Eric Rivers WR Georgia Tech | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Eric Rivers WR Georgia Tech
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Outside X-Receiver | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 05/10/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.38 seconds (88%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ROLE: Outside X-Receiver | |
| Last Updated: 05/10/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2026 | |
| 40 time: 4.38 seconds (88%*) | |
|
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
|
| Overall Rating: | 86.0 / 100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
|
75% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 128.9 | |
| Hands: |
|
69% |
| Short Receiving: |
|
90% |
| Intermediate Routes: |
|
94% |
| Deep Threat: |
|
95% |
| Blocking: |
|
61% |
|
DRAFT PROJECTION:
2nd - Late
Overall Rank:
#51
Position rank:
#10
|
||
| College Games: 23 College Snaps: 1018 | ||
Draft Profile: Bio
Eric Rivers began at Memphis in 2021, where he walked on as a defensive back and contributed primarily on special teams before a shoulder injury cost him the 2022 season. Seeking a fresh start, Rivers transferred to FIU in January 2023, switching to wide receiver and quickly proving his worth. Despite walking on initially, he earned a scholarship after his first semester and contributed 32 catches for 370 yards that fall.Rivers exploded onto the national scene in 2024, transforming from role player to star with a dominant season at FIU. He snagged 62 passes for 1,162 yards (18.9 YPC) and 12 touchdowns, becoming the program's first-ever AP All-American with third-team honors. Against New Mexico State, Rivers delivered a performance for the record books – 11 catches, 295 yards and three scores – posting the second-highest single-game receiving total in college football that year and setting an FIU record in the process.
When Georgia Tech lost star receiver Eric Singleton Jr. to Auburn via the transfer portal, Rivers saw opportunity knocking. Despite heavy pursuit from Miami, Nebraska and other power programs, he chose the Yellow Jackets for his 2025 campaign. The speedster brings game-breaking vertical ability to a Tech offense featuring returning quarterback Haynes King. Before college, Rivers was a multi-sport standout at McCallie School, earning all-state honors in football, basketball and track while helping secure state championships in 2019 and 2020.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Vertical separation artistry is elite – consistently stacks defensive backs and maintains cushion through stem with mature understanding of defensive leverage.
- Tracks deep ball effortlessly while maintaining speed, showing soft hands and body control to adjust to throws without breaking stride.
- Creates explosive plays with exceptional build-up speed, turning routine completions into home run threats with shifty open-field running ability.
- Routes at intermediate depth show surgical precision with clean footwork, especially on comebacks and deep outs where he snaps off breaks.
- Changes speeds masterfully throughout routes, showing acceleration bursts that leave defenders flat-footed on double moves and post patterns.
- Surprisingly physical at catch point despite size limitations – routinely boxes out bigger defenders and secures contested throws through contact.
- Sneaky effective in traffic across middle, showing fearlessness slipping between linebackers and safeties while securing passes in tight windows.
- Brings competitive nastiness that translates to all aspects – fights through press coverage, battles for extra yards, and plays with infectious intensity.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Frame lacks ideal NFL thickness at just 174 pounds (3rd percentile), raising legitimate durability concerns against physical NFL cornerbacks.
- Run blocking remains a work in progress with inconsistent technique and occasional lapses in effort when plays develop away from him.
- Limited experience against press coverage – tends to get redirected at line against more physical corners who jam effectively.
- Hands show occasional concentration lapses, particularly on routine throws where focus drifts toward making moves before securing catch.
- Limited route tree experience with overreliance on vertical concepts – needs refinement on timing routes and developing chemistry with timing-based QBs.
Scouting Report: Summary
Rivers offers immediate impact value as a dynamic vertical weapon who can take the top off defenses while developing a more complete game. His exceptional deep speed and fluid movement skills translate perfectly to NFL offenses that push the ball downfield. While initially most dangerous on go routes and deep posts, the technical refinement he's shown in creating separation at intermediate depths suggests untapped potential that has yet to be fully maximized.The right offensive system will leverage his elite downfield tracking ability and surprising toughness at the catch point, using him to stretch safeties and open underneath routes while gradually expanding his role. His competitiveness elevates his game beyond just a speed specialist – he fights through contact, works back to the ball, and shows more physicality than his frame would suggest. What separates Rivers from other undersized speedsters is his natural feel for finding soft spots in zone coverage and ability to maintain velocity through his breaks.
Development focus should center on adding functional strength to his lean frame and refining his route tree beyond vertical concepts. His performance trajectory points toward a receiver who could outperform his draft position and develop into more than just a situational deep threat if paired with a quarterback who trusts his ability to win contested catches despite size limitations.
How other scouting services rate Eric Rivers (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
54.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
9.0
*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.