7th round pick Prather wr wv

[Beast]

On 4/28/2025 at 5:42 PM, Buffalo716 said:

Joey Galloway had a thousand yards as a rookie in 1995... Marvin Harrison had 800 yards as a rookie in 1996... In 1998 Randy Moss had a 1300 yd as a rookie 

 

Eric moulds did take a long time to turn up.. started very slow

I think the Eric Moulds thing has worn out it’s welcome….at least with me it has.

 

It jumped the shark with, “well, Tom Brady was a 6th rounder”.

[BigAl2526]

On 4/28/2025 at 8:44 AM, Andrew Son said:

You calling Prather a diva?!?!

We really have one spot to fill from last year, Hollins.  I think Shavers can step into that role 

That is a spot that Shavers and Prather might compete for.  Shavers is a little taller. Prather is faster.  Prather is also described as a willing blocker and will work well on special teams.  All of that can help him compete for that spot.  There is a possibility of one additional WR spot being created if Laviska Shenault can out compete Codrington as a return specialist.  

[Billl]

On 5/10/2025 at 2:06 PM, Turbo44 said:

Knox had 0 tds at Mississippi state cuz of the receivers there; cooke’s stats were pedestrian cuz he played at UGA part time, plenty of other examples

IMO, the biggest reason Knox had 0 TDs at Mississippi State is that he went to Ole Miss.

[Augie]

8 minutes ago, Billl said:

IMO, the biggest reason Knox had 0 TDs at Mississippi State is that he went to Ole Miss.

 

Technically, he did play at Mississippi State on 11/23/17, and he did not score a TD. He had one catch for 5 yards. 

 

Clearly I have too much time on my hands. 

[turbo044]

3 hours ago, Billl said:

IMO, the biggest reason Knox had 0 TDs at Mississippi State is that he went to Ole Miss.

He had 0 td's no matter where he played in Mississippi - that work?

[starrymessenger]

On 5/10/2025 at 2:25 PM, BigAl2526 said:

The first look at this guy in rookie mini-camp gives the impression of a guy who wants to make this roster in September.  He was running great routes and catching everything in sight.  The guy is not a sub 4.4 burner, but he's got real good speed to go with enough size to make him look like a slender Keon Coleman.   You have to give Brandon Beane credit.  He misses on some early round picks like every GM does, but he hits on a surprising number of late round fliers.  If Keon doesn't get his act together, maybe he should start looking over his shoulder.  That is not to mention the fact that Jackson Hawes and Dorian Strong look strong as well.

After hearing that he was turning heads at mini-camp I thought I'd take a closer look. Some have commented that his college tape is unimpressive. I disagree. Some college receivers benefit from scheme touches, pre-snap motion and free releases. Prather was used almost exclusively outside, facing press coverage and battling DBs for contested balls. And that's what Beane specifically wants him to do, even if eventually he shows that can also line up and work from the slot. For now Beane is not looking for him to operate at all field levels but certainly they are at least aware of his proven ability to run in breaking routes after selling the vertical.

Prather tests as a decent but in no way exceptional athlete (RAS 7.68). He has been criticized for an alleged lack of explosion as evidenced by his 30" vertical and 9'6" broad jump but I think that needs to be reexamined. His vertical, while disappointing, is perhaps partially offset by his truly remarkable ability to adjust to the ball at the catch point. Nobody in his draft class does it as well as he does. And he does start out with a height advantage over the guys who will be covering him. 
Although his combine vertical and broad jump suggest a lack of explosive power/lower body strength his ten yard split, 1.53, is elite (Brian Thomas' was 1.55, Justin Jefferson's 1.57) and his 20 yard split, 2.64, is also very good (Thomas' was 2.53, Jefferson's 2.61). Ill take those over his broad jump all day. His hand size/wingspan check out ok.

He is a developmental player who probably belongs on the practice squad but if he truly shines in OTAs and preseason games Bills may have to make a decision. Word gets around. Of course he won't be getting much in the way of reps so he will have to make the most of his opportunities.
Beane's draft strategy was based on addressing perceived needs and some of his later picks are clearly seen as roll players. Prather is in that group. He may not make it of course but he was an excellent 7th round pick.

