As the NFL season winds down, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL draft scouting reports before the combine in March. Here’s a look at Zakhari Franklin.
Check out all of our 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports & Prospect Profiles 
2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Zakhari Franklin (WR – UTSA)
6’1″ – 185 lbs.
Background:
Started four of nine games as a true freshman and tied for the team lead in receptions, finishing with 38-491-3 (12.9) on 57 targets. Output has expanded ever since, with 49-688-7 (14.0) on 75 targets in 2020 and then two impressive seasons of 80-1,022-12 (12.8) and 93-1,137-15 (12.2) on 118 and 131 targets in his junior and senior seasons, respectively.
Positives:
Has been productive since his true freshman season, with escalating output each year, even when factoring in what looked like a pretty high number of missed opportunities from his quarterback. Takes snaps both outside and in the slot. Runs a variety of short/intermediate routes. Quick and decisive at the line to release against press. Not a major deep threat, but is fast enough to make opposing defenders respect his speed. Snaps off routes well with clean footwork to generate separation at the stem. Subtle push-offs gave him some last-second separation without being flagged in college. Flashes the ability to improvise when the play breaks down. Runs hard and can be elusive with the ball in his hands, and the team has often tried to feed him the ball on tunnel screens and patterns of that nature.
Negatives:
On the thin side for a pro receiver, could potentially struggle to deal with press at the pro level. Timing on his patterns can be disrupted when working against physical coverage. Routes breaking toward the middle are a little bit rounded off; looks better on comebacks, curls, and patterns of that nature. Can occasionally settle into coverage when working against zone. Doesn’t have the frame to shield defenders from the ball. Drops crept up to seven this past year. Can struggle to hang on through contact and to climb the ladder and bring down high throws; needs cleaner opportunities than some of the other receiver prospects in the class.
Summary:
A quick, elusive, and technically-savvy route-runner who knows how to release and create separation at the stem on intermediate throws, he is more polished than many receivers from major programs but still needs to continue adding functional strength and improve his overall focus in order to make the most of his opportunities when targeted, and may require an accurate quarterback to minimize the adjustments he needs to make. Looks like a mid-round pick with a relatively high floor.
Projection: Round 4-5
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