2024 NFL Draft Diamonds Scouting Report: Jalon Calhoun, WR, Duke

Player Data

Name, Jersey #	Jalon Calhoun, #5
School (Code)	NCDU
DOB, Class Yr	12/16/2000, RS Senior
Height, Weight	5096, 189
40 Yd Dash	4.49e
Arms, Hands	3178, 0938
Position/Depth	Slot WR, starter
Honors/Captainship	N/A
Season Viewed (yr)	2022
Games Watched	Virginia, Virginia Tech, UNC, Pitt
Scout Name / Date	Jake Kernen, 6/11/2023

Per Year Stats (Most Recent First)

2022	Played in all 13 games, started 12 games. 62 catches for 873 yards, 4 TDs. 9 punt returns for 113 total yards, 2 kick returns for 26 total yards
2021	Played in all 12 games, started 10 games. 56 catches for 718 yards, 3 TDs, 2 rushes for 13 yards, 1 rushing TD
2020	Started all 11 games. 39 catches for 349 yards, 2 TDs, 1 rush for -4 yards. 2 Punt returns for 3 total yards
2019	Started all 12 games. 46 catches for 420 yards, 4 TDs, 4 rushes for 2 yards.

Player Summary:

RS Senior from Greenville, SC. Primarily used as a slot WR at Duke, put in motion to take advantage of coverages and mismatches. Occasionally flexes into the backfield. Also contributes on special teams as a returner. Below-average height but is built well and his frame is filled out. Looks to have good length, but no confirmed measurables. Thick lowers. Above-average quickness and twitch. Strong midsection. Limited film against press coverage, would need to see more to assess his ability to get off press. Satisfactory straight-line speed. Not elite, but good enough to run past defenders on go balls. Route running is good enough to shake college defenders but has room for improvement. Has potential to be a great route runner with coaching. High-level understanding of coverages, knows when and where to sit to find the soft spot in the defense. Makes smart adjustments to the ball as it is in the air, cuts off routes early to put himself between the ball and the defender. Explosive athlete that can outjump defenders and extend his catch radius. Tends to allow the ball into his chest but has no drops despite being a body-catcher. Takes good care of the ball after the catch. Elusive with the ball in his hands, twitch and athleticism make him hard to bring down. Bounces off tacklers with impressive contact balance. Good leg drive after contact, fights for extra yards. Elite blocker that gives high effort on downfield blocks as well as for screens. Experienced punt returner, takes care of the ball as he receives it. His combination of play balance and strength makes him tough to bring down in the return game. Returns some kicks as well, but much fewer reps doing so. 

Scheme Fit:

Prototypical slot WR that wins with quickness and instincts. Calhoun would fit best in an offense that has an existing primary pass catcher that would allow him to work underneath routes and create opportunities for himself.

Power Statement:

Tough and competitive player, Calhoun is a safe bet to be a contributor at the NFL level. Calhoun projects as an immediate contributor to play on special teams and to rotate in on offense in 3 WR sets, I expect him to be a starting slot player in the NFL.