Matt Waldman’s RSP Boiler Room examines Clemson wide receiver Justyn Ross’s ability to dictate coverage and why it bodes well for him as an NFL Draft prospect. 

I’ve seen the Justyn Ross-Julio Jones comparisons. It’s a heady comp. Both are excellent after-catch options and Ross has great promise as a route runner.

Jones is more physical than Ross but as great as Jones is, his contested-catch skills are not top-notch. Ross has more promise in this department.

Ross understands how to dictate man-to-man coverage because he’s physical without breaking the rules.  Or, at the very least, he’s physical away from the purview of the officials.

After all, there’s a lot that goes on between a receiver and a defensive back that officials don’t always see. There are also grey areas within the game that some officials call tighter than others.

If you don’t think understanding the grey area works, then you probably don’t have a nuanced understanding of your own profession much less football. Although everything I show below is legal, what Ross displays is still an indicator that he has a budding feel for the grey area.

While I think a Julio Jones comparison is too much to put on a young receiver, Ross has the skills to become an immediate NFL starter.  How he develops, who is throwing him the football, and how his coaches intend to get him the ball will all dictate how productive he can be.

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