9/15/05

Jason Avant
WR, #8, University of Michigan
6010, 209, 4.55 (est.)

PROFILE:

Wide Receiver Jason Avant (#8) of the University of Michigan is one of the highest graded wide receiver in the 2006 NFL draft. Avant has better the average size, and skills. He has a sturdy and muscular frame. His best ability is his hands; he has the ability to make both the easy catch and the difficult one.

Avant can make the catch in a crowd, and is very reliable over the middle. He is a dependable receiver who can move the chains and isn't afraid of contact. Avant is a solid route runner who has good quickness in and out of his breaks. He has the ability to set the defensive back up with his quickness. He does have a good football IQ and know where the first down marker is and make sure he runs his route past the maker. As a blocker, Avant show very good ability and is a willing blocker. He gets good position and leverage and blocks until the whistle.

What Avant lacks is great straight line speed and does have the explosiveness you would like in a wide receiver. He hasn't shown himself to be much of a deep threat, but he understands the game well and gets open. He also lacks the ability for big runs after the catch, and needs to improve on that.

Off the field and in the locker room, Avant is a strong presence and has great character. He is an unselfish, team first type of player.

Overall, Avant shows the ability to be a solid NFL type of receiver, most likely he will never be a number one receiver in the NFL, but will be a great number two receiver with the ability to move the chains and keep drives going.