Jayden Ballard WR Ohio State | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Jayden Ballard WR Ohio State
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Outside X-Receiver | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 12/04/2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2026 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.48 seconds (59%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 22.11 DOB: 12/19/2001 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Outside X-Receiver | |
| Last Updated: 12/04/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2026 | |
| 40 time: 4.48 seconds (59%*) | |
| Age: 22.11 DOB: 12/19/2001 | |
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| Overall Rating: | 52.5 / 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: | 47.9 | |
| Hands: |
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28% |
| Short Receiving: |
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51% |
| Intermediate Routes: |
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00% |
| Deep Threat: |
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52% |
| Blocking: |
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51% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
UDFA
Overall Rank:
#570
Position rank:
#21
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| College Games: 20 College Snaps: 248 | ||
ESPN RATING: 86/100
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 96/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.8 (95%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ben Ratzlaff - Western Kentucky |
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62% |
| Bryce Mitchell - Toledo |
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50% |
| Ricky Smalling - Illinois |
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46% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Jayden Ballard from Washington High School was rated a 4-star recruit by ESPN and handed a 4-star grade by 247 Sports. After high school, Ballard opted to join Ohio State.In 2021 as a freshman Ballard saw action in just 3 games for the Buckeyes as he made one reception for just 4 yards for an average of 4.0 yards per reception, with no TDs, and just QB rating when targeted of 39.6.
As a sophomore in 2022 he played 7 games and had just 8 catches for 155 yards for an average of 19.4 yards per catch, with one TD, and an excellent QB rating when targeted of 155.8.
As a junior in 2023 he played just 2 games and made no impact as a receiver.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Balanced, savvy route runner with top field awareness, setting up and selling routes beautifully.
- He’s broad-shouldered, long-limbed and a smooth athlete who showed the ability to make plays downfield.
- Ballard plays with a smoothness and balance, and Ballard shows a knack for setting up defensive backs.
- Although he is more of a possession target than a field stretcher, he fiercely competitive demeanor and run-after-catch ability make him a major threat in the middle of the field.
- His long arms allow him to play bigger than his size, and he has a frame that can carry a little more weight.
- When used downfield, he shows the ball-tracking skills and hand-eye coordination to make the adjustment on underthrown balls and back-shoulder throws.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- He’ll be coming to the NFL from a wide-open spread offense in which Ballard ran a limited route tree.
- Ballard also lacks suddenness as a route runner, and that is a potential issue at the next level.
- Ballard seems comfortable in traffic to the point where he doesn’t make the effort to create separation.
Jayden Ballard percentiles vs other Wide Receivers (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Jayden Ballard (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
569.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
91.0
*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.