Hands
You just can’t say enough when it comes to a receiver’s hands. Many a world class sprinter has failed to make it in the NFL because he couldn’t consistently hold onto the ball, and conversely, there are receivers in the Hall of Fame who possessed nothing better than mediocre speed, but they made up for it by catching everything thrown in their direction.
Generally, you can judge a guy’s hands by how often he drops a catchable ball, but there are other things to look at. Some guys appear to have soft hands that the ball just seems to stick in while others look like their hands are made of stone. Watch for guys who consistently pull the ball in and tuck it away with little movement, while avoiding the guys that have a habit of bobbling the ball before bringing it in. You also want to look for a guy who catches the ball out away from his body instead of letting it get into his pads where it is more likely to be mishandled.
Body Control All the great receivers have one thing in common. They all have great body control and the ability to adjust to the ball while it is in the air. Look for guys that can turn and catch the ball when it is thrown over the wrong shoulder, along with the guys that can get their toes down in bounds on passes along the sideline. Other things to keep an eye on include balance and how well the receiver uses his body to gain position on the defender.
Catching in Traffic
Some guys just don’t have the size or courage to consistently go across the middle, so it is a big plus when you find a player with the mental fortitude to catch the ball in traffic knowing he is likely to take a big hit. Good hands are of the utmost importance to a receiver who spends a lot of time in the middle of the field simply because of the number of defenders in close proximity. Any slight bobble can result in a costly turnover at this point on the field, so it takes a special player with a lot of courage to excel at this aspect of the game. Toughness is an area that is difficult to teach, so finding these characteristics at the college level is important when looking for a solid possession receiver.
Yards After the Catch
There’s really not a lot of detail to go into here other than to say that being able to fight through defenders and pick up extra yardage after the catch is a very desirable trait. Whether it be through physical strength or elusiveness, having the ability to pick up extra yards or even break long gains from short patterns can make a relatively conservative offense appear far more explosive.
Blocking Skills
Obviously, blocking is a very important part of a tight end’s repertoire. He is often used to help contain a defensive end in the passing game and is of huge importance in the running game. Wide receivers can also be of great importance in both the passing and running offenses on sweeps, draws, screen plays, slants, and other plays where the receivers can get out in front of the ball carrier.
You can evaluate a player’s blocking ability by watching how well he locks onto the defender and shields him from the play. A solid blocker is generally proficient at getting under the shoulder pads and into the chest of a player, and uses his leverage and leg drive to push him backward or away from the direction of the play.
Generally, a wide receiver does not need to sustain his blocks for long periods of time, so a little skill in this area can go a long way. Because a receiver can be taught to be a solid blocker at the NFL level, one of the biggest things I look for in a player is his willingness and enthusiasm when it comes to this sometimes undesirable task. If you find a guy who is willing to consistently stick his nose into blocking situations, you have a guy with the potential to be an adequate blocker at the least.
We’ll talk a little bit more about blocking skills in our next lesson, which focuses on the play of the offensive linemen.
