Malcolm Mitchell NFL Draft 2016: Scouting Report, Grade for Patriots Rookie

POSITIVES

Way back in 2011, freshman Malcolm Mitchell stole the show at Georgia with Aaron Murray chucking the ball up to him. An ACL injury in his junior season set him back, but Mitchell recovered to finish his college career with 174 catches in a run-first offense that Todd Gurley, Keith Marshall and Nick Chubb dominated.

Mitchell is a silky-smooth athlete with the second-gear speed to run away from defenses. As a route-runner, he flashes the quick cuts and easy movements to separate over the middle. Mitchell has expertise both as a deep threat—where he adjusts to the ball well over the shoulder—and on breaking routes both short and intermediate.

Over the last two seasons, Mitchell dropped just four passes on 142 targets, per College Football Focus. He did that while averaging almost 15 yards per catch in 2015 without much help at quarterback.

NEGATIVES

Mitchell will need work with body control and balance as a route-runner. He can get too top-heavy and will get his chest over his toes when breaking down to cut on a route. Mitchell struggles to get in and out of cuts without tipping his hand or throttling down too low on his speed.

Average play speed will concern teams that view Mitchell in the prism of a future starting receiver. He's best projected as a third option with value down the field or over the middle, likely from the slot, where he can be protected against press coverage.

Mitchell, on film and at the Senior Bowl, doesn't like to be roughed up at the line of scrimmage. A persistent jam from a physical cornerback will ruin his day.

COMBINE RESULTS

Height: 5'11 ⅝"

Weight: 198 lbs.

40 Time: 4.45s

3-Cone: 6.94s

Short Shuttle: 4.34s

PRO COMPARISON: Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers
FINAL GRADE: 5.90/9.00 (Round 4—Backup Caliber)