Zay Flowers NFL Draft Prospect Profile and Scouting Report

Name: Xavien “Zay” Flowers

School: Boston College

Year: Sr

Position: Wide Receiver

Measurables: 5’9 ¼”, 182 lbs.

Stats:

Courtesy of Sports-Reference.com

 

General Info:

Flowers is from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and attended NSU University School (K-12 college preparatory school). After his junior season at Boston College, he received offers of up to $600,000 to transfer, but ultimately decided to remain with the Eagles for senior season. Loyalty was the deciding factor in his decision.

During senior season, Flowers caught 12 touchdowns, setting the BC single-season mark and earning his second All-ACC First Team selection. Finished college career as the Eagle’s all-time leader in receptions (200), receiving yards (3,056), and receiving touchdowns (29).

In 2020, after Boston College sent students home due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Offensive Coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr. (Packers QB Coach in 2018) used his NFL connections to set up some workouts with Geno Smith and Antonio Brown at a Miami golf course. Brown had been a major influence on Flowers' play style, and training together seemed to have helped take Zay’s game to another level.

Flowers decided to attend the East-West Shrine Bowl in Las Vegas. Despite only participating in one practice (personal decision), he was able to generate some buzz by showcasing his route running and athletic ability.

 

Positional Skills:

Strengths

Flowers is an explosive athlete and dynamic open field runner. He had over 500 yards after the catch in 2022. His vision and change of direction allow him to zigzag through defenses. Able to stop on a dime causing defenders to miss tackles in space, and then quickly accelerates again for extra yards.

Despite being undersized by NFL standards, Flowers has shown the ability to win contested catches downfield. Uses double moves to separate from defensive backs on deep routes. Tracks the deep ball well and makes over the shoulder catches look routine. Also adjusts really well to under thrown passes.

Flowers is an aggressive route runner and uses his speed to attack coverage and then separates with quick feet and agility. This was on full display during his lone practice at the East-West Shrine Bowl, as he was able to consistently beat man coverage in 1-on1 drills. He also showed strong hands at the catch point, which allows him to quickly secure targets and transition into a dangerous runner with the ball in his hands. During his senior season, quarterbacks had a 106.1 QB rating when targeting him.

Weaknesses

Flowers has 29 ¼” arms and as a result does not have a large catch radius. Struggles to extend for catches outside his frame, especially when working out towards the sideline. Credited with 9 drops (10.3% drop rate) in his senior season and 24 drops overall (10.8%) during his college career.

Zay does not break many tackles as a ball carrier, and tends to give himself up when he runs out of room to run. Flowers too often leaps to secure the catch, leaving himself exposed to defenders.

He is a willing blocker at times and is not afraid to try and drive defensive backs away from the ball carrier, but blocking is still not an effective part of his game.

 

Fit with the Packers:

Flowers is an experienced slot receiver in the NFL, and has the ability to contribute right away as a rookie. He is an exciting prospect and is a threat to score whenever the ball is in his hands.

Wide receiver figures to be a need for the Packers heading into the offseason. Allen Lazard could test the open market in free agency, and Randall Cobb’s fate is likely tied to the Aaron Rodgers saga. Green Bay could be left with a quartet of second year wideouts: Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Samori Toure, and Bo Melton

Flowers may not the prototypical Green Bay receiver, but the Packers will be searching for a spark after a subpar year on offense.  Brian Gutekunst has selected two of Flowers’ former teammates, AJ Dillon and Isaiah McDuffie, and could look to add another former Eagle to the roster.

“Big Play Zay” would add an electric playmaker that defenses would have to account for, and his potential makes him a name to remember in the 2023 NFL Draft. 

 

2 points
 

Comments (35)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Leatherhead's picture

February 05, 2023 at 02:13 pm

No midgets.

Seriously, we're going to have Watson, Doubs, Toure, and Melton. We need another guy that we can pair with Watson, or take his place if Watson is injured. Get a bigger guy.

3 points
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BirdDogUni's picture

February 05, 2023 at 10:28 pm

Andrei Iosivas 6' 3" 212 lbs 4.29

Elijah Higgins 6' 3" 228 lbs 4.44

Two later guys I really like even if we were to draft a WR early.

