Jason Avant, Philadelphia Eagle

[Diomedes]

With the 109th pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, the Philadephia Eagles select Jasan Avant, WR out of Michigan.

[Dillen]

I would have liked Marshall or Williams here. Not a big fan of Avant, but I think he'll pan out. Not a high ceiling, but he's a pretty safe pick IMO.

[BigEd76]

[PhillyPhreak54]

Its an OK pick.

Would've preferred Webb, Marshall or Williams.

[The BIGSTUD]

I totally forgot about Avant. I'd take him in a heartbeat. Williams is like a Todd Pinkston clone. Avant has more size.

[Rome]

I would have preferred Marshall but Avant is a good pick.  Hell, they could choose ME at this point and I wouldn't criticize this draft.  Okay, maybe I would...

Jason Avant
WR | (6'0", 212, 4.52) | MICHIGAN

Scouts Grade: 73       Selected by: Philadelphia Eagles
Round: 4
Pick (Overall): 12(109)
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Career Totals   Receiving   Rushing
SEASON   REC   YDS   AVG   TD   ATT   YDS   AVG   TD
2005   82   1007   12.3   8   0   0   0.0   0
2004   38   447   11.8   3   0   0   0.0   0
2003   47   772   16.4   2   0   0   0.0   0
2002   2   21   10.5   0   0   0   0.0   0


Strengths: Possesses adequate height and is well-built. Is the model of consistency. Improves every season with more experience. Productive and reliable target. A possession receiver with a sturdy build. Is smooth and fluid in his hips. Shows good COD skills, body control and balance. Has adequate speed. Shows a great feel for reading coverages and finding soft spots in zone. He also knows how to set a DB up with double moves vs. man-coverage. He is fluid in and out of his breaks. Is a crisp route runner who uses his quickness, body control and experience to get open. His hands are outstanding. Extremely reliable. Makes a lot of plays in traffic, as well as in clutch situations. Can snatch on the run and catch over his head. Protects the ball and gets upfield quickly. Is a tough runner with decent vision, who will get what's available. He shows good awareness for the first-down marker. Shows good toughness and aggressiveness as a blocker. Plays with a little bit of a mean streak. Is a hard-working and intelligent player and student.

Weaknesses: Lacks explosive top-end speed. Not a huge vertical threat. Has adequate-to-good size but will not be a size-mismatch in the NFL passing game. He could have more trouble separating in the NFL because DB's will not fear him deep. He is not a big play threat after the catch. He lacks a great second-gear in space and is not overly elusive. He has reliable overall hands but will occasionally drop a ball that he absolutely should catch. Needs to become more consistent in terms of securing the ball on comeback routes, digs, curls, etc. before looking to turn up the field.

Overall: Avant was an All-American FS with 23 career interceptions in high school. He played sparingly as a reserve in his true freshman season in 2002. He finished second on the team with 47 receptions for 772 yards and two TDs as a sophomore in 2003. As a junior in 2004, Avant once again finished second on the team with 38 receptions for 447yards and three TDs. Prior to his senior season in 2005, Avant has already been named a two-time Academic All-Big Ten (2003-04) and a two-time All-Big Ten second team selection by coaches (2003-04). Avant's production has skyrocketed as the go-to-receiver for the Wolverines during his senior season in 2005, when he finished with 1,007 yards and eight TDs on 82 receptions. Avant spent the majority of his career as a backup or secondary target due to Braylon Edwards' (Browns) presence, but he seized the opportunity as a No. 1 receiver as a senior in 2005. Avant does not possess elite NFL "measurables", but his size and speed can at least be deemed adequate-to-good. Avant has improved with each passing year of experience and has developed into one of the most reliable, polished and clutch performers that college football had to offer at the wide receiver position in 2005. In many ways, he reminds us of David Givens (Patriots), who has developed into an extremely reliable No. 2 receiver in the NFL. Avant is a tough and aggressive receiver who isn't afraid to work the middle of the field and will give a great effort as a blocker and on special teams. Avant may never emerge as an elite big-play No. 1 target in the NFL, but we think he will quickly become a consistent and productive No. 2 possession wide receiver, which is why he grades out as a late-second round prospect in the 2006 class.

[Dillen]

I totally forgot about Avant. I'd take him in a heartbeat. Williams is like a Todd Pinkston clone. Avant has more size.

Williams is taller then Avant and they weigh about the same.

[Diomedes]

Maybe Philly_Forever meant that he's beefier, so he won't get rag-dolled as easily?

[The BIGSTUD]

Williams weighs 185, Avant weighs over 200, and Williams is 2 inches taller.

[Dillen]

Williams weighs 185, Avant weighs over 200, and Williams is 2 inches taller.

Williams weighs more then 185, he weighed in at 197 at the combine.

[The BIGSTUD]

Well during the college season he was a Todd Pinkston clone.

If he somehow converted to a different type of WR by the combine then whatever.

Still, I like Avant. He can get off the jam, and has good hands.

[BigEd76]

Is it "uh-VONT" or "AY-vont"?  I've heard both....

[Feva]

Uh-VONT.

[Eaglez]

Avant = David Givens, or at least by reading the scouting reports and seeing him play sometimes that is the NFL comparision I come to conclude.

I'll take a sure-handed possession receiver in the later rounds. Good pickup.

[The BIGSTUD]

I say uh-vant, like van. Sounds better.