Buffalo Bills 2023 NFL Draft: Prospects and games to watch in Week 10
Player #2: Rakim Jarrett, WR Maryland
Maryland @ #14 Penn State 3:30 PM
It was well publicized that the Buffalo Bills and Cole Beasley parted ways this summer. Although Beasley was getting older and off the field controversy surrounded the player the two/three replacements for Beasley (Isaiah McKenzie, Jamison Crowder, and Khalil Shakir) all have been a major disappointment and the Buffalo Bills have gotten very little production from the slot receiver position.
Through 8 games the Bills have gotten 32 receptions, 354 receiving yards, and a catch rate of 57% when targeted. That is 4 receptions for 44.25 yards on a per-game basis.
The bottom line here is that Josh Allen no longer has a very reliable slot receiver who he can depend on in high-leverage situations as we saw with Cole Beasley. Additionally, the current healthy slot options in Mckenzie and Shakir are struggling to win one on one matchups.
The Bills clearly need a more dependent player in the slot and that is where a guy like Rakim Jarrett fits in. Jarrett has played his entire career for Maryland from the slot but he has a really solid size compared to what the Bills have been playing in the slot at 6-0, 200lbs.
Jarrett is really good at breaking zone coverages by sitting down in open pockets. It has shown to be one of his best skills as a route runner and aligns really well with what the Bills are missing without Beasley. With great hands, Jarrett is the type of reliable high IQ player you want in the middle of the field for your quarterback.
As far as Jarrett’s potential his ceiling is really high. One of the best athletes in this class he has the explosiveness and quickness to make game-changing plays. Jarrett is also a very willing blocker. Something the Bills will really like and has been needed from the slot in order to help progress the run game.
As far as Jarrett’s shortfalls, he has a small catch radius and shouldn’t be expected to make big catches that are far from his body. With sure hands, he catches accurate throws but won’t be able to make up for a quarterback’s lack of precision. Additionally, Jarrett shows the quickness to win and break tackles in space but does not really have the breakaway speed where any play can turn into a touchdown.
Jarrett has a fit with the Bills and while he may not be a superstar or flashy yards after the catch play a sure-handed high IQ receiver in the slot is a need for the Bills.