Scouting Report: Tyler Boyd
Carl Knowles
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Tyler Boyd was a consistent three-year starter for the Pittsburgh Panthers while working with three different quarterbacks since his true freshman season in 2013. Boyd set a new ACC freshman record with 85 catches for 1,174 yards, breaking Larry Fitzgerald’s record. Since then he has accounted for a career total of 3,361 yards receiving, 520 yards rushing and over 1,360 return yards on kickoffs and punt returns. Boyd is not the biggest or fastest in this class of pass catcher but he does a lot of the little things extremely well.
Tyler Boyd | Wide Receiver, Pittsburgh
Measurements
Height: 6’2
Weight: 200 lbs
Age: 21
At First Glance
First Team All-ACC and numerous ACC Receiver of the Week and Specialist of the Week honors. Football Writers All-American.
Pros
Consistency. Shows outstanding hands, technique and focus rarely dropping passes.
Good flexibility and hand/eye coordination to contort his body to make acrobatic catches on off-target throws.
Attacks the football in the air with ability to high point in jump ball situations.
Enough speed to be a vertical threat.
Gets up field quickly with decisive cuts and good vision as a runner after the catch.
Quick footwork to avoid jams against press corners.
Smooth, gliding strides and shows fluidity in and out of breaks.
Can line up all over the field and run a full route tree.
Will work the middle of the field and shows reliability in making the catch while taking a hit.
Finishes routes strong and will work back to the quarterback.
Great awareness to make the tough catch along the sidelines.
Cons
Lean frame with a thin torso. May lack the size and strength to box out bigger corners at the next level.
Not a burner. Long speed is a question.
More smooth and decisive than twitchy or explosive.
Not an ideal blocker.
DUI in June 2015.
NFL Player Comparison:
Nelson Agholor, Philadelphia Eagles
Agholor has more twitch and Boyd is more detailed but both are exquisite hands catcher with quick eyes and decisiveness as playmakers after the catch. I’ve also seen the comparison to Larry Fitzgerald and Keenan Allen.
The Vikings Slant
With Stefon Diggs, Mike Wallace and Jarius Wright on the roster, the Vikings have plenty of speed at the receiver position. The trouble is Teddy Bridgewater doesn’t have enough time in the pocket to work vertical routes consistently, nor does he appear to have the quick-strike go-to possession wideout needed. Boyd fills that need.
Boyd accounted for 46% of Pittsburgh’s aerial offensive and most of those were shorter routes. Boyd’s superb body control and great hands allow him to consistently make catches outside of his frame. His great vision and balance after the catch help him pick up valuable yardage even though he is not an exceptionally elusive or powerful runner. Boyd flashes quickness off the line of scrimmage with natural route running ability, and can create separation with nifty body fakes and fluidity selling routes. His proven ability to be a consitant go-to target make him a great fit in Minnesota.