Panthers working out Paul Richardson

[gettlemanjack]

One thing that wasn't mentioned is his route running. Does he run accurate routes? Speed and Hands are two parts of the equation but route running IMO is probably the biggest factor.

If you aren't where you are supposed to be then all the pass catching and speed skills don't mean much.

here's the first dozen or so opinions I came across on it...

Tony Pauline:

Richardson "runs crisp routes"

ESPN analyst Louis Riddick:

"The way Richardson runs deep route tree reminds (me) of DeSean (Jackson). Can carry speed through the 'move point' as good as anyone"

NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah:

"I don't think Richardson is quite as polished as (DeSean) Jackson as a route-runner"

other writers:

-"Richardson shows more ability than T.Y. Hilton with his route-running."

-Richardson "runs crisp routes"

-"Richardson is a pretty good route runner who could get even better."

-"it’s Richardson’s separation skills that make him valuable. He runs crisp routes coming in-and-out of his breaks while taking no false steps and has the football savvy to find soft spots in zone coverage."

-"Richardson is capable of running the full route tree. Plenty of experience running deep routes (fly, deep post, etc.) and does an excellent job tracking the ball over his shoulder and adjusting appropriately. Routes can be a little sloppy at times, as he tends to round off his cuts—this is nothing more than laziness, as he's easily quick enough to be explosive out of his breaks. Needs to learn the nuances of route running to gain an extra step here and there on faster defensive backs."

-"Richardson runs a pretty wide variety of routes despite not working in many short routes.... He is a receiver who understands the nuances of deep routes, Richardson’s ability to get behind defenders should go a long way towards earning him a spot on the draft’s second day"

-"Richardson does a good job of setting up defenders and selling vertical routes downfield, then cutting at the stem of the route to create separation. He is very skilled at running post routes... Runs really poor out routes.... He struggles with routes that aren’t deep posts or go routes downfield"

-"Paul Richardson is an artist. His work? Route running. It’s absolutely beautiful the way he runs routes. He is fluid in and out of breaks and his timing is so perfect that it’s obvious he spends long hours working at his craft. He can fake with his head, body, and feet to confuse defensive backs and separate from them. Richardson’s ability to run routes is exemplary and admirable. Unfortunately, that is by far his best weapon. ...Overall, Paul Richardson’s ability to run routes is more than enough to carry him at the next level. Just ask Jerry Rice, Marvin Harrison, and Wes Welker."

[gettlemanjack]

draft website:

"Richardson is supremely athletic ... What makes Richardson’s potential really scary is the fact that he has the frame to add on more muscle and still maintain his outstanding athleticism. ...

...

NFL Player Comparison:

T.Y. Hilton , Indianapolis Colts

Hilton and Richardson are similar, but I think Richardson has the chance to be better. He has a bigger frame and with added strength will match up better with stronger defensive backs, and Richardson shows more ability with his route-running. ... there is a lot of upside to love with Richardson.

Draft Outlook:

Richardson’s potential will certainly attract teams and he should end up hearing his name called in the middle or late end of the second round."

[DaCityKats]

has the bloodlines as well.dad played pro ball as well.

[El Chingon]

[iamhubby1]

 

 

so they see Richardson as a:

-DeSean Jackson 2.0

-T.Y. Hilton 2.0 (Hilton caught for 861 yards as rookie in 2012, then for 1,083 last yr)

Jackson went 2nd R, Hilton 3rd R

compare draft measureables:

Jackson - 5-10/169, 4.35 forty, 34 1/2 vertical

Hilton - 5-10/183, 4.34 forty, 35 1/2 vertical

Richardson - 6-0 /175, 4.40 forty, 38 vertical

Smaller guys, more just weight for Richardson, can make it in the NFL. A few make it through every so often. Why not us? I like the kid at 60. If we get a LT in the 1st. Otherwise I want my WR in the 1st. We can draft more, but I just wish to get the best one possible. Then build some depth if the feeling hits.

[gettlemanjack]

draft blogger:

"(just finishing his junior in college, Richardson is) a big time star...he has extremely quick feet, great body control, and accelerates well with good top end speed.... There is no question he has shown he can shake opponents with his quickness and his footwork... Richardson has great body control ... He does a great job of sinking into his cuts and coming back to the football with few steps as he drives off that plant leg and comes back to the football. He is dangerous ... he can run and sell a vertical route or comeback a number of different ways and get the opponent to buy it..creating a ton of separation... he does have experience working in the middle of the field as well.... Richardson has good hands... he is a pretty reliable pass catcher... Richardson has the quickness to make opponents miss and the speed to make them pay for it when he does... Richardson can play in just about any scheme because of his ability to make plays all over the field... Richardson has the ability to contribute in a number of ways

...

NFL Comparison

T.Y. Hilton of the Indianapolis Colts. Hilton is certainly shorter than Richardson, but they are both lean and slippery with the ability to attack deep and use that to open up opportunities at different areas of the field.

...

