Rookie Overview: Braxton Miller
by Damon Bail
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Braxton Miller (WR) Ohio State
HT – 6’1″
WT – 201
40 – Time 4.50 (combine) 4.36 (pro day)
Watch Braxton Miller Pro Day Footage in the RW Pro Day Tour Archive

Ranking on Mike Lokyo’s Big Board: No.9 WR
NFL comps: Randall Cobb, Cecil Shorts

– One of my favorite guys in the draft, I call him ‘Mr. Wiggles’.

– If he gets in space he is much more quick than fast but wow, good luck getting a hand on him.

– Will need one-year as a PR/KR to practice to refine his route-running in a pro-style offense.

– Looks like a world-class athlete by the eyeball test alone.

– Can be used all over the offensive formation in any number of ways (.gif) to get the ball in his hands like a Randall Cobb – out of the backfield, on slip-screens wide, reverses, jet-sweeps and out of the slot.

– Probably ran the slowest 40-time of his life at the combine in Indy (a disappointing 4.50); told RosterWatch at the 2016 Senior Bowl he had been hand-timed in the 4.3’s over periods in Columbus – even at a heavier weight while still playing QB.

– Member of the RosterWatch 2016 fifth-annual All-Senior Bowl Roster.

– Hip transition in/out of his breaks is a plus and evident with his combine short-shuttle time 4.07 (tops in class).

– Has a history of soft-tissue and lingering hamstring injuries that is common in many elite-level explosive athletes.

– While the twitch and the flexible hips are evident, there’s still too much wasted motion in/out of cuts.

– Had one of the worst showings of any WR during the on-field portion of 2016 combine drills per RosterWatch’s exclusive WR on-field testing scores.

– Work to be done on maximizing baiting DB’s & selling them on multiple types of routes that could be run versus what is run; needs to learn to stem at the line of scrimmage with more of this mindset.

– Taking into consideration just one full year at WR I am amazed at where he is (team scouts told RosterWatch much of the same during Senior Bowl week).

– I wouldn’t expect a ton out of him in year 1, but I have no doubt with his superb natural athleticism and commitment to his craft he will at least be given a shot to be a No. 1 WR arriving on the scene in a big way, possibly by his second season.

Quotes from the Combine:

What do you have to show teams that you can be a receiver in NFL?

Just consistency. Everything they ask for I’m going to give 110 percent, whatever they need, I’m going to do. Catching over the head, run routes, run the 40, all of that.

Do you look at having to switch positions as a blessing now?

Absolutely, for sure. I love it. I’m just thankful to play football again. I’m out here doing what I love to do and putting everything in god’s hands. That’s what I’ve been doing, just perfecting my craft. I want to be one of the best. That’s what I’ve been doing since I switched positions.

Do you think of yourself as WR or QB?

I’ve been a receiver since the day I switched, which was before camp – July.

What will you do here at the combine?

I’m doing everything. I’m going to do it all. This is what I’ve prepared myself for. I don’t want to back down from nothing. I want to do it all. I might do extra, I don’t know. Whatever they ask, I’m going to do.

Could you challenge the record 4.24 in the 40?

I don’t know. that’s blazing. I just want to run as fast as possible.

Are you faster than when you were as a QB?

I don’t know. We’re going to see. Hopefully. I still ran a 4.36 when I was a quarterback. That’s what (strength) coach Mick (Marotti) had me at. Hopefully, I can top that.

Are you close to the 204 pounds you were at at the Senior Bowl?

I’m staying lean. I can’t gain weight after that tragic situation with my hamstrings. (He was slowed in 2015 by that.) That’s a tough situation right there.

Have you looked at other guys who’ve switched from QB to WR?

No. I haven’t done research on that. I’m just making sure I’m on top of my game.

How much of being a receiver in the NFL is athleticism and how much is other stuff?

There’s a lot of things you have to prepare yourself for going to the next level. It’s not about who’s the fastest or the strongest. It’s about perfecting the receiver position. There’s a lot that goes into it. I’ve been doing my homework. It’s not about athleticism. It’s not about speed. It’s not about strength.

How has the adjustment been to having to block?

It’s good. I just practice at it. Coach Meyer got me right. It was different coming from quarterback not even touching a soul. Now it’s just part of the position.

You didn’t get the ball a ton last year. How did you handle that, knowing other teammates were in the same boat?

You wish for it. The opportunities I had, I was going to make the best of them. I was going to control what I could control and that’s what I did throughout the whole season. I’m just blessed to play the game again.

How did playing QB help at WR?

A lot. Reading defenses, how you can point out things even before the play even starts. That’s what the team was surprised about, like I know it all from playing quarterback. It ties into receiver a lot, too.

Is there an NFL receiver you’re patterning yourself after?

The last couple nights, I’ve been watching Julio Jones. I like the way he plays the game. He’s gifted.

How important was it to start a buzz at the Senior Bowl?

That’s what I wanted to do. That was my goal, just to show I’m capable of doing whatever any receiver in the country can do. I wanted to make sure my name was in the mix of all that good talk that was going on. I think I did.

Could you go in first round?

Do I think? Oh, I know for sure. The way I work (laughed)…