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CHICAGO -- The Philadelphia Eagles selected former USC wide receiver Nelson Agholor with the No. 20 overall pick on Thursday night.
Linking Southern Cal wide receiver Nelson Agholor to the Eagles was increasingly popular in the lead-up to the NFL Draft, especially after Agholor reportedly took a pre-draft visit to the NovaCare Complex. After three productive seasons with the Trojans, including a 2014 junior season that featured 104 catches for 1,313 yards and 12 touchdowns, Agholor declared for the draft with the expectation that he'd be an early-round pick.
At 6-0, 198 pounds, Agholor is not the biggest receiver in the draft class, nor is he the fastest (though his 4.42-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine was certainly quick enough). Where Agholor excels most is after the catch in the open field, where he is a threat to take almost anything to the house. He is also a dynamic returner, evidenced by his four punt return touchdowns over the last two seasons.
ESPN's Mel Kiper, Jr. called the receiver "an experienced, underrated pass-catcher who can come in and play right away."
Kiper added, "Agholor is a very good route runner, has good hands, and is quietly an explosive athlete who can set up defenders and create space underneath or beat defenses over the top."
Because of his size, Agholor has drawn immediate comparisons to former Eagles receiver Jeremy Maclin – Maclin entered the NFL at 6-1, 198 pounds. But while Maclin excelled on the outside, some question whether Agholor will play primarily in the slot, at least to begin his NFL career.
Scouting Report From NFL.com
Runs a good route and competes hard on every snap. Able to drive defender into a poor leverage position. Bouncy, quick feet for burst out of breaks. Adequate separation quickness and twitch. Understands his position. Will improvise to get open for scrambling quarterback. Highly instinctive in space with consistent feel for working his way to open spaces as a presentable, ready target. Almost always works his way back to the throw when needed. Natural hands. Has snatch-and-run readiness after the catch with initial quickness to make things happen. Tracks the ball over his shoulder and careful not to crowd himself against the boundary. Dominated the competition over second half of the year. Dangerous punt returner. -- Lance Zierlein
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- READ: Eagles Draft WR Agholor At No. 20
- READ: Spadaro: A Shot For The Offense In Round 1
- READ: Agholor Blessed To Be An Eagle
- READ: Kelly Explains The Agholor Pick
- READ: Kelly: We Never Discussed Players In Trade Talks
- PHOTOS: Get To Know WR Nelson Agholor
- VIDEO: Eagles Draft WR Nelson Agholor
- VIDEO: The Reaction On Eagles Draft Central
- VIDEO: Kelly: Agholor Too Good To Pass Up
- VIDEO: Agholor Gets The Call From The Eagles
- VIDEO: Why Is Agholor Such A Good Fit For The Eagles?
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