As the NFL season winds down, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL draft scouting reports before the combine in March. Here’s a look at Joseph Ngata.
Check out all of our 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports & Prospect Profiles 
2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Joseph Ngata (WR – Clemson)
6’3″ – 215 lbs.
Background:
Four-star recruit who caught a combined 24 passes over his first two seasons before working through an injury-shortened junior campaign to produce 23-438-1 (19.0), his most impressive performance coming against Georgia. Didn’t really have the breakout senior year anticipated, although he did increase his output to 41-526-2 (12.8).
Positives:
Big, strong, and physical receiver who has the contact balance and hand strength to release at the line against press coverage. Doesn’t get bothered by contact when running routes, either close to the line of scrimmage or at the route stem. Overall speed and explosiveness are impressive for a player of his size. Has a strong pair of hands and good concentration to hang on to throws through contact. Presents quarterbacks with a big radius and is comfortable snatching the ball away from his frame. Flashes the ability to track the ball over his shoulder. Nice awareness and footwork near the sideline. No-nonsense approach after the catch, with some ability to punish opponents. Can get chippy with opponents as a blocker. Highly regarded for his character within the program.
Negatives:
Overall production never matched his talent in school, mostly due to injuries that will require further investigation at the Combine; a lot of his output is concentrated in a few games. Route tree is relatively simple; a lot of slants/digs, posts, and hitches, with a few deeper routes thrown in. Would like to see him work in some speed changes to keep defenders off-balance. Tends to settle down into coverage at the end of routes rather than improvising/adjusting to create lanes. Could be more consistent about aggressively seeking out opponents/sustaining as a blocker.
Summary:
A somewhat difficult evaluation in that he’s almost a pure upside pick who presents a very impressive combination of size, strength, explosiveness, and ball skills but who has never really been a major element of his team’s offense in school, save for a few big games sprinkled throughout his four years in the program. Has starting-caliber traits but needs to diversify his route tree and add more subtlety and nuance to his game in order to avoid being too predictable at the pro level. If teams are comfortable with his medicals and have a high tolerance for risk, could find his way into the second day, particularly if he tests as well as anticipated; otherwise, might be more of an upside-based third-day selection.
Projection: Round 4
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