Ja'Corey Brooks WR Louisville | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Ja'Corey Brooks WR Louisville
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
ROLE: Outside X-Receiver | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last Updated: 03/19/2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Draft Year: 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
40 time: 4.65 seconds (8%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Age: 23.4 DOB: 10/31/2001 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bowl Invite: Shrine Bowl | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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ROLE: Outside X-Receiver | |
Last Updated: 03/19/2025 | |
Draft Year: 2025 | |
40 time: 4.65 seconds (8%*) | |
Age: 23.4 DOB: 10/31/2001 | |
Bowl Invite: Shrine Bowl | |
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Overall Rating: | 82.0 / 100 | |
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Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
Defense Rating: |
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74% |
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
QB Rating When targeted: | 119.8 | |
Hands: |
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56% |
Short Receiving: |
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83% |
Intermediate Routes: |
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90% |
Deep Threat: |
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90% |
Blocking: |
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58% |
DRAFT PROJECTION:
7th
Overall Rank:
#231
Position rank:
#28
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College Games: 40 College Snaps: 1629 | ||
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College Combine Results
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Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
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Jaivon Heiligh - Coastal Carolina |
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77% |
Khalil Shakir - Boise State |
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66% |
Javon Baker - UCF |
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66% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Ja'Corey Brooks the Miami native flashed early in Tuscaloosa, delivering a clutch game-tying touchdown against Auburn as a freshman. His sophomore campaign teased true breakout potential with nearly 700 yards and 8 touchdowns, averaging an eye-opening 17.3 yards per catch. After a shoulder injury derailed his junior season, Brooks sought a fresh start at Louisville and found it – exploding for 61 catches, 1,013 yards and 9 touchdowns in his final collegiate season.What makes Brooks intriguing is his journey from highly-touted recruit to transfer portal reclamation project. Throughout his winding path, the production has always hinted at a vertical threat with scoring prowess – he's averaged over 16 yards per reception across his career with touchdown-scoring instincts that can't be taught. His first-team All-ACC selection at Louisville validated the raw talent evaluators saw at Alabama, and his five 100-yard receiving games demonstrated consistency that had previously eluded him. His 86-yard bomb against SMU resurrected memories of the downfield playmaking that once made him a recruiting sensation.
When examining Brooks' emergence at Louisville, the numbers tell a story of development. He ranked 27th nationally in receiving yards and 20th in touchdowns, silencing questions about whether his Alabama flashes were simply a product of being surrounded by elite talent. In the hyper-competitive ACC, he finished second in yards and third in touchdowns, establishing himself as the Cardinals' undisputed top target. The transfer gamble paid dividends for both player and program, with Brooks becoming Louisville's first 1,000-yard receiver since 2022.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Despite lacking deep speed he is vertically dangerous with legitimate ball tracking ability – follows the ball like a centerfielder and adjusts his body to make challenging catches with natural fluidity.
- Creates separation at the catch point using subtle hand-fighting techniques that fly just below the referee's radar – plays with veteran savvy in contested situations.
- Size-speed blend gives him natural advantages on boundary shots – Louisville smartly leveraged his frame by targeting him often on sideline throws where he shines.
- Displays reliable yards-after-catch instincts and slippery movement through initial contact – isn't a tackle-breaker but has enough wiggle to slip past the first defender.
- Scoring instinct pops on film – consistently finds the end zone despite not being a volume target, showing knack for maximizing limited opportunities with chunk plays.
- Transitions seamlessly from receiver to runner without gathering steps – catches in stride and immediately looks to advance without wasted motion.
- Special teams value brings immediate roster versatility – has blocked multiple punts and shown willingness to contribute in coverage units at Alabama.
- Demonstrated legitimate ball-tracking skills on deep throws – adjusts to the flight path naturally and maintains speed through adjustments.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Release package lacks discipline and consistency – shows occasional quick-twitch ability but relies more on athletic advantages than technical skill to win early in routes.
- Route breaks telegraph intentions too early – rises up before cutting and lacks the sharp plant-and-drive footwork that would create greater separation.
- Hands show concerning inconsistency – alternates spectacular highlight grabs with routine drops, concentration seems to waver when anticipating contact.
- Struggles maintaining route integrity against physical corners – gets knocked off his landmarks too easily, leading to timing disruptions with quarterbacks.
- Long-strider who builds speed gradually – tested 4.65 in the forty isn't misleading, as he needs runway to reach top gear which limits his separation potential.
- Chose to not run at the combine - raises a red-flag over speed concerns
Scouting Report: Summary
When evaluating Brooks, the film shows both promise and limitations that explain his mid-to-late round consideration. His 4.65 deep speed raises legitimate concerns for his vertical game, yet his intermediate-to-deep receiving grades tell a different story. Brooks compensates through excellent body positioning and ball-tracking skills, finding ways to win despite athletic limitations. When watching his Louisville film, you see flashes of downfield playmaking mixed with technical inconsistencies that will limit his immediate impact.What Brooks lacks in pure separation speed, he balances with functional versatility. His special teams background at Alabama – particularly as a punt blocker – provides immediate roster value while his receiving skills develop. The shoulder injury history merits thorough medical evaluation, but his bounce-back production at Louisville suggests durability. His developmental timeline remains a question, as a fourth-year college player still working through fundamentals that should be more refined at this stage.
The NFL transition will challenge Brooks in ways college defenses couldn't expose. His contested catch ability and scoring instinct will translate in specific situations, but his separation limitations will be magnified against NFL corners. He's neither a pure possession receiver nor a true deep threat – instead occupying a challenging middle ground that requires schematic assistance. With proper coaching focused on route precision and release techniques, Brooks could outperform his draft position as a complementary piece. His ceiling appears capped by athletic limitations, but his floor is raised by special teams value and situational receiving utility that could earn him a steady NFL role.
Written By:
Felix Green (ACC)
Ja'Corey Brooks percentiles vs other Wide Receivers (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Ja'Corey Brooks (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
201.7
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
24.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.