WR, Brandon Tate, North Carolina

WR, Brandon Tate, North Carolina

Pros:  Long, lean build. Good quickness, size and hand strength to get off the line of scrimmage against press coverage. Emerging route-runner with the quick feet and balance to ultimately be quite good in this area. More quick than fast, though he has good acceleration. Elusive in the open field and has the vision to set up his blocks and break into the open field. Soft hands. Good body control and flexibility to contort his body for the poorly thrown pass. Can extend to make the diving grab. Good height and long arms and uses the combination well to high-point passes over smaller cornerbacks. Excellent returner with NFL ability for punt and kickoff returns.

Cons:  Torn ACL and MCL in October means he won't be able to answer questions about his straight-line speed until after the draft. Primarily a return specialist until flashing as a receiver as a senior. A bit raw as a route-runner. Relies on his athletic ability in this area, rather than precise footwork. Lets too many passes get into his pads.

Around MHR:

Around SBNation:

From "Jerry Angelo's Spring 'To-Do' List" at Windy City Gridiron:

6. Draft Brandon Tate in the 5th round if he's still there. This UNC wideout was overshadowing Hakeem Nicks until he blew out his knee last fall. Give him a medical redshirt and we'll check back next spring.

Highlights:

Scouting Reports and Offsite Links:

• Brandon Tate wasn't registering on the scouts' stopwatches Tuesday morning during the NFL pro timing day on the North Carolina campus.
  
  But the receiver and return specialist sure feels like he's on the clock.
  
  Once perhaps in the conversation as a first-round selection in next month's NFL Draft, Tate is trying to make his case that he has recovered from torn knee ligaments suffered last season in a game with Notre Dame.  [see more...]
• Outstanding pure athleticism...Excellent speed and quickness...Great acceleration with a burst...Adequate height...Nice hands, body control and ball skills...Good balance and agility...Elusive with fantastic vision and instincts...Able to separate and be a vertical threat...Versatile and a weapon on reverses...Also a sensational return man...Still has upside.  [see more...]
• It will be his return skills that give him an opportunity in the NFL, but Tate could be a solid second or third receiving option on certain teams sooner or later. His collegiate production was never anything that impressive, but he did do a nice job of complimenting Hakeem Nicks, who could be a first or second round choice this year. Tate's 6-1, 195 pound frame will not allow him to be a primary receiver in the NFL and he has too many questions to answer. That means he will not likely be drafted during the first day of the draft.  [see more...]
• Finally put it all together as a receiver during the first part of the 2008 season. Looked very smooth as a route runner and displayed impressive burst in and out of his breaks. Reaches top-end speed very quickly and is consistently able to get behind corners down the field. Showcases impressive short-area quickness and can make men miss after the catch.  [see more...]