Davante Parker Scouting Report

Apr 13, 2013; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals Red Team wide receiver DeVante Parker (9) catches a pass under the coverage of Louisville Cardinals White Team defensive back Kevin Houchins (36) and safety Kamal Hogan (30) during the spring game at Papa Johns Cardinal Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

My Take

Him being 6’3″ and having long arms to widen his catch radius isn’t something that warrants agreeing or disagreeing. But I will say I love the leaping ability and body control he shows to go up and pluck one out of the air. And to pluck one out of the air like that, great hands is a trait you have to have.

I don’t agree with the scouts’ take on his route running as from what I see, he does make sharp cuts. He’s not Cooper in that department but he regularly turns corners around and shakes them. And to me, he’s very savvy at beating corners at the line of scrimmage as he did against P.J. Williams and Ronald Darby of Florida State.

As for his speed, it isn’t elite but everyone can’t be Calvin Johnson so I won’t call that a weakness. He’s fast enough and when you put the together with his route running, hands, length, and leaping ability, he can get deep on you. But I agree that he’s mainly a possession receiver and yes, he does need to put more effort into his blocking.

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