Rookie Spotlight: Bub Means, Pittsburgh
Height: 6-1
Weight: 222
Hands: 10 1/8″
Arm: 33 1/8″
40 yard dash: 4.49 (projected)
2024 Age: 23 (1/10/01)
NFL Comparison: Donovan Peoples-Jones, Nico Collins
Breakout Age: 22

Offensive Market Share Metrics (Final Season)

Receptions: 21%
Receiving Yards: 28%
Receiving TDs: 35%
Total Production Percentage: 28%

As a high school prospect: Class of 2019; 3-star

Pros
Prototypical X-receiver size
Stretches defenses vertically with surprising speed
Plays inside and outside
Capable of winning at the catch point
Long, smooth strides
Returns kicks
Good ball skills
Accelerates quickly off the line

Cons
Could use more play strength
A little-one dimensional thus far
Poor QB play limited his potential
While showing great contested-catch flashes, is still inconsistent

Scouting Notes:
Means led Pittsburgh in receiving yards (721) and TD receptions (6) in 2023, his second season there after transferring from Louisiana Tech, where he averaged over 19 yards per reception. Built with a massive frame that makes him appear even larger than his listed 6’2’’, 215 lbs, he glides over the field like a phantom. Not a quick twitch guy, he possesses excellent long speed for a big man, routinely stretching defenses for big plays. Means is as effective inside as he is outside, racking up chunk plays in considerable traffic at times. He attacks the ball at the catch point, usually dwarfing his defender in the process although, not always as evidenced by his fairly meager contested-catch percentage (50% in 2023 per PFF). In addition to playing the X and the slot, Means has experience as a kick returner. He actually started his career as a corner, so he understands how defenders think. He’s able to stack corners at the top of his routes and uses pretty definite cuts to gain separation. I’d like Means to use more of his strength during play, as he’s often able to bring down from behind, if he’s caught. He could also be more physical with his defenders getting into his routes. Means looks to be a bit of a one trick pony on tape, but dubious QB play and lack of necessity might have more to do with that than his lack of ability.

Fantasy Outlook:
Not historically a volume receiver, for fantasy purposes, Means will need to land on a team that needs him to produce in spades. I have a feeling that most of his suitors will be teams primarily looking for a big man with a consistent red-zone presence though. Means isn’t necessarily a special player, but he has the size, speed and solid hands to be a team’s go-to over time, a la Donovan Peoples-Jones – in stints – and on the most optimistic projection, maybe Nico Collins. If he lands in the right spot, Means could surprise a lot of folks as an every week fantasy producer with TD upside.