Senior | 5’11” 190 lbs | Mays Landing, New Jersey | 05/18/1999

Bo Melton is a versatile receiver that creates separation with quick-twitch movements, but lacks consistent hands to be a reliable pass-catcher downfield.

Overview:

Bo Melton came to Rutgers as a consensus 4-star recruit as well as a track-and-field star. After leading his team in yards per catch (20.8) in his freshman year, he finished second on the team in receptions (28) as a sophomore. He scored his first touchdowns in his junior year, where he led his team in receptions (30) and had a reception in every game. Melton had his best year in 2020; he led the team in receptions (47), yards (638), and TD’s (nine total – six receiving, two rushing, one punt return) and finished as an Honorable Mention in both the Big 10 coaches and media polls.

Melton tends to play in the slot when he’s on the left side of the formation and he’ll start plays outside when lining up on the right. He runs quick routes most often and has been used as a gadget player but he has familiarity running moderate and deep routes.

Strengths:

• Above-average athlete with exceptional quick-twitch movements
• Good vision and agility in the open field can allow him to be a useful returner
• Uses quickness to force missed tackles in open space
• Quick feet off the ball makes him difficult to press
• Thrives on extended plays and is able to get open consistently
• Adequate speed to take advantage of slower cornerbacks at the next level
• Fast change-of-direction ability and sharp cuts enable a deep route tree

Areas To Improve:

• Has difficulty making contested catches downfield
• Tends to catch with his body and is susceptible to bad drops when using his hands
• Struggles to complete catches through the ground and will lose control when hitting the turf
• Is not an adequate blocker in the run game or downfield and will get overpowered by corners on blocking assignments

Injury Concerns:

• None

Projection:

Bo Melton’s usage rate has increased each year while at Rutgers. With Rutgers’ run-heavy scheme and subpar quarterback play, there were not many available opportunities to stand out. However, Melton’s athleticism is good enough for his coaches to find ways to give him the ball, be it on the ground, on quick passes, or as a returner. Melton can be a very attractive prospect to teams looking to make their team faster and more versatile. His quick feet can make it tough for teams to get physical with him at the line of scrimmage. His acceleration can blow past some defenders and put him in a good position to use his flexibility to make sharp cuts and create separation on his routes.

However, as a catcher, Melton is susceptible to bad drops on easy catches and he is unlikely to come down with the ball in contested catch situations. He makes his best plays after the catch and in open space. He best projects as a Day 3 pick, but it would not be a surprise to see him end up as a UDFA. Melton has to prove that he can be a threat as a true receiver, making plays when he is against good coverage. Even in college, 47 receptions are not especially impressive, regardless of the offensive talent or scheme. He will have to gather as many highlight-reel plays to boost his stock

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