In this 2023 NFL Draft profile, I'll be breaking down Boston College wide receiver Zay Flowers.
If you have not already, make sure you read out other 2023 NFL Draft Profiles for Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs, Quentin Johnston and Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Flowers is an electric player on the field and in one of the best route runners in the draft. He has a knack at making defenders miss and has the potential to be a YAC monster in the NFL
This ROUTE by Zay Flowers 😳
The Boston College WR is one of the best route runners in this year’s NFL Draft. pic.twitter.com/hBsVYMzb8d
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) February 19, 2023
2023 NFL Draft Profile: Zay Flowers
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- College: Boston College Eagles
- Position: Wide Receiver
- Height: 5'9"
- Weight: 185LBS
- Age: 22
College
Zay Flowers played all four years at Boston College after being recruited by the Eagles as a three-star recruit out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
He struggled his freshman year as he did not see the field much but blossomed his sophomore season. During that season he found the end zone nine times and was named to the first team all ACC.
Scouts really started to take notice during his senior season. He had his first 1,000-yard season and had a career-high 12 touchdowns during his senior season. The 12 touchdowns led the ACC and were fifth overall in the nation among D1 wide receivers.
Zay Flowers is an ankle destroyer. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/Wy1eGt52J8
— WBG84 (@WBG84) March 24, 2023
Strengths
Flowers enters the draft as one of the best route runners. His route tree is extensive and he provides inside-outside versatility. He spent the majority of the time lined up on the outside at BC but he did line up in the slot on 33% of his career snaps.
He is an electric player in space that makes the defender miss more often than not. Flowers offers a dynamic run-after-catch ability to any team that drafts him.
There is no doubt that Zay is fast and he knows how to use it. He gets very creative with his speed during games, especially after the catch. An offense can utilize this speed by lining him out as a burner outside and can also use him in jet sweeps and out of the backfield.
Weaknesses
Size will be the biggest area of concern for Flowers. He is on the smaller side for a wide receiver and has shorter arms making it harder to fully extend out for catches. He often times lost the contested catch battles due to his size. Also, due to his size, he struggles mightily in run-blocking situations.
He tends to struggle in press coverage, giving defenses a leg up in that department. Drops were also a concern at BC. While he has good ball-tracking skills, drops plagued him during his four years in college.
Fantasy Outlook
Flowers projects as a slot receiver with speed at the next level. Teams like the Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans and New York Giants could all use him in the slot on Sundays.
Playing in the slot on a pass-first team like the Bills would go a long way toward his Fantasy success. He could build a rapport early with Josh Allen and fill the void in the slot that has been vacant since Cole Beasley left. Flowers could also learn the game from Stefon Diggs which can only help his career.
I have mentioned the Ravens as a bad landing spot for receivers a few times during these player profiles but unfortunately, it fits. Sure he would be a top option in the Ravens' offense but too many questions linger for that team. Will Lamar Jackson be playing quarterback? Are they willing to steer away from their run-first philosophy? Getting drafted by the Baltimore Ravens would hurt his Fantasy Football stock more than it would help.
Check out our other NFL offseason content and our latest 2023 NFL Mock Draft
