Rookie Report Card: Tyler Boyd and Malcolm Mitchell
Each week throughout the season, I’ll cover at least two rookies in the Rookie Report Card and try to always include the biggest performers from that particular week. On top of reviewing my expectations for each player coming into the league and covering how he’s performed at the NFL level to this point, I’ll actually give him a grade in three categories. Those categories are performance to date, 2016 potential and long term upside.
The series continues with a look at Tyler Boyd and Malcolm Mitchell.
[am4show have=’g1;’ guest_error=’sub_message’ user_error=’sub_message’ ]
Tyler Boyd, WR CIN
Week 11 Stats: six receptions, 54 yards, one touchdown reception (eight targets)
Once considered a truly elite dynasty prospect, Boyd’s rookie draft stock dropped slightly during his final year at Pitt but he remained one of my favorite prospects, particularly in the mid to late first round of rookie drafts. So far as a rookie, his production through 11 weeks has been inconsistent at best but after what transpired on Sunday afternoon, dynasty owners that invested in the rookie could begin to see big dividends from Cincinnati’s young receiver.
Through his first nine NFL games, Boyd had more than three receptions in just three games and reached 40 receiving yards only twice. Playing the role of third wide receiver behind AJ Green and Brandon LaFell, and fourth (or perhaps even fifth) pass catching option, Boyd was seeing less targets than Green, LaFell and Tyler Eifert, along with running back Giovani Bernard in most weeks.
Playing just 66.02% of the Bengals’ offensive snaps (according to www.pro-football-reference.com), Boyd’s usage has been sporadic all over the field but it’s been especially light in the red zone as just three of his 42 targets came inside the 20. Being used so infrequently and having not found the end zone yet as a rookie, his fantasy value has been extremely limited.
Everything changed though on the Bengals’ first drive on Sunday when Green went down with what has since been reported as a “significant” hamstring injury.
Although Boyd still primarily only saw the field in three receiver sets, he tied his season high in catches with six and set a season high in targets with eight.
Boyd’s biggest contribution for fantasy owners came late in the second quarter when he caught a one-yard touchdown on a fade from the slot, but he made his most eye popping play earlier in the quarter. On third-and-six from their own 15 yard line, he lined up tight in the slot to the right. Fearlessly running a post over the middle, he dove to make the catch on a low throw before taking a shot from safety Corey Graham who was bearing down on him.
All things told, Boyd had his best fantasy day of his young career on Sunday, catching six passes for 54 yards and the touchdown. Most importantly however, he’s confirmed everything that we knew of him coming out of Pittsburgh.
A true technician as a route runner, Boyd has looked great at the top of his routes throughout his rookie season. As was evident on his touchdown on Sunday, he’s quick off the line of scrimmage and fast out of his breaks at the top of his routes which allows him to get quick separation – particularly on short to intermediate routes.
A fierce competitor, Boyd’s relatively small stature (6’-1”, 197 pounds) or average 40-time (4.58 seconds) doesn’t keep him from going over the middle or getting everything he can after the catch. Willing to take a hit to bring in a pass or get extra yardage after making the grab, he shows toughness and grit in the middle of the field.
The biggest strength in Boyd’s game is no doubt the strength in his hands. Hauling in everything thrown his way in college including erratic passes that turned into highlight reel material, he hasn’t disappointed making the transition to catching passes from Dalton. Credited with just one drop so far in his rookie season (which I couldn’t find when watching each of his routes so far this year), he’s proven himself as true professional pass catcher.
Despite Boyd’s lack of elite foot speed or leaping ability, Boyd entered the league with the potential to be a target monster as a possession receiver out of the slot due to his sharp route running and incredible hands. Although his upside to be a target monster was diminished slightly when he landed in Cincinnati with Green and Eifert, he’s already shown he has potential with Green on the field. Now he has an opportunity to begin to reach that upside with Green out.
