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New Orleans Saints Draft Prospects: Kevin White, WR, WVU

By Ian-Mitchell Dear

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There is perhaps no tweet that summarizes Kevin White‘s meteoric rise into the Top 10 conversation better than this tweet:

It began after a pedestrian first season at WVU, where White caught 35 passes for a little over 500 yards. In his second season, White exploded onto the scene with 109 receptions, nearly 1,500 yards, and 10 touchdowns. His ticket was punched as a first round selection.

He followed his season up with an even more impressive day at the NFL Combine. He silenced critics with his speed and athleticism to solidify his status as a Top 10 pick and in conversation to be the first receiver off the board.

NFL Scouting Combine Measurables

Height: 6-foot-3

Weight: 215 LBS

Arm length: 35 5/8 inches

Hands: 9 1/4 inches

40-yard dash: 4.35 secs (Top of Class)

Bench press (225 LBS): 23 reps (Top of Class)

Vertical jump: 36.5 inches

Broad jump: 123.0 inches

If

New Orleans Saints

coach

Sean Payton

and GM

Mickey Loomis

are having nightmares about life after

Marques Colston

and the loss of production with

Jimmy Graham

and

Kenny Stills

gone, White is heaven-sent.

With a rare combination of size, speed, and strength, White is a big target that uses his physicality to win jump balls on a consistent basis.

He isn’t the most polished route runner, but he has a terrific inside release to beat press coverage and create separation on crossing routes with enough brakes to stop on a dime on hitch routes.

He runs through contact with a furious nature and is proficient at breaking tackles. White is able to sink his hips to elude oncoming tacklers, but really makes his mark as a true power player simply running over smaller corners.

He’ll turn short receptions into long gains and wear down defenses with his need to be brought down by multiple defenders on a regular basis.

White does still have some work to do on his game. He still needs to improve his route running to maximize his physical gifts at the NFL-level.

He didn’t face a lot of press coverage in college and scouts have noticed that he can be too physical with corners at times which might draw flags. Some scouts think he is a one-year wonder that won’t be able to find the same success against more physical corners

You can nitpick all you want at Kevin White’s game up until the draft, but the fact is that he is a play-making receiver who can become the number one receiving threat on any given team in the NFL.

A player of his caliber would give the New Orleans Saints passing attack the biggest threat that it has ever featured with Drew Brees under center.

Next: Saints Draft Prospects: Amari Cooper

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