![]() Last year he was 88th in YAC per reception (minimum 20 targets He needs to channel his aggression into breaking tackles after the catch with stiff arms, etc. Maher’s play strength doesn’t consistently bubble to the top in this area. As nasty as Maher is with blocking, you’d think he would be a monster after the catch, but it isn’t the case. He has the functional strength and technique to enter any NFL depth chart and be a league-average blocker with the upside to grow into an exceptional blocker. Maher has a good anchor, but he needs to work on leverage. He’s better in-line as a pass protector and run blocker than as a pulling blocker or lead. He’s tenacious and determined to bury his defender in the dirt. He has the requisite speed, upper body strength and footwork to defeat this coverage type. Maher can be used on the perimeter, even against press or man coverage. He’s an early separator against linebackers and flashes solid late separation on the perimeter against corners. On vertical routes, he displays good bend and changes of direction. His routes vary in tempo, with head fakes at the top of his stem. Mayer has plus speed, fluid hips and the route-running nuance of an NFL veteran. At worst, he has the receiving chops to be the second option in a passing attack. ![]() Michael Mayer should be an immediate pass-game weapon on any depth chart. He won’t blow defenders out of their cleats, but he has the functional strength to hold running lanes or clear a path. He’s a tenacious blocker who engages well with defenders and anchors them. ![]() He will also be an immediate asset to the run game. Smith-Njigba could be an immediate target hog in the NFL. Smith-Njigba was ninth in yards per route run on deep targets, tied for first in PFF deep receiving grade and second in passer rating when targeted on routes 20-plus yards in 2021 (minimum 15 deep targets). He flashes the ability to stack corners on verticals from the slot easily. While it’s not a huge part of his game (only 16.1% of his 2021 target volume), he can win on vertical routes. Also, in saying that, it has to be mentioned that he is plenty quick to win in the NFL. He wins with excellent, quick footwork at the line and in space. Yes, Smith-Njigba was a slot receiver in college, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have the intangibles to get loose on the boundary. Any team investing high draft capital in him knows what they are getting: a high-volume wide receiver that can work both inside and on the perimeter. Smith-Njigba’s snap at the top of his stem is excellent, which allows him to create easy separation. He’s a route tactician with the route-running chops of an NFL veteran. Jaxon Smith-Njigba won’t burn defenders in the open field with his raw speed, but that isn’t necessary for him to succeed.
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