Will Fuller NFL Draft 2016: Scouting Report, Grade for Texans Rookie

POSITIVES

One of the best deep threats in the nation, Will Fuller emerged as the go-to receiver for Notre Dame in his junior season. After saying midseason he would return for his senior year, Fuller took the temperature of his draft stock and decided to leave early for the NFL draft.

Fuller racked up 1,258 yards and 14 touchdowns on just 62 receptions in 2015, earning team MVP honors. As a vertical threat, Fuller is a dangerous weapon with legitimate 4.3 speed and the burst to make even the fastest college cornerbacks look silly. Fuller did that USC's Adoree' Jackson for a 75-yard touchdown.

Fuller gets to top speed immediately out of the gate and because of this was a successful go-route player, averaging over 20 yards per catch on the year. In a rare occurrence, Fuller saw more targets down the field in 2015 than at any other level we charted. With top-tier burst, Fuller can then counter with comeback routes, where he shows the foot speed to manipulate coverage.

Football IQ is a strength for Fuller, who understands coverages and can read the defense from his spot at receiver. He adjusts well to the ball in the air, and despite having no time to generate chemistry with the many quarterbacks Notre Dame used in the last two seasons, Fuller was able to pick up on cues and signals to change his route.

NEGATIVES

For every touchdown scored, it felt like Fuller dropped an easy pass to match it. He struggles making routine catches on the boundary and too often tries to basket-catch the ball. This leads to hot passes bouncing off his chest and to the ground.

With 10 drops on 100 targets, Fuller's drop rate of 10 percent is high for a projected first-round pick. In 2014, according to College Football Focus, he matched that rate exactly with 11 drops on 111 targets. How teams view his inconsistent hands will ultimately determine Fuller's draft stock. If they can live with a one-drop-to-one-touchdown ratio, he could be drafted early.

Beyond his speed, Fuller will not impress athletically. He only benched 10 reps of 225 pounds at the combine and has underdeveloped legs propelling him to a 33 ½-inch vertical jump. His 8 ¼-inch hands and 30 ¾-inch arm length may be the main contributor to the drops seen on his tape.

COMBINE RESULTS

Height: 6'0 ⅛"

Weight: 186 lbs.

40 Time: 4.32s

3-Cone: 6.93s

Short Shuttle: 4.27s

PRO COMPARISON: John Brown, Arizona Cardinals
FINAL GRADE: 6.90/9.00 (Round 2—Rookie Contributor)