2014 NFL Draft Scouting Report – Jarvis Landry, WR LSU

Oct 12, 2013; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) catches a pass as Florida Gators defensive back Vernon Hargreaves (1) during the first half of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Jarvis Landry made up one half of perhaps the most impressive wide receiver duo in college football at LSU along with Odell Beckham Jr.  Landry was used on the outside but was really at home as a power slot receiver that could go catch the football or simply deck an opponent as a blocker, helping to power the Bayou Bengal running game as a well-rounded dual threat receiver.

For the NFL, Landry’s mindset and aggressiveness stand out and make him an intriguing option.  He looks like a receiver but has the nasty disposition of a road grading offensive lineman.  Landry has good hands, the ability to see and concentrate on the football at a high level and has made some spectacular catches in his career.  He needs to be more consistent as a route runner, so he can create separation more often and get open, but he is able to make contested catches.  His blocking makes him a weapon and would give an NFL team a unique player.  Landry warrants going in the top 100 picks but his combination of skills and ability could see a team take him higher based on the number of options he would give them.

Vitals & Build

Landry is listed at 6’1” 195lbs but his aggressiveness and strength at the position makes him play much bigger.  His strength is impressive and he makes the most of what he has with a fearless mindset.  Landry’s speed is good, has the feet and agility to be a great player and demonstrates incredible body control at times, but it can be inconsistent.  Whatever Landry lacks in terms of measurables, he seems to make up for with his style of play, so he should only continue getting better as an athlete, he is ready to go in the NFL as is.

Route Running & Technique

Landry’s route running is a work in progress and can be inconsistent.  He demonstrates the ability to do just about anything that he needs to do to run plays properly but his focus can waver.  His route running did improve over the course of the year and he had better success creating separation as the season progressed.

His stance is solid and he gets into his release without much of a bounce.  Whether he is running a route or setting up a block, he does a nice job of giving the opponent multiple things to worry about on every play.

Landry has the ability to plant his foot in the ground and really explode into his cuts but there are definitely times when he just rounds off the route and opponents are able to mirror it rather easily.  Additionally, he can work to make a more violent turn with his hips to make turns such on quick hitting routes or short routes.

There are some hitches where he will turn his head and body before he gets to his landmark and telegraphs the play to the defender.  A lot of these little issues in concentration make his routes far more competitive and closer than they should be.  Hammering out these issues would make it so he was able to get more separation and be more open.  A few of these have led to opponents getting interceptions because his route was poor enough where it caused a play that should have been completed to be intercepted.

Landry has the ability to be a good route runner but just needs to get more and more consistent.  This is really the biggest issue that Landry has to address in his game and if he can do it, he can be a good player for a long, long time.

Hands

Landry has great hands and can really snatch the ball out of the air cleanly.  He has big, strong hands that not only help him catch the football but also makes it so he does not lose the football.

Landry demonstrates a huge catch radius and is fearless, so he is unafraid to go over the middle or go up and catch the football regardless of what is going on around him.  This also allows him to be impressive in how well he can track and concentrate on the football, catching it through contact.  He has an amazing ability to focus on the football when he has an obstructed view, in the air, or getting hit.

The result has been that while Landry does not get an ideal amount of separation on his route running, he is almost always a threat to catch the ball.  He does a great job with contested catches.  Landry also is good when it comes to using his body to box opponents out, especially in the middle of the field.

Run After Catch

When Landry has the space to operate with the ball in his hands, he can be dangerous after the catch.  He has enough speed to make opponents pay, is agile enough to make quick moves and create speed quickly and he does have strength.

The issue for Landry is he needs to do a better job of creating opportunities where he can run with the ball in his hands.  He has too many situations where he is getting tackled or already taking on contact when he catches the ball.  If he is not wide open, the touches for him where he can run with the ball in his hands are created with bubble screens or quick passes.

Blocking

Landry is unique as a blocker because he is so aggressive and blocks with more ferocity than some linemen do.  While he is able to be lined up wide and seal off a corner, Landry is most often used to go find someone in the middle of the field and take them out of the play.  If Landry catches someone who does not see him coming, he can pancake them and really make a big impact.

Landry has an added element of intimidation because as the game rolls along, opponents on the other team start to hear footsteps and worry about where Landry is on the field as opposed to making the play.  Rather than focusing on the ball carrier, they are trying to make sure they do not get killed.

There are times when Landry will be too aggressive and go head hunting and miss because he is trying to get the big hit as opposed to the right play.  As a result, there are situations where he should just stop, get a wide base, lock on and drive the opponent.  A more disciplined approach would ultimately make him a more effective blocker.

There are also situations where Landry is so tired where he can give little effort as he is simply trying to catch his breath.  At times, this can prove costly because a block he would normally get could let the ball carrier loose to make an even bigger play.

Landry, when he is fresh, fires off of the ball well and while he is measured as he works to line up his block, he makes it difficult for opponents to get a sense of whether the play is a run or pass due to his approach.  The other great thing Landry does which can also lead to some highlight reel blocks is blocking down the field.  When a teammate catches the ball and works down the field or cuts across, Landry is almost guaranteed to make a big impact and put someone on the ground.

Special Teams

Not surprisingly, Landry has experience as a kick returner.  He has returned punts, which is the far more useful skill, especially with what he already brings to the table.  Landry is the type of player that could go make tackles on kickoff and lay people out if a team wants him to do it.  He seems to shine wherever he ends up on the field.

System Fit

Landry’s system fit is basically anyone that wants to use a wide receiver as a weapon in the running game.  His best position is in the slot, but he can certainly work on the outside as well.

Landry has such a big impact as a blocker that when he plays in the slot, he can be looked at as a slot tight end.  He is a huge asset to help on the run but has the ability to get open and make plays as a wide receiver, which makes him a unique player and a matchup problem.  It also makes his value as a player vary greatly from team to team as he can be a real weapon and give teams options on how they always have a strong looking formation to run or pass with Landry and another tight end on the field, whether they are on opposite sides of the field or the same side in a trey formation.

Initially, Landry is probably going to be depth and come in as a slot receiver, but if he can develop in his route running, he could be a starter that plays on the outside in two receiver sets and then slide into the slot when they go to three or more.

NFL Comparison

Landry has some similarities to the recently retired Hines Ward of the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Ward was drafted out of Georgia in the third round and became a great blocker who developed into a nice receiving threat.  Ward and Landry are not so different in their physical builds as well as their styles of play.  Landry could become the type of weapon Ward became with further development.

Draft Projection

Jarvis Landry is an unusual player and might be the most unique wide receiver in this draft class.  His hands and ability to catch the football are impressive and his blocking is notable enough where opponents take account of where he is on the field.  He needs to be more consistent and polished in his route running, which might work to make him look more athletic on the field, but he is comfortable making contested plays.  Landry warrants a top 100 pick but his skillset could make him a bit of a wildcard in how teams view him in light of the popularity of tight ends that can play out in the slot.

Some of the film used for this scouting breakdown was provided by the good folks at draftbreakdown.com