The 2014 NFL Draft may have been the deepest class we’ve ever seen at Wide Receiver. Teams all over the league recognized their need for outside threats and that is why 33 receivers in total were drafted in 2014. Twelve of those Wideouts were drafted within the first two rounds. One of the receivers that was taken in those rounds was Jarvis Landry, of LSU. The Dolphins seem to have gotten quite the player in Landry, let’s dive into the work.
Jarvis Landry had a good career in college at LSU that totaled 137 receptions, 1809 yards, and 15 touchdowns in 3 seasons. I was a big fan of Landry’s and believed he was a complete receiver who had a great set of hands and would come pro-ready from playing in Cam Cameron’s offense. With mostly positive thoughts about Landry, I believed he would be drafted in rounds 2-3, probably the former. Here’s what I had to say after scouting the Wide Receiver class and prior to the 2014 Draft:
5. Jarvis Landry, LSU
-Too much will be made out of Landry’s 40 time. He is an intermediate WR who wins with the best hands in the class and toughness. He is a great blocker, and is superb in and out of breaks. He’s terrific vs press coverage too. Very, very tough player.
Unfortunately for Landry the combine is not built for guys like him. He measured in at only 5’11 and ran quite a slow 40 yard dash. This undoubtedly played a role in his availability at the tail end of the second round for the Dolphins. Ultimately, Landry was selected with the 63rd pick in the NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins.
Landry has been productive in his two years in the NFL. In his rookie season he totaled 84 receptions, 758 yards, and
(Photo from www.miamiherald.com)
5 touchdowns. His second season seen improvements that ended with 110 receptions, 1,157 yards, and 4 touchdowns. He also had 18 carries for 113 yards and a touchdown. For the Dolphins, Landry has become quite the prolific player. Not only is he a great slot option for Ryan Tannehill to find, he’s responsible for 47 kick returns and 61 punt returns in his two years with the Dolphins, making him a true all around threat and a 4 down player. Landry managed a punt return touchdown last season as well. Upon completion of the season, Landry made the NFL’s Pro Bowl, and his 194 receptions are a record in the first two seasons of a career.
Here is an example of how Jarvis Landry can affect a game when he is not catching a pass. The end around was executed perfectly with a fake screen and resulted in a 25 yard touchdown run where Landry shows toughness and a will to reach the end-zone.
(Video from thedeependmiami.com)
I mean what else needs to be said about this video. When the 2014 Draft was on the horizon, after scouting all the receivers I claimed that Landry had the best hands in the class, and here Landry proves that his hands are second to none. The only player with hands as good as Landry’s are his former teammates and college roommate, Odell Beckham Jr.
(Video from thedeependmiami.com)
This is the final way that Landry proves his worth and impact on the NFL game. A punt return Landry uses his vision and burst to find the holes on the field and reach the end-zone on a prolific punt return.
(Video from thedeependmiami.com)
Once again, Landry proves that his vision, toughness, and will to reach the end-zone are elite. He makes just about the entireTexans team miss and follows his blockers to find the end-zone.
(Video from thedeependmiami.com)
The Dolphins have made a terrific investment in Jarvis Landry, and it’s really showing. He isn’t the prototypical #1 Wide Receiver, but his ability to create yards, move the chains, and have explosive plays from the slot are un-matched. Jarvis Landry is one of the NFL’s best weapons that not many people are talking about