Phillip Dorsett scouting profile
5'10 185lb. 9 3/8" hands
"Dorsett is fast and he's tough. He can just accelerate off the line of scrimmage. He catches the ball easily. When he gets vertical, forget about it. He has rare ability." -- Mike Mayock
Second-team All-ACC wide receiver in 2014. Ten of his 36 catches were for touchdowns and he averaged 24.2 yards per catch. Took part in 2015 Senior Bowl practices, but did not play in the game due to injury. In 2013, played in eight games and missed five games due to a partially torn MCL. Caught 13 passes for 272 yards and 2 touchdowns. In 2012, led Miami in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns. Had four games of 100-plus yards. Won a 5A Florida State Championship while at St. Thomas Aquinas High School.
PRO DAY RESULTS
40-yard dash: 4.29 and 4.27 seconds
Vertical jump: 38 inches
Broad jump: 10 feet, 9 inches
Short shuttle: 4.03 seconds
3-cone: 6.85 seconds
ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
Takes the top off the defense and throws it in the trash. Elite explosiveness. Gets to top speed quickly and is a seamless glider on crossing routes, leaving man-to-man defenses in his wake. Can work outside and from the slot. Elevates and attacks contested catches. Outstanding body control and can adjust to the ball in mid-air. Mind-boggling big-play production with half of his catches going for 25-plus yards in 2014. More than just a vertical-only receiver and has the blazing feet and stop-start to beat zone coverage for big plays.
WEAKNESSES
Had partial tear of MCL in 2013. Still raw in his routes, relying on pure speed. Inconsistent with his hand placement to catch and lets the ball get on top of him. Small frame and will have to withstand hits over the middle as a slot receiver.
DRAFT PROJECTION
Rounds 1 or 2
SOURCES TELL US
"I will guarantee he goes in the top 40 this year. In fact, I will be surprised if he doesn't go in the first. Elite speed and separation player." - NFC executive
NFL COMPARISON
John Brown
BOTTOM LINE
Dorsett is an ascending prospect who has averaged more than 25 yards per catch since 2012. He can challenge teams vertically inside or outside and he has home-run potential after the catch as a slot receiver. With smaller wide receivers like T.Y. Hilton and Antonio Brown proving that small and fast can win in the NFL, Dorsett should be coveted by more than one team and has the potential to turn into a star in the NFL.