2 points
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Leatherhead's picture

February 06, 2023 at 03:14 pm

Elijah Higgins? I looked him up. Like him.

Big, fast enough, and a Stanford guy. I really like smart guys, the Northwestern/Stanford guys, so him being from Stanford is a plus in my book.

Consensusdraft has him as a 5th rounder.

And I agree on the later and early stuff. I see four WRs now, and we need 6 on the 53 and at least one more on the Practice Squad. So we've got room for one early and one late.

0 points
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PackerGravy's picture

February 05, 2023 at 02:26 pm

I have watched the Zay highlights and while he is an exciting prospect and a true “cheat code”, I expect the Packers to go back to their Big, sturdy receivers model (after the Amari experience). Someone like AT Perry comes to mind, although Jaxson SN would be tempting in the 2nd. Good write up though.

2 points
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PackyCheese500's picture

February 05, 2023 at 02:56 pm

JSN is 6’1, 200 lbs. He would be a great slot receiver fit since he can block too.

AT Perry is great and can make insane catches with his long arms, although for a 6’5 guy he’s only 205 lbs, and doesn’t have much run after catch ability. Maybe we scoop him up in the early 4th

2 points
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PackEyedOptimist's picture

February 05, 2023 at 03:43 pm

Watching his tape, Perry almost never had any chance to do anything after his catches. A better QB and more teammates who are threats and he’ll be fine!

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PackyCheese500's picture

February 05, 2023 at 04:20 pm

I just watched his highlights again. There were some run after catch opportunities, but you are right. It doesn't seem like he is giving much effort on some plays, though. Still think he could be good

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PackEyedOptimist's picture

February 05, 2023 at 03:41 pm

AT Perry is my guy! I’ve been a fan of his for a while!

1 points
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PackyCheese500's picture

February 05, 2023 at 03:48 pm

I also like Perry a lot. He has long arms, a ridiculous catch radius and is 6'5 as well, both things that should appeal to the Packers

1 points
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BirdDogUni's picture

February 05, 2023 at 10:16 pm

We've got Bo Melton to take over the "Amari experience" thankfully. He actually has speed.

2 points
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MooPack's picture

February 05, 2023 at 02:36 pm

No.
Guys like Flowers, Addison, and Downs don't meet the criteria Packers pick for WR's. Hyatt is borderline, but his speed is undeniable. And since Hyatt and Addison are probably 1st rounders, you can eliminate them as well. Greater needs and BPA's in round 1 and 2. I'd even be surprised if they picked Quentin Johnson or Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the 1st. If any, I'd put my money on Rashee Rice in the 2nd if they were going to use a higher draft pick.

3 points
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PackyCheese500's picture

February 05, 2023 at 02:55 pm

I would go Tillman over Rice.

Hyatt and Smith Njigba are actually 2 slot prospects I like a ton. They both are excellent blockers for slot receivers, actually. Hyatt’s downfield speed and JSN’s polish and route running make them both excellent, excellent prospects. Johnston is in a class of his own though. He and Tillman both scream“Packers WR” to me. Unfortunately I don’t know if Johnston will be in our range.

1 points
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PackyCheese500's picture

February 05, 2023 at 02:53 pm

Too small for the Packers and can’t block as well as they want. That is why the Packers won’t draft him. If we want a speedy slot receiver then I would go Jalin Hyatt over Flowers. He can block well. Smith Njigba is another candidate for slot receiver as well

2 points
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dobber's picture

February 05, 2023 at 02:54 pm

Pass-catchers. Don't limit to just thinking about the previous WR paradigm. If they snag a dual-purpose TE or two who can play 3 downs, they will have guys who can block in the role of a Lazard...even if Lazard is gone. Need to think outside the box some and allow the offense and roster composition to evolve. If this guy is a legit playmaker they think can translate to the NFL, then why not? The bigger issue for me is his expected draft position and drop rate.

5 points
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PackyCheese500's picture

February 05, 2023 at 02:57 pm

It all depends on the board, but in the first round, I would go Mayer over WR, as you are saying, or if we fail to get him, then I’d take Kincaid or Kraft over a WR

2 points
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splitpea1's picture

February 05, 2023 at 02:59 pm

Totally agree about going outside the box....Not making any comparisons to this particular player, but a muscular string bean like DeVonta Smith seems to have quite an impact.

