2018 prospect profile: Why Anthony Miller is a fit for the 49ers in the NFL Draft
By Joseph Naki
Niner Noise takes a look at wide receiver Anthony Miller and breaks down why he could be a fit for the San Francisco 49ers in the 2018 NFL Draft.
General manager John Lynch of the five-time Super Bowl-winning San Francisco 49ers will have his plate full come NFL Draft weekend, as his draft plans need to be on point with his selection process.
With the 49ers having to address positional needs of urgency — like EDGE, linebacker, cornerback and guard — Lynch will probably have to get his wide receiver in the mid-to-late rounds of the draft.
Breaking down the wide receiver position, we take a look at one prospect who stands out on film, but also fits head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offensive scheme to the letter.
Anthony Miller, WR, Memphis
At 5-foot-11, weighing a tough 201 pounds, Anthony Miller of Memphis is an absolute football player. And while he couldn’t do much at the NFL Scouting Combine due to a Jones fracture in his right foot, Miller was able to participate in the bench-press event, where he squared up 22 reps showing his core strength.
San Francisco 49ers
Miller surely showed his tremendous athletic ability on the football field, but while attending high school, Miller took his state 110-meter hurdle championship and was a runner-up in the long jump.
An outstanding athlete in every regard.
Miller’s collegiate experiences, logged on at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, saw a young man come into his own during his junior year chalking up to his credit a second-team All-American Athletic Conference pick, and making 95 receptions for 1,434 yards and 14 touchdowns. The kid is a beast.
Some pundits feel Miller should have stayed for his senior year at Memphis to improve his draft stock. But with Memphis quarterback Riley Ferguson declaring for the NFL draft, it only made sense for Miller to press on to the NFL.
While elusive on the field as a receiver, Miller is also able to shed defensive backs at the line of scrimmage while maintaining his integrity in his route-running abilities. What caught my eye on film was Miller’s tenacity and eagerness in tracking the ball in the air.
In space, and in Shanahan’s system — where receivers need to utilize the entire field — Miller could easily move inside to slot (a perfect fit), or move to the perimeter using his strength and speed to separate from defenders.
However, if there is a flaw to Miller, it is his concentration. NFL scouts believe Miller has the case of the drops due to lack of focus.
Nonetheless, Miller is electrifying with the ball in his hands. Can he improve in his catching abilities in the NFL? Absolutely. And with a mid-round selection, the 49ers could afford spending time with the young Miller to perfect his craft before unleashing him into action.
At Miller’s pro day, there were over 60 NFL personnel in attendance watching the striking athlete run his 40-yard dash between 4.46 and 4.52, respectively. Also recording a 39-inch vertical jump, Miller bounced back from his foot injury in outstanding fashion.
In an interview with Tennessean.com, Miller reveals his passion for the game of football an his hunger to achieve saying:
"I’m just going to let them know where I come from – Memphis, Tennessee. We’ve got to work for everything we get. No one gives us anything. I’ve got that grind mentality, that dog mentality. I think I’m one of the best – the best receiver – in this draft. I have all the capabilities and I’m going to make sure I let them know every chance I get."
The young Tiger out of Memphis will hear his name called in the 2018 NFL Draft. Projections have him coming off the board in the third to fourth round.
Hopefully, Lynch and Co. have their sites fixated on the talented Miller.