Our rookie scouting reports combine film and analytics to provide the best possible predictions for player performance. With the 2023 NFL Draft less than a month away, let’s take a look at the scouting report for Clemson wide receiver Joseph Ngata.
Joseph Ngata NFL Draft Profile
- Position: Wide Receiver
- School: Clemson
- Year: Senior
Ngata was a four-star recruit out of Folsom High School in Folsom, California. As a high school prospect, Ngata was highly touted and considered a potential future first-round selection. After receiving offers from a number of major programs, Ngata elected to play college football at Clemson.
As a freshman, Ngata was able to get on the field in every game, but he was unable to make much of an impact. Ngata caught just 17 passes for 240 yards and three touchdowns.
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After a similarly unproductive sophomore season that was cut short due to COVID, Ngata improved significantly as a junior. Despite only appearing in eight games, Ngata caught 23 passes for 438 yards and one touchdown. His 19.0 yards per reception were the most efficient mark of his collegiate career.
As a senior, Ngata had similar usage, but his efficiency regressed to normal levels. He caught 41 passes for 526 yards and two touchdowns.
Throughout his four years at Clemson, Ngata only hit the 100-yard threshold twice — both as a junior. He also wasn’t a volume guy, catching more than four passes in a game just three times in his 39 appearances. Overall, Ngata finished his college career with 88 receptions for 1,287 yards and six touchdowns.
Tony Pauline’s Scouting Report for Joseph Ngata
Strengths: Big-bodied receiver with deceptive speed and quickness. Fires off the line of scrimmage, uses his hands to separate from defenders, and knows where he is on the field. Runs solid routes for a big man. Tracks the pass in the air, lays out or extends to make the reception, and displays eye/hand coordination.
Natural hands catcher who snatches the ball out of the air. Uses the sidelines well, displays strength, and competes to come away with the difficult grab.
Weaknesses: Though deceptively fast, he lacks true deep speed. Somewhat stiff. Was never overly productive for Clemson.
Overall: Ngata possesses the size, hands, and pass-catching skill to make an NFL roster as a fourth wideout. He’ll be a solid underneath receiver or red-zone target, though Ngata must really step up his production to have a long NFL career.
Joseph Ngata Combine Measurements and Results
- Height: 6’3 1/4″
- Weight: 217 pounds
- Arm Length: 33 1/8″
- Hand Size: 10 1/4″
- Bench Press: N/A
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.54
Clemson WR Joseph Ngata Current Draft Projection
On Tony Pauline’s Big Board, Ngata ranks 155th overall and is projected to be drafted in the fifth round. With a 3.44 grade, he is Pauline’s WR19 in this class.
This year’s wide receiver class features plenty of depth but lacks the true high-end talent we’ve been spoiled with in recent years. That could open the door for more later-round selections to work their way onto NFL rosters.
Ngata, the college prospect, certainly isn’t anywhere near as appealing as Ngata, the high school prospect. With that said, he’s still going to get drafted, and that alone gives him a shot at making an NFL roster.
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Yet, college production is the most predictive indicator of NFL success, and Ngata was relatively unproductive at Clemson. That does not bode well for his NFL prospects.
On a more positive note, Ngata returned kicks as a freshman and is a proven contributor on special teams. When coaches and general managers decide what fringe players to keep, the ones that play special teams often get the nod. That gives Ngata more of a shot to make a roster.
It’s always a challenge for Day 3 picks. If Ngata is indeed around the 19th wide receiver selected, he should be in good position to at least make an NFL roster. If he can hone his craft, contribute on special teams, and improve as a player, it’s possible Ngata emerges into a rotational part of a team’s offense.