Leading up to the 2017 NFL Draft, we’ll take a closer look at 16 players mocked to the Ravens at pick No. 16.
Size: 5-foot-11, 188 pounds
Year: Junior
2016 Stats: 81 catches, 1,150 yards, 17 touchdowns
Combine Stats:
40-yard dash: 4.22 seconds (NFL record)
Vertical jump: 37 inches
Broad jump: 133 inches
Background:
Ross was a dynamic returner and big-play threat during his first two years at Washington. He was on the fringe of breaking out when he tore his ACL in spring practice, forcing him to sit out all of 2015. Ross delivered on his potential last season, becoming a dynamic speed and scoring threat. Ross is so athletic that he even started three games as a cornerback, and even notched an interception.
Strengths:
“Has home-run gear to yank the top off of defenses. Vertical speed demands respect and creates open throws underneath. Corners open hips early to turn and sprint, leaving his curl and dig routes unchallenged. Feet are fire. On verticals from the slot, sells the corner route and stems to the post with a burst for easy separation and a comfortable throwing window for the quarterback. Hands are generally solid. Plus hand-eye coordination. Natural ball-tracker who locates the deep ball early and watches it. Dangerous show-and-go open-field ability after the catch. Able to win with slants or fades near the goal line. Eludes the first tackler and can turn a short one into a long one in a heartbeat. Has enough size to work from outside or from the slot. Saw four of his eight carries go for 15-plus yards. Has returned at least one kickoff for a touchdown in each of his three years at Washington.” – Lance Zierlein, NFL Media
Weaknesses:
“Average height for the position with lean muscle tone and minimal growth potential. Doesn't have the body power to consistently create after first contact as a ball carrier. Can be bumped off his route by physical corners and didn't consistently face press coverage in the Pac-12. High percentage of his catches were made in space and wasn't consistently asked to finish contested passes on tape. Tends to body catch when the ball is thrown at his numbers and will have his share of focus drops and double-catches. Needs to improve his ball security when fighting for extra yardage -- lost fumble at Washington State (Nov. 2016) and vs. Alabama (Dec. 2016). Only four career punt returns on his college resume for 21 yards (5.3 average). Injured his right knee (Sept. 2014, but didn't miss any games) and underwent postseason surgery (Jan. 2015) to repair two meniscus tears -- returned a few months later in the spring and suffered a torn ACL in his left knee, which required another surgery (April 2015).” – Dane Brugler, CBS Sports
