Diontae
Spencer 5'8” 173
WR,
McNeese State
Rankings:
NFLDraftScout:
86th-ranked wide receiver, #636 player overall, 7th
round-free agent grade.
Nawrocki:
87th-ranked WR. Grade: 4.50, solid free agent capable of being
invited to an NFL training camp.
Scouts
Inc: 106th-ranked WR. Grade: 30, borderline draft prospect.
Biography/Honors:
2013:
50
receptions for 835 yards (16.7 ypc) and 9 TD in 13 games. 9 rushes
for 55 yards (6.1 ypc) and a TD. Averaged 29.4 yards on 29 kick
returns with 2 TDs. Averaged 7.6 yards on 20 punt returns with a TD.
All three return TDs came in the same game, against Stephen F.
Austin.
2012:
31 receptions for 413 yards (13.3 ypc) and 2 TD in 11 games. 11
carries for 159 yards (14.5 ypc) with a 91-yard TD run. Averaged 23.0
yards on two punt returns and 22.0 yards on 12 kickoff returns.
2011:
8 receptions for 73 yards (9.1 ypc) in 9 games. 9 rushes for 103
yards (11.4 ypc) and a TD.
2010:
12
receptions for 175 yards (14.6 ypc) in 11 games. 35 rushes for 127
yards (3.6 ypc) and a TD. Averaged 8.6 yards on 7 punt returns.
Off-field:
Academics:
Majored in accounting.
Twitter
handle: @DSpencer4_
Injuries:
None
reported.
Pro
Day Stats: (not
invited to NFL Combine)
4.34
40 (WRs at Combine averaged 4.52. Fastest time was 4.33 by Brandin
Cooks. Worth noting that Spencer's time was wind-aided. He also ran a
4.45 into the wind)
40”
vertical jump (35.5” was average. Spencer would have come in second
here, too. Tevin Reese jumped 41”.)
10'3”
broad jump (10'1”)
7.22
3-cone drill (6.94 average – Spencer would have had 4th-worst time)
4.30
20-yard shuttle (4.18)
13
bench press (13)
Scouting
report:
Positives:
Explosive
slot receiver and effective kick returner with a strong lower body.
Works well underneath, catches well in stride. Good hands. Frequently
had to adjust for balls thrown behind him and he does it well. Good
concentration. Shame he wasn't at the Combine, he would have had
excellent gauntlet runs. Capable downfield and outside-the-numbers
receiver. Plays bigger than his size and his confidence shows in his
play. Has the hops to win jump balls. Can go up and get it. Makes
smart in-route adjustments. Tracks the ball very well over his
shoulder and protects it well from defenders when he makes the catch.
Good acceleration immediately after he catches the ball. Improving as
a route-runner and improving in ability to change direction. Learned
how to take advantage of defenses respecting his deep speed to get
open on breakoff routes and added some sick cuts to his repertoire.
Plays like a much bigger WR in the red zone. Handles fade routes
well. Disciplined, and improving, runner as a returner and as a
receiver after the catch. Takes what he can get, doesn't waste time
or field position attempting 25 Bruce Lee moves in one play. Not shy
catching in traffic or making plays in the middle of the field. Has a
good feel for finding space – turns on the jets and is gone. Uses
his blockers well. Defenses have a hard time finding him in the
backfield. Tough and strong-legged. Sinks his hips and absorbs shots
that should knock him down, including one play (5:45 into clip) where a safety blows
his own helmet off trying to level him. My favorite play (very end of clip): though
McNeese is losing 24-0 at the time, he returns a kickoff to midfield
with 10 guys trying to bring him down the last few yards. The Packers
had shown interest in signing him and he was actually signed by the
Bears.
Negatives:
Undersized.
Level of competition was terrible. His film is peppered with awful
coverage breakdowns and defensive backs with no speed or skill.
Relies heavily on straightline speed and can be a one-note player.
Not as elusive as you'd hope for his size. Not much of an
ankle-breaker and agility is not a special part of his game. Agility
drill times were not good. There's very little man coverage on his
highlight clips and I don't see a lot of physicality elsewhere in his
game to suggest he can get off an NFL jam. Has good timed speed but
it doesn't translate to game speed. Looked like a limited route
runner who will need refinement to be able to beat man coverage
downfield. Has a minor tendency to break a run or return outside even
when there's a better opportunity in the middle. Needs to be much
more instinctive about carrying the ball tight to his body. Looks a
lot like a product of being a system slot receiver at a very low
level of competition. Was cut by the Bears.
Compares
to: Dexter
McCluster, says Andre Reed, who coached Spencer at the NFLPA
Collegiate Bowl.
Fun
Facts: Diontae
had a 5-TD
game against Stephen F. Austin this past November. Besides the three
return TDs mentioned earlier, he also caught 7 passes for 152 yards
and another two TDs.
RamView:
A
lot of what worked for Spencer at McNeese won't work in the pros. But
he is fast, tough and versatile. He hasn't leveled off as a player.
While “scouting his film” I saw continual improvement in his
route-running and elusiveness. Because he's good raw material and can
contribute as a slot receiver and a returner, I think he has a shot
at a practice squad position. I also think, though, that Justin
Veltung has PS eligibility remaining, and he's bigger and more
experienced while having Spencer's positive qualities.
Chance
of making team: 20%.
Sources: NFL Draft 2014 Preview
(Nolan Nawrocki), NFLDraftScout.com, McNeese State University
athletics, ESPN.com, New York Daily News, NFL.com, Youtube, RamView
Scouting Services (highly amateur)
Photo: McNeese State sports information
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