Zay Flowers 2023 NFL Draft Profile
The last time I went all in on a wide receiver named Zay, it didn’t turn out so well. Zay Jones is a quality NFL player but obviously wouldn’t get picked a round ahead of Cooper Kupp if we had a redo. This time we’re doing it again but with the Boston College wide receiver. Let’s go over everything you need to know in the Zay Flowers edition of the 2023 NFL Draft profile!
I think some eyebrows were raised when I listed Flowers as my number one receiver post NFL Scouting Combine. There isn’t a clear number one receiver in this draft that you feel good about using a top ten pick on. However, there are a lot of really good ones and Flowers has the most sizzle to him, in my opinion. I thought his combine blew me away and put him towards the top of the list.
Yes, the size is a concern. Flowers checks in 5-foot-9, 182, with small hands. I get that and it’s the exact reason why I wouldn’t pull the trigger in the first round. Outside of that, what are the real question marks when it comes to Flowers? I’m not seeing many. One red flag is a potential drop issue. Flowers had an 11% drop rate in college, which isn’t exactly great.
Still, Flowers should be a dangerous slot weapon at the next level. He runs clean routes and plays fast. In 2022 on a really bad BC team, Flowers notched 78 receptions for 1,077 yards and 12 touchdowns. Flowers carried a horrific BC team with no offensive line and limited quarterback. It’s amazing he was able to even do just that.
Flowers doesn’t have the best pure hands but he fights for the ball and tracks it well. The 4.42 speed is real and Flowers can beat you over the top in a hurry. For his size, he’s really good playing through traffic and knows how to win the ball.
More so than anything, I just really like the movement skills. He plays fast and when the ball is in his hands the guy is a blur. I think he should be able to thrive as a route runner and do more things than just go deep. He has great knee bend and stop / start ability.
At the end of the day, I have Zay Flowers as a better version of Tyler Lockett. You know exactly who he is and how he can help your football team. Flowers should be able to make big plays in the passing team for whoever drafts him.
