Bryce Ford-Wheaton WR West Virginia | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Bryce Ford-Wheaton WR West Virginia
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
ROLE: Outside X-Receiver | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last Updated: 04/14/2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Draft Year: 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
40 time: 4.38 seconds (88%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bowl Invite: Shrine Bowl | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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ROLE: Outside X-Receiver | |
Last Updated: 04/14/2023 | |
Draft Year: 2023 | |
40 time: 4.38 seconds (88%*) | |
Bowl Invite: Shrine Bowl | |
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Overall Rating: | 82.5 / 100 | |
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Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
Defense Rating: |
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77% |
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
QB Rating When targeted: | 81.0 | |
Hands: |
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67% |
Short Receiving: |
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78% |
Intermediate Routes: |
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79% |
Deep Threat: |
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82% |
Blocking: |
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60% |
DRAFT PROJECTION:
5th
Overall Rank:
#136
Position rank:
#21
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College Games: 46 College Snaps: 2147 | ||
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College Combine Results
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OVR Rank:
#348
Pos Rank:
#149
State Rank:
#24
College Combine Results
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Ovr Rank: #754 Pos Rank: #119 | ||
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Draft Profile: Bio
Bryce Ford-Wheaton from Holly Springs High School was rated a 3-star recruit by ESPN and handed a 3-star grade by 247 Sports. After high school, Ford-Wheaton opted to join West Virginia.In 2018 as a freshman Ford-Wheaton saw action in just 2 games and went without a catch.
As a sophomore in 2019 he played 11 games and had just 12 catches for 201 yards for an average of 16.8 yards per catch, with 2 TDs.
As a junior in 2020 in a COVID shortened season he played 9 games and hauled in 27 catches for 416 yards for an average of 15.4 yards per catch, with 3 TDs, and QB rating when targeted of 83.6.
As a senior in 2021 he played 12 games and had 42 catches for 575 yards for an average of 13.7 yards per catch, 3 TDs, and an excellent QB rating when targeted of 95.4.
As a fifth-year senior in 2022 he played 12 games and had 62 catches for 675 yards for an average of 10.9 yards per catch, 7 TDs, and less impressive QB rating when targeted of 76.5.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- He proved at the combine that he was the best athlete in the WR group. Standing 6-4 and weighing in at 221lbs he ran a 4.38 forty, put up a 41-inch vertical, and a 129-inch broad jump. Very similar measurables to the Seahawk star DK Metcalf
- Is an impressive blocker - not unexpected given his almost tight end-like build
- He’s also a catch-and-run threat, a creative runner who has some vision in the open field; he’ll be an option to return kicks as well.
- Made Bruce Feldman's Freak's List - ranked #68. He wrote, "At 6-3 1/4, 224, Ford-Wheaton puts up some big numbers in the training program. He vertical-jumped 40 inches, broad-jumped 10-8; had a 4.02 pro agility time and went 6.68 in the L-drill. In addition, he power-cleaned 365 pounds. Teammate Lance Dixon, a linebacker who is almost the exact same size, put up very strong numbers in some of these areas too, with a 10-6 broad jump; a 39-inch vertical and 4.11 pro agility time."
- He has reliable hands and shows the willingness to make catches in traffic over the middle.
- A savvy, natural pass-catcher with reliable hands and very good focus. Snatches the ball out of the air and shows the concentration to make acrobatic catches look easy.
- Ford-Wheaton fights his way off the line of scrimmage against press coverage, showing quick, violent hands and good balance.
- Outstanding in jump ball situations - dominates smaller DBs. Mismatch in the redzone
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- While he has elite long speed - his acceleration is average and he seems to play slower than his forty time
- Given his athletic profile he has underperformed in college and has put up just three 100plus yd games
- Rounds his routes and has run a limited route tree
- Has played almost exclusively on the left side of the formation - may struggle to adjust to a multi-dimensional role in the pros
- Not much of a start-stop shifty player - will beat you with speed but not quickness
- Ford-Wheaton seems comfortable in traffic to the point where he doesn’t make the effort to create separation.
- Does not always use his hands to secure deep throws, allowing the ball into his pads and chest.
Player Comparison
Less productive DK MetcalfScouting Report: Summary
Bryce Ford-Wheaton is no doubt an incredible athlete with off-the-scale measurables. We haven't seen this combination of speed, size, and overall length since DK Metcalf. He isn't just an athletic freak with no football skills - he possesses excellent soft reliable hands and is elite in high-pointing deep balls. He however has limited college production and has never dominated at that level, he additionally is a poor undisciplined route runner and doesn't play to his timed speed.Overall Ford-Wheaton is an intriguing prospect who is a classic high ceiling low floor guy. Given his measurables expect a team to take a flyer on him in the fourth or fifth round of the 2023 NFL draft.
Bryce Ford-Wheaton percentiles vs other Wide Receivers (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Bryce Ford-Wheaton (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
185.5
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
31.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.