Braxton Miller shows off rare skill set at Senior Bowl
— -- MOBILE, Ala. -- Ohio State wide receiver Braxton Miller has put on an absolute show through the first two days of Senior Bowl workouts. At an official 6-foot-1, 204 pounds, the former Buckeye quarterback has generated a tremendous amount of buzz here in Mobile because of the effortless movement in his game, the sudden change-of-direction ability he displays on the field and his rare athleticism.
With only one year of experience at the wide receiver position in college, I expected Miller to show some signs of choppiness in his route running, a gradual learning curve at the position that would need to be polished under pro coaching. But Miller displays the body control and flexibility to get out of his cuts to separate to the ball. It doesn't hurt that he's a top-five athlete in this draft.
That sells in the eyes of pro scouts. They want to see receivers like Miller who can slip out of press coverage at the line of scrimmage and win with top-end speed in the open field. Go get the ball and finish. That's what I'm watching here with Miller. And it's pretty consistent.
From the inside option routes to the "shake" seam up the middle of the field to the curl/comeback combo outside of the numbers, Miller has looked the part of an NFL WR. Plus, this guy wants to compete. He is physical on the practice field and doesn't shy away from contact. During Monday's session, Miller ran through a defensive back squatting in coverage, and he consistently battles on the release.
Does Miller need more reps at the position? Of course. And that will help his awareness versus zone coverage (finding open windows) and give him a better feel for how to play off a defender's leverage in man-coverage situations. He isn't a finished product by any means. But at this stage of the process, how can pro scouts not be impressed with his overall skill set?
During Tuesday's session, the Dallas Cowboys coaching staff gave us a little preview of what Miller can do in a pro offense. He ran routes out of a stack alignment (free release to get into space) and got the ball multiple times on a reverse. NFL teams will have some creative options with Miller, along with some roster flexibility. Given his experience playing quarterback in college, smart organizations will use Miller as a No. 3 quarterback on the gameday roster, design specific schemes for him on two-point opportunities (QB-designed runs) and get him the ball in a variety of ways.
I am already hearing comparisons with Miller to Percy Harvin. And I get that. We are talking about a dynamic player. But Miller has a much bigger pro frame and plays with a noticeable toughness on the field. This isn't a "gadget" guy in the playbook. Nah, he's a true football player.
Miller has already checked off plenty of boxes here in Mobile. He has taken advantage of this stage and made some money. And if the former quarterback tests well at the combine, I see a player who could carry a second-round grade into the draft.
Other notes
* Louisville defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (6-foot-2, 304 pounds) tore up one-on-one pass-rush drills during Tuesday's practice. Rankins has the quicks off the ball, the counter moves to disengage and the grown-man power to win consistently up front. This is a guy with first-round talent and the scheme flexibility to play in a 4-3 or 3-4 front.
* North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz has lived up to the hype. With a big frame for the position (6-foot-5, 233 pounds), solid footwork in the pocket and legit arm strength, Wentz can sling the ball all over the field. He's for real. A first-round prospect who can throw the deep out and comeback all day.
* Oklahoma wide receiver Sterling Shepard (5-foot-10, 193 pounds) doesn't have elite, top-end speed, but his stop-and-go ability is ridiculous. Shepard is super quick coming out of his breaks, and he will earn his money working out of the slot at the next level.
* Alabama linebacker Reggie Ragland is a prime fit at the ILB position in a 3-4 front. At 6-foot-1, 259 pounds, Ragland has downhill power and the athleticism to win in space. He looks the part of a first-round prospect in the middle of the defense.
* Baylor defensive end Shawn Oakman hasn't checked off enough boxes during practice. At 6-foot-7, 269 pounds, Oakman has an extremely athletic build, but I haven't seen the defensive end flash on the field yet.
* Louisiana Tech running back Kenneth Dixon is the top player at his position in Mobile. With a legit pro frame (5-foot-10, 215 pounds), speed through the hole and pass-catching ability out of the backfield, Dixon is an ideal fit for today's NFL offenses. He accelerates with the ball in his hands and has the route-running ability to separate from linebackers.
* Boise State safety Darian Thompson should be climbing up draft boards. At 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, Thompson has the pro size that scouts want at the position, along with the footwork/range to make plays as a defender in the deep middle of the field. Thompson finishes every play on the practice field, and he will deliver a blow. This is a physical prospect.
* Alabama running back Kenyan Drake (6-foot-1, 210 pounds) still has to answer some questions on his ability to consistently block in pass protection, but he brings some serious speed and matchup ability out of the backfield.
* Iowa's Austin Blythe (6-foot-2, 291 pounds) is a true technician with the flexibility to play both center and guard. Blythe displays the footwork and hand placement to win against bigger defenders inside.
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