One of the most intriguing 2024 NFL Draft prospects on the upcoming circuit is Notre Dame RB-turned-WR Chris Tyree. Though Tyree’s scouting report for his new position hasn’t yet been completed, he has the athletic traits to cultivate excitement as he carries on.
Chris Tyree Draft Profile and Measurements
- Height: 5’9 1/2″
- Weight: 192 pounds
- Position: Wide Receiver
- School: Notre Dame
- Current Year: Senior
Talent has always been on Tyree’s side. He was a high four-star recruit in high school and a fringe five-star recruit on ESPN’s board. The Chester, Virginia product was productive but also had the testing numbers to back up his next-level potential. Among those numbers, Tyree put up a documented 4.38 40-yard dash and a 38.2″ vertical.
Tyree commanded interest from some of the nation’s top programs and signed with Notre Dame in 2020. Since then, he’s compiled 285 total touches for 1,683 yards and 12 touchdowns, primarily on the ground. In 2023, however, Tyree is switching from RB to WR, making his NFL transition more complicated and more fascinating.
Chris Tyree Scouting Report
Strengths
- Powder keg of an athlete with bristling explosiveness and short-area quickness.
- Brings instant acceleration in space and has the speed to break away from congestion.
- Induces defenders into a state of paralysis with hyperactive twitch and foot speed.
- Has the loose hip flexibility and elastic energy load to snake through congested areas.
- Brand of athleticism and flexibility translates well in the realm of separation.
- Has shown he can make adjustments for catches in stride and reset his feet for RAC.
- Can extend beyond his frame and secure high passes with sturdy diamond technique.
- Experience as an RB naturally grants him exciting projected versatility as a weapon.
- Elite lateral-vertical athlete who can create yardage however he’s schemed touches.
- Already has an established backfield route tree with angle routes, swings, and wheels.
- Flashes nuance, efficiency, and hinge flexibility as a route runner in a limited sample.
- Has shown he can press upfield with burst, stem LBs, and explode into open zones.
- Willing pass blocker who understands leverage, giving third-down schematic flexibility.
- Experienced special teams contributor who scored a kick return TD in 2021.
Weaknesses
- Frame is below-average in size and lacks high-end mass and density.
- Smaller frame yields a smaller catch radius, which could hurt vs. tight coverage.
- To this point, has not fielded many contested targets and may need a tune-up.
- Doesn’t have the play strength to pry through tackle attempts from pursuit defenders.
- Contact balance is largely lacking, often rendering him down on first tackles.
- Will need to acclimate and expand his route tree as he gains more reps at WR.
- Occasionally bobbles short passes, which can delay transitions to the RAC phase.
- Sometimes loses his balance when attempting to reset his feet for RAC opportunities.
- Lapses in balance on RAC opportunities may result from hastiness working upfield.
- As a ball carrier, footwork on cuts can be more efficient and minimalistic at times.
- Streaky vision, while mitigated by WR role, could dilute from RAC windows on occasion.
Current Draft Projection and Summary
At the moment, Tyree is in the Day 3 mix as a 2024 NFL Draft prospect. In the preseason, that group is vast, all-encompassing, and nebulous.
Assuming that he’ll get a chance to test at the NFL Combine, Tyree’s athleticism and versatility, along with his special teams experience, grants him greater security as a draft prospect. How far he rises in the 2024 NFL Draft, however, depends on 2023.
Tyree has been a running back for his entire collegiate career since he arrived at Notre Dame as a high four-star recruit in 2020. But in 2023, with Sam Hartman throwing him the ball, he’s making the switch to wide receiver, where he’ll presumably receive ample reps in the slot and as a motion man.
There’ll undoubtedly be an acclimation period as Tyree adjusts to physicality in coverage and running the full route tree, but he has the athleticism, flexibility, and attention to detail to thrive in his new role — and his experience as an RB grants him exciting alignment flexibility.
Tyree can be a true weapon for Notre Dame, and if he produces at a high clip, he could soar up the 2024 NFL Draft board.
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There are very few established receiving weapons interrupting Tyree’s target share, and Tyree should be able to get high-quality RAC opportunities in the short range.
Already, as a dynamic wild card athlete with special teams utility, he has draftable appeal. And if he proves himself as a legitimate receiver in 2023, Day 2 capital isn’t out of the question.