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"Why the Slide?: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
By Charlie Campbell, @draftcampbell
Last year, we started a series of articles on why certain prospects went undrafted. In that series, I reach out to sources with NFL teams to find out why their organizations passed on drafting a given player, and/or, what were the reasons for other teams to pass on that prospect. We got a lot of positive reader feedback about the series, so we decided to expand in the genre to investigate why some prospects slid in the draft.
Throughout the lead-up to the 2015 NFL Draft, Strong was considered to be a late first-round pick, and many said there wasn't a lot that separated Strong from the consensus top-three receivers available: Amari Cooper, Kevin White and DeVante Parker. After the 6-foot-2, 217-pound Strong ran the 40-yard dash in 4.44 seconds at the Combine, many assumed that had cemented Strong's status as a first-round pick.
Strong turned back-to-back good seasons as a Sun Devil. He was an instant play-maker for Arizona State in 2013 - his first season of playing time. Strong had six 100-yard games, highlighted by a 12-reception, 168-yard performance against Stanford. For the year, he amassed 75 receptions for 1,122 yards with seven scores. In 2014, Strong recorded 82 receptions for 1,165 yards and 10 touchdowns. Strong is a big, physical receiver with powerful hands and the ability to outfight defenders for 50-50 passes.
Sources with teams said that Strong fell in the 2015 NFL Draft for a few reasons. They said he doesn't play up to his Combine speed. Even with the fast 40, some teams are concerned about Strong's ability to separate from NFL defensive backs. He also didn't run a variety of routes at Arizona State. Sources feel that Strong has underdeveloped route-running potential and is still somewhat raw. The missing elements of speed and route-running are what led to Strong sliding in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Strong was drafted by the Houston Texans and has a real shot to be a first-day starter for them. They lost Andre Johnson this offseason and had a need for another big receiver to line up opposite of DeAndre Hopkins. With Cecil Shorts and Nate Washington operating out of the slot and rotating into the game, Houston should employ a steady rotation of receivers aside from Hopkins. Even if Strong isn't an immediate starter, he should figure quickly into the Texans' offense. With his ability to win 50-50 passes and his reliable hands, Strong is a real asset on third downs and in the red zone. In the longer term, Strong and Hopkins could be Houston's leading outside receivers with a speed threat working out of the slot. "
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