Rookie Spotlight: Justin Shorter, Florida
Height: 6-3
Weight: 224
Hands: 10″
Arm: 33 3/4″
40 yard dash: 4.56 sec
2023 Age: 22
NFL Comparison: Mack Hollins, Miles Boykin, Chase Claypool
Breakout Age: N/A

Offensive Market Share Metrics

Receptions: 15%
Receiving Yards: 17%
Receiving TDs: 11%
Total Production Percentage: 14%

As a high school prospect: Class of 2018; 5-star

Pros
– Prototypical X receiver build
– Elite pedigree as a high school recruit
– High points the ball
– Boxes out defenders well for contested catches
– Exacting route runner
– Dynamic after the catch
– Massive catch radius
– Natural hands
– Stellar blocker
– Reaches top speed quickly

Cons
– Limited route tree
– History of injuries
– Lackluster production in college (never broke out)
– Lumbering and stiff at the combine

Scouting Notes:
You only have to take one look at Shorter to realize why he’s an intriguing prospect. At just below 6’4’’ and 224 lbs, he’s an OC’s dream X-receiver. Add in the fact that he’s a capable possession and slot man, and that will have any scout’s mouth watering. Shorter high points the ball well, as you might expect of someone of his imposing stature. Like a post up basketball player, he is adept at boxing out defenders for contested catches, and he’s equally dynamic after the catch, failing to be brought down on first attempt in most cases. He brings that fortitude to his blocking, where he’s very effective in protection. Shorter is lumbering in and out of his breaks but reaches top speed quickly – Just how fast that top speed is is up for debate. In any case, Shorter is able to sustain status as a deep threat, especially since his natural, soft hands and massive catch radius allow him to pull in balls that would be overthrows for other WRs. That said, Shorter ran a rather limited route tree in a wide-zone offense at Florida, though he was exacting in its execution. The big question mark with Shorter is his lackluster production in college. He only caught 110 passes in 5 seasons, his best season coming in 2022 when he caught 29 passes for 577 yards and 2 TDS. Coaching changes, QB changes, changing schools and some untimely injuries all played roles in Shorter’s rather paltry output over his tenure in college, so it’s hard to determine how much of the issue was just a shortcoming on his part.

Fantasy Outlook:
There just isn’t enough of a sample size for Shorter to boost him to the top of any team’s draft board, but his physical makeup, sticky hands and field stretching capabilities are evident. He’ll be an easy upside pick in the later rounds. As a pro, Shorter has all the skills necessary to to be at least a sharp red-zone target from the get-go. He’s a speculative pick in dynasty right now, but he’s one that could easily pay off if he thrives. We’re probably looking at a 4th-round-ish dart throw in early 1QB rookie draft formats, possibly higher depending on NFL landing spot.