2018 Rookie Profile: Dante Pettis, WR Washington

Levi Chappell

The 2018 NFL draft class is stacked at a couple of different positions. The running back class looks to be one of the deepest classes in quite some time and there are some top-level edge rushers in the class as well.

On the other hand, wide receiver does not seem to be one of those “stacked” position groups. You may not see the flashy names like Sammy Watkins, Mike Evans, or Amari Cooper this year, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t find some value in this class.

So where exactly should Dante Pettis be ranked in this year’s rookie class? In the latest DLF rookie ADP, Pettis is ranked as the 33rd rookie overall and the 12th-ranked wide receiver. Let’s take a closer look at the former Washington standout.

The Stats

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Pettis played four seasons at Washington. Although he had a down year as a senior, he still finished as one of the most productive receivers in school history. He ranks fourth all-time in receptions, third all-time in receiving yards, and third all-time in touchdowns.

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Statistics from sports-reference.com.

After his freshman and sophomore seasons which provided modest production, Pettis burst onto the scene in 2016 with 15 TDs which was tied for seventh in the nation, only two TDs behind his fellow running mate and current Cincinnati Bengal John Ross. Pettis was now on the map and garnering attention from scouts. John Ross was bolting for the NFL and Pettis was now the #1 WR on an explosive offense. All things were looking up.

Also in the 2016 season, Washington QB Jake Browning threw for an incredible 43 TDs (many of those went to Ross and Pettis). Browning then had shoulder surgery following the season and was never able to regain his form in 2017, throwing for a disappointing 18 total scores.

Although Pettis’ receptions increased in 2017, his yards, TDs, and average yards per catch all decreased. I would not be too alarmed by the 2017 stats though, as it could be attributed to the Huskies having an “off” year and an underwhelming passing game.

The Film

After breaking down the tape, you will notice that Pettis does three things really well. The first thing that stands out is his ability to high point the ball and win the 50/50 battles. He uses his strong hands to attack the ball instead of letting the ball come to him. Every second counts in the NFL because it moves at a much faster pace than college ball. The decision to wait for the ball to arrive instead of attacking the ball can be the difference between a catch and a deflected pass or interception.

The second thing that Pettis does well is fighting through contact. Cornerbacks try and get physical with him in order to knock him off his route and disrupt his rhythm, but he is able to maintain focus, fight through the contact, and still make plays. I’ve also not even mentioned in this article yet that Pettis is the greatest punt returner in college football history, returning nine punts for touchdowns. Obviously fighting through contact during punt returns is essential, and Pettis excels at it. Although just listed at 186 pounds, he is able to use his strength to stay on his route and not be disrupted.

The last thing that jumps out when watching Pettis is how crisp, clean, and quick his routes are. As you can see in the latter part of the clip, he runs a skinny post and has his defender spinning around and tripping over his own feet. Pettis runs every route with conviction and sells his movements really well.

Measurables

Pettis injured his ankle in the Apple Cup against Washington State. He then re-injured the ankle while training for the NFL combine. Despite that fact he was invited to the Combine, he was not able to workout. He was also not able to workout at Washington’s pro day. Pettis has stated that he is shooting for an April workout before the draft, so that coaches and scouts can take a look at him.

Therefore getting “measurables” on him is difficult. Some similar comparisons based solely off of height, weight, and body structure would be Kenny Stills at 6’0’’, 190 lbs, Nelson Agholor at 6’0’’, 185 lbs, and Paul Richardson at 6’0’’, 183 lbs. All three of those players are a slimmer build. They use their athleticism and strong hands to make plays.

Conclusion

Growing up in Oregon and the pacific northwest, I was able to watch Pettis tear apart the Ducks and Beavers defenses firsthand. He can obviously be a playmaker as a pass catcher and a punt returner for an NFL team, but we will have to wait and see how he performs at his “pro day”. If he ends up running in the 4.5s, puts up 12-16 bench reps, and displays the crisp route running and strong hands that made him a standout at Washington, I could see Pettis being a day two selection at the NFL draft.

Pettis was much more productive when he was the number two receiving option in Washington’s offense behind John Ross. Therefore, the best landing spot for him in the NFL might be as a second or third option at receiver. He will likely never grow into a number one option, but he could be a nice value pick in the third round of your rookie drafts.

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levi chappell