Rams Sign Wide Receiver K.D. Cannon

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/profiles/kd-cannon?id=2557975
WR
KD Cannon
Baylor Big 12

4.41 SEC
Top Performer
13 REPS
37.0 INCH
Top Performer
119.0 INCH

5’11”
Height
30 3/4″
Arm Length
182LBS.
Weight
8 7/8″
Hands

Overview

KD O’Keith Cannon chose Baylor as a top-50 national recruit because of the receiver-friendly offense that then-head coach Art Briles ran in Waco. With the tumult in the program this offseason, the firing of Briles resulted in Cannon writing on Snapchat that “you’ll probably never see me in a Baylor uniform again.” Eventually he cooled off, deciding to finish his collegiate career with the Bears. The team was happy to have him back, as he played well enough to earn first-team All-Big 12 honors (87-1,215, 13 TDs). This was no surprise, since Cannon was a 1,000-yard receiver and honorable mention All-Big 12 and consensus Freshman All-American in his rookie year (seven starts, 58-1,030, eight TDs). Cannon’s numbers were down a bit in 2015 (50-868, six TDs), although he was a second-team All-Big 12 pick after starting every game.
Analysis
Strengths Extremely athletic. Able to leap over low tackle attempts and twist upper body in mid-air to adjust to the throw. Smooth, long strider who can eat up cushions and go get it on vertical routes. Difficult to overthrow him. Looks to stack cornerbacks on his hip when he has desired positioning on post routes. Plus ball tracking. Adjusts his path to the flight of the ball and can track it over his shoulder. Typically a body catcher, but flashes ability to snatch throws well outside of his frame.
Weaknesses Slim frame lacks route strength. Pad level way too high into breaks for comeback routes causing him to skid to a stop. Shows some balance issues in his routes. Missing sharp stop-and-open ability to create space underneath. Body catcher who struggled with contested catches. Finished 2016 with nine drops. Waits on throws rather than snatching at the high point. Baylor offense prevented defenses from physically challenging his release. Ran a route stick with good stops, gos and stop-and-gos.
Draft Projection Rounds 4-5
NFL Comparison Paul Richardson
Bottom Line Cannon is slightly build and a novice route-runner but has outstanding vertical speed to climb over the top of cornerbacks and force safety help his way. Cannon may not have the short area shiftiness for a move inside, so he will likely become a niche prospect who fits with teams looking for a field stretcher with some homerun potential.
-Lance Zierlein

The Rams seem to be looking really hard for speed.