Jalen Royals NFL Draft 2025: Scouting Report for Utah State WR

HEIGHT: 6'0"

WEIGHT: 205

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POSITIVES

— Dynamic playmaker with the football in his hands, dangerous after the catch.

— Effective and reliable quick passing game threat who finds and settles into voids in the coverage shells.

— Long speed to stress cornerbacks on the vertical plane.

— Short area quickness and suddenness as a route runner.

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NEGATIVES

— Expanding his release package to dispose of physical press cornerbacks quickly.

— Suffered a season-ending foot injury in October, cutting his senior season short.

— Protecting his chest and shoulders against handsy defenders at the line of scrimmage.

— Converting downfield contested catch situations by improving body positioning and strength at the catch point.

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NOTES

— Born Feb. 18, 2003

— 2023: First-Team All-Mountain West

— Unranked WR recruit in 2022 class, per 247Sports

— Started 21 games for Utah State

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OVERALL

Jalen Royals is a dynamic play-making wide receiver with a well-proportioned NFL frame.

Royals is a good and precise route runner with short-area quickness that puts pressure on cornerbacks. He generates separation with suddenness out of his breaks against man coverage. Facing soft press or off coverage, Royals' foot quickness puts defenders in conflict and tests their reaction time. He attacks defenders' airspace before using sudden movements to break past or away from them.

Royals is effective with the ball in space. His functional play strength is showcased after the catch—leading to broken tackles in the open field. Royals' speed and acceleration defeat pursuit angles. He is agile and elusive in space, making upfield defenders miss and generating big plays. Royals' playmaking is versatile; he aligns in multiple positions and can be fed targets in various ways to help the offense. He is a threat on down-the-field routes and manufactured touches, wide receiver, and tunnel screens.

Against tight press alignment Royals gets stuck hand fighting in the contact window. Improving his use of hands will increase his likelihood of clearing physical press corners quickly at the LOS. By not using his hands, corners have easy access to his chest and shoulder pads to slow down/impede forward progress. Royals is inconsistent at reeling in contested catches down the field. Wingspan and arm length concerns surface in 50-50 situations. Royals can be outmuscled at the catch point, limiting his effectiveness playing on the outside against NFL corners.

In conclusion, Jalen Royals is a position-flexible receiver with long speed and dynamism desired in big-play weapons. Royals projects as a starting Z-receiver who can bump into the slot against favorable matchups.

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GRADE: 7.5 (High-level Backup/Potential Starter — 3rd Round)

OVERALL RANK: 54

POSITION RANK: WR7

PRO COMPARISON: Jayden Reed

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Written by B/R NFL Scout Dame Parson

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Prospect workout numbers, measurables (40-yard dash, hand size, etc.) and 2024 statistics will be added at a later date.