[CBFF] Revisiting 2005 Draft: Airese Currie

[Victor Waldron]

Airese Currie
WR | (5'10", 186, 4.49) | CLEMSON

Scouts Grade: 48

Flags: (B: BULK/SIZE) Lacks size/bulk for position(D: DURABILITY)
Player that can't stay healthy

Strengths: Made huge strides as a senior. Is one of the fastest
football players in this year's draft and it finally has begun to
translate into production on the football field. Has good top-end
speed and is quicker than he is fast. He is a home run threat as a
route runner, as well as after the catch. He shows the consistent
ability to get over the top of DB's on vertical routes. He adjusts
well to the ball thrown over his shoulder. His focus can be
inconsistent but his hands have noticeably improved in the last two
seasons. He shows the occasional ability to pluck on the run, and if
he catches the ball with a head start he has the second-gear to run
away from most defenders. He also has been used on several reverses
and running plays, and has shown explosive potential in that capacity.

Weaknesses: Is a track star that took a while to develop as a football
player and still has lot of room to improve. Did not run as well at
the combine as expected. Made significant strides as a senior but is
still unpolished in terms of his route running skills and overall
ability to read coverages. Lacks height, bulk and strength. Gets
pushed around too much as a route runner. Will struggle to beat the
press in the NFL. Is inconsistent as a route runner and will disappear
from games. Hands have improved but focus is still a little bit too
inconsistent. He will make the spectacular catch on one play but will
drop a catchable pass the next. He has no experience in the return
game. He has had some durability problems, as well.

Overall: Currie was a reserve receiver as a freshman in 2001 and as a
sophomore in 2002. He missed three games because of injury as a junior
in 2003 and finished with 43 receptions and 560 yards. As a senior in
2004, Currie finished with 61 receptions for 868 yards and two TD's.
Prior to his senior season Currie was a track star trying to make it
as a football player. He was unpolished, had durability problems and
had only shown flashes of potential. However, Currie has made huge
strides in terms of his consistency, toughness and know-how as a wide
receiver during his senior season in 2004. Currie is still rough
around the edges and is limited by his marginal size, but his
improvement is promising. Currie did not run as well at the combine as
expected (high 4.4's and low 4.5's) but he plays fast and he also has
excellent quickness, burst and COD skills. Currie should continue to
improve with more experience. In our opinion, he has the potential to
develop into a No. 4 slot receiver in the NFL with good
after-the-catch explosiveness, which is why he's worth taking a
late-round flyer on.