NFL Draft Profile: Bryce Ford-Wheaton, Wide Receiver, West Virginia Mountaineers

NFL Draft profile scouting report for West Virginia WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton

Bryce Ford-Wheaton
West Virginia Mountaineers

#0
Pos: WR
Ht: 6034
Wt: 221
Hand: 0938
Arm: 3348
Wing: 8228
40: 4.38
DOB: 3/9/2000
Hometown: Fuquay-Varina, NC
High School: Holly Springs
Eligibility: 2023

One-Liner:

A possession-style X-receiver who wins with size and physicality but his catching ability lacks consistency. He has plenty of development left to take the step to the NFL game.

Evaluation:

The big-framed wide receiver prospect took on the biggest workload of his college football career, playing as a possession-style receiver who plays the X position for the Mountaineers. At around six-foot-three and 220 pounds, Ford-Wheaton's best trait is handling contested catches and using tremendous body control to adjust to passes in the air. He uses his frame to box-out defenders and beat them to the ball's high point. As a deep threat, Ford-Wheaton has his fair share of explosive, big plays and has a knack for using his adequate speed to elude defenders and find the end zone. He's not easily brought down and can fight through arm tackles in the open field. Ford-Wheaton has plenty of potential in his game, but a lot of development is still left for him to take the step to the next level. He needs a more refined route tree and needs to add subtle nuances within his routes. He doesn't have the snappiness in his breaks and lacks an overall burst out of them. He also has little burst upon his release. He'll get deep into the defender and struggle to get free and gain separation. Ford-Wheaton relies on his big body and physicality to make plays. The West Virginia product will need to work on his technique when addressing and catching the ball, as he frequently makes the wrong decision regarding placing his hands to make the catch. Far too many drops throughout his film will turn NFL evaluators away. His athletic profile is decent, but nothing that the spotlight shines on. Ford-Wheaton is a fringe-draftable prospect that will likely be a priority free agent for many NFL teams to fill out the receiver room.

Grade:

UDFA - Priority Free Agent

Background: 

Originally from Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. Attended Holly Springs High School and was rated as a three-star prospect by 247Sports. Played at West Virginia University. Decided to redshirt his first year. During his redshirt freshman year, saw some action, starting two games and playing in eleven. Really improved going into his redshirt sophomore and junior seasons. As a redshirt sophomore started nine games and had 42 catches for 575 yards, which ranked second on the team. Carried this strong play into redshirt junior year, ranked first on team by playing in all twelve games and leading the team in receiving touchdowns with seven. Declared for 2023 NFL Draft and is projected to be an undrafted free agent.