Final PFF Mock Draft has Miami Selecting

NFL.com Draft Profile

Overview

High-skill, high-volume slot receiver with average size but extraordinary ball skills. Lemon has room for refinement, but not much. He’s intelligent, confident and polished with the ability to make plays on all three levels. Tempo-driven route-runner who misdirects man coverage and separates out of turns but is fairly average after the catch. Quicker than fast, featuring early acceleration to open seam throws but flashes late burst when needed. More play strength is needed for NFL press and he needs to avoid rushing through multi-breaking routes. He’s an exceptional ball-tracker with excellent catch timing and few focus drops. He wins more combat catches than he loses. Lemon is a plug-and-play, quarterback-friendly talent with first-round value and Pro Bowl upside.

Strengths

• Efficient press release with early acceleration to bypass.
• Manipulates defenders out of position with route acumen.
• Snaps off out-breaking routes at crisp angles.
• Displays above-average burst from turns to gain separation.
• Ball-tracking adjustments and catch timing are elite.
• Ridiculous grip strength once the football hits his hands.
• Elevates his toughness and focus when catch is contested.
• Good patience with late catch adjustment to save his catch space.
• Already dropping two feet inbounds near the sideline.
• Willing run blocker who gives legitimate effort.

Weaknesses

• Could use a hair more patience to prevent rushing the route.
• Appears quicker than fast when working vertical routes.
• Can be a little slow disengaging once captured underneath.
• Competitive but relatively ordinary after the catch.
• Needs runway to break off comebacks out of the drive phase.

Round 1, Pick #30: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

“Miami added a wide receiver with its first pick in this mock draft, but with a projected starting lineup of Malik Washington, Tutu Atwell and Jalen Tolbert, it would make sense to add at least two wide receivers in this class. While the team could wait another round or two for a second option, having one of the top six wide receivers available at this point creates the opportunity to select two in the first round.

While Makai Lemon can play Z and in the slot, Boston would complement him as a tall X receiver. He totaled more than 1,700 yards and 20 touchdowns across the past two seasons at Washington.”

NFL.com Draft Profile

Overview

Two-year starter with elite ball skills that should supersede athletic/speed limitations. A Puka Nacua comparison might feel strong, but like Nacua, Boston enters the draft with speed/separation concerns and outstanding competitive toughness. Boston gets off the line with good burst and maintains his top speed throughout the route. He could have issues beating press, but releases can also be schemed. He’s very skilled when it comes to winning jump balls and contested throws. Boston also knows how to win in the red zone. Acclimating to NFL competition could take a year, but Boston has the makeup to become a productive possession target with above-average red-zone value.

Strengths

• Good early acceleration and plays faster than timed speed.
• Runs routes with good fluidity.
• Big-bodied target who plays to his size.
• Leans on defenders without sacrificing catch readiness.
• Scored 20 TDs over the last two seasons, proving himself a red-zone mismatch.
• Pro-caliber ball skills with elite hand strength to finish.
• Extends for off-frame throws with a spider web-like catch radius.
• Ball tracking and adjustment timing are top notch.
• Competitive and strong with his run-after-catch ability.

Weaknesses

• Production dipped when the competition level rose.
• Press release is linear and will give NFL CBs opportunities to get hands on him.
• Flashes early burst but lacks a true second gear.
• Routes lose steam when he digs his foot in on route turns.
• Earned separation closes as the route progresses.
• Might need formation help and stacks/motion to free his releases.