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Philadelphia Eagles fans, MEET Nelson Agholor , WR, USC
The flurry of moves Chip Kelly made this off-season, from trading away star running back Lesean Mccoy for a Linebacker with a torn ACL, to trading away starting Quarterback Nick Foles for Sam Bradford (who is also rehabbing his second torn ACL by the way). He signed free agent running back Demarco Murray (who until last year was often injured) from the rival Dallas Cowboys, then signed free agent running back Ryan Mathews, whom also has an extensive injury history, and all this with a rookie draft full of very good running back prospects. Throw into this the Tim Tebow signing…and well, let’s say that the 1st choice Kelly would make in the 2015 draft (the first draft since Kelly gained GM powers) would say a lot to this scout about what kind of talent evaluator Kelly really is.
I would not be disappointed. Kelly didn’t “sell the house” to move up and trade for Marcus Mariota (though he did try), but he stayed put at pick 20, and I believe took the best player available that fit a need. The choice was Nelson Agholor from USC, a speedy wide receiver who runs good routes and has a knack for making big plays. The draft was full of quality wide receivers, but I think the Eagles got the guy that fits their scheme the best, and they didn’t have to trade up to do it. Who is Nelson Agholor? Below is my scouting report on one of the most polished receivers in the draft.
Nelson Agholar – USC
WR
Last Name Agholor
First Name Nelson
College USC
Position WR
Final Grade 7.5
Height 6’0 Weight 198 pounds 40 speed 4.42 Test Score
ATHLETIC ABILITY
SECTION GRADE:
8.0
Q.A.B
Quick Feet C.O.D. Flexibility
Coordination
Agholor has great quickness, agility and exceptional balance
He has good footwork, is a quick twitch athlete who runs good routes
He has very good change of direction, is an explosive athlete in the open field.
His flexibility is very good, stretching to make catches. Turns hips appropriately for run blocking.
Agholor is an exceptionally coordinated athlete.
COMPETITIVENESS
SECTION GRADE:
7.0
Toughness
Clutch Play
Production
Consistency
Team Player
Pride / Quit
Agholor shows good toughness with decent run blocking and he is not afraid to catch balls over the middle of the field. He is a big play athlete, taking short screens the length of the field, or returning punts for touchdowns. He is a very productive WR, making big plays from anywhere on the field.
He shows good consistency game in and game out, and against any level of opponent.
Agholor is a good team player, not afraid to do the “dirty” work such as run blocking, or catching across the middle against linebackers. He is a very prideful player, who plays with the effort of a player who wants to win at all costs.
MENTAL ALERTNESS
SECTION GRADE:
7.5
Learn / Retain
Inst/Reaction
Concentration
Agholor shows great ability to learn, he plays all the WR positions. He shows good instincts, knowing when to juke, or turn on the speed.
STRENGTH / EXPLOSION
SECTION GRADE:
6.0
Body Type
At 6’0 198 pounds he is an average sized receiver
He has shown average ability to stay healthy. He did miss the last 6 games of last season due to a leg injury. He is a very explosive player with his breakaway speed.
Very good play strength, an every down WR with good run blocking, and able to catch the ball over the middle for the tough yardage.
Durability
Explosion
Play Strength
GDE CATEGORY COMMENTS DESCRIPTION GAMES VIEWED COMBINE NOTES
8.0
Hands
Very god hands, few drops
Vs Arizona st
Vs Washington st
Vs Colordo
225 REPS
VERTICAL JUMP
BROAD JUMP
20 SHUTTLE
60 SHUTTLE
3 CONE
8.0
Initial Quicks
Has good initial quicks in both routes and kick returns
7.0
Clean Release.
Usually gets a clean release with good footwork and quickness
6.5
Release VS Jam
Good vs jam with speed and strength, good footwork and use of hands to get off the line
7.0
Patterns
He is a good route runner who can play multiple WR positions
7.0
ADJUST TO BALL
He adjusts to the ball in the air well
8.5
R.A.C
He has big play run after the catch ability. Can score from anywhere on the field
7.5
Deep Threat
Has the speed to be a deep threat WR
7.0
Hand Eye Coor.
Good hand eye coordination making good catches over the shoulder
CRITICAL FACTORS
6.5
Blocking
Shows the ability to run block, but it needs to improve at the next level.
SIZE 6.5
ATH. ABILITY 8.0
HANDS 8.0
COMPETES 7.5
PLAY SPEED 8.0
INSTINCTS 7.5
8.0
Return Ability
Big play return ability, scored multiple return TD’s in college
7.0
FUMBLE / ERRORS
Rarely fumbles or drops the ball
STRONG POINTS
WEAKNESSES
Has great speed with the ability to make guys miss. He can play every WR position making it possible to move him around the field. Runs good routes, and has good footwork getting into those routes. Catches with his hands, not his body. Can score from anywhere on the field with his speed and vision. Is a dangerous return man.
Stands only 6 feet tall, and may struggle against taller physical corners. Missed 6 games last season to a leg injury. He needs to improve his run blocking at the NFL level.
SUMMARY
Nelson Agholor is a versatile receiver with dangerous speed who runs very polished routes. He shows great run after catch ability, and can be dangerous in the return game. Having been drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles, he will play multiple WR positions, giving Chip Kelly the ability to move him around, and he may play a part in the return game. He fits the Eagles scheme very well, and should excel in that offense. With Jeremy Maclin leaving, expect Nelson Agholor to start and quite possibly could challenge for offensive rookie of the year playing in that Chip Kelly offense.
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