2020 NFL Draft Prospect – KJ Hamler, WR Penn State

Noah Ballweg Posted On April 9, 2020

Our NFL rookie profile series continues with this analysis of 2020 NFL Draft Prospect KJ Hamler, WR from Penn State. We will continue to provide you with these in-depth rookie profiles and a ton of other fantasy football rookie analysis right up through the NFL Draft. Stay tuned, and stay ahead of your league!

KJ Hamler has quickly become one of my favorite targets in 2020 rookie drafts. Currently ranked as the 18th-best prospect in our DLF Rookie Rankings, Hamler’s current ADP suggests otherwise. With injuries holding him out of the NFL Scouting Combine, Hamler is one prospect who could fly under the radar of dynasty owners and land perfectly into your awaiting arms.

The Stats

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Stats from sports-reference.com.

Hamler committed to Penn State as a four-star recruit out of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. His 4.3 speed drew the attention of over 25 division one offers, and he did not disappoint when he got on the field. As a redshirt-freshman, Hamler caught receptions in each of the Nittany Lion’s 13 games. His 798 scrimmage yards and six touchdowns broke a Penn State freshman record.

As a sophomore in 2019, things only got better for Hamler. He caught nearly 60 passes for over 900 yards, hauling in eight receiving touchdowns and doing it against some of the best of the Big Ten’s defensive backs.

What I love about Hamler’s stats is his production and consistency in such a small sample size. At his size, Hamler was able to consistently stay on the field through stretches of tough Big Ten schedules, while also producing at a high level. His change-of-pace play and versatility in the run game show me that he is going to be a highlight waiting to happen at the NFL level.

The Film

“There goes KJ, for a payday.” Did you catch that around the 1:05 mark? I would love to hear that call on Sundays! The film is self-explanatory. Hamler was one of, if not the fastest receiver in the Big 10 in 2019, and his speed kills defenses. Once the ball is in his hands, the odds of it ending up in the end zone are exponential.

While there is a lot of versatility in Hamler’s game such as jet sweeps, receiver screens, and designed runs, his actual route-running ability will need some work at the professional level. Yes, he was a productive receiver at Penn State, but looking at the film will show you that despite playing against some great Big Ten defenses, he played against some pretty poor ones as well.

His need for strength is apparent, which could limit his separation ability in the NFL. If offensive coordinators are forced to draw up specific plays to get him open, it could limit his usage on the field.

The Measurables

Hamler looks to continue a growing tradition of NFL-caliber receivers coming out of the University of Penn State. Chris Godwin, Allen Robinson, and DaeSean Hamilton all look to have even bigger 2020 seasons, with Hamler looking to land in a great opportunity where he can make a splash.

At just 5’9” and 178 pounds, Hamler is distinctly different from the names above. His injury at the Combine certainly hurts his stock, and limits our perception of who he is comparable to. However, he did draw one interesting comparison in just his physical measurements alone. While Antwaan Randle El never caught more than 60 receptions in any of his nine years, his versatility and game-changing ability will forever be remembered in Super Bowl XL.

In my opinion, Hamler is a much better prospect than Randle El and no doubt a better athlete. The similarity is their ability to change the course of a game with one play. Playing to their strengths and allowing the game to mold around them.

Dynasty Value

As stated at the beginning of this article, Hamler is the 18th-rated prospect in our 2020 Rookie Rankings. However, his current ADP of 25.60 suggests that the trend for Hamler’s stock is not necessarily soaring. In our March ADP, Hamler was selected five times in the third round of rookie drafts, while the other five drafts had him going as a very late second-round pick.

With the focus on the big three running backs and wide receivers, Hamler is a third-round value that I am loving to grab in my off-season rookie drafts. I would not expect to see his ADP fall much further unless he lands in an unfavorable situation in the NFL.

Conclusion

There remains much to be seen in KJ Hamler’s NFL future. The NFL Draft will give us a much more clear picture of how the rookie speedster will fit into an NFL offense. Many mock drafts have him landing with the Philadelphia Eagles or the Los Angeles Chargers, two great fits in need of an explosive weapon. We saw what Carson Wentz was able to do in the limited time he had with DeSean Jackson, and Hamler could very well take on that role if selected by the Eagles.

Regardless, Hamler is a highly-rated prospect with some strength and durability concerns heading into the 2020 season. If he can fit into a system that allows him to develop his route running capabilities, he should thrive. At worst, he becomes an inconsistent field stretcher with high touchdown upside. At best, he develops his speed and agility into a dangerous slot receiver, capable of creating separation from bigger and stronger defenders.