Originally Posted by :
Powell was a top-50 prospect nationally coming out of Greenville, North Carolina, but struggled during his first four years on campus to get playing time ahead of talented pass catchers Mike Williams, Tee Higgins, Justyn Ross, Hunter Renfrow, Deon Cain, Ray-Ray McCloud, Amari Rodgers, Artavis Scott and Diondre Overton (plus Jordan Leggett at tight end). He played in nine games as a reserve in 2016 (12 receptions, 87 yards, 7.3 average) and 14 games in 2017 (eight receptions, 57 yards, one touchdown, 7.1 average; three kick returns, 65 yards, 21.7 average). Powell redshirted his third year with the national-champion Tigers but played in four games (five receptions, 63 yards, 12.6 average; four kick returns, 117 yards, 29.3 average) as a backup while maintaining the year of eligibility. He was a larger part of Clemson's offense in 2019 (15 receptions, 122 yards, 8.1 average, two touchdowns). With Higgins off to the pros and Ross sidelined due to a spinal condition, Powell played well enough to earn third-team All-ACC honors (53 receptions, 882 yards, 16.6 average, seven touchdowns). He accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl. -- by Chad Reuter
Overview
Unique evaluation as a wideout who came into the program as a four-star recruit, never beat out talent in front of him and then put together impressive tape in his single season as full-time starter. Powell is well-skilled beyond the career production as he's clearly taken in the coaching and learned from others at the position. He's smooth but will have to win with route polish and competitiveness as his long speed and separation burst appear to be very average, which could lead to a higher number of contested catches outside the Clemson offense. The tape is good but the testing will be important as teams grapple with the single season of production. Powell will be an NFL backup, at worst. Strengths
Moves around the field with smooth gait.
Leverages route turns against tight man coverage.
Sneaky hand fighting to create separation.
Clears out catch space at the top of his routes.
Showed and proved as downfield ball-tracker and body-stacker.
Athletic in air with outstanding body control and catch instincts.
Plucks it at high-point and hides it away from swatting hands.
Plus hand-eye coordination through noisy catch-points.
Quarterback's friend with sudden but soft hands.
Will go get the football where it is thrown.
Gets run-ready even before completing hitch catch.
Not overly elusive but makes tacklers miss after catch.
Has ability as a stalk and wall-off blocker.
Weaknesses
Only one year over 15 catches and 125 yards in a season.
High-cut with limited wiggle in his movements.
Expect average release success against press.
Drive gear doesn't seem to generate panic in cornerbacks.
Route fakes lack salesmanship.
Below-average separation burst.
Route asks were rather basic at Clemson.
Dropped easy would-be touchdown catch headed into end zone against Virginia Tech.
Originally Posted by Detoxing:
I have a really, really hard time believing Powell comes in and takes the #2 job over Robinson, Pringle and Hardman. Not even by season's end.
Maybe he turns into a Anquan Bolden-esque #2 next season or something.
I expect he'll have a 'package' of plays, much like every guy they try to work in during their first year. That package will grow a bit as the season goes on and they put a little more on his plate over time.
You're right though, I don't expect he's a day one #2. In fact, I doubt we have a true #2; it'll be by committee. Which is fine, really.
Bolden is a really good player comp for Powell's ceiling I think! That's exactly what you're projecting with him. That would also be a really good #2 type to have here moving forward paired with Hill and Hardman, Kelce and maybe Gray. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Detoxing:
When you watch the senior bowl 1v1's, it's apparent that Powell does not have the wiggle that some of his counter parts do.
Guys like Tylan Wallace look significantly looser than our tank-ish WR in Powell.
I don't know what that means, or if anything at all as it relates to his ability to separate. It's just an observation.
Powell really gives me Jason Avant vibes. He was a serviceable player for Reid. One of Reid's favorites.
His path to winning starts with his release/footwork it would seem and is going to have less to do with pure athleticism like acceleration or speed.
I still think there’s something about him that reminds me of AJ Brown, the frame and build I suppose. Similar athleticism. But Brown gets great releases and is excellent at the catch point.
I think Powell’s ceiling is what Brown is. Will be unlikely he ever gets there though. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Chris Meck:
I expect he'll have a 'package' of plays, much like every guy they try to work in during their first year. That package will grow a bit as the season goes on and they put a little more on his plate over time.
You're right though, I don't expect he's a day one #2. In fact, I doubt we have a true #2; it'll be by committee. Which is fine, really.
Bolden is a really good player comp for Powell's ceiling I think! That's exactly what you're projecting with him. That would also be a really good #2 type to have here moving forward paired with Hill and Hardman, Kelce and maybe Gray.
I agree with all that.
One of the first comps i made of him when he was drafted was Deebo Samuel. Similar frame, chiseled, rock'd up kinda WR.
Not a burner, but NFL quality speed and some rare power for a WR.
Those packages you mention, i think we'll see Reid use Powell similar to how Shanahan used Samuel early. Same way Reid used Tyreek early in his career, and Hardman as well.
But instead of a speed element, we'll see a power element with Powell, like Samuel. He won't outrun guys around the corner, but i bet he de-cleats a would-be tackler and will be tough to get to the turf. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Chris Meck:
I expect he'll have a 'package' of plays, much like every guy they try to work in during their first year. That package will grow a bit as the season goes on and they put a little more on his plate over time.
You're right though, I don't expect he's a day one #2. In fact, I doubt we have a true #2; it'll be by committee. Which is fine, really.
Bolden is a really good player comp for Powell's ceiling I think! That's exactly what you're projecting with him. That would also be a really good #2 type to have here moving forward paired with Hill and Hardman, Kelce and maybe Gray.
I’d like to get Powell some of Hardman’s jet sweeps because he is way harder to take down and still has quality speed to boot [Reply]
Originally Posted by pugsnotdrugs19:
His path to winning starts with his release/footwork it would seem and is going to have less to do with pure athleticism like acceleration or speed.
I still think there’s something about him that reminds me of AJ Brown, the frame and build I suppose. Similar athleticism. But Brown gets great releases and is excellent at the catch point.
I think Powell’s ceiling is what Brown is. Will be unlikely he ever gets there though.
AJ Brown.
Deebo Samuel.
Anquan Bolden.
Those are all similar comps.
AJ and Deebo are the Anquans of the current era. Except that in 2021 those types of guys get often used as running backs. These so-called revolutionary offenses of McVeigh and Shanahan use these types of players to execute those schemes.
I wouldn't be surprised at all if the 2021 Chiefs offense has some Shanahan/McVeigh type run concepts sprinkled in and featuring Powell. [Reply]
I'm gonna hold off on expecting anything from a 5th round WR until we see him in the league. Wouldn't you guys say the likelihood is he never does anything of note? [Reply]
Originally Posted by O.city:
Wouldn't you guys say the likelihood is he never does anything of note?
If this were the Pioli/Peterson era Chiefs i'd agree.
But with this scheme, this coaching staff, this supporting cast, this track record of succes, i think at the very least his floor is Jason Avant. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Detoxing:
I have a really, really hard time believing Powell comes in and takes the #2 job over Robinson, Pringle and Hardman. Not even by season's end.
Maybe he turns into a Anquan Bolden-esque #2 next season or something.
Most of it depends on what’s going on in his dome. If he can pick up the playbook (big if) he can make some noise at WR2. He with his giant ass he doesn’t need to run pristine routes to get open or perfect technique to get off jams.
And I think Reid can do a good job of limiting his exposure to different routes without hamstringing playbook concepts. [Reply]