Draft Analysis: Bo Melton

• Height: 5’11”
• Weight: 189
• College: Rutgers
• Tape watched: Wisconsin, Michigan, Maryland
• NFL Comparison: Dyami Brown

Pros

• Speed
  Watching Bo Melton rip through gears is quite a pleasure. He can reach his top speeds relatively quickly, displaying plenty of acceleration. He has the kind of strides and movement that remind you of Mike Wallace in his prime.

• Release
  Melton has a lot of juice off the line of scrimmage. He pairs that with an uncanny ability to slip past defenders and get skinny when he needs to. His hesitation is deadly because one false step could mean the end for corners.

• Competitiveness
  Melton lacks size and strength but you rarely notice when he has the football. He isn’t necessarily powerful with the football, but he doesn’t shy from contact and runs with purpose behind his pads. He also showed promise fighting for the football on underthrows and jump balls.

Midline

• RAC
  Lacking true elusiveness and power, Melton is average after the catch.

• Route Running
  Melton just needs to be more consistent in and out of his route breaks. He moves well and transitions speeds extremely fluidly. He varies his tempo and can play patient if needed. He can cue defenders with his body language by rounding routes or turning his head too soon. He gives hints of Diontae Johnson with how he moves at times.

Cons

• Hands
  Melton’s hand size and strength is a major red flag. There are countless examples of drops, double catches, and using his body to secure the football. Routine catches can feel stressful watching Melton secure the ball.

• Route Tree
  Rutgers deployed one of the worst offenses for a passing attack. 11th best in passing yards in the Big Ten and a paltry 5.8 yards per attempt, Melton simply was limited in what he could show. Screens, hitches, and go routes sum up most of Melton’s route tree.

• Blocking
  Melton cannot be counted on to make an impact in the blocking game. He has little desire and rarely seals off the edge. He has reps that give you hope, but all in all not a bright side of his game.

Overview

Bo Melton has traits and promise that could make him a steal next week. He has elite level speed at the position, and moves extremely well throughout his routes. Unfortunately, the experience in a real passing offense and lack of high end production make it hard to project Melton. Becoming a reliable pass catcher should be at the top of his list to improve on as well. He has some real hurdles in order to become an NFL threat, but a low risk bet on him may pay off big.