Post by Purple Pain on Apr 23, 2020 10:29:59 GMT -6
Not many players can outrun the entire Ohio State defense! While Hamler did not run the 40-yard dash at the combine and his Pro Day was cancelled, Penn State recorded Hamler with a 4.27-second 40-yard dash. He had the reputation as the fastest player in college football, and prior to his injury was second only to Henry Ruggs III for the best odds to run the fastest 40-yard dash.
But elite speed isn’t the main reason he gets so open, so deep. His vertical route running might be as good as anyone in this draft class.
[Film Study at the link]
But elite speed isn’t the main reason he gets so open, so deep. His vertical route running might be as good as anyone in this draft class.
[Film Study at the link]
...
Basically, name your route and Hamler will get open. Sure, he’ll take the top off defenses with his speed, but he also knows how to vary his speed midroute and how to snap off at the top of routes. His release is explosive off the line of scrimmage, and while at his size he can get moved off his line, his overall route running and athleticism make him one of the best guys in the draft class at getting open.
And once he gets the ball in his hands, he’s electric after the catch. While he’s not going to break many tackles at his size, a lot of defenders can’t get their hands on him in the first place with his speed, vision and suddenness. That also gives him special teams value as a big return threat.
Some People Think K.J. Hamler Is Not All That Good At Football. To That, I Say, “Poppycock!”
The two big things detractors point to with K.J. Hamler: (1) drops and (2) size. Let’s address those in turn:
Catching the Ball Is Overrated
Pro Football Focus charted K.J. Hamler with 16 drops on 114 catchable opportunities over the last two years (14.0%), and 12 drops on 70 catchable opportunities last year (17.0%). That’s bad!
But drop rate at the college level is not predictive of drop rate at the NFL level, like, at all. In fact, the r2 of college drop rate to NFL drop rate is less than 0.1. That’s a math-y way of saying there’s basically zero predictive power. Which makes some sense — it’s a small sample size, and drop rate is already pretty noisy year-to-year at the NFL level.
Does that mean we should stop scouting whether receivers can catch? No, but I wouldn’t get too bogged down in the numbers. Instead, focus on traits. Hamler sometimes tries to cut upfield before finishing the catch, and can overrely on his chest to secure the ball rather than snatching the ball with his hands. But those can be fixable weaknesses, especially when Hamler has shown the ability to make good plays at the catch point.
And once he gets the ball in his hands, he’s electric after the catch. While he’s not going to break many tackles at his size, a lot of defenders can’t get their hands on him in the first place with his speed, vision and suddenness. That also gives him special teams value as a big return threat.
Some People Think K.J. Hamler Is Not All That Good At Football. To That, I Say, “Poppycock!”
The two big things detractors point to with K.J. Hamler: (1) drops and (2) size. Let’s address those in turn:
Catching the Ball Is Overrated
Pro Football Focus charted K.J. Hamler with 16 drops on 114 catchable opportunities over the last two years (14.0%), and 12 drops on 70 catchable opportunities last year (17.0%). That’s bad!
But drop rate at the college level is not predictive of drop rate at the NFL level, like, at all. In fact, the r2 of college drop rate to NFL drop rate is less than 0.1. That’s a math-y way of saying there’s basically zero predictive power. Which makes some sense — it’s a small sample size, and drop rate is already pretty noisy year-to-year at the NFL level.
Does that mean we should stop scouting whether receivers can catch? No, but I wouldn’t get too bogged down in the numbers. Instead, focus on traits. Hamler sometimes tries to cut upfield before finishing the catch, and can overrely on his chest to secure the ball rather than snatching the ball with his hands. But those can be fixable weaknesses, especially when Hamler has shown the ability to make good plays at the catch point.
Check out the link!
... and neither is this Chris guy.