Cayden Lee WR Ole Miss | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Cayden Lee WR Ole Miss
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Slot Receiver | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 05/30/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.49 seconds (55%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 20.6 DOB: 11/17/2004 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Slot Receiver | |
| Last Updated: 05/30/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2026 | |
| 40 time: 4.49 seconds (55%*) | |
| Age: 20.6 DOB: 11/17/2004 | |
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| Overall Rating: | 82.9 / 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: | 119.9 | |
| Hands: |
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92% |
| Short Receiving: |
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79% |
| Intermediate Routes: |
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87% |
| Deep Threat: |
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85% |
| Blocking: |
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53% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
5th
Overall Rank:
#140
Position rank:
#20
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| College Games: 21 College Snaps: 886 | ||
ESPN RATING: 78/100
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247 RATING: 88/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.8 (95%)
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Draft Profile: Bio
The journey from Kennesaw Mountain High School to Oxford hasn't been linear for the Georgia native who goes by "Honeycomb." After transferring between three different high schools - Hillgrove, Atlanta Westlake, and finally Kennesaw Mountain - Lee found his footing as a senior with a monster campaign that featured 74 catches for 1,101 yards and 13 touchdowns in just nine games. That breakout performance earned him four-star recognition from Rivals and positioned him as Georgia's 26th-ranked prospect, ultimately choosing Ole Miss over heavyweight programs like Georgia, Oklahoma, and USC.Lee's collegiate debut couldn't have been scripted better, hauling in a 34-yard touchdown pass on his very first reception against Mercer. That early flash of potential carried through his freshman campaign, where despite limited snaps, both of his first two career catches went for scores - including a spectacular 51-yard bomb against ULM. By season's end, he'd earned his first start in the Peach Bowl against Penn State, signaling the coaching staff's growing confidence in the young receiver.
The 2024 sophomore season marked Lee's true arrival on the SEC stage. After injuries opened the door for expanded playing time, he seized the opportunity and never relinquished his grip on a starting role. His 57 receptions for 874 yards ranked second on the team behind All-American Tre Harris, while his nation-leading zero drops on 57 targets showcased remarkable reliability. The standout performance came against LSU, where he exploded for nine catches and 132 yards, demonstrating his ability to step up when the lights burn brightest. His 20 receptions of 20-plus yards ranked second in the SEC and tied for seventh nationally, establishing him as one of the conference's most explosive downfield threats.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Exceptional ball security with elite hands that snatch passes cleanly away from his frame, rarely allowing defenders to disrupt catches
- Outstanding route precision with sharp cuts and subtle releases that consistently create separation against press and off coverage
- Dynamic after-catch ability that turns routine completions into explosive gains through vision, acceleration, and contact balance
- Natural feel for finding soft spots in zone coverage, consistently settling into windows with excellent timing and spatial awareness
- Impressive deep ball tracking skills with the body control to adjust to poorly thrown passes while maintaining stride
- Versatile alignment capability across the formation with comfort operating from slot, outside, and motion packages
- Competitive edge that shows up in contested catch situations, willing to attack the ball through contact
- Advanced football instincts that allow him to make adjustments on broken plays and scramble drills
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Undersized frame at 175 pounds creates durability concerns and limits effectiveness against physical press coverage from bigger cornerbacks
- Inconsistent blocking effort in the run game, often appearing disengaged when not directly involved in the passing concept
- Limited top-end speed prevents him from consistently winning vertical races against elite defensive backs in single coverage
- Struggles to consistently defeat physical jam techniques at the line, occasionally getting knocked off his route timing
- Needs to develop more nuanced release package to consistently beat press coverage without relying solely on quickness
Scouting Report: Summary
The tape reveals a receiver whose ceiling gets capped by his physical limitations but whose floor remains remarkably high due to technical excellence. Lee's hands and route precision translate directly to NFL success, yet his slight frame will likely prevent him from becoming a primary outside target at the next level. While he consistently manufactures separation through craft rather than athleticism, bigger cornerbacks with jam techniques could neutralize his effectiveness in ways that didn't surface consistently in college.His versatility across formations gives offensive coordinators multiple ways to deploy him, though the blocking deficiencies limit his three-down value and could keep him off the field in heavy personnel packages. The deep ball production at Ole Miss showcases legitimate downfield ability, but the modest straight-line speed means he'll need schematic help and timing routes rather than relying on pure vertical separation. Lee's reliability factor can't be overstated - zero drops on 57 targets speaks to mental toughness and concentration that often determines slot receiver success in the NFL.
The questions surrounding his durability are legitimate given the 175-pound frame, yet his production against elite SEC competition suggests he won't wilt under physical coverage. His professional approach working with established quarterbacks this offseason indicates the type of preparation habits that help smaller receivers carve out NFL roles. Lee likely settles into a complementary role initially, with the route-running sophistication and hands to eventually command meaningful target share in the right system.
How other scouting services rate Cayden Lee (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
140.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
25.0
*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.