Tweet
ESPN's Scouts Inc. crew posted some quick thoughts on former NC State receiver T.J. Graham from Day 3 of the Senior Bowl:
N.C. State's T.J. Graham has some speed, suddenness and explosion to his game, but he has to do a better job tracking the ball. Graham was late getting his head around to locate a deep ball at one point, though he showed some feel for zone coverage and caught a nice ball on a seam route during 7-on-7s. He has some added value as a return man, where he is smooth changing directions and can hit creases with his explosiveness.
Graham had a much-improved season as a receiver for NC State in 2011, and the Pack will definitely miss him as a kick returner. He was No. 2 in the ACC in punt return average and No. 4 in kick returns. He was No. 3 in the league in all-purpose yards.
N.C. State's T.J. Graham has some speed, suddenness and explosion to his game, but he has to do a better job tracking the ball. Graham was late getting his head around to locate a deep ball at one point, though he showed some feel for zone coverage and caught a nice ball on a seam route during 7-on-7s. He has some added value as a return man, where he is smooth changing directions and can hit creases with his explosiveness.
Graham had a much-improved season as a receiver for NC State in 2011, and the Pack will definitely miss him as a kick returner. He was No. 2 in the ACC in punt return average and No. 4 in kick returns. He was No. 3 in the league in all-purpose yards.
Before the Senior Bowl, no one was talking about T.J. Graham.
During the Senior Bowl, everyone was talking about T.J. Graham.
Graham weighed in at only 182 pounds but looked explosive. The NC State wideout stretched the field vertically and made sharp cuts underneath.
A week ago, not many would have projected Graham to be drafted. Now, he is being discussed as a third-round pick.
During the Senior Bowl, everyone was talking about T.J. Graham.
Graham weighed in at only 182 pounds but looked explosive. The NC State wideout stretched the field vertically and made sharp cuts underneath.
A week ago, not many would have projected Graham to be drafted. Now, he is being discussed as a third-round pick.
NC State WR TJ Graham has real impressive speed and runs better routes then first anticipated. 5'11 183lbs. Could turn into a nice slot guy
— NFL Draft Insider (@NFLDraftInsider) January 23, 2012
— NFL Draft Insider (@NFLDraftInsider) January 23, 2012
TJ Graham continues to impress. Made a nice catch in traffic, running good routes. Can tell he's got 4.4 or faster speed.
— Thomas Melton (@TMeltonScouting) January 23, 2012
— Thomas Melton (@TMeltonScouting) January 23, 2012
T.J. Graham, WR, North Carolina State: T.J. Graham is a guy that really caught my eye as a sleeper after I saw him play in NC State’s bowl game. He had a huge game, but he was productive this season, has great speed and flashed the ability to run through arm tackles despite his size. He’s a good receiver and a good return man, and if he has a consistent week catching the ball and running routes I think he will definitely start to open some eyes and move up draft boards.
T.J. Graham, N.C. State: Graham was a pleasant surprise in the first practice. A track athlete who made the consistent effort to improve his hands technique as a pass catcher between his junior and senior seasons, Graham quietly had a good day. He is smooth into his breaks and makes sharp changes of direction on hooks and in-cuts. Although he had some routes where he leaned back a little into his breaks, he consistently attacked the ball after his break in the way that Brian Quick didn’t.
High-thrown passes are not a problem for the 5-11, 182-pound wideout, and he doesn’t hear footsteps. He does need to get his head around quicker and spot the ball. When a receiver is late to see the ball, it leads to drops downfield. Graham is the type of track athlete at receiver that the Baltimore Ravens recently had a tendency to select during the first four rounds of the draft.
High-thrown passes are not a problem for the 5-11, 182-pound wideout, and he doesn’t hear footsteps. He does need to get his head around quicker and spot the ball. When a receiver is late to see the ball, it leads to drops downfield. Graham is the type of track athlete at receiver that the Baltimore Ravens recently had a tendency to select during the first four rounds of the draft.
If there was another player at the Senior Bowl whose speed rivaled that of Chris Rainey, that player would be North Carolina State’s T.J. Graham. Graham also made a big impression this week. Graham’s best asset is his ability to use his speed as a kickoff and punt returner, and he did very well in those aspects this week.
Graham also did a good job beating opposing defensive backs with his speed and ran crisp routes. Graham also showed his ability to make a tough catch on game day. On a broken play in which quarterback Russell Wilson had to pick up a snap off the ground, Graham was able to break off his route, turn back and lay out for a short throw to make an impressive catch.
Graham is one of the fastest players in the 2012 NFL draft, and he showed this week that he carries considerable promise as a kick returner and slot receiver. Graham may have solidified himself as a sixth-round draft pick.
Graham also did a good job beating opposing defensive backs with his speed and ran crisp routes. Graham also showed his ability to make a tough catch on game day. On a broken play in which quarterback Russell Wilson had to pick up a snap off the ground, Graham was able to break off his route, turn back and lay out for a short throw to make an impressive catch.
Graham is one of the fastest players in the 2012 NFL draft, and he showed this week that he carries considerable promise as a kick returner and slot receiver. Graham may have solidified himself as a sixth-round draft pick.
The Senior Bowl: TJ Graham (North Carolina State) – 5113, 182. Reminds us of a faster and quicker Jerricho Cotchery. Catches the ball and has a sudden upfield burst. Quick in and out of routes. Slippery with an effective stiff arm. Top level return specialist who is developing into a receiver. Dangerous in space. Has big play capability
TJ Graham (WR/North Carolina State) a late addition to the game, has also looked good. He's made several difficult receptions and has run crisp, quick routes.
An under the radar receiver to watch is NC State's T.J. Graham, who had a nice consistent day of practice and show cased his ability to make smooth, quick cuts to get open.
pretty consistent reports about the kid. He's not your #1 WR, he's a speedy field stretcher, return man
Comment