2017 NFL Draft Profile: John Ross

John Ross, Washington
5-11, 188
Ross was a four year player at Washington, but one of those seasons (2015) was lost to an ACL tear that was suffered in spring ball. As a freshman, Ross posted 16-208-1, averaging 13 yards per grab. He returned 31 kicks for 720 yards and a score, averaging 23.23 yards per return.
As a sophomore, Ross posted 17-371-4, and averaged 21.82 yards per reception. He added 38-938-2 on kick returns, and averaged 24.68 yards per return.
He lost all of 2015, and then returned in 2016 to post 81-1150-17, averaging 14.2 yards per reception. He also posted 17-411-1 on kick returns, with an average of 24.18 yards per return, and showed no lingering issues from his knee injury.
The Good
Major league speed guy, broke the all-time 40 record at the combine at 4.22 seconds.
His speed is a first rate diversion as it demands respect, and that opens up receivers underneath on shorter routes, as his speed alone creates soft spots.
Excellent foot work.
Works through several different gears, and cannot be caught in top gear in the open field.
Hand eye coordination is top shelf.
Excellent tracking skills from any angle.
Can catch the ball in tight spaces, and works well in traffic.
Very elusive, and is very good at tackle evasion.
Can work outside or in the slot.
Top flight kick return man who is capable of breaking off a home run on every return.
The Bad
He is not the biggest or the strongest receiver in the class.
Can get muscled by bigger corners.
Sometimes is sloppy getting into routes, depending more on speed than technique.
His cuts are also sloppy at times, and he sometimes lags in getting back to the football.
He has had major injury to both knees, and although it has not affected his speed, it can down the line with more wear.
Can pout when things do not go his way, and let's emotions get the best of him at times.
Looks more like a speed guy in the slot than a true outside threat in the NFL game.
Final Overview
I am not as personally sold on Ross as some scouts are, but it is easy to fall in love with his speed game. He can be coached up in other areas, but I do not find him to be nearly as complete as Williams is, and is not nearly the lock. THat being said, he has enough talent to warrant a first round discussion, but he will need some coaching up, and will need to be receptive to that.