Green Bay Packers NFL Draft prospect profile: WR/TE Devin Funchess
Player Information:
Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan
6-4, 232 pounds
Hometown: Farmington Hills, MI
NFL Combine:
40 yard: 4.70 seconds
20 yard: 2.74 seconds
10 yard: 1.66 seconds
Bench: 17 reps
Vertical jump: 38.5″
Broad: 124″
News and Notes:
A potential mismatch nightmare, Devin Funchess is expected to be a mid to late second round pick in this year’s NFL draft. Funchess is a big-bodied receiver who played tight end his first two years in college and switched to wide receiver his junior year. Despite questionable quarterback play Funchess averaged 741 yards and 5 touchdowns the last two seasons for Michigan. Showing off his versatility, Funchess switched jersey numbers from 19 to 87 to 1 in three seasons at Michigan, an impressive feat.
At 6’4″ Funchess possess good size and on film he shows good speed. He ran a poor 4.70 in the 40 at the combine but ran a much better 4.48 in the 40 at his pro day. Funchess has questionable hands and struggles to go up and high-point the ball. In 2012 he was named to the Freshman All-Big Ten team and earned Freshman All-American honors, in 2013 and 2014 Funchess was named Second Team All-Big Ten, and in 2013 was Big Ten Tight End of the Year.
What they’re saying about him:
- CBSSports.com: “Funchess started his career as a “move” tight end before evolving full-time at wideout, where he projects best in the NFL. He is a high risk/high reward type of talent who boasts first-round tools and has potential to be a No. 1 1/2 wide receiver in the NFL, but due to inconsistencies his value is in the early-to-mid second round.”
- NFL.com: “Has mismatch-caliber size, but lack of vertical talent and below-average hands might negate the size to an extent. Funchess was used outside and inside at Michigan and had success from the slot. He has the feel of a hybrid player who can be a big guy at wide receiver or a mismatch nightmare as a move tight end with more weight on his rangy frame.”
If drafted by the Packers:
Devin Funchess physically fits a need for the Packers. Since Finley left, the Packers have been lacking a big-bodied receiver, with Jordy Nelson being the biggest of the receivers. Funchess has a little more size than any of the current wide receivers on the team and potentially has the ability to play some at tight end. That makes him a potential mismatch as the Packers can move him all over the field in accordance to who the Packers and the defense have on the field.
Funchess’ size, athleticism, and potential play-making ability make him a nice fit for this team. I can’t help but think how fun the Packers could be in a no-huddle scenario with five receivers and moving Cobb between the line and the backfield and moving Funchess from receiver to tight end. Especially in a Doubles Flex Wing formation with Funchess and Cobb in the backfield.
A big issue with Funchess for the Packers is his questionable hands, which doesn’t seem like something the Packers often take a chance on. Recent Packer receivers have all had good hands, even James Jones (despite his drops for a season or two), and it’s something I think Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy hold highly for their receivers. Aaron Rodgers will get them the ball and can throw them open, catching it is a must. The only main receiver the Packers have had recently with below average hands was Jermichael Finley. A large reason why Finley got consistent playing time was due to his mismatch potential, not his hands, which would be the case with Funchess as well.
Devin Funchess is a high-end receiver with physical potential that is hard to come by. However at the end of the day, I don’t think the Packers end up drafting Funchess. A big receiver with questionable hands and trouble going up and getting the ball can undo the advantage his size gives him. I think it would be fun to have him on the team just from a potential standpoint and the Packers definitely need to add receiving depth, if he’s there at pick 62 I wouldn’t be opposed, but I don’t see it.
——————Mike Reuter lives in the Twin Cities and is a graduate of the University of St. Thomas. He is a mobile tech enthusiast, a 19 year Gopher Football season ticket holder and a huge Packers fan. Mike is a writer with AllGreenBayPackers.com and you can follow him on twitter at @uofmike.
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The most widely used word from writers of Packer drafts..’potential’ as it allows one to be right regardless of the players path.
My question is whether the potential leans more toward inconsistent or somewhat consistent and in the case of Funchess neither is worth a 2nd rd pick.
The potential card is just getting warmed up. I am reading, undersized TE, who doesn’t block well, prone to drops that is a matchup problem for slow linebackers, who sees himself as a WR. He sounds like a poorman’s Finley – with loads of potential. Yeah, that’s what we need.
you got it…you must of watched “M” play also…a very frustrating player…..
Based on who he is and what he does, Funchess doesn’t belong in the discussion at pick #30…and it’s hard to rationalize him at #62.
I actually prefer Darren Waller from Georgia Tech as a project or conversion WR for move TE if that’s what we want. Even bigger (6’6″, 240), fast (4.48 at the combine), plays tall, good ball skills. Coming out of that triple option offense at Tech doesn’t help him (he’ll have some downfield blocking skills), but he’s been climbing the draft boards of late. Will be nothing but a move TE for a couple years.
I do agree that the Packers red zone offense might see an uptick if they have a big receiver to threaten the defense…I don’t think Funchess is necessarily that guy…Waller could be.
I watched a lot of Michigan football…i saw some “potential” and a whole lot of drops…some of the passes weren’t the most perfect but still…..plus he’s slow. If you think JF was a frustrating TE then you really will be frustrated with this guy…
He has Finley’s fumble fingers, wonder if he has Finley’s big mouth too.?
Funchess has “fun” built right in…
Boom or bust. He ran a 4.47 and 4.53 forty at his pro day. I don’t think he can play TE, even a move TE, and it doesn’t sound like he wants to play TE. TT can do better at WR. Intriguing at #62, but I think given our other needs, I’d pass.