Jaelen Strong draft stock may go down with surgery
As most draft experts say, Arizona State wide receiver Jaelen Strong will most likely be drafted in the mid to late first round.
Last year in his junior season with ASU, he captured 1165 receiving yards with 10 touchdowns making him one of the best receivers in the Pac-12, if not the best. Doctors have just found he has a broken bone in his wrist that may require surgery, which may down grade his draft stock.
Strong is a great slot receiver that has some height at 6-foot-2. He is more comfortable from the slot which makes him more of a catch and shoot receiver.
At the combine he did have a 4.44 second 40-yard dash but what most scouts found amusing was his 42-inch vertical jump. Strong possess great hands and the ability to finesse around defenders. All of these wonderful attributes made Strong one of the best receivers in school history.
Most draft experts say that Strong is in the top five for wide receivers on the big board. He is a great fit for a team like the Baltimore Ravens who have lost their top receiver in Torrey Smith to the 49ers. Although Strong may not drop down to that 26th pick, I know for sure the Ravens wish he does.
The Chicago Bears would be another fit for him as they lost Brandon Marshall to the Jets but they might take DeVante Parker from Louisville with the seventh pick.
Personally, I think Strong will end up with the Houston Texans with the 16th pick. They have also lost their best receiver in Andre Johnson to the Colts but they think Strong can fill the no. 2 role behind DeAndre Hopkins.
I do not think Strong will lose stock from this potential surgery because it is not that major. With this surgery he will most likely be ready for training camp which starts in mid July. He is as ready as can be for the NFL and will make an impact on whatever team decides to choose him in the first or second round.