J.Michael Sturdivant

What the tape shows

Sturdivant eats up cushion in a way that should create nightmare matchup problems. He is a long strider who accelerates into his top gear smoothly, and on vertical routes where he gets a clean release and a safety cheating toward the line, he is an instant touchdown. His catch radius is genuine — he has the ability to adjust to off-target throws and track deep balls over his shoulder with reliable body control, and his PFF blocking grade shows he will compete on every snap, not just the ones designed for him. His route running lacks the nuance and timing needed to create separation in a structured NFL defense. He is a long-strider whose footwork becomes loose and choppy at the top of routes, and when he cannot win with pure speed — which against press man coverage he often cannot — his route variety is thin.