Malik Knowles WR Kansas State | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Malik Knowles WR Kansas State
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Outside X-Receiver | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 04/01/2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.48 seconds (59%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Outside X-Receiver | |
| Last Updated: 04/01/2023 | |
| Draft Year: 2023 | |
| 40 time: 4.48 seconds (59%*) | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 73.0 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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77% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 103.3 | |
| Hands: |
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78% |
| Short Receiving: |
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79% |
| Intermediate Routes: |
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82% |
| Deep Threat: |
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81% |
| Blocking: |
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69% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
UDFA
Overall Rank:
#363
Position rank:
#53
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| College Games: 50 College Snaps: 1903 | ||
ESPN RATING: 73/100
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247 RATING: 85/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.3 (87%)
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Draft Profile: Bio
Malik Knowles from Lake Ridge High School was rated a 3-star recruit by ESPN and handed a 3-star grade by 247 Sports. After high school, Knowles opted to join Kansas State.In 2018 as a freshman Knowles saw action in 4 games for the Wildcats as he made 10 receptions for only 100 yards for an average of 10.0 yards per reception, with 2 TDs, and an elite QB rating when targeted of 125.0.
As a sophomore in 2019 he played 11 games and had 27 catches for 397 yards for an average of 14.7 yards per catch, with 3 TDs, and an elite QB rating when targeted of 116.1.
As a junior in 2020 he played 9 games and hauled in only 13 catches for 204 yards for an average of 15.7 yards per catch, with 3 TDs, and QB rating when targeted of 103.2.
As a senior in 2021 he played 13 games and had 29 catches for 441 yards for an average of 15.2 yards per catch, 4 TDs, and an elite QB rating when targeted of 119.6.
As a fifth year senior in 2022 he played 13 games and had 47 catches for 715 yards for an average of 15.2 yards per catch, 2 TDs, and QB rating when targeted of 98.2.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Knowles fights his way off the line of scrimmage against press coverage, showing quick, violent hands and good balance.
- He has quick feet and good body control, allowing him to gear down and quickly get in and out of cuts. His hands are good, and he’s a creative runner after the catch with the elusiveness to slip tackles in space.
- Knowles tracks the ball well downfield and consistently runs under long throws.
- Tracks the ball well downfield and shows good ball skills, including the ability to go up and high-point it in contested-catch situations.
- Does not possess top breakaway speed, though he's rarely caught from behind.
- Good effort and technique as a blocker for his size. Can beat the press with elusiveness or physical contact. Runs crisp routes with sharp cuts.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- He’s elusive with the ball in his hands, but Knowles won’t break a lot of tackles. Because getting separation is going to be an issue, he’s likely going to need to line up off the line of scrimmage.
- Knowles also lacks suddenness as a route runner, and that is a potential issue at the next level.
- His ability to track the ball is good enough, but he too often let the ball get into his body downfield rather than snatching it with his hands.
Malik Knowles percentiles vs other Wide Receivers (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Malik Knowles (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
280.2
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
57.0
*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.