Kevin Norwood NFL Draft 2014: Highlights, Scouting Report for Seahawks WR

Kevin Norwood, WR, Alabama (HT: 6'2", WT: 198 lbs.)

Seattle Seahawks (Seahawks trade 111th pick to Bengals for 123rd and 199th picks)

Fourth Round: 123rd Pick

NFL Comparison: Brian Hartline, WR, Miami Dolphins

Height	Weight	Arms	Hands
6020	198	32 1/8"	10"

40-Yd Dash	10-Yd Split	Vertical	Broad Jump	3-Cone Drill	Shuttle
4.48	1.56	33"	10'1"	6.68	4.32

Positives

• Adequate height and overall build for a possession receiver. 
• Straight-line speed is above average—he's fast enough that defensive backs have to respect his ability to get open over the top of the defense if he isn't thrown off his route. 
• Shows smooth acceleration off the line of scrimmage and gets up to full speed quickly.
• Lined up all over the field for Alabama, including an occasional play from the H-back position. 
• Plenty of experience in the slot, where he's likely to play at the next level as a possession receiver. 
• Shows the ability to use his size to his advantage when boxing out defensive backs on curls and comeback routes.
• Great body control when adjusting to poorly placed balls and has an impressive catch radius.
• Looks comfortable working along the sideline.
• Shows great awareness on the field and does an excellent job finding space against the zone and working to break free and show himself to the quarterback on broken plays.
• Reliable hands—very consistent in extending his arms and catching the ball away from his body when possible.
• Gives a solid effort in his blocking game and has the size to continue to develop in this area. 
• Didn't put up huge numbers, but always appeared to be on the same page as A.J. McCarron and often became his go-to guy when facing pressure.

Negatives

• Runs like an undersized tight end—very stiff with his movements and struggles to lose defensive backs in his breaks. 
• Not much of a threat after the catch—he's strong enough to break an occasional tackle, but won't break off long runs unless he's given a wide-open lane to run through.
• Simply lacks the change-of-direction ability to make defenders miss in the open field. 
• Struggles to get open deep when facing man coverage due to his modest quickness and agility.
• Lacks the start-and-stop ability and fluid hips to put together moves to lose defensive backs in coverage.
• Struggles to fight through press coverage, even against some smaller defensive backs.
• Lacks the strength to consistently push his way through press coverage and lacks the quick footwork to dance his way around it.
• Faced plenty of top competition, but was never the go-to guy in Alabama's offense and rarely matched up against opponents' top defensive backs.
• Relatively short arms considering his height.

Year	School	Rec	Yards	Yds/Rec	TD
2010	Alabama	3	56	18.7	1
2011	Alabama	11	190	17.3	0
2012	Alabama	29	461	15.9	4
2013	Alabama	38	568	14.9	7

Personal Notes

• Two-year starter on one of the most efficient offensive units in college football.
• Rivals' No. 22 overall wide receiver and a 4-star recruit in 2009.
• All-State receiver in Mississippi as a high school senior.
• Redshirted in 2009.

Ratings Chart

Chart created at nces.ed.gov

Overall

Norwood lacks the elite athleticism to have enough upside to be considered a potential No. 1 receiver, but his combination of size and straight-line speed makes him an intriguing prospect who could present matchup problems for defenses as a second or third option in an offense. In the right system, Norwood could make an immediate impact due to his ability as a possession receiver. He's polished as a route runner and has shown the reliable hands necessary to make a coaching staff comfortable putting him into a contributing role immediately.

Draft projection: Fourth Round