Will Sheppard WR Colorado | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Will Sheppard WR Colorado
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Outside X-Receiver | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 09/21/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.49 seconds (55%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ROLE: Outside X-Receiver | |
| Last Updated: 09/21/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.49 seconds (55%*) | |
|
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
|
| Overall Rating: | 78.8 / 100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
|
79% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 123.9 | |
| Hands: |
|
73% |
| Short Receiving: |
|
77% |
| Intermediate Routes: |
|
83% |
| Deep Threat: |
|
84% |
| Blocking: |
|
65% |
|
DRAFT PROJECTION:
UDFA
Overall Rank:
#295
Position rank:
#36
|
||
| College Games: 50 College Snaps: 2647 | ||
ESPN RATING: 74/100
|
||
|
247 RATING: 89/100
|
||
|
RIVALS RATING: 5.5 (90%)
|
||
| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cornelius Johnson - Michigan |
|
96% |
| Erik Ezukanma - Texas Tech |
|
93% |
| Amon-Ra St. Brown - USC |
|
88% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Will Sheppard, a Louisiana native, emerged as a standout receiver for Vanderbilt after a quiet freshman season. The 6'3", 198-pound wideout steadily improved his production, culminating in a senior year where he led the Commodores with 684 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. Sheppard's consistent performance in the SEC, one of college football's toughest conferences, caught the eyes of scouts.Sheppard's journey to Division I football wasn't paved with five-star accolades. A three-star recruit out of Mandeville High School, he brought a blue-collar work ethic to Nashville. His high school career, which included over 2,000 receiving yards and 33 touchdowns, hinted at his potential. Sheppard's athletic versatility was evident early on, as he excelled in basketball and track, showcasing a 6'8" high jump.
At Vanderbilt, Sheppard's trajectory was impressive. He evolved from a special teams contributor as a freshman to a Second-team All-SEC selection by his junior year. His senior campaign solidified his status as a reliable target, ranking in the top 15 in the SEC in several receiving categories. Sheppard's decision to transfer to Colorado for his final year of eligibility sets the stage for a potential breakout season in a high-profile offense.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Fluid route runner with snappy breaks and efficient footwork, creating separation through technique rather than pure athleticism
- Demonstrates advanced leverage IQ, consistently finding soft spots in zone coverage and manipulating defenders' blind spots
- Possesses a wide catch radius with the body control to adjust to off-target throws, particularly excelling on high-point receptions
- Exhibits twitchy after-the-catch ability, using his agility and vision to create extra yardage in the open field
- Shows reliable hands in traffic, utilizing proper diamond technique when working over the middle of the field
- Displays above-average blocking skills for a receiver, understanding angles and showing willingness to engage defenders
- Consistently productive against SEC competition, indicating potential to transition well to NFL-caliber opposition
- Vertical threat who can stack defenders and maintain separation on deep routes, though not a true burner
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Lacks elite top-end speed, which may limit his ability to consistently separate deep at the next level
- Can improve hand fighting techniques to better combat press coverage and physical defensive backs at the line of scrimmage
- Occasionally lets the ball into his body on vertical routes, potentially leading to contested catch situations
- Despite good size, play strength is a concern; needs to show more physicality when working through contact
- Age may be a factor as a redshirt senior, potentially limiting his perceived upside compared to younger prospects
Scouting Report: Summary
Sheppard projects as a solid Day 2 prospect with the potential to contribute immediately as a complementary receiver in an NFL offense. His route-running savvy and reliable hands should translate well to the next level, particularly in a West Coast or timing-based system. While he may not possess the elite traits to become a true WR1, Sheppard has the skill set to carve out a role as a dependable WR2 or WR3.His ability to line up both outside and in the slot adds to his value, giving offensive coordinators flexibility in personnel groupings. Sheppard's experience against top-tier competition in the SEC should ease his transition to the NFL, though he'll need to continue refining his releases and play strength to consistently win against pro-level corners.
Teams looking for a polished route runner with a high football IQ will find Sheppard an intriguing option. His upcoming season at Colorado will be crucial in determining his final draft stock, as a strong performance in a high-octane offense could vault him into early Day 2 consideration. Sheppard's ceiling may not be as high as some of the elite prospects in the class, but his floor as a reliable target with good size and technique makes him a valuable addition to any NFL receiving corps.
Written By:
Lennox Tate
How other scouting services rate Will Sheppard (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
294.7
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
42.0
*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.