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Utah State WR Jalen Royals 2025 NFL Draft Profile

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Ryan Roberts | Last updated Jan 16, 2025 7:00 PM ET

Jalen Royals, wide receiver

5-11.5, 193 pounds

2/18/2003 (21 years old)

Utah State

Jalen Royals career statistics

YEAR	RECEPTIONS	RECEIVING YARDS	TOUCHDOWNS
2022	0	0	0
2023	71	1,080	15
2024	55	834	6
CAREER TOTALS	126	1,914	21

Pros:

Ball tracking
Royals has an argument as possibly the best ball tracker in the entire wide receiver class. He has a great ability to locate the football in the air, and contort his body to maximize the catch point. While he isn’t the biggest or longest wide receiver, that ability allows him to make some unreal adjustments down the field.

Route running upside
In terms of route efficiency, Royals is one of the more refined route runners in the entire class. Royals plays with great tempo, while also getting in and out of breaks smoothly. He has also run a pretty advanced route tree from various alignments.
YAC impact
In the Utah State offense, Royals is utilized in a lot of ways. That includes both in the screen game and in the quick game. Royals does a tremendous job making plays after the catch, and finding hidden yardage.

Utah State WR Jalen Royals (#1) may be the most underrated pass catcher in the 2025 NFL Draft. Does a little of everything… route running, YAC, and solid overall athleticism.

55 receptions for 834 yards and 6 touchdowns in only 7 games in 2024. pic.twitter.com/qZiHTET2va
— Ryan Roberts (@RiseNDraft) January 16, 2025

Cons:

Frame/length
Royals is built pretty densely but he does lack great height or length. That could affect him from making contested catches, and consistently winning through contact. That’s especially true against longer defensive backs.

Level of competition
While Royals has been incredibly productive the last two seasons, Royals has done so mostly against Mountain West talent. Just how will he perform against a higher level of competition? That’s the main question.

Beating man coverage
Due to lack of length and elite long speed, Royals might have some difficulty separating against more talented cornerbacks. Royals might be better working against heavy zone coverage, where he can win more with smoothness and football IQ.

Player Evaluation:

It isn’t an overly dynamic wide receiver group in the 2025 NFL Draft, which could allow some players to rise throughout the process. Royals is one player to keep a close eye on, boasting a bunch of Day Two grades heading into the 2024 season. A big reason for that was Royals’ nuance as a player, YAC ability, and ball tracking skills.

There are some limitations to Royals’ game, but his skill set should allow him to become an important member of a wide receiver room. His talent is probably more suited to be a really strong second receiver, but Royals could be dynamic in that role.

Player Comparison:

Jayden Reed (Green Bay Packers)

Like Reed, Royals is a lot more athletic than what his testing numbers might indicate. He is incredibly smooth, and boasts nice short area ability. Royals is also outstanding tracking the football down the field. That could make him a diverse Z receiver who could also make some plays working in the slot.