NFL Draft 2018 Scouting Report: WR Keke Coutee, Texas Tech

*WR grades can and will change as more information comes in from Pro Day workouts, Wonderlic test results leaked, etc. We will update ratings as new info becomes available.

*WR-B stands for "Big-WR," a classification we use to separate the more physical, downfield/over-the-top, heavy-red-zone-threat-type WRs. Our WR-S/"Small-WRs" are profiled by our computer more as slot and/or possession-type WRs who are typically less physical and rely more on speed/agility to operate underneath the defense and/or use big speed to get open deep...they are not used as weapons in the red zone as much. 

When I first saw Keke Coutee (cue-TEE) on some preview tape pre-NFL Combine, I was intrigued. I’m always looking for a ‘next Tyreek Hill’ type player. Coutee was used (somewhat) as a 2016 Tyreek-type – a weapon. Lots of swing passes, some deep balls, kick returns, and a few jet sweeps/handoffs. Coutee is ‘that kind’ of WR…a weapon, not a classical WR.

The downer is – Coutee is not in Tyreek Hill’s talent/skill range…not even close. Coutee is a garden variety, run-of-the-mill smaller-sized ‘fast guy’ with nice speed. He has nice enough hands to catch passes, but they’re NFL-worrisome small hands (8 3/8″). He doesn’t change the game like Tyreek. He doesn’t take your breath away on tape. He’s just very fast (4.43 40-time)…faster than a lot of college defenders working in a wide-open offense.

I didn’t see a ‘wow’ factor…not for the NFL. A lot of swing passes where Coutee could just grab and go, and sometimes he did…outracing the defense for big plays. I’d expect him to in this offense. I would have expected more from him in this offense with all the easy touches.

Two things that jumped out at me, things that are a bit concerning…

(1) He took handoffs/jet sweeps on occasion, but never really had any big runs…8 career carries and only one run over 4 yards (an 11-yard run in 2017).

(2) He returned kicks, but not all that well. He did house one 92-yard TD in 2017…other than that he was lucky to return a kick for more than 20 yards.

I just don’t see the ‘wow factor’ signs with Coutee…and he had every chance in an explosive offense.

Coutee has NFL tools – his speed and agility times allow him to get a look-see. But he’s not ultra-fast (4.43) or ultra-agile (6.91 three-cone). He was underwhelming in the bench press (14 reps), vertical (34.5″) and broad jump (9′5″). He’s small, but fast with small hands, underwhelming leg drive, and showed a penchant for going down easy on a hit or skating out of bounds. He doesn’t play as fast as he runs in shorts and a t-shirt.

I have a feeling Coutee is a kick returner and a backup WR who comes in for a touch or two trying to get a lightning strike play. He’ll never be a consistent starter nor groomed into a Tyreek Hill/Tarik Cohen type.

Keke Coutee, Through the Lens of Our WR Scouting Algorithm:

8 career carries in college…for 17 yards (2.1 ypc). Minus his one 11-yard run…7 carries for 6 yards.

Coutee had a moderate 25.8 KR average in 16 career returns. Takeaway his one 92-yard score and he averaged just 21.3 per kick return in his career.

On the positive side, Coutee did post eight 130+ yard receiving games in his career…mostly off of hitting a homerun off one big play. I don’t see him making those plays as frequently at the next level.

2018 NFL Combine measurables…

5′9.6″/181, 29 7/8″ arms, 8 3/8″ hands

4.43 40-time, 6.93 three-cone, 4.15 shuttle

14 bench reps, 34.5″ vertical, 9′5″ broad jump

The Historical WR Prospects to Whom Keke Coutee Most Compares Within Our System:

The comp list is as I feared…fast guys who never mattered much in the NFL. Deon Butler was a #91 overall pick in 2009.

*A score of 7.0+ is where we start to take a Small-WR prospect more seriously. A score of 8.50+ is where we see a stronger correlation of a Small-WR going on to become NFL good/great/elite. A score of 10.00+ is more rarefied air in our system and indicates a greater probability of becoming an elite NFL Small-WR.

All of the WR ratings are based on a 0–10 scale, but a player can score negative, or above a 10.0 in certain instances.

Overall WR score = A combination of several on-field performance measures, including refinement for strength of opponents faced. Mixed with all the physical measurement metrics, rated historically in our database.

“Power-Strength” = A combination of unique metrics surrounding physical-size profiling, bench press strength, etc.  High scorers here project to be more physical, better blockers, and less injury-prone.

“Speed-Agility” = A combination of unique metrics surrounding speed, agility, physical size, mixed with some on-field performance metrics. High scorers here project to have a better YAC and show characteristics to be used as deep threats/create separation.

“Hands” = A combination of unique metrics surrounding on-field performance in college, considering the strength of opponents played. Furthermore, this data considers some physical profiling for hand size, etc. High scorers here have a better track record of college statistical performance, and overall this projects the combination of performance and physical data for the next level.

2018 NFL Draft Outlook:

Coutee probably gets drafted as a hopeful Tyree-alike for an NFL team, a misguided team. Probably in the 5th round.

If I were an NFL GM, I’d pass. I see several other Tyreek-alike hopefuls the past few years…all similar or better than Coutee, but at a much cheaper price.

NFL Outlook:   

He gets a chance. Will be a top 200 pick. Will be given a shot to prove or disprove he’s a Tyreek Hill type weapon…then, likely he doesn’t and disappears into a kick returner, backup WR, and journeyman.

3/16/2018