Edited 7 hours ago by starrymessenger

[Jon in Pasadena]

On 4/26/2025 at 3:28 PM, Victory Formation said:

666 receiving yards in 2023. This man’s the antichrist.

 

#therealbeastmode

[BADOLBILZ]

On 4/28/2025 at 5:42 PM, Buffalo716 said:

Joey Galloway had a thousand yards as a rookie in 1995... Marvin Harrison had 800 yards as a rookie in 1996... In 1998 Randy Moss had a 1300 yd as a rookie 

 

Eric moulds did take a long time to turn up.. started very slow

 

FWIW:

 

Keyshawn Johnson, Terry Glenn, Harrison and Eddie Kennison ALL had 800-1100 yard rookie seasons in 1996.    Moulds was the lone first rounder who didn't come out firing.   

[The Jokeman]

On 5/11/2025 at 2:17 PM, Beast said:

I think the Eric Moulds thing has worn out it’s welcome….at least with me it has.

 

It jumped the shark with, “well, Tom Brady was a 6th rounder”.

Andre Reed didn't reach 1000 yards receiving until his 5th NFL season,  Michael Irvin his 4th season, Tim Brown his 6th season. I'm sure I could bring up more examples.

30 minutes ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

FWIW:

 

Keyshawn Johnson, Terry Glenn, Harrison and Eddie Kennison ALL had 800-1100 yard rookie seasons in 1996.    Moulds was the lone first rounder who didn't come out firing.   

And Moulds also served as a depth WR behind Reed and Quinn Early in his early career.

[MiracleAtRich1393]

1 hour ago, starrymessenger said:

After hearing that he was turning heads at mini-camp I thought I'd take a closer look. Some have commented that his college tape is unimpressive. I disagree. Some college receivers benefit from scheme touches, pre-snap motion and free releases. Prather was used almost exclusively outside, facing press coverage and battling DBs for contested balls. And that's what Beane specifically wants him to do, even if eventually he shows that can also line up and work from the slot. For now Beane is not looking for him to operate at all field levels but certainly they are at least aware of his proven ability to run in breaking routes after selling the vertical.

Prather tests as a decent but in no way exceptional athlete (RAS 7.68). He has been criticized for an alleged lack of explosion as evidenced by his 30" vertical and 9'6" broad jump but I think that needs to be reexamined. His vertical, while disappointing, is perhaps partially offset by his truly remarkable ability to adjust to the ball at the catch point. Nobody in his draft class does it as well as he does. And he does start out with a height advantage over the guys who will be covering him. 
Although his combine vertical and broad jump suggest a lack of explosive power/lower body strength his ten yard split, 1.53, is elite (Brian Thomas' was 1.55, Justin Jefferson's 1.57) and his 20 yard split, 2.64, is also very good (Thomas' was 2.53, Jefferson's 2.61). Ill take those over his broad jump all day. His hand size/wingspan check out ok.

He is a developmental player who probably belongs on the practice squad but if he truly shines in OTAs and preseason games Bills may have to make a decision. Word gets around. Of course he won't be getting much in the way of reps so he will have to make the most of his opportunities.
Beane's draft strategy was based on addressing perceived needs and some of his later picks are clearly seen as roll players. Prather is in that group. He may not make it of course but he was an excellent 7th round pick.

I think some of those figures might be off slightly but point taken. I'd like to see what this guy's got and I hope he makes it

[BADOLBILZ]

7 minutes ago, The Jokeman said:

And Moulds also served as a depth WR behind Reed and Quinn Early in his early career.

 

 

Yeah that's what happens when you don't play anywhere near well enough to be on the field.    The Bills had big plans for Moulds in 1996.   They were desperate for a big play threat.  But he sat because he was a hot mess on and off the field.

[wppete]

On 5/11/2025 at 2:23 PM, BigAl2526 said:

That is a spot that Shavers and Prather might compete for.  Shavers is a little taller. Prather is faster.  Prather is also described as a willing blocker and will work well on special teams.  All of that can help him compete for that spot.  There is a possibility of one additional WR spot being created if Laviska Shenault can out compete Codrington as a return specialist.  

Prather looks bigger, faster and stronger than Shavers.