FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Utah State wide receiver Jalen Royals. And check out our entire 2025 NFL Draft Guide.
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2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jalen Royals
Jalen Royals (WR – Utah State)
6-foot-0 | 205 Pounds
Background
Rotated in very sparingly as a freshman before taking over a starting role the following season, Jalen Royals put together a massive campaign in which he finished with a 71-1,080-15 (15.2) line. His 2024 season ended after just seven appearances when he sustained a foot injury. He was on pace for an even bigger year, ending with a 55-834-6 (15.2) line.
Positives
Royals has been highly productive ever since stepping into the Aggies’ starting lineup in 2023. A thickly-built receiver who was moved around the formation, taking snaps both on and off the line of scrimmage, primarily on the outside but with an increasing amount from the slot this past year. A big part of the offense was based on getting him the ball with room to work, so he caught a relatively high percentage of screens/tunnels, hitches, slants, drags and other such patterns.
However, Utah State also did have him run routes down the seams and sidelines for shot plays. Does a nice job of varying his tempo off the line of scrimmage to release. Shows good strength and balance to keep his routes on track through contact. Understands how to stack opposing defenders. Makes good adjustments to throws away from his frame and sells out to make the catch.
Strength, focus, and concentration have allowed him to perform better on contested catches than his frame would suggest. Caught 25 out of 39 (64.1%) contested catches, per Pro Football Focus (PFF). Gets up to speed quickly and can run through arm tackles and create big plays off of shorter throws, with a good burst after the catch. Shows good competitiveness in finishing his runs. Works hard to line up and engage opponents as a stalker, with the toughness teams look for in that role. Also has some experience returning kicks.
Negatives
Season-ending foot injury will require further medical investigation during the pre-draft process. Stats were somewhat padded by a high volume of manufactured touches. Release package looks relatively simple, and benefited from taking a lot of snaps off the line of scrimmage, in bunch formations, or against off-coverage, allowing him to get clean releases at the line.
Royals’ Routes aren’t the snappiest at the stem and he doesn’t create a ton of separation against man coverage. Relies on tempo changes to get behind the defense. Looks more explosive in short areas than fast in terms of overall speed. Has some tendencies to run himself into zone coverage, rather than settling into soft spots. Doesn’t present the biggest target. His lack of ideal separation skills means he may require a relatively pinpoint quarterback who is willing to give him chances in coverage.
Summary
One of the more unique receiver prospects in this class, as he is hardly a physical specimen, nor does he run the crispest routes, but rather manages to play much bigger than his size. With his strong, thick frame, he’s able to stay on track against physical coverage.
Royals performed much better in contested catch situations than expected because of his impressive adjustments to the ball. He showed impressive power and bursts after the catch to run through tackles.
Projection: Round 3/Round 4
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