2018 NFL Draft: D.J. Chark has surfaced on the Round 1 bubble

D.J. Chark broke out with stellar showings at the Senior Bowl and Scouting Combine. He’s now on the Round 1 bubble of the 2018 NFL Draft.

No player has done more to help their draft stock since the end of the 2017 season than LSU Tigers wide receiver D.J. Chark. Though relatively limited in terms of his college production, Chark managed to wow scouts at the Senior Bowl and Scouting Combine.

On the strength of his performances as the two stock-building events, Chark has officially surfaced on the Round 1 bubble at the 2018 NFL Draft.

Chark finished the 2017 college football season with 40 receptions for 874 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran the ball 12 times for 63 yards and a score, thus bringing his tally to 937 yards from scrimmage on just 52 touches.

It’s also worth noting that Chark returned 18 punts in 2017, accumulating 190 yards and two touchdowns.

That production may not be Round 1 worthy in some eyes, but averages of 21.9 yards per reception and 18.3 yards per touch from scrimmage are astonishing. The question, of course, is how that production will translate to the NFL.

No one will know until he debuts, but his performances at the Senior Bowl and Scouting Combine have dramatically improved his draft stock.

Senior Bowl

Chark was one of the standout performers at the 2018 Senior Bowl. Playing for the South team, he was paired with quarterbacks such as Kyle Lauletta and Mike White—and not Josh Allen nor Baker Mayfield.

It made no difference to Chark, who pulled down five receptions for 160 yards and a touchdown on seven targets.

Chark’s performance was highlighted by his ability to get behind the safeties and make plays after the catch. His breakaway speed was nothing short of compelling for a player who also possesses the size to physically overwhelm the average cornerback.

Some still question Chark’s ability to go up and get the 50-50 balls, but in terms of speed and athleticism, the reasons for optimism are endless.

Chark also displayed the ability to make catches outside the numbers, where his impressive body control was once again displayed. Throw in a pair of over-the-shoulder catches and a beautiful reverse run, and his versatility was on full display.

Whether Chark is utilized as a true wide receiver or more of a Percy Harvin type of playmaker, his upside was established at the Senior Bowl.

Scouting Combine

The Senior Bowl proved that D.J. Chark can play against a high level of collegiate competition and make plays. What scouts wanted to see at the Scouting Combine, however, was if he’s athletic enough to make that type of impact in the NFL.

Chark addressed every question head-on with a performance that all but solidified his status as a wide receiver on the first round bubble.

Chark measured at 6’3″ and 199 pounds with 32 and 3/8″ arms and 9 and 1/4″ hands. Some believe he’ll need to add roughly 10 pounds to his frame, but the athletic gifts he possesses are already turning heads.

Chark ran a blazing 40-yard dash, posting a time of 4.34 seconds—far and away the fastest time by any wide receiver in this draft class.

Furthermore, Chark posted a 40.0″ vertical jump—again, the best mark by any wide receiver in this draft class. Chark then ranked fourth in the broad jump with a 129.0″ leap that firmly solidified what we saw on tape.

Not only is Chark one of the fastest players in the 2018 NFL Draft, but he may be the most athletic wide receiver on the board.

Improved Draft Stock

The question of the hour is just how much D.J. Chark has helped himself in the 2018 NFL Draft. It’s abundantly clear that he has the athletic ability to play at the highest level, but some still question how far he can come fundamentally.

Take this as you will, but Todd McShay of ESPN has the Philadelphia Eagles selecting Chark at No. 32 overall in his latest mock draft.

"Chark is a raw route runner but has the tools to develop. His stock is on the rise after a great Senior Bowl week and combine workout, punctuated with a 4.34 40 and 40-inch vertical jump."

Chark has now entered the top 40 on my personal big board.

Teams will meet with Chark and determine how strong his work ethic and will to succeed truly are. It’s then that his draft stock will be determined, as most teams require confirmation that a player has the drive to match their upside.

If it’s determined that Chark’s offseason to remember is a sign of things to come, then even No. 32 may be too low for him.

It will be interesting to see if Chark can add roughly 10 pounds of muscle without losing too much of his speed or leaping ability. What’s clear, however, is that he has the type of big play ability that every team is searching for at wide receiver.

The next step will be becoming more of an every-down type of player by establishing the abiility to move the chains on a consistent basis.

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Whether or not he’s a first-round draft pick, it’s clear that D.J. Chark has become one of the most coveted wide receivers in the 2018 NFL Draft.