2019 NFL Draft Profile: D.K. Metcalf

D.K. Metcalf

#2 Wide Receiver by Football Addicts

Born: June 30th, 1997 (22 years old)
Height: 6’4
Weight: 230 Lbs
Position: Wide Receiver
University: Ole Miss

About D.K.

The Metcalf family is familiar with the NFL and now comes the latest generation. One part of the deadly NWO trio at Ole Miss, D.K Metcalf was a 4 star recruit out Ole Miss’ backyard in Oxford, Mississippi.

The 4 star was able to get playing time as a freshman, but had to end his season early due to a broken foot after just 2 games. He was awarded a medical redshirt for his freshman season, then burst back onto the field with 39 catches, 646 yards, and 7 touchdowns as a redshirt freshman the following season. D.K. would continue showing growth as he caught 26 catches for 569 yards, 21.6 yards a catch and 5 touchdowns in just his first 7 games. Unfortunately, Metcalf would suffer another setback, this one coming in the form of a season ending neck injury.

DeKaylin chose to forgo his NCAA career after just his redshirt sophomore year, and I can’t blame him. I would love to see a full season of him at Ole Miss, but his talents are too good to risk at the NCAA level.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths

D.K. is a freak athlete that could possibly run a 4.3 while standing at 6’4, 230 Lbs. He is a willing run blocker on the outside, don’t expect a pancake block but can hold a guy for 3 or 4 seconds for the play to develop. Normally has the advantage in 50/50 jump balls just due to his height, but his vertical ability puts his catch radius in borderline elite range. I have seen him make some of the best contested catches in college football the past two seasons.

Weaknesses

This is the reason keeping him from my 1st wide receiver spot, he has injury red flags. He suffered a broken foot his freshman season ending it early, then suffered a season ending neck injury 7 games into his junior year.  He isn’t as refined as others in the class when it comes to route running. I see him do a lot of dancing at the line before a streak, and a few screens, but I haven’t seen crisp intermediate routes from him.

NFL Draft Projection/NFL Comp

NFL Draft Projection

There are a lot of team that would benefit from a guy like Metcalf on the field, but I don’t think he will be called until picks 17-24. The Browns could hook up Mayfield big time with this selection, but I really like him in Tennessee. With the 19th pick, the Titans could select not only someone to take the pressure off Corey Davis, but also a freak athlete that will leave no more excuses for Mariota.

NFL Comparison

Everytime I watch his film it makes me happy because he reminds me so much of one of my favorite players. He has the freakish ability to be like Josh Gordon. Even better, he has no off the field red flags. D.K. is a walking mismatch, and if he flashes the speed I believe he has at the combine, I don’t see him ever being truly covered.