PFF scouting report: Tanner Gentry, WR, Wyoming

Name: Tanner Gentry

School: Wyoming

Position fit: Outside receiver

Stats to know: Had 49 deep targets (throws 20 or more yards in the air), the most among all wide receivers in 2016.

What he does best:

Has a large catch radius as he can make extremely athletic receptions including one-handed receptions close to the sideline.
Excels in the scramble drill and can get open late in the play as he provides a wide open target for his quarterback.
Has experience in playing in the slot and wide as well and also ran all routes on the route tree.
Turns his head back to the quarterback very quickly right after his break and uses his head well to sell double moves.
Physical at the catch point as he can absorb a hit right after the catch and can also fight through defenders to adjust and get to the ball.
Smart route-runner who might not run the sharpest routes, but knows how to gain leverage against the defender on deep routes prior to his break.
Can catch passes in traffic and work the middle of the field from the slot.
Recognizes coverages and can adjust his route to what coverage the defense plays.

Biggest concern:

He is sometimes slow off the line of scrimmage and even takes a false step before releasing to start his route.
Is hesitant to turn upfield after the catch and is not elusive with the ball in his hands; therefore, cannot be considered a weapon after the reception as he averaged only 3.0 yards after the catch in 2016.
Doesn’t use his hands to separate or to beat press coverage at the line of scrimmage.
Can be hesitant and therefore struggle against press coverage.

Bottom line: Although Gentry has not received a lot of hype to date, he put together a really impressive tape at Wyoming. While he offers very little in gaining yards after the catch, he makes up for that with his large catch radius and athletic ability, which allow him to make circus catches on off-target passes. Gentry has the ability and upside to develop into an NFL starter, but first he will need to gain experience against press coverage and how to beat against man coverage as he has not faced a lot of that over his college career.