaries in the future.

He also had a DUI during his time at Pitt. Even though this incident doesn’t define Boyd as a man, it is cause for concern when teams start interviewing him. NFL players can’t afford to miss time, and the Rams have had their share of DUI suspensions in the past.

Pro Comparison: Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals

This might seem like a cheap comparison because Fitzgerald was a Pitt alumnus himself, but it’s probably the best comparison we have. Boyd is a faster than Fitzgerald, but they share the same physicality and toughness when it comes to making contested grabs. If Boyd runs better routes and puts on some weight, he has the potential to become an excellent number one receiver for the Rams.

Next: Josh Doctson

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