Michael Jefferson, WR Louisiana: 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Jefferson was a wide receiver recruit from Murphy High School in Mobile, Ala. in the class of 2018

Louisiana wide receiver Michael Jefferson had a breakout year in 2022, more than doubling any other pass catcher on the Ragin' Cajuns in receptions and receiving yards. The fifth-year senior has a chance to raise his draft stock at the Shrine Bowl.

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Michael Jefferson, WR Louisiana: 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Classification: Fifth year senior outside receiver from Mobile, Ala.

Background: Jefferson was a wide receiver recruit from Murphy High School in Mobile, Ala. in the class of 2018. He didn’t receive a star ranking from ESPN, 247Sports, Rivals, or On3.com. As a high school senior, Jefferson amassed 35 receptions for 628 yards and ten touchdowns. He finished his high school career with 52 receptions for 968 total yards and 14 touchdowns. Jefferson committed to Alabama State over offers from Alcorn State and Jackson State. He transferred to Louisiana ahead of the 2021 season.

2022 Production: 12 games, 51 receptions, 810 yards, 7 touchdowns

2021 Production: 14 games, 18 receptions, 481 yards, 4 touchdowns

2020 Production: 5 games, 24 receptions, 234 yards, 2 touchdowns

2019 Production: 11 games, 49 receptions, 767 yards, 12 touchdowns

2018 Production: 11 games, 12 receptions, 115 yards, 4 touchdowns

Injuries & Off-Field: Missed one game during the 2020-21 spring season

Awards: 2021 Honorable Mention All-Sun Belt, 2022 Third-Team All-Sun Belt

Pros: Special teams experience on the kick return, punt return, and punt coverage units, excellent size and arm length, willing blocker, fluid upper body movement to slip punches in press, hands help combat press, surprising speed at his size to stack corners, strong understanding of spacing and holes in zone, adjusts well to throws, varies route and release tempo, tracks the ball well, crisp routes with cuts that help generate separation, acceleration catches defenders by surprise, some experience lining up in the slot, presents challenges for smaller defensive backs at the catch point

Cons: Older prospect, two fumbles in 2022, four drops in 2022, doesn’t dominate in contested catch situations despite his size, body catches, large frame and high pad level make him a target in press, bumped off his route early by contact, lean lower half, block strength and leverage need improvement, doesn’t block with a firm base, not a true burner, not elusive, sudden, or twitchy in the open field, doesn’t have the speed to threaten defensive backs in off coverage, needs more consistent hip sink, limited ability to generate separation, release package needs diversification, doesn’t consistently maximize his catch radius

Overview: Jefferson is unofficially listed at 6'4", 205 lbs. The wide receiver has special teams experience on the kick return, punt return, and punt coverage units, which is where he’ll likely begin his NFL career. He brings excellent size and arm length to the table. Jefferson has some experience lining up in the slot, but he primarily deploys out wide. The Alabama native presents challenges for smaller defensive backs at the catch point. He tracks the ball well and makes proper adjustments to catch poorly placed throws. Jefferson isn’t a true burner, but he displays the speed to stack corners. Defensive backs are often caught off guard by his acceleration. Jefferson also creates separation with his crisp route running and clean cuts. The All-Sun Belt selection has a strong understanding of spacing and holes in zone coverage. He wins against press coverage with varied release and route speeds. Jefferson uses his hands to combat press coverage, and his fluid upper body slips off punches from press corners. While he’s a willing blocker, Jefferson needs to improve his block strength and use of leverage. He doesn’t block with a firm base and has a lean lower half. Jefferson is an older prospect who still suffers from occasional drops and body catches. Despite his size, the fifth-year college veteran doesn’t dominate in contested catch situations. His large frame and high pad level make him a target in press, and early contact bumps him off his route. Jefferson displays limited ability to generate separation and doesn’t maximize his catch radius. He isn’t elusive, sudden, or twitchy with the ball in his hands and struggles to break tackles. Jefferson needs to diversify his release package to combat faster, stronger corners in the NFL. He won a lot downfield in college against lesser competition, but the Alabama State transfer doesn’t have the speed to threaten defensive backs in off coverage and could struggle to generate vertical separation against NFL defenders.

Overall, Jefferson is a highly experienced wide receiver with ideal size, ball skills, and route running, but he lacks the high-end physical traits to warrant a top 100 selection. Jefferson offers upside as a depth receiver, but his ceiling isn’t that high compared to the plethora of other options.

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

Round Projection: Late Sixth to UDFA

Player Comparison: N/A

Submitted: 01-11-23