Forced to spread out Green’s ten targets per game, Dalton involved Boyd was much more in week 11 and appeared to trust the rookie after his biggest weapon went to the locker room. With Green sure to miss multiple weeks, Boyd should continue to be a large part of the Bengals’ passing attack and has an opportunity to become a fantasy contributor down the stretch of the season. It shouldn’t be surprising to anybody if he becomes a consistent WR3/flex, particularly in PPR leagues.
As for Boyd’s long term upside, he’s gone from one of my favorite prospects to draft, to now being one of my favorite young players to watch. Already appearing to be polished in so many parts of his game, he just turned 22 and is still improving. Destined to be a regular in fantasy lineups due to his high floor which is created by his dazzling route running and excellent hands, it’s only a matter of time until dynasty owners can plug him in as a weekly WR2.
Malcolm Mitchell, WR NE
Week 11 Stats: four receptions, 98 yards, one touchdown reception (four targets)
A favorite of many in the dynasty community, Malcolm Mitchell was one guy that I tried to get excited about but failed to do so on many occasions during draft time. Strange, because much like Boyd, he was relatively slight in stature (6’-0”, 198 pounds) and profiled as a possession receiver in the NFL due to what most regarded as quality route running. I just never saw it with the former Georgia wide out. In fact, I saw and inconsistent, Jekyll and Hyde route runner that lacked the ability to get off the press and had trouble getting open against man coverage.
Held to just seven catches for 95 yards through the first ten weeks of his rookie season, Mitchell burst out with four catches for 98 yards and his first NFL score in week 11 at San Francisco.
Mitchell made a couple nice plays in the Patriots win on Sunday. First, on a third-and-nine in the third quarter, he split out to the left and ran an impressive dig route against man coverage from the Pats’ 21 yard line. Bending the route to the sideline off the line of scrimmage, he got rookie cornerback Rashard Robinson to turn his hips to the outside before cutting behind him to go up field. Then, he broke sharply to the inside before making the catch and taking a hit from safety Antoine Bethea.
The play was an excellent display of the good (Jeckyll) route running that Mitchell displayed at times while with the Bulldogs over the last few seasons. He was quick off the line of scrimmage, set up his break well, and made the play of the point of the catch.
Mitchell’s biggest play on Sunday came in the fourth quarter on a third-and-eight play. Lined up to the right, he ran an eight-yard hitch route. When Tom Brady couldn’t find an open receiver initially, he stepped up in the pocket and Mitchell went up the field. Brady hit him in stride and Mitchell outraced the San Francisco defense for a 56-yard touchdown.
If you had a chance to watch the play, you should have seen two very eye-catching parts of the play.
First, Mitchell’s initial route was sloppy. Jammed at the line of scrimmage, he didn’t push the cover man up the field. Instead he chose to simply turn around after the contact and slide step down the field while looking back at the quarterback. A perfect display of the poor (Hyde) route running that he showed at times at Georgia.
The second noticeable thing about the play came when Brady moved up in the pocket. At that point, Mitchell went up the field to make the catch which turned into a big play, but he actually ran into coverage. The truth is, had cornerback Tramaine Brock been looking back at the quarterback he would have, at the very least, deflected the pass and Mitchell would’ve finished the afternoon with three catches for 42 yards.
All things told, watching every route Mitchell ran on Sunday afternoon, I came away thinking the same thing I did this spring when I wanted to get excited about Mitchell’s dynasty upside but couldn’t. His route running is inconsistent which makes him struggle to get open underneath, his speed isn’t good enough for him be a consistent downfield threat, and although he has good hands and can make contested catches in traffic and over the middle, he needs to improve his weaknesses dramatically to become a regular fantasy contributor.
Although Mitchell has WR3 upside, partly because of his strengths and the potential for him to improve his deficiencies and partly due to the offense he plays in, I still have trouble seeing him being a consistent fantasy contributor.
[/am4show]
- League Tycoon: Dynasty Salary Cap Fantasy Football - December 15, 2023
- Final Dynasty Rookie Report Card: Wide Receivers, Part Two - March 22, 2023
- 2023 NFL Scouting Combine: Offensive Player Dynasty Review - March 10, 2023
