Gunner Romney, WR BYU: Offseason 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Romney was a three-star recruit from Chandler High School in Chandler, Ariz. in the class of 2018

BYU wide receiver Gunner Romney missed the team’s first three games in 2022 with an undisclosed injury. When healthy, Romney is quarterback Jaren Hall’s second favorite target. The fifth-year senior has insane ball skills that will attract the attention of NFL scouts for the 2023 NFL Draft.

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Gunner Romney, WR BYU: 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Classification: Fifth year senior outside receiver from Chandler, Ariz.

Background: Romney was a three-star recruit from Chandler High School in Chandler, Ariz. in the class of 2018. He was the No. 489 recruit according to 247Sports and No. 483 for On3.com. Romney was an unranked three-star recruit for Rivals and an unranked three-star recruit for ESPN with a 76 grade out of 100. MaxPreps credits Romney with 80 receptions for 1,554 yards and 18 touchdowns as a high school senior. He’s also credited with 70 receptions for 1,309 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior and 48 receptions for 766 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore. Romney led Chandler High School to back-to-back 6A state titles in 2016 and 2017. He participated in the Nike Opening camp and was named MVP. Romney is the nephew of former BYU wide receiver Matt Allen. He has three siblings. His brother (Baylor) played quarterback at BYU from 2018-21 while another brother (Tate) is currently a freshman linebacker for BYU. Romney got married in July of 2021.

2021 Production: 10 games, 34 receptions, 594 yards, 3 touchdowns

2020 Production: 10 games, 39 receptions, 767 yards, 2 touchdowns + 1 rushing touchdown

2019 Production: 13 games, 31 receptions, 377 yards, 2 touchdowns

2018 Production: 9 games, 13 receptions, 162 yards, 2 touchdowns

Injuries & Off-Field: Missed four games in 2018, missed two games in 2020, suffered a knee injury against Utah in 2021, missed three games in 2021, has missed three games so far in 2022 with an undisclosed injury

Awards: 2021 First-Team All-Independent (Pro Football Network)

Pros: Experience working outside and in the slot, eliminated drop concerns in 2021, highly productive in contested catch situations (wins about 65% since the start of 2020), comfortable working the sideline, works back to the football, plays physical throughout the route with his hands, uses a bit of a swim move against press coverage, high-points the football and goes up for it, finishes through contact, high-end ball skills, quick into and out of cuts on short slants and underneath routes, plays over defensive backs at the catch point, has the arm length and physicality to be an impact blocker, mastered back shoulder catches, sells his route fakes well, makes catches going to the ground, extends for diving catches

Cons: Only minor special teams experience, release lacks suddenness, press corners aren’t afraid of his speed, corners crowd him early in his routes, struggles to create separation, doesn’t frequently break tackles or generate high-end YAC, could sink his hips more at the top of routes, his outside releases hug the sideline too much and limit his catch window, doesn’t consistently get after the defensive back as a blocker

Overview: Romney is unofficially listed at 6'2", 195 lbs. He’s a long strider with experience working outside and in the slot. While Romney continues to miss time early in the 2022 season because of an undisclosed injury, he showed improved pass catching skills in 2021, dropping just one pass on about 50 targets. The former three-star recruit plays to his size, winning roughly 65% of his contested catch opportunities during his 2020 and 2021 seasons combined. Romney plays physically throughout the route and is aggressive at the catch point. He’s made several impressive catches over defensive backs. Romney plays with high-end ball skills that help him make grabs along the sideline, high-point jump balls, extend for diving catches, haul in receptions while going to the ground, and finish catches through contact. He works back to the quarterback when plays break down. Romney is quick into and out of cuts on short slants and underneath routes, but he could sink his hips more at the top of intermediate routes. Romney is excellent at making back shoulder catches and does a good job selling his route fakes. BYU frequently used him as a deep threat, which led to the Arizona native having an average depth of target over 16 yards downfield in 2020 and 2021. However, that’s a role Romney will struggle to continue filling at the NFL level. He lacks the speed to consistently threaten defenses vertically, and corners are willing to challenge him in press coverage because they don’t fear his speed. Romney’s release lacks suddenness, and sticky corners smother his routes. The fifth-year prospect struggles to create separation, but he makes up for this shortcoming with his contested catch skills. Romney doesn’t frequently break tackles or generate significant yards after the catch. While he has the physical tools to be an impact blocker, he doesn’t consistently get after defensive backs in the running game. Sometimes Romney’s outside releases carry him too close to the sideline, which limits the window for his quarterback to throw into.

Overall, Romney is an experienced deep threat with excellent ball skills and a physical playing style to tip the scales in his favor at the catch point, but he lacks the separation skills, speed, and suddenness to consistently beat NFL corners, especially when facing press coverage.

Role & Scheme Fit: Z receiver in an 11 personnel heavy scheme

Round Projection: Late Sixth to UDFA  

Player Comparison: N/A

Submitted: 09-21-22