135. Isaiah Coulter, WR, Rhode Island (6-2, 198) Dane Brugler: Coulter, who should be the first Rhode Island player selected in the NFL Draft since 1986 (OL Bob White), is a dynamic receiver, who won’t break many tackles, but his speed helps him uncover. His lean build leads to durability concerns and his focus can be too easily disrupted by crowded catch points. Overall, Coulter is a raw route runner and needs to be more assertive in contested situations, but he is a nifty athlete to create before or after the catch and has yet to play his best football, projecting as a mid-round developmental option in the Brandon Lloyd mold. Bob McGinn/Anonymous Scouts: Bidding to become the Rams’ first drafted player since 1986 when T Bob White went in the seventh round to the Jets. Lightly recruited, he improved each of his three seasons before surprisingly declaring a year early. Lean at 6-2, 198, but ran fast (4.42) and is a smooth route runner.
BACKGROUND: Isaiah Coulter started his prep career at Wilde Lake High School (Columbia, Md.) before transferring to Gwynn Park High School for his final season. Lining up as a wide receiver and tight end, he finished with 40 catches for 755 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2016, earning all-county honors. Coulter also ran track at Gwynn Park, setting personal-bests in the 55-meter dash (6.53) and 300-meters (36.65). A no-star recruit out of high school, Coulter wasn’t ranked by the recruiting services and didn’t receive a scholarship offer from any FBS-level programs. He heard from several FCS teams, mostly from the CAA conference. He had a connection at Rhode Island because his cousin and close friend (Aaron Parker), who also attended Gwynn Park, committed the year prior. Parker is also an NFL prospect in the 2020 NFL Draft class. Coulter’s uncle (Walter Easley) played fullback at West Virginia and for the San Francisco 49ers (1981-82), winning the Super Bowl in his rookie season. Coulter became the rare FCS-level underclassman to skip his senior season and enter the 2020 NFL Draft. STRENGTHS: Wins at the line of scrimmage due to his sudden releases…fluid route acceleration to attack the stem…coordinated cuts at the break point, mixing his gears to burst off his plant foot and create separation…stresses pursuit angles due to his catch-and-run skills…has a fifth gear to run away from defenders…long, rangy frame and capable of making full-extension grabs…sticky hands and quick reflexes on throws away from his body…production climbed each season and he performed well vs. better competition on the schedule (152 receiving yards vs. Virginia Tech was the second-most vs. the Hokies in 2019). WEAKNESSES: String bean limbs and needs to develop his build…underwhelming functional strength…very few broken tackles on his tape, consistently going down on first contact…shows obvious discomfort on contested targets…needs to attack the ball at the nearest point instead of giving defenders a chance to attack the catch point…doesn’t fully understand how to manipulate coverages mid-route…had some unnecessary penalties on his tape due to mental errors…doesn’t have any return experience in college…lack of size/build leads to durability concerns…most of his playing experience came vs. a lower level of competition. SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Rhode Island, Coulter lined up inside and outside in offensive coordinator Will Fleming’s scheme. Despite most of his production coming vs. FCS-level competition, he didn’t look out-matched vs. the three FBS opponents URI faced the last two years: 2019 Virginia Tech (9/152/0), 2019 Ohio (2/53/1), 2018 UConn (10/156/1). Coulter, who should be the first Rhode Island player selected in the NFL Draft since 1986 (OL Bob White), is a dynamic receiver, who won’t break many tackles, but his speed helps him uncover. His lean build leads to durability concerns and his focus can be too easily disrupted by crowded catch points. Overall, Coulter is a raw route runner and needs to be more assertive in contested situations, but he is a nifty athlete to create before or after the catch and has yet to play his best football, projecting as a mid-round developmental option in the Brandon Lloyd mold.
True superbowls appearances give you a lot of grace, and Tunsil only made his first pro bowl this year. Fair points
Same. He reminds me of Jerry Rice. Katy HS has a bigger stadium than Rhode Island University. BR said his weakness is —Routes are raw—maybe the most raw in the entire class—and will need attention. I look at that at his strength here. Bob has no routes designed, this kid will fit in right away.
It looks way too easy for him, I like what I see. He's going to get plenty of 1 on 1 with Watson feeding him in coming years.
