Wide Recievers

A.T. Perry (Saints) NFL Draft Preview

By Patrick Whelan

Posted on April 13, 2023

Post-Draft Fantasy Impact

Draft Team: New Orleans Saints, Round 6, 18th pick (195th overall)

A combination of older age (23.6) and inconsistent hands likely led to AT Perry’s plummet to the sixth round of the NFL Draft. Still, that far of a drop was a bit mystifying. Perry has elite measurables and had an excellent combine with a sub 4.5 forty and over an 11-foot broad jump at 6’3″ and 200 pounds. There are plenty of things to clean up in Perry’s game, but this feels like a steal for the Saints in the 6th round.

While Perry won’t enter the league with much draft capital, there are far worse landing spots than New Orleans. The Saints boast an extremely fine quarterback in Derek Carr, and while we like to joke about his averageness, having an average QB is something that damn near half the league doesn’t have. Also, the wide receiver depth chart is far from a daunting climb for Perry. Chris Olave is locked as WR1, but Michael Thomas has missed 80% of his games the last three seasons, Rashid Shaheen is more of a situational player, and then you get down to the likes of James Washington and Tre’Quan Smith. You have to like Perry’s chances to get on the field sooner rather than later.

There are obviously major risks here to drafting him in a dynasty league. He could easily continue his drop problems and not be able to clean up his route running enough to see the field consistently. His age also indicates there is less development upside than other players. That, and the draft capital makes him expendable if he doesn’t develop quickly. Still, you are taking a shot in the dark in round 4 anyway, and Perry makes as much sense as anyone. His size and speed are tantalizing and should translate.

A.T. Perry NFL Draft Preview

An imposing figure with top-end measurables that teams will covet, AT Perry has immense upside. Unfortunately, that potential comes with a basement-level floor due to extremely inconsistent hands and an average feel for the position. Because of that, Perry is still a work in progress heading into the NFL. Still, if he can fix his hands and refine his route running, his athleticism and size are made for the NFL and would allow for a productive career.

MEASURABLES

• 6’3″ 198 lbs
• 40-yard dash – 4.47 seconds
• Vertical Jump – 35″
• Broad Jump – 11’1″

STATS AT WAKE FOREST

• 2022: 81 catches, 1096 yards, 11 TDs
• 2021: 71 catches, 1293 yards, 15 TDs
• 2020: 15 catches, 211 yards, 1 TD
• 2020: 4 catches, 62 yards, 1 TD

ONE-HANDED TD CATCH FROM A.T. PERRY 😱 pic.twitter.com/exMCAAtmyc

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 6, 2021

POSITIVES

Excellent size and strength that’s needed to be an X outside receiver in the NFL. His athletic ability was on full display at the combine with a 4.47 forty and a huge broad jump. That top-end speed and imposing frame make him extremely dangerous down the field and in contested catch situations. Showed diversity in route trees, putting up yards across all routes. Eye-popping catches were common in college as he skied over defenders delivering multiple mossings.

NEGATIVES

Major inconsistencies with hands as drops plagued his career. The drops seemed to be more a result of poor concentration over a skill deficiency, but A.T. will need to clean it up. Burst off the line is average at best. Not as physical as he should be given his size, and doesn’t dominate smaller defenders. Seasoning will be needed across his game as he takes on bigger defenders.

GRADE: B (85)

There is a ton to like here with A.T. Perry, his elite measurables lend themselves perfectly to an outside wide receiver position in the NFL. But he has some refinement work to do with his hands and overall feel for the position. The upside here warrants second-round consideration, but be aware that he probably won’t see the field for a while and will be hogging a bench spot. Still, he could very well reward that patience.