1 points
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PackyCheese500's picture

February 05, 2023 at 03:00 pm

Maybe, but I would take Hyatt over Flowers. Hyatt has the same skill set but can contribute as a blocker too and has a ridiculous 140+ passer rating when targeted

3 points
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LLCHESTY's picture

February 05, 2023 at 09:05 pm

Agreed. Tyreek Hill should be enough to question the validity of only drafting WRs over 200 lbs. Maybe you don't want a Smurf in the slot on every down but if they can be productive on passing downs who cares?

2 points
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HarryHodag's picture

February 05, 2023 at 03:22 pm

A playmaker until he gets hurt. He's even smaller than Randall Cobb. Pass.

2 points
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stockholder's picture

February 05, 2023 at 03:28 pm

From the Valley of the Jolly. No Green Ribbon here.
He’s not a Green Giant. More like the little green sprout.
I prefer vegetables and not Flowers.

2 points
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PackyCheese500's picture

February 05, 2023 at 03:39 pm

LOL! That's pretty funny (no sarcasm here)! It made me chuckle!

0 points
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PackEyedOptimist's picture

February 05, 2023 at 03:47 pm

I still like Quentin Johnston at 15 if he’s there, but there are definitely other WRs who could help the Packers. My second favorite is still moving Jahmyr Gibbs to play slot. I think he’d be a Pro-Bowler there.

1 points
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PackyCheese500's picture

February 05, 2023 at 04:18 pm

Gibbs actually led the Tide in receptions. That is an interesting idea

0 points
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stockholder's picture

February 05, 2023 at 05:17 pm

Trade Love to NO and he's yours!

-1 points
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PackyCheese500's picture

February 05, 2023 at 05:30 pm

We would get like a 4th at most for Love. Don't see how that'd help us get Johnston

2 points
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stockholder's picture

February 05, 2023 at 05:34 pm

I say 2. And I believe Johnson drops to the second rd.

-2 points
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PackyCheese500's picture

February 05, 2023 at 05:43 pm

You may say second, but remember that all the other teams have seen of love is one bad Chiefs game and 9 snaps at the end of the Eagles game. There is no way the pick-strapped Saints (or any other team) would give up a 2nd round pick for Love. By far the only ones who know what Love really is are the Packers. A 4th round pick is likely the most we'd get. Besides, why trade Love when he could actually be good (and when Rodgers would fetch more draft capital).

Also, there is no way Johnston makes it past the top 20. In no universe does he

0 points
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stockholder's picture

February 05, 2023 at 05:55 pm

I've seen Johnson drop too many passes.
To be a first round pick..
Size does matter.
New Orleans practiced against the packers.
Some spoke highly of him.
They need a QB.
And we can't pay him.

0 points
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PackyCheese500's picture

February 05, 2023 at 05:59 pm

Love doesn't get paid his Y5 option until 2024. We just have to decide whether we want to pay him then this offseason.

Also, it looks like the Saints will be trading for Derek Carr. I doubt Love goes there. I think he stays with the Packers

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stockholder's picture

February 05, 2023 at 06:14 pm

True- The decision on the option is 2023.
NO has a cap problem.
Love would work better than Carr.

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Untylu1968's picture

February 06, 2023 at 07:07 am

Trade Rodgers to the raiders, and we get the pick of the litter.

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LLCHESTY's picture

February 05, 2023 at 09:18 pm

Jason Haselwood from Arkansas is a name to watch as a late round pick by the Packers. Never lived up to being the #1 WR recruit out of high school but an excellent blocker with good size that could develop if he can stay injury free.

0 points
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PackyCheese500's picture

February 05, 2023 at 09:47 pm

Hasselwood, Jared Wayne of Pittsburgh, and Justin Shorter of Florida are names I would keep my eyes on. I like all of them

0 points
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BirdDogUni's picture

February 05, 2023 at 10:30 pm

I don't know why you'd even write about a guy who probably isn't or won't even be on Gutey's Board... Almost a waste of imaginary ink.

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PackerGravy's picture

February 06, 2023 at 12:16 pm

If one doesn’t keep an open mind h is doomed for failure

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