Green Bay Packers NFL Draft prospect profile: WR Stedman Bailey
Player Info:
Stedman Bailey
5’10”
193 lbs.
Hometown: Miramar, Florida
NFL Combine:
– Arm Length: 32.75″
– Bench Press: 11 reps
– 40-yard Dash: 4.52
– Vertical Jump: 34.5″
– Broad Jump: 117.0
– 3 Cone Drill: 6.81 seconds
– 20-yard Shuttle: 4.09 seconds
News and Notes:
ESPN.com named him an All-Big East Freshman in 2010 when he started nine games and finished with 24 catches for 317 yards and four touchdowns. He followed that season up by setting a school record for receiving yards with 1,279 and tied a school record with 12 touchdowns. He broke both records in 2012 with 1,627 yards and an incredible 25 touchdowns.
Bailey went to high school with quarterback Geno Smith and that chemistry carried over to West Virginia.
What they’re saying about him:
NFL.com: “Extremely productive. Showcases tremendous physicality in his routes. Uses his hands and body to create separation. Excellent body control. Very reliable target, volume catcher. Smart receiver who is adept at finds holes and picking up the first down. Tracks the football well over his shoulder and adjusts his body in order to make difficult catches. Lacks ideal size, both in terms of height and bulk. Not an overly explosive athlete. Doesn’t change directions with suddenness. Likely won’t run a blazing 40 yard dash. ”
CBSSports.com: “Bailey tracks the ball very well and shows outstanding body control and timing on deep passes. He has excellent hand/eye coordination and is a natural hands-catcher, snatching it away from his body with strong hands and making tough catches look easy. Bailey lacks ideal height, length and leaping ability, lacking the large catching radius of other receivers. He doesn’t have great explosiveness to beat defenders with speed alone, lacking the same suddenness as his teammate Tavon Austin. Bailey doesn’t always appear invested in the play when it isn’t designed to go his way. He has limited experience and production on special teams (11 career kick returns).”
Video:
Video Analysis:
Definitely understand the speed issue. Couldn’t separate on that first interception.
Shows the ability to make the excellent catch, extended for the ball and kept both feet in bounds.
Able to make the tough catch in coverage with a man or two (two!) on his hips
Seems to be absolute money on deep routes…when he can get separation
Not afraid to go over the middle of the field, physical in coverage
This guy is 5’10”? He plays bigger than that.
May not have the speed, but he’s got laser focus when the ball is thrown his way
Has to earn yards after the catch, won’t outrun defense with straight line speed
If the Packers draft him:
NFL.com compared Bailey to Greg Jennings and that would be a nice little coincidence for the Packers who just lost Jennings to the Minnesota Vikings.
If it sounds like I’m very high on Bailey, it’s because I am. Thanks to the play of Tavon Austin, Bailey is largely overshadowed and that has affected his draft stock. He’s projected to be a third or fourth round pick and would be a steal for Green Bay if they can get him. The Packers may still be deep at wide receiver but Jennings played a big role in the offense (when healthy) and they could use someone who is willing to go over the middle
It’s unclear what this could mean for Jarrett Boykin but a pile of riches at wide receiver is a good problem for teams to have. Bailey was overshadowed often at West Virginia by Tavon Austin and he’d benefit from the attention defenses would pay to Randall Cobb, Jordy Nelson and James Jones.
The Packers could clearly benefit from a receiver not afraid to go up the middle as they haven’t truly had one since Donald Driver in his prime. This pick makes too much sense and would keep the Green Bay passing game firing on all cylinders.
——————Kris Burke is a sports writer covering the Green Bay Packers for AllGreenBayPackers.com and WTMJ in Milwaukee. He is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) and his work has been linked to by sites such as National Football Post and CBSSports.com. Follow @KrisLBurke
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If they get him rnd of 3rd or preferably 4th ok. Certainly not in 1st or 2nd. The fact he doesnt change directiond suddenly means hr doesn’t get in/out breaks quickly and is a reason he can’t separate (get open).
i love this guy. i have been high on him since last year. i do not care what offense you play in. if you can get 114 catchs, 1600+ yards and 25 TDs you are getting open plenty often. especially when you are in the same offense as tavon austin. he is not a blazer but he ran a 4.52 which is fast enough. he is very strong for his size. i think he is a third round prospect as well though. would love to get him in the third round.
his change of direction drills at the combine were not elite, but they were all in the upper echelon of the WR class. this guys is a gamer that catches everything and understands defenses. that is what TT looks for. natural WRs and this guy fits the bill.