Joseph Ngata, WR Clemson Tigers: Offseason 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Joseph Ngata was a four-star recruit from Folsom High School in Folsom, Calif. in the class of 2019

Joseph Ngata is the first offensive player from the Clemson Tigers I’ve covered this offseason. You can navigate to this newsletter’s homepage to check out my previous offseason draft profiles, including in-depth looks at Bryan Bresee, Myles Murphy, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and more.

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Joseph Ngata, WR Clemson Tigers: 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Classification: Senior outside wide receiver from Folsom, Calif.

Background: Joseph Ngata was a four-star recruit from Folsom High School in Folsom, Calif. in the class of 2019. He was the No. 52 recruit according to 247Sports, No. 27 (five-star) for Rivals, and No. 37 for On3.com. ESPN ranked him 159th in the nation with an 83 grade out of 100. Ngata was a highly accomplished high school athlete, amassing 188 receptions for 3,682 yards and 55 touchdowns in his three varsity seasons. His senior year featured 66 receptions for 1,269 yards and 22 touchdowns, but his junior campaign with 81 receptions for 1,777 yards and 26 touchdowns was more impressive. Ngata won the state championship with Folsom in 2018. He played in the All-American Bowl. Ngata was born on January 9, 2001.

2021 Production: 9 games, 23 receptions, 438 yards, 1 touchdown

2020 Production: 7 games, 7 receptions, 83 yards

2019 Production: 15 games, 17 receptions, 240 yards, 3 touchdowns

Injuries & Off-Field: Missed five games in 2020 with an abdominal strain that required surgery, missed four games in 2021 with injuries to his foot, hamstring, and knee

Awards: N/A

Pros: Some special teams experience each year, comfortable working the sideline and getting both feet down, plays to his size in contested catch situations, aggressive hands to break press coverage, finishes catches through contact, physical throughout the route, physical and invested blocker who doesn’t mind driving a corner or safety back with both arms, press corners get their hands on him but rarely halt his momentum, hand strength, arm length, varies release when facing press, plenty of experience against press coverage, body control, specializes in short and mid-level routes, breaks through arm tackles and battles for YAC, work ethic

Cons: Four drops on under 50 targets in 2021, large frame is an easy target in press coverage, not twitchy or sudden, doesn’t have home run speed, lacks the speed to threaten teams deep, will struggle to separate from sticky corners, routes are sometimes slow to develop, technique could use work to sustain blocks longer, possession receiver with limited athleticism, off-man corners don’t fear his closing speed, one speed route runner, hasn’t fully unlocked his frame in YAC situations, limited instances of him running in the open field because defenders are right on him when he catches the ball

Overview: Ngata is unofficially listed at 6'3", 220 lbs. His effort is never an issue, but Ngata’s injury history and limited athletic profile paint a bleak outlook for his professional prospects. If you’re looking for a reason to believe Ngata still has NFL potential, look no further than his season opener against Georgia in 2021. Ngata victimized the historic defense for six receptions and 110 yards on eight targets on a night where D.J. Uiagalelei had 178 passing yards and 19 completions. Ngata posted multiple wins against former teammate and All-SEC cornerback Derion Kendrick and future first round pick Lewis Cine.

Overall, Ngata possesses a physical frame but hasn’t capitalized on the potential he flashed as a true freshman. Injury concerns and limited separation skills could cause Ngata to go undrafted in 2023, but his willingness to do the little things at a high level will endear him to NFL coaching staffs. 

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

Round Projection: Late Sixth to UDFA

Player Comparison: N/A

Submitted: 07-04-22