Marvin McNutt Notes

McNutt is a big bodied physical WR prospect. He lacks elite speed and COD skills but is a solid WR prospect for the 2012 draft.  He filed papers with the NFL Draft advisory board last year and didn't like what he heard back, so he has decided to refine his skills for another year at Iowa.

Height: 6'4
Weight: 215
Projected 40: 4.60-4.65

Separation skills/route running: Runs a solid comeback route and is very effective running simple routes(slants, hitches). He shields defenders with his big frame well and works through traffic well on crossing routes. Doesn't get in and out of his breaks as quickly as you'd like to see, but makes up for it with positioning and body control. Will struggle to separate from higher level CB's in man coverage and will need to work on getting lower on breaks.

Hands: Rarely lets the ball get into pads and will snatch away from his body, but has some inconsistency here. He will show good soft hands and secure the football at times, others he'll get careless and not finish the catch and the ball will go up in the air. Several times on slants he's had drops/deflections turn into INTs and near INTs.  Has the ability to improve here, but needs to work on focus and concentration. Will need to show more consistency during his senior year.

YAC: Solid after the catch ability. Uses his size to blow through arm tackles in space and is a good broken field runner. Difficult for DB's to bring down on slants and crossing routes and he's dangerous in space.

Vertical Ability: He isn't a guy that's gonna blow by you and outrun you but he tracks the ball in the air extremely well and has excellent leaping ability. He has consistently shown the ability to attack up the field and come down with the ball.

Red Zone ability: Exceptionally effective red-zone target both inside and outside. Very high percentage of success on his targets in the red zone on fades and slants. Can flat out jump the majority of DB's in jump ball situations and also shows the ability to work the end-line for a score as well. 16 TDs on 87 receptions the last two years; not much more you can ask of a WR as a red-zone threat.

It's hard to put a value on McNutt at this point. Had he come out last year he probably would have been a late round pick. His biggest issue may be the surplus of talented WR prospects, many of whom are underclassman and are likely to declare early. I'd put a 4th-5th round grade on him currently, and with some improved play and consistency he's likely to rise.