Alabama Football 2016 NFL Draft Profiles: Richard Mullaney

Richard Mullaney

Height: 6021

Weight: 204

40 Yrd Dash: 4.76

20 Yrd Dash: 2.72

10 Yrd Dash: 1.65

225 Lb. Bench Reps: 12

Vertical Jump: 30

Broad Jump: 09'03"

20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.39

3-Cone Drill: 7.16

2015: Slottie Pippen participate in all 15 games for the Crimson Tide, notching 38 catches for 390 yards and 5 scores. He also was used in the return game, largely for reasons of ball control, and was a more effective punt returner than kick returner: 2 PRs for 30 yards, 2 KRs for 26 yards.

Strengths: Richard Mullaney, the graduate transfer from Oregon State, is what we thought he was: he has good height and size for the position, is a very smart receiver and is very physical - being one of Alabama's best run-blocking wideouts. He has exceptional hands, perhaps the best of the starting receiving corps, and does not turn the ball over. His route-running is polished. He is also deceptively agile, being able to wiggle away from coverage, particularly in the red zone. Coupled with his physicality, and ability to beat the jam at the line of scrimmage, Mullaney's vertical abilities and strong hands are matchup nightmare near the goal line.

Weaknesses: Is there room in the NFL for a possession receiver? Mullaney is not Josh Doctson. His 40 times are all over the place, going from the 4.67-4.82 mark (healthy Jake Coker, in other words) to 4.45-4.55 (excellent speed for a reserve receiver.) Which is the real Mullaney, then? Mullaney, though a good route runner, still needs some work on his cuts. On some timing routes, it was apparent that the slow cuts resulted in lack of anticipating the ball's location. He functions best when given routes that permit him to read the defender and adjust accordingly, where his natural fluidity and strength are on display. He is not the most well-polished receiver in the draft in his general grouping, but it's not from lack of coaching or athleticism, there just isn't an upside or hidden talent here -- he is what he is.

Verdict: Richard Mullaney brings very steady leadership, good hands, and a knack for making a play when it matters. Of his 38 catches, 25 went for first downs or touchdowns. Those numbers, coupled with his physicality and his great hands, may be enough in the NFL. The dreaded monicker of possession receiver may seem unfair to attach here, but is apt. If he can display a knack for moving the chains and occasionally finding the endzone, he has a career as a reserve receiver, particular for a team that also needs a physical wideout capable of sustaining blocks in the run game. Is that enough? We think Mullaney goes 7th round or is picked up as a FA