[This Josh Doctson scouting report, with a Vikings slant, has been provided to Vikings Territory by Draft Season. Be sure to check back for more and also be sure to visit Draft Season to quench your NFL Draft thirst.]
Height – 6’2″
Weight – 195 lbs.
Age – 22-23
First Team All-Big 12, Set TCU record for most career receiving TD’s (29)
Good size, standing 6’2 with a muscular frame.
Excellent route runner who gets in and out of his breaks in a hurry.
Natural catcher of the football with strong hands.
Fast enough to get vertical on the outside.
Good ball skills. Times his jumps well, has a knack for going up and coming down with the ball.
Extremely productive college career. 180 career receptions with 2,785 receiving yards, and 29 touchdowns.
While fast enough to get deep down the field, does not possess elite top end speed.
Coming off an injury. Doctson hurt his wrist late in the 2015, and needed surgery. Combine medical checks will be important.
Can be argued his numbers are inflated due the offense he played in.
Ran many of the same routes in college. Also didn’t line up many different places.
As with many rookies entering the league, needs to improve at run blocking.
Rueben Randle, New York Giants
At first blush, it doesn’t look to be a great endorsement to have Rueben Randle as a comparison, but he’s quietly had a very good NFL career. Watching film of Doctson is definitely reminiscent of Randle’s play. They both have similar size, though Doctson is a bit slimmer. They both can go up and grab the ball at its highest point, and both have good but not great speed. Randle, like Doctson, also has strong mitts and is a good route runner. If Doctson can be as productive as Randle was in his first four NFL seasons, I think most team’s would be very happy with that.
Vikings fit? Absolutely.
The Vikings have a major need at wide receiver. It’s likely Mike Wallace is let go in the off season due to his extremely high contract and lack of production. Cordarrelle Patterson’s future with the team is also murky, as he just doesn’t seem to get any better and has lost favor with the coaching staff. That leaves the Vikings with Stefon Diggs, Jarius Wright, and Adam Thielen as the top receiving targets. Not to take anything away from those guys, as Diggs appears to be a star in the making, Wright is a solid slot receiver, and Thielen is a core special teamer and nice no. 4 option… But if the Vikings want Bridgewater to take that next step in his progression, they will need to add more talent to this corps of receivers. Diggs and Doctson would be a dangerous combo for any defense to face. They both have great speed, run good routes and can go up and make the tough catches. That would open up the running game even more and make things much easier for Adrian Peterson and Jerick McKinnon. Doctson would be an excellent fit in Minnesota, and should be put on the Vikings short list for options with the 23rd overall pick.
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A couple of things...Doctson was All Big 12 not Big 10. I do believe WR Charles Johnson is still under contract with the Vikings. And While the Reuben Randle comparison isn't unfair, I do not think the NYG's or most fans would respend the 2nd rounder on him. In addition to the drops, and disappearing for long stretches (despite) Cruz being hurt, he never improved or got better as a player. I'd b surprised if the Giants even make him an offer to return. Enjoy the coverage, hoping Doctson is still there in 2nd round. Certainly fits Vikes offense well I'd think
Having watched this season's Vikings-Giants game with a bunch of rabid Giants fans, I shudder at the comparison of Doctson to Randle, not to mention at the memory of the words used to describe the latter. Let's just say that if Doctson can't be counted on to be...tougher, let's say, than Randle on a consistent basis, he's not worth drafting and will never be a true #1 receiver.
Thanks for catching that error - it's fixed now.
As far as Charles Johnson is concerned, I think he was omitted on purpose from the discussion of the Vikings future at WR. It says "That leaves the Vikings with Stefon Diggs, Jarius Wright, and Adam Thielen as the top receiving targets." Considering Charles Johnson only had 9 receptions in 2015 and couldn't find his way on to the field, I don't think that's unfair.
It'd be interesting to see Doctson make it to the second round though right now that looks unlikely. However, the combine always tends to further shape how these skill players get drafted.
I personally prefer Michael Thomas right now at pick #23.
Thanks for the comment!
Well, from that photo, he looks like he's comfortable in purple already
Doctson is a little better than Michael Thomas but both are not worthy of 1st RD. They are a value in the 2nd RD. If we were to go all on Offense first! OL should be a priority first before a WR. If you can't give Teddy time than what's the point of getting a WR in the 1st? And I know OG is also not a value in the 1st and we can still get one in the 3rd. So I say BPA is the way to go. Like if Myles Jack and Jaylon Smith fall to us. Or even someone like Su'a Cravens who can play SS/LB. That way we can kill 2 birds with one stone. SS/WLB hybrid. Like a Deone Buchanon. He can play the WLB when we come out in Base D which would help match up against multiple TE sets. Then, when in Nickel he slides back to SS. So I can see a value and a safe pick there in Su'a Cravens. And see who is there in the 2nd RD for a WR, like Tyler Boyd Or we can wait till 3rd or 4th RD and get someone like Rashard Higgins or DeRunnya Wilson.
But I won't mind seeing Doctson in purple!!
Rather have Tyler Boyd in the 2nd round.
Seems like a stud, but seems like the same model of the log jam of hopeful breakouts we already have. I would like to see an even bigger WR, 6-3 or 4 or taller. Alshon Jeffery type (i know very wishful and rare).
PS- the Rueben Randle comparison turns me off more than a Sarah Palin come on post canned tuna and dirty diaper bath. just sayin