Draft Projection

Richardson grades out as a solid second round pick"

[gettlemanjack]

Tony Pauline on Richardson:

"Explosive receiver effective down the field or in underneath coverage. Smart player... has a burst of speed which he turns on in a single step...plays with balance. ... possesses good eye-hand coordination, and consistently makes catches away from his frame. ... Runs crisp routes, separates from defenders...A big-play receiver with a consistent game...Richardson may turn into one of the steals in May's draft."

[PanthersFanAllDay89]

Tony Pauline on Richardson:

"Richardson may turn into one of the steals in May's draft."

 

The thing about this is that you can say it about almost anyone that is selected after the 2nd round. 

[gettlemanjack]

Cowboys blogger:

"Richardson is a speed receiver... He certainly affects the game with his speed ... he has elite speed, you could even say he plays faster than his 4.40 forty ... He sets vertical routes up well and makes defenses respect his speed, so he'll also do well on comeback routes or the curl component that sets up the "stop n go." With his speed, he's also a threat on crossing routes... he has a good stutter step and other fakes to run stop n gos and sell short route then beat defenders deep with speed. He has long arms and good height for a receiver this fast... He would be a nice complement to Dez and Terrance. I grade him late 2nd to early 3rd, but wouldn't be surprised to see a team take him in the late 1st or early 2nd round.

2014 NFL Draft Projection: 2nd Round"

[gettlemanjack]

Chargers blogger:

"One option that has the speed that everyone has been begging for is Colorado WR Paul Richardson. ... The man can fly ... His speed is ridiculous and he is able to break free from press coverage easily...and can make things happen after the catch... He is projected to be a 2nd round selection and could be a player the Chargers consider with the 57th overall selection.... If he was available in the 3rd round, he would be a steal."

[gettlemanjack]

Redskins blogger:

"Richardson has breakneck speed that can make a defender look silly in a hurry. He also has soft hands, adjusts well to the ball in midair and is capable of making spectacular catches. Once he has the ball in open space, he is hard to track down. Richardson had 20 touchdowns in three seasons in Colorado and averaged 41.8 yards per score (yes, you read that correctly). ... He would be a lock as a first round pick if he had a bigger frame and did not have the ACL injury in his recent past....Team He Fits Best On: Panthers, Redskins, Jets, Texans"

[gettlemanjack]

so they see Richardson as a:

-DeSean Jackson 2.0

-T.Y. Hilton 2.0 (Hilton caught for 861 yards as rookie in 2012, then for 1,083 last yr)

Jackson went 2nd R, Hilton 3rd R

compare draft measureables:

Jackson - 5-10/169, 4.35 forty, 34 1/2 vertical

Hilton - 5-10/183, 4.34 forty, 35 1/2 vertical

Richardson - 6-0 /175, 4.40 forty, 38 vertical

compare to Steve Smith who was taken Round 3, Pick 12, Overall Pick 74 by Panthers:

Smith - 5-09/184, 4.41 forty, 38 1/2 vertical

Smith's best season at Utah (vs MWC competition):

43 rec for 860 yds

Richardson's best season at Colorado (vs Pac 12 competition):

83 rec for 1,343 yds

Smith's hometown: Los Angeles, Calif.

Richardson's hometown: Los Angeles, Calif.

Smith in high school: all-CIF and all-Metro League ... also lettered in track

Richardson in high school: earned Prep Star and SuperPrep All-America honors ... also lettered in basketball (point guard) and in track

Smith's early college years: Honorable mention junior college All-American for Santa Monica JC

Richardson's early college years: second-team Freshman All-American honors from collegefootballnews.com and third-team Freshman All-American honors from Phil Steele’s College Football. Honorable mention Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year. CU’s Co-Male Freshman Athlete of the Year Award for all sports. He also earned second-team All-Colorado honors from the state’s chapter of the National Football Foundation.

Smith's father: father ran track at Cal Poly Pomona

Richardson's father: father, Paul Sr., played wide receiver at UCLA and played in the National Football League with Philadelphia, Oakland, Green Bay and the New York Jets.

[gettlemanjack]

draft blogger:

"Richardson is a talented athlete... his ceiling is as high as almost any receiver's in this year's draft...he has a long, thin, athletic build with broad shoulders and plenty of room to continue to add weight ... He is a quick, sudden route runner who has far quicker feet than you typically find in a receiver of his size...has the speed and suddenness to consistently separate at the next level... explosive receiver... home run threat... will out-run a defense in the open field... Nimble open field runner with the vision to find the open seam in the defense...Terrific natural ball skills and body control; does a great job of playing the ball while it's in the air and showing the type of acrobatic catches that draw the attention of scouts. Owns a great vertical and has no trouble climbing the ladder and high pointing the ball, winning jump ball situations. ... Makes tough contested catches...

grade: 2nd Round Pick

(they rate him the #9 WR after M Evans, S Watkins, M Lee, J Matthews, K Benjamin, C Latimer, B Cooks, M Bryant. .... they rate him higher than: O Beckham, D Adams, A Robinson, J Landry, Abbrederis, etc)