WR, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland

WR, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland

Pros:  Exceptional straight-line speed. Opponents must account for his deep speed on every play. Too fast off the snap for most defenders to challenge him in press coverage. Long, lean athlete with long arms and strong hands. Has the agility to make plays in space. Reads the field and can follow his blocks to generate yards after the catch. Can snatch the ball out of the air. Learning to better use his height as an advantage. Good leaping ability and has become more consistent in timing his leaps.

Cons:  Bit of a one trick pony at this time. Might be the draft's most dangerous vertical threat, but offers little else. Long-legged and struggles to generate consistent separation out of his cuts. Not as consistently effective on jump balls as he should be, considering his natural size advantage. Too often double-clutches the ball. Questionable toughness running across the middle. Lacks strength and consistent effort as a downfield blocker.

Around MHR:

Around SBNation:

From Scouting Report at Mocking the Draft:

Heyward-Bey is probably the best vertical threat among the wide receivers in this class. Easily breaks press coverage. He uses his strength to be beat the jam and break away from defenders. At times, he can make difficult catches look easy. Tall with long arms. Solid after the catch setting up his blockers. Very good leaper and knows how to reach the ball at the high point.

From "Fool's Gold:  Panning for NFL Draft Busts" at Niners Nation:

I never got the hype with DHB. He's fast--very fast. A 4.30 40 on a slow track at Indy is testament to that. To me, he's a one-trick pony whose value has always been tied to his straight-line speed.  I worry about his change of direction and route running ability. I wouldn't touch him in the first round with a 40 yard pole. Former Vikings draft pick Troy Williamson and former 49er Ashley Lelie come to mind. The only saving grace for DHB would be that his offense at Maryland was less than desirable for a WR and may not have developed or showcased his talents.

Highlights:

Scouting Reports and Offsite Links:

• The man everyone came to see yesterday was hard to miss, even if you didn't notice the red-and-gray numbered shirt he wore when he ran the fastest 40-yard dash in the NFL scouting combine three weeks ago.
  
  Darrius Heyward-Bey, at home and at ease, towered over the field in more ways than one on Maryland's pro day. At least 25 teams and as many as 40 NFL scouts or coaches were on campus to watch 24 draft-eligible Terps get timed, tested, weighed and measured.  [see more...]
• It all starts with his size and toughness. At 6-3 and 206 pounds, there are taller receivers out there, but few can combine that size with athleticism that matches Heyward-Bey. The junior has used that athleticism to become one of the best jump-ball threats in the nation. Heyward-Bey also has the speed to match just about any other receiver in this class.
  
  With his combination of size, speed and strength, Heyward-Bey could be a first round selection. He will need to put up good numbers at the combine to prove it (since his collegiate production is lacking due to an incapable passing offense in Maryland), but Heyward-Bey should not disappoint when he shows his stuff for the NFL scouts.  [see more...]
• A smooth, fluid athlete...Long strider with rare speed...Explosive with great acceleration and a burst...Quick and agile...Terrific height and bulk with long arms...Excellent leaper...Nice body control and ball skills...Tough and not afraid to work the middle...Vertical threat who can separate...Also a dangerous weapon on reverses...Great work ethic...Could also contribute  as a return man...Still has a ton of upside.  [see more...]
• Arguably the draft’s top size/speed prospect. Has the speed to consistently get down the field and is a big-time vertical threat. Is very dangerous with the ball in his hands and has been productive on screens, reverses and after the catch. Possesses good awareness and body control down the field, where he does a good job going up and attacking the ball at its highest point.  [see more...]
• DHB is a prospect I simply cannot get behind. Whether he is or isn't (because of bad QB play and scheme) responsible for his lack of production at Maryland, that lack of experience will really hurt him. I do not envision a smooth transition to the NFL and I see a player who will not make an immediate contribution for a while. To me, he answered no questions at the Combine because we already knew he was very fast. Therefore, if you run a 4.30, should your stock really go up? I am not buying it. I give him a fringe first-round/strong second-round 3.5-star grade.  [see more...]
• Heyward-Bey is the stereotypical boom or bust pick that many talent evaluators will fall in love with when the combination speed and size are considered. While he does not fall in to the “track star in pads” label, he appears to have a ways to go in terms of becoming an every down receiver. There are vital aspects of being a receiver that need a lot of work such as his route running and hands but if a team can properly guide him along, the dividends coming from a selection of him could be enormous.  [see more...]
• Ridiculously fast; has been clocked with a 4.30 40 yard dash time, with a split 40 of 3.75. Heyward-Bey may be the fastest player in the draft. He can run just about every route, and shows great concentration when going up to make a catch. Heyward-Bey may not have received a lot of attention in college, but will be has the potential to be an elite threat in the NFL with his combination of size (6’2”, 205) and speed.  [see more...]
• After his junior campaign, Heyward-Bey decided it was time to join the NFL ranks, forgoing his senior season to enter the 2009 draft. "After the bowl game I sat down with my mom, my aunt and coach (Ralph) Friedgen to explore my options and felt like the time is right to take my game to the next level," Heyward-Bey said.
  
  "It was a very difficult decision. I love the University of Maryland and everything people have done for me the last four years. Not only the coaches, but also the players and support staff. It was a great experience. I want to thank the student body, the fans and Coach Friedgen for their support and allowing me this opportunity. I look forward to always being a Terp."  [see more...]
• Scouts we’re looking for Heyward-Bey to take a big leap forward in his route-running and his consistency.  With how great an athlete he is, Heyward-Bey has always been able to use his sheer explosiveness to create plays.  The finer points of his game have not caught up to his potential and 2008 was no different.  He can make spectacular catches, ones that few other receivers can make, but he still drops his fair share of the easy ones.  His route running has taken only tiny steps forward each year and unless he makes it a point to improve in the pros it will be a while before he sees the field.  He dances too much and could use his size more downfield.   [see more...]