Draft Analysis: Terrace Marshall Jr.

January 12, 2021 /
  • Height: 6’3″
  • Weight: 200
  • College: LSU
  • Tape watched: Mississippi State 2020, Missouri 2020, Alabama 2019, Texas 2019
  • NFL Comparison: DJ Chark

Pros

  • Deep Threat
    Terrace Marshall is a touchdown machine, and a large part of his production was his ability to stretch the field. Marshall doesn’t appear to possess world class speed, but he continually separates behind coverage and has good technique running outside fades as shown below.
Marshall is able to eat up off-coverage, initiate contact with the defender, and protect the boundary for Joe Burrow to deliver a dime.
  • Size/Body Control
    Marshall uses his lengthy frame well to highpoint passes. He is natural at adjusting to the ball in the air. He isn’t very physical, but their is an opportunity for him to put on better weight in the NFL. He isn’t an elite 50/50 receiver, but the tools are evident.

Cons

  • Route Running
    Route running was a glaring weakness through Terrace Marshall’s tape. He is often too patient in his route stem and struggles to make effective cuts. Marshall sometimes failed to have a plan off the line of scrimmage and used more of a wait-and-see approach with his routes. Marshall often times fails to lower his hips to make sharp cuts and deception.
  • YAC
    Unless he has space to open up, Marshall is probably not going to break many tackles. Already an upright runner, Marshall doesn’t possess great lateral agility or power to extend plays. He will slice through zones effectively with his speed and suddenness, though.
Is Marshall running a dig? A hitch? He jogs to the top of his route and turns around not expecting the ball. This was a common occurrence is Marshall wasn’t burning down the field.

Overview

Terrace Marshall was a difficult evaluation. There were games where he looked disinterested in the play and other times where he looked like a legit first round pick. If you watch his 2019 Mississippi State game you most likely will come away disappointed. Turn on his Missouri tape from 2020 and you hope your team drafts him.

Marshall has the speed and deep prowess to command attention at the next level. He generally has good hands, although struggled with drops at times. He isn’t great in contested situations, which is not ideal for a 6’3″ receiver who tends to play smaller than that. Marshall is an interesting prospect, and largely will rely on his combine results and limited tape, as he opted out after seven games this season. However, Marshall produced touchdowns like few others at LSU, averaging over a touchdown per game, and someone will rely on him becoming a solid starting receiver on their team.