As NFL scouts begin the process of attending collegiate pro days this month, there is a lot of speculation on where top NFL draft prospects will land. Several teams will rely on the 2021 NFL Draft to fill holes on their roster. This is due to the uncertain salary cap and projected lower financial flexibility this season.
As a result, there is a lot of interest in prospects that can add value in the later rounds. Count UCLA standout Demetric Felton in that mix. NFL scouts walked away impressed with Felton at the Senior Bowl in January.
Felton showed an expanding game as a receiver. He took part in Senior Bowl drills at both the running back and the receiver position groups. NFL.com draft insider Chad Reuter believes that Felton could be selected somewhere in the fourth round. He has the UCLA standout going to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Buccaneers are no stranger to finding talent at the Senior Bowl. They selected safety Antoine Winfield after he put together a strong performance at the annual event. He went in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft and played a key role in the Buccaneers winning Super Bowl 55.
Felton could provide similar production as a rookie. He was electric in the Senior Bowl practices as opposing defenders struggled to contain him. In one-on-one drills, Felton displayed elite separation in the open field.
NFL insider Bucky Brooks believes that Felton could have a similar impact as Kansas City Chiefs standout Tyreek Hill at the next level.
“We have seen the impact these perimeter football players had in the National Football League, think about Tyreek Hill, but now let’s look at another guy from UCLA that was able to get it done as a hybrid,” Brooks said. “He goes on the outside today playing wide receiver after playing running back and he was absolutely outstanding. He was explosive, quick, and does a great job creating separation. You can already see teases of the explosiveness with the ball in his hands.”
This season, Felton spent the majority of his time at running back. He rushed for 668 yards and five touchdowns in six games. Felton showed his potential with a 206-yard performance against Arizona. He also had five catches for 47 yards against USC in the season opener.
Should Felton be selected for the Buccaneers, it will provide the Super Bowl champions with another playmaker on the field. The Buccaneers have a decision to make on receiver Chris Godwin and Leonard Fournette on offense.
Felton could be an option to add production within the offense. Buccaneers quarterback had great success working with pass-catching running backs in his career. Felton profiles as a potential hybrid running back at the next level. He has the vision to make the transition to receiver if needed in the NFL.
“I would definitely say it’s a God-given ability that I was blessed with,” Felton told the Los Angeles Times. “But, you know, it’s things that you get better at with repetition. I think I’ve gotten better and better each year at it because it’s something that I’ve tried to work on all the time.”
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If the Buccaneers are interested, it could be another intriguing addition for the reigning Super Bowl champs.