NFL Draft Prospect Profile: WR Jordan Matthews, Vanderbilt

ALLGBP.com All Green Bay Packers All the Time
WR Jordan Matthews
WR Jordan Matthews

Packers prospect profile: WR Jordan Matthews

Player Information:

Jordan Matthews, WR Vanderbilt
6-3, 212 pounds
Hometown: Madison, Al.

STATS

NFL Combine:

40 time: 4.46
Vertical jump: 35.5″
225 lb. bench: 21 reps
Broad jump: 10′ 0″

News and Notes:

Ended career as the SEC’s all-time leader with 262 career receptions and 3,759 receiving yards … As a senior, the Biletnikoff Award semifinalist established a new SEC record with 112 catches … His receiving yardage total of 1,477 yards in 2013 is the third highest total ever by an SEC receiver … Matthews has had a record-setting junior season for the Commodores in 2012, arguably the greatest season ever by a Vanderbilt wide receiver, until his senior year … Unanimous First Team All-SEC WR by sportswriters and coaches in 2012 and 2013 … As a sophomore in 2011, Matthews emerged to lead the team in catches and receiving yards … After posting just five catches for 63 yards and no TDs through first five games in 2011, Matthews caught fire down the stretch, reeling in 36 passes for 715 yards and five TDs … Cousin of Jerry Rice. (vucommodores.com)

 What they’re saying about him: 

  • CBSSports.com: “Chiseled frame that was more impressive than higher-profile names also at the Senior Bowl. Size/speed combination along with his hand/eye coordination and body control makes him an attractive prospect, showing the ability to make plays at all levels of the field and do damage after the catch. Balanced route-runner with a sizeable catching radius. Size allowed him to be moved inside and out in Vandy’s offense, allowing the team to find him favorable matchups. Detailed and reliable route-runner. Very good hand-eye coordination to haul in tough passes, including one-handed catches.”
  • NFL.com: Good length. Big zone target. Good form as a route runner. Sinks his hips and pops out of breaks. Concentrates, tracks and adjusts. Soft hands and sticky fingers. Has leaping ability to compete in the air. Opens up his stride in the clear and shows nice long speed. Good field awareness. Gives effort as a blocker. Competes and plays with intensity. Tough and intelligent. Lined up outside and inside and has punt-return experience. Team captain and four-year starter with record-setting production.

Video:

Video Analysis:

  • Cut-ups like this are far more telling than highlight reels. But hey, his highlights are really easy to watch. They look cool.
  • Matthews is strong, often a mismatch for smaller cornerbacks.
  • Smooth route runner, gets in and out of his breaks quickly.
  • Natural at positioning his body and “boxing out” the defensive back.
  • Was definitely the centerpiece of Vanderbilt’s offense in 2012 and 2013.
  • Productive despite less-than-stellar quarterback play.
  • How can you hear “Rodgers to Matthews” and not think Packers?

If drafted by the Packers:

The Packers didn’t really miss Greg Jennings last year, despite losing Randall Cobb and James Jones at different points of the season. But now with Jones set to hit free agency and the Packers leaning towards allowing him to walk, they could be in the market for a wide receiver. In my opinion, Matthews is exactly the kind of receiver Ted Thompson values. He’s got good size, can line up all over the formation and was often put in position to create yards after the catch. You can’t argue with Matthews’ production in the SEC, and if not for a stacked class of wide receivers, Matthews could very well be a first-round pick. But thanks to guys like Sammy Watkins, Mike Evans and Marquise Lee at the top, Matthews may be a Day 2 guy. Thompson has found Jennings, Jones, Cobb and Jordy Nelson in rounds two and three, and Matthews could be the next in line. If he’s available when the Packers are on the clock at No. 53, Matthews would make a lot of sense. Pairing him with Nelson and Jarrett Boykin would give the Packers a nice corps of bigger receivers to put around Cobb in the slot.

——————

Follow @MJEversoll

Marques is a Journalism student, serving as the Sports Editor of UW-Green Bay\'s campus newspaper The Fourth Estate and a Packers writer at Jersey Al\'s AllGBP.com. Follow Marques on Twitter @MJEversoll.

——————

3 thoughts on “NFL Draft Prospect Profile: WR Jordan Matthews, Vanderbilt

  1. He would make a good third or forth round pick. The Packers need so much help on defense that it is hard to draft offense players early. Most every receiver looks good when Rodgers is throwing the ball. I did see some missed catches.

    1. I like Donte Moncrief in the 3rd. Pass on Matthews… Moncrief is as good or better IMO. Similar size, better leaper, very good hands, better speed. If Matthews didn’t have the Jerry Rice connection I don’t think he would be rated higher.

  2. ummm…third or fourth round pick? The packers would be lucky to get him in the second. he is very good. much more polished than moncrief.

Comments are closed.