Jerrod "Bub" Means, WR Pittsburgh: 2024 NFL Draft Profile

Means was a three-star recruit from Lovejoy High School in Hampton, Ga. in the class of 2019

Pittsburgh Panthers wide receiver Jerrod "Bub" Means is an underrated prospect who could land a decent spot in the 2024 NFL Draft. Means’ combination of arm length, size, and speed make him a valuable deep threat.

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Jerrod "Bub" Means, WR Pittsburgh: 2024 NFL Draft Profile

Classification: Redshirt senior wide receiver from Lovejoy, Ga.

Background: Means was a three-star recruit from Lovejoy High School in Hampton, Ga. in the class of 2019. He was the No. 1,887 recruit according to 247Sports and No. 1,840 for On3.com. Means was an unranked three-star recruit for Rivals and an unranked three-star recruit for ESPN with a 73 grade out of 100. He originally committed to North Carolina before flipping to Tennessee. Means played for the Volunteers in 2019, appearing in four games as a part-time defensive back before transferring to Louisiana Tech for the 2020 season, but he didn’t compete that year. He transferred from Louisiana Tech to Pittsburgh for the 2022 season. Means was a First Team Georgia All-Region 4-6A selection twice. He helped Lovejoy advance to the 2018 Georgia 6A State Playoffs. Despite missing part of his senior season, he snagged 19 receptions for 460 yards and six touchdowns. Means finished 2017 with five touchdown catches and more than 500 receiving yards. He was born on Jan. 10, 2001.

Injuries & Off-Field: Missed three games as a high school senior with an ankle injury, significantly limited by injury against Louisville in 2022, exited 2023 Virginia Tech game with an injury

Awards: 2021 All-Freshman Team Conference USA

Pros: Some kick return experience, experience playing out wide and in the slot, 33 1/4-inch arm length, foot fire release, long strides, top speed is impressive, if he’s even he’s leaving, top speed to stretch defenses vertically, impressive acceleration off the line on vertical routes to stack defenders, burst to quickly challenge and overtake off-man defenders, speed mismatch with slot defenders, crisp breaks on posts and corners, breaks down and shakes defenders at the stem’s top on in-breaking routes, sharp cuts on in and out-breaking routes, good size to win contested catches, done well adjusting to underthrown passes (there have been many), good open field vision with the ball

Cons: Limited special teams experience, committed five penalties in 2021 and 2022 combined, three drops on under 50 targets in 2022, not a twitchy athlete, likely never will be a high-volume receiver, late off the line at times, needs to diversify release package, should add hand usage and swipes against press coverage, primarily a vertical threat with limited underneath value, footwork needs to be more precise and sudden on comeback routes, sharp turns give him some issues, downfield ball tracking over the shoulder, hasn’t maximized his size or arm length in contested catch situations, poor framing as a blocker

Overview: Means is experienced lining up out wide and in the slot. He has 33 1/4-inch arms and good size. He is a long strider with impressive acceleration and a terrific top speed. If he draws even with the defender, he will stack them. That top speed allows Means to stretch defenses vertically. He also displays good burst off the line of scrimmage. Defenders clearly underestimate Means’ acceleration and speed, considering how often they are overtaken in soft-shoe press or off-man coverage. Pitt created mismatches for him in 2022 by lining him up in the slot against smaller, and sometimes slower, defenders. The redshirt senior is absolute dynamite working downfield against Cover 1 or Cover 0. However, he has been consistently underthrown by Pitt’s quarterbacks during his time with the Panthers. Means adjusts well to underthrown passes (and there have been many), but he hasn’t maximized his size or arm length in contested catch situations consistently. Low target rates and questionable quarterback play shroud the Louisiana Tech transfer’s untapped potential. Means executes crisp breaks on post and corner routes. He breaks down and shakes defenders at the stem’s top on shorter in-breaking routes with sharp cuts, but sudden changes of direction or momentum can prove difficult. His comeback routes notably aren’t the cleanest. Means showcases good vision with the ball in his hands but isn’t a twitchy athlete. Considering his route tree, history with drops, and simple release package, Means might never be a high-volume receiver at the next level. However, he could excel as a role-specific vertical threat. Means is late off the line at times and needs to use his hands more during his release to succeed against press coverage. Downfield ball tracking over the shoulder gives him issues. The former three-star recruit frames blocks poorly and has limited special teams experience in recent seasons.

Overall, Means is an excellent vertical threat with the acceleration, speed, and size to stack corners and generate chunk plays downfield. Pittsburgh’s struggles at quarterback are preventing him from reaching his potential. Means probably won’t be a high-volume receiver in the NFL, but he fills a specific role well.

Role & Scheme Fit: Field-stretching X or slot receiver in an 11 personnel scheme

Round Projection: Mid to Late Fourth Round

Size: 6'2", 215 lbs. (Unofficial)

Submitted: 10-06-23