NFL Draft Diamonds Scouting Report: Bryce Shade, WR, Wesley College

Bryce Shade, WR, Wesley College (Division 3)

• Height: 5’7”
  
• Weight: 170 lbs.
  
• Graduation Year: 2017
  

2015 Stats: 83 Receptions, 1427 Yards, 109.8 Yards Per Game, 17 TDs

​30 Carries, 215 Yards, 9.1 Yards Per Game, 7.2 Yards Per Carry, 0 TDs

4 Kick Returns, 54 Yards, 13.5 Yards Per Kick Return, 0 TDs ​ 37 Punt Returns, 502 Yards, 13.6 Yards Per Punt Return, 0 TDs

2013 All-Purpose Yards

2016 D3football.com Preseason 1st Team All-American 

Strengths:

1) Good breakaway speed, can beat his defender one on one in man coverage

2) Can get into open space after the catch, and when a play breaks down

3) Is versatile in the slot, and as a returner

Weaknesses:

1) Does not attack the ball on comeback routes and deep routes

2) Not the sharpest route runner

3) Size

Bryce Shade is a wide receiver who’s very versatile in the slot, and as both a kick returner & punt returner. He’s undersized as a receiver at 5’7” 170 lbs., but has good breakaway speed once he touches the ball. Against man coverage, Shade can beat his defender one on one. When a play breaks down, or takes too long to develop, he can get away from his defender, and get open for his quarterback.

Shade is not the sharpest route runner, as he tends to round off his cuts. When the ball is thrown to him, he tends to wait for it to come to him, instead of attacking it, especially on comeback routes, deep routes, and jump balls.

In 2015, Shade totaled 83 receptions for 1427 yards, and averaged 109.8 yards per game with 17 touchdowns. On the ground, he totaled 30 carries for 215 yards, and averaged 9.1 yards per game, and 7.2 yards per carry. On special teams, he had 4 kick returns for 54 yards, and averaged 13.5 yards per kick return, to go along with 37 punt returns for 502 yards, and averaged 13.6 yards per punt return. With 2013 all-purpose yards, he has shown he can produce as a receiver, and in the return game. To live up to his preseason All-American nomination and more in his senior season, he needs to be as versatile & productive as he was in 2015 while improving his route running, and attacking the football when he catches it. I’d compare him to the likes of NFL receivers Dexter McCluster, DeSean Jackson, and Tavon Austin. I have him at an undrafted free agent grade.

This piece was written by Brandon Davis. Davis is one of our talent evaluators at NFL Draft Diamonds. Go Follow him on Twitter!