With The First Pick
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K.J. Hamler: Speed, versatility are recipe for immediate impact in 2020 NFL Draft

By Nicholas McGee

STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 30: KJ Hamler #1 of the Penn State Nittany Lions carries the ball against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second half at Beaver Stadium on November 30, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 30: KJ Hamler #1 of the Penn State Nittany Lions carries the ball against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second half at Beaver Stadium on November 30, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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COLLEGE PARK, MD – SEPTEMBER 27: KJ Hamler #1 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs with the ball during a college football game against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium on September 27, 2019 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD – SEPTEMBER 27: KJ Hamler #1 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs with the ball during a college football game against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium on September 27, 2019 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Strengths

He combines his speed with foot quickness, Hamler’s proficiency for fluidly changing direction allowing him to create separation with his route running rather than just his athletic ability.

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Hamler tracks the ball extremely well and has the body control to adjust to bad throws, demonstrating strong hands and excellent concentration at the catch point.

After the catch, Hamler shows the elusiveness to string together cuts that make defenders look foolish and has displayed the contact balance needed to survive tackle attempts and rack up additional yardage.

His speed and ability in the open field gives him upside as a punt returner and makes Hamler an asset as a runner out of the backfield on reverses and pop passes. He was limited just 17 rush attempts at Penn State, but creative pro coaches would surely look to use him more in that capacity.

Hamler has the skill set to be a versatile weapon in the pros and goes to the NFL off the back of a season that saw him go from 754 receiving yards and five touchdowns in 2018 to 904 yards and eight scores in 2019.

The hope is he will continue to ascend at the highest level of the sport, but he does come with limitations that could restrict his impact.

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