D'Wayne Eskridge 2021 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Name: D’Wayne Eskridge

Position: WR

College: Western Michigan

Height: 5’8 3/4"

Weight: 190 lbs (pro day)

Overall Rank: No. 80 overall

Position Rank: WR12

Strengths: Eskridge is fast, agile, strong and overall one of the most athletic receivers in the class. He’s fast enough to blow past coverage but is agile and strong enough to plant and transition throughout underneath and breaking routes. Eskridge has a thick build and moves like a tailback in space. His field vision is exceptional as is his ability to accelerate with the ball in his hands. He’s physical at the catch point and will go after 50/50 balls with an attitude. He will have a Day 1 role as a slot receiver and return man.

Weaknesses: Eskridge’s flaws are two hard things to overlook—inconsistent hands and an underdeveloped route tree. Can a receiver learn to catch better? They can, if it’s an issue of timing, which Eskridge’s might be. The routes can come with time but an early impact would be limited to gadget-like roles.

What I Love: Get the ball in Eskridge’s hands! He’s explosive and a fun weapon in space. NFL teams need to draft him to be a schemed ball carrier/pass-catcher and not a traditional wide receiver.

NFL Comparison: Mecole Hardman

Grade: 79/100

Position Specific Traits:
(key: +, ++, +++ positive scale | -, - -, - - - negative scale)

Agility: +++
Big Plays: ++
Hands: +
Jumping: ++
Route-Running: -
Speed: ++
Strength: +