The Chargers Wire staff is back after a week spent in Mobile, AL, observing the Reese’s Senior Bowl, one of the pinnacle All-Star events in the months leading up to the NFL Draft.
There, prospects had the opportunity to receive coaching and compete in front of NFL personnel and coaches during the three days of practice and game to conclude the week.
While we were down there, Cole Topham had the chance to talk to Rutgers wide receiver Bo Melton about his experience at the prestigious event and what the pre-draft process has been like for him so far.
Vitals
Height: 5107
Weight: 191
Hand: 868
Arm: 3228
Wing: 7700
Chargers Fit
A crafty specialist off the line whose smoothness as a route runner earned him boatloads of separation with the Scarlet Knights, Melton is an enticing later-round option that is currently flying well under the radar. His short-area quickness, fast foot-fire, and scrappy mentality to the position provide burst and dynamism to his game. Melton projects as a quality depth option that can operate out of the slot and be a versatile piece that can motion across the formation and create yards for himself off manufactured touches.
Round Projection: 6th
Highlights
If you don't know — you need to pay attention to Bo Melton at Rutgers this fall. Dynamic receiver with an incredible release, speed and quite the knack for yards-after-the-catch.
2021 @getbusy__bo 📈📈 pic.twitter.com/i1u6cs1kPs
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) March 17, 2021
Bo Melton is finally becoming the all-around receiver that Rutgers envisioned him being as a four-star recruit out of Cedar Creek. pic.twitter.com/9K5xzgFhGa
— Garrett Stepien (@GarrettStepien) November 14, 2020
Rutgers WR Bo Melton was in his bag at the #SeniorBowl yesterday.
Hopscotch split release gains him vertical freedom which he abuses with an Iverson crossover to break on the dig. Good luck guarding that 🤫 @getbusy__bo pic.twitter.com/bgrIo9B3hZ
— Cole Topham (@HamAnalysis) February 3, 2022
Rutgers WR Bo Melton (#18) is a name not too many people are talking about right now. The former Scarlet Knight is Senior Bowl-bound and has accepted a Combine invite.
Melton shows great ball skills here as he's able to perfectly track the ball and get elevated for the catch. pic.twitter.com/FprZXMiIMr
— Nick Price (@PriceCheck3) January 23, 2022
Really impressive senior season for Rutgers WR Bo Melton – tough, fearless target that plays bigger than listed 5'11. ST value too pic.twitter.com/dIUwJTlg2f
— Connor Rogers (@ConnorJRogers) December 7, 2020
CT: What has the NFL draft process been like for you?
BM: It’s been good to get to know teams and them getting to know a lot about me. They want to know how you grew up, how you are as a man, as a player. Just trying to get familiar with you and make a good impression.
CT: In this process, it’s easy to put players into boxes like ‘oh, Bo is a speed guy.’ What else do you offer that may not jump off the tape or be immediately obvious?
BM: I would probably say that I can be a jump ball guy, too. I might not really pop off the film, but that’s an area I can excel in and make a difference in.
CT: You’ve been separating from guys all week here at the Senior Bowl. Is it more important to separate from the release, the catch point or does it not matter how you gain separation?
BM: I like separating both from the line and at the top of the route. I like being quick out of my breaks and having that diversity in my separation. But it all starts at the line. I always think the play begins there and finishes through the rest of the route. Whatever you need to do to get space from the defender in that time, you do it.
CT: Your release package is pretty advanced. Is that something where you have just added to your bag over time?
BM: I watch a lot of Davante Adams and his releases. Mine is nowhere near his right now (laughs), but I just try to vary my packages up. I read off how the defensive back is playing and that’s how I change up my releases.
CT: Adams ascribes by the philosophy that he never wants to run the same route twice. What’s your approach to route running?
BM: Yeah, I have got the same type of mentality. I just want to catch the defensive back on his heels and make the route look like another one that I’ve run, make it look like something different, one that I know he hasn’t seen before. That’s why I run the routes like how I run.
CT: Obviously, the 40-yard dash has got to be on your mind. You ran a 4.3 laser in high school. What do you expect to run now?
BM: I’ve been training at Bommarito Performance Systems in Florida and we’re looking good right now. I’m not going to say a time right now, but I know it’s going to be something I’m going to be happy with.
