With just one West Virginia NFL Draft prospect selected in the last two years, can this year’s group end the drought? Here are the scouting reports for the top West Virginia prospects to have declared for this year’s event.
West Virginia 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
Bryce Ford-Wheaton, WR
Strengths: Large, sure-handed receiver who turned in a sensational Combine performance. Sells routes, comes back to the ball, and extends his hands to make the reception away from his frame. Possesses soft as well as strong hands and snatches the ball out of the air. Gets vertical and high points the ball to beat defenders for the contested grab.
Fights with his hands to separate from defenders and effectively times receptions. Possesses eye/hand coordination. Physical, uses his frame to shield away defenders, and plays hard. Combine numbers included a 4.38-second 40-yard dash and a 41-inch vertical jump. Gives effort blocking downfield and gets results.
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Weaknesses: Does not play to his 40 time. Cannot run to the deep throw. Lacks quickness. Rounds off routes and struggles to separate. Never had great yardage numbers for West Virginia.
Overall: Ford-Wheaton is a large receiver with long arms and big hands. He possesses the physical skills to be a productive wideout on Sundays, though he must improve his route running and learn to play to the 40 time he ran at the Combine.
Want more information on Ford-Wheaton? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Bryce Ford-Wheaton, WR, West Virginia | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Dante Stills, DT
Strengths: Athletic defensive line prospect with potential at a number of positions. Moves well around the field, has good change-of-direction skills, and is rarely off his feet. Quickly gets his hands up and uses them to protect himself. Displays solid strength and plays with excellent knee bend as well as proper pad level. Collapses down the line to pursue plays, rushes the edge with speed, and flashes power in his game.
Weaknesses: Easily out-positioned by blockers. Must develop more pass-rush moves. Seems to give up on plays rather easily.
Overall: Stills was a productive defender for West Virginia and made a lot of plays behind the line of scrimmage the past four years. I’d like to see him fill out his frame as well as get stronger and then kick inside to defensive tackle, where he can be a productive interior pass rusher.
Want more information on Stills? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Dante Still, DT, West Virginia | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Sam James, WR
Strengths: Big-play receiver who is also experienced returning kicks. Displays tremendous quickness, plays to his 40 time, and extends to make the reception away from his frame. Terrific route runner who quickly exits breaks, stays low, and positions himself to make the reception.
Comes back to the ball out of routes and extends his hands to offer the quarterback a target. Adjusts to make the reception in stride and displays outstanding quickness in the first few yards after the catch. Displays strong hands.
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Weaknesses: Lacks a big frame and loses out in battles. Turned in a tremendous sophomore campaign and then never really improved.
Overall: James is an underrated receiver who possesses the athleticism, speed, and pass-catching ability to be a fifth receiver on Sundays and help out returning kicks. He was a big-play threat for West Virginia with a nose for the end zone who could surprise in camp this summer.