Jordan Payton NFL Draft 2016: Scouting Report, Grade for Browns Rookie

POSITIVES

A 40-game starter at UCLA, Jordan Payton has interests off the football field, too. He started his own clothing company at age 17. On the field, he's been wildly productive, grabbing a UCLA-record 201 catches in his career.

Payton is built like Terrell Owens with a thick, stocky frame, long arms (32 ½") and big hands (10 ⅛"). He's an impressive athlete on the hoof and will catch your eye on the field with his power forward mentality at receiver. Payton uses his frame to shield defenders from the ball and has the strength to toss away smaller defensive backs fighting for the ball.

A sure-handed receiver, Payton only dropped six passes in our charting of the last two seasons. He looks the ball in well and is confident enough to be a hands-catcher. As a route-runner, he has buildup speed—but he's really at his best on comeback routes or slants where his broad shoulders keep defenders from jumping the route.

NEGATIVES

Payton's timed speed doesn't match his game speed. He's a straight-line player who needs room to accelerate to full speed. His hip explosion and footwork are slow when he's asked to cut and make transitions. On top of that, Payton tends to play with a stiff, tall back that limits his ability to sell a route.

Because he has a big frame, Payton makes himself a target at the line of scrimmage against press coverage. He's strong enough to fight off college corners at the line, but he doesn't show refined technique to use his hands or lateral quickness to elude the punch of a pressing cover man.

Payton's ability to outmuscle defenders for the ball—his calling card—will be more difficult to do in the NFL.

COMBINE RESULTS

Height: 6'1 ⅛"

Weight: 207 lbs.

40 Time: 4.47s

3-Cone: 7.08s

Short Shuttle: 4.33s

PRO COMPARISON: Marquess Wilson, Chicago Bears
FINAL GRADE: 5.60/9.00 (Round 5—Backup Caliber)