Josh Harper WR Fresno State #3
Wt: 185
Size/Athleticism: Average tools across the board. Adequate height to compete for 50/50 balls. Enough speed to be used as a deep threat, but not enough to truly be dangerous. Not a threat after the catch unless he has a seam. Dances too much after the catch, limiting his YAC ability.
Separation Skills: Used on deep routes frequently, but lacks the speed to run away from NFL defensive backs. Routes are adequate, but he doesn’t have the refined routes and subtle fakes to help create small windows of separation which receivers with his limited skill set need.
Ball Skills: Very good body control when adjusting to passes. Extends his arms away from his body to snatch the ball from the air. Gets alligator arms when he senses a hit coming. Suffers from some focus drops, especially when working across the middle where he fears contact. Decent leaping ability to compete for jump balls but doesn’t always read the throw early enough to get into the best position to shield the defender.
Blocking: Works hard. Locks on to his assignment quickly. Technique is fairly consistent. Lacks dominant strength, but generally gets the job done.
Intangibles: Father played linebacker in the NFL. Brother played at Oregon and is an assistant coach with the Eagles.
Durability: Missed time in 2011 with a hamstring injury and sports hernia surgery. Suffered season-ending knee injury.
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Overview: What you see is what you get with Harper. He has reliable hands and projects as possession slot receiver at the next level. He needs to refine his routes in order to create separation, but he has the basic physical tools to handle the duties of a third or fourth option in the slot. His injury history and relatively slight frame add some red flags to the scouting report which could drop his stock on some boards.
