Will Sheppard WR Vanderbilt | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Will Sheppard WR Vanderbilt
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Outside X-Receiver | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 01/12/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.49 seconds (55%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Outside X-Receiver | |
| Last Updated: 01/12/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.49 seconds (55%*) | |
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| Overall Rating: | 80.4 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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76% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 98.5 | |
| Hands: |
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57% |
| Short Receiving: |
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78% |
| Intermediate Routes: |
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85% |
| Deep Threat: |
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82% |
| Blocking: |
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48% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
3rd
Overall Rank:
#76
Position rank:
#11
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| College Games: 40 College Snaps: 2055 | ||
ESPN RATING: 74/100
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247 RATING: 89/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.5 (90%)
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Draft Profile: Bio
Will Sheppard from Mandeville High School was rated a 3-star recruit by ESPN and handed a 3-star grade by 247 Sports. After high school, Sheppard opted to join Vanderbilt.In 2020 as a freshman Sheppard saw action in 5 games for the Commodores as he made 2 receptions for only 31 yards for an average of 15.5 yards per reception, with no TDs, and QB rating when targeted of 100.7.
As a sophomore in 2021 he played 11 games and had 43 catches for 577 yards for an average of 13.4 yards per catch, with 4 TDs, and QB rating when targeted of 70.2.
As a junior in 2022 he played 12 games and hauled in 60 catches for 768 yards for an average of 12.8 yards per catch, with 9 TDs, and QB rating when targeted of 77.1.
As a senior in 2023 he played 12 games and had 47 catches for 684 yards for an average of 14.6 yards per catch, 8 TDs, and QB rating when targeted of 113.1.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Generally reliable receiver capable of making difficult catches in traffic over the middle or one on one down the sideline.
- Sheppard runs precise routes, showing an innate feel for setting up defensive backs to create separation.
- Tracks the ball well downfield and shows good ball skills, including the ability to go up and high-point it in contested-catch situations.
- He fights his way off the line of scrimmage against press coverage, showing quick, violent hands and good balance.
- Sheppard has strong hands and is extremely competitive, and Sheppard has an innate sense of timing when it comes to elevating and high-pointing balls.
- He’s also a catch-and-run threat, a creative runner who has good vision in the open field; he’ll be an option to return kicks as well.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Sheppard also had problems with drops when coming back to the action. He has some issues against press coverage, sometimes spending too much time hand fighting at the line of scrimmage.
- His playing speed is less than elite. Sheppard won’t run past defenders like Sheppard did at the college level.
- He’ll be coming to the NFL from a wide-open spread offense in which he ran a limited route tree.
How other scouting services rate Will Sheppard (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
77.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
11.0
*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.