Expert Opinion: WR Anthony Miller’s Profile

The draft prospects at the wide receiver position are very deep this year. One of the many available players at the position is Anthony Miller from Memphis. Miller is 5’11” and 190 lbs. The former walk-on, Miller posted back-to-back 1,400-yard seasons in 2016 and 2017 and 37 touchdowns in his three seasons at Memphis. He was named a Consensus All-American in 2017 when he posted 96 receptions for 1,462 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Miller is an excellent route-runner. The fact that he was a walk-on at Memphis is very impressive because it shows how hard he’s worked to accomplish as much as he has accomplished. He is good at creating plays and accumulating yards after the catch. He also excels at tracking the ball once he’s gotten downfield.

Anthony Miller’s ball security can be an issue as he had five career fumbles. Sometimes when running routes he displays too much arm and upper body movement. He also has a tendency to drop short passes. While his route running is excellent, he sometimes is predictable when breaking off a route. This can be problematic because it may become easier for cornerbacks to disrupt his momentum if they know when it is coming; it is a lot like a pitcher in baseball tipping his pitches.

The ceiling for Anthony Miller is that he can be a reliable #2 receiver with a floor of a quality slot receiver. His route running has been compared to that of Cooper Kupp of the Los Angeles Rams. For this reason, if the Browns could get him at pick #64 or later, I can see him being a member of the Browns. The Browns have improved their wide receiver room already this offseason with the acquisition of Jarvis Landry from the Miami Dolphins and adding Miller can be more beneficial. Landry is a slot receiver and Josh Gordon and Corey Coleman are outside receivers. While many are looking forward to that trio playing well, there are question marks surrounding Gordon and Coleman.

For Gordon, his off the field issues are something that cannot be overlooked. While we hope for the best for and from Josh Gordon, as a football team it would be irresponsible to not have a backup plan. As for Coleman, he has yet to show the qualities that made him a first-round pick in the 2016 Draft. Adding Miller may light a fire for Coleman to realize that he needs to step up and play like the first rounder he was.