Brandon LaFell - Draft Projection - NFL Impact

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Brandon LaFell ​

Wide Receiver - LSU ​
  • Height - 6'2"
  • Weight - 211
  • 40 Time - 4.60
2009 Stats:
  • 57 Receptions, 792 Receiving yards
  • 11 TD's

Draft Projection - 1st - 2nd Round

NFL Impact Brandon LaFell is a well sized WR for the NFL, coming out of LSU. A three-year starter in college, LaFell showed off his ability to make big plays over the middle of the field while still remaining a vertical threat to all defenders. At the combine, LaFell was unimpressive in the 40, however his long strides can fool defenders - he plays faster than his time shows. As well, he dropped a few balls that were clearly catchable. They looked to be more involved with his nerves than anything else though. At the next level, LaFell will have to learn to focus a bit more and not get distracted. His most impressive skill set at the combine was his ability to accelerate. LaFell will be able to get off of the ball at a very competitive speed. NFL coaches will also be very impressed with some of his game film, as he just may be the best blocking WR in the draft. Brandon LaFell was also one of the most improved route runners in all of college football last year, from his junior year to his senior year. The question lies in whether or not Brandon will be able to play against man corners in the NFL. His speed will not allot him much room, so he'll have to concentrate and muscle some catches from defenders if he hopes to be a successful WR. So where do you think LaFell will land? How successful will he be in the NFL?

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYCjP8cqe1w&NR=1"]YouTube- Brandon LaFell 2010 NFL Draft Highlights[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpLLlAGHGns&feature=related"]YouTube- Brandon LaFell vs. Florida[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RW4pX3s4kZE"]YouTube- Former LSU WR Brandon LaFell[/ame]

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Make sure to watch the video against FL and the bottom one so that you can hear Brandon speak. Against FL he beat Joe Haden multiple times, and Spikes couldn't ever seem to catch up to LaFell when he went over the middle.
 
Demaryius Thomas is a better blocker, but LaFell is no slouch. LaFell will be an elite flanker at the NFL level, I just don't know if I'd call him a #1.
 
LaFell's not in a walking cast either. Although reports are he's been running as if he was. He's exactly like the 2 guys Khris mentioned, Haden and Spikes. They're under fire for 40 times, but play fast enough on the field in pads, which is what matters.

I had LaFell comfortably in my top-5 immediately at the beginning of draft season, now maybe somewhere between 6 and 8 among WR's. Early-mid 3rd?
 
40 times are a tool, but not a particularly important one. What concerns me about his game is that LSU didn't use him as a split end all that much, preferring to play him in the slot or as a flanker. If you did it in college...
 
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