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The Detroit Lions may have scored a huge steal with the selection of wideout Quintez Cephus in the late stages of the 2020 NFL Draft as far as Marvin Jones is concerned.
Jones has been a great wideout for a long time in the league, and he sees a lot of potential in Cepuhs, Detroit’s offensive weapon selected in the last draft. According to Jones, he got a closer look at Cephus this offseason when working with the wideout and he likes what he saw in terms of physical attributes, specifically his ability to be strong and jump.
Jones worked out with Quintez Cephus in California this offseason. “He definitely has the tools — his strength, his explosiveness, dude can jump out the gym. It’ll be great to see him go.”
The Lions themselves must have similar feelings about Cephus, or else they wouldn’t have released former fellow late round pick Travis Fulgham from the roster in their first round of cuts. That says plenty about what the team thinks that Cephus can do on the field and what they expect from him moving forward as soon as this season within their offense.
Cephus was quietly one of the toughest wideouts in the Big Ten in his career, and it’s nice to see him motivated to start his NFL career by working with a top veteran wideout in Jones right after getting drafted.
It will be fun to watch how Cephus transitions to the team moving forward, and what type of plays he can turn in. Trusting Jones and his eyes, the Lions fans could be in for a big treat in 2020 with a young player.
Quintez Cephus Possesses Elite Catch Rate
In the aftermath of his selection in the draft a few months ago, folks pointed to the fact that Cephus struggled with his 40 yard dash, running a 4.7 at the NFL Combine. It’s important to look below the stats and see some other important facts about Cephus’ game, however. Interestingly enough, what Cephus might lack in straight line speed, he more than makes up for with hands.
Cephus has been credited as being a solid route runner. Additionally, he is a guy who snags nearly every pass thrown his way as a player with one of the best catch rates in the entire class as Pro Football Focus pointed out.
Quintez Cephus’ contested catch rate of 61.5% over the past two seasons ranks better than EVERY WR drafted before him.
While contested catch rate certainly isn’t the #1 trait/skill you want to hang your hat on for a WR, Cephus is absurdly good with them and the physicality he puts on display to win those reps is a microcosm of the rest of his game. Dude is a heck of a competitor.
Speed is merely only one aspect that’s important for a wideout and what Cephus might lack in that aspect he makes up with hands. He brings down tough catches and that’s an aspect which should suit him well in the NFL and perhaps even make his adjustment to the league a bit smoother.
Quintez Cepuhs Compared to Hall of Fame Wideout
While Cephus might be a mere 5th round pick, some strong value was seen in the selection by NFL.com reporter Gil Brandt. As Brandt said, he believes Cephus was a good selection for the Lions, and he thinks he shares physical similarities with Michael Irvin, former Dallas Cowboys wideout. Irvin went in the 1st round and Cephus went later, but there are similarities to the eye of someone formally in personnel.
I love the Lions’ pick of Wisconsin WR Quintez Cephus. I said before he reminded me of a young Michael Irvin in terms of size/speed. Top Big Ten CBs said he was toughest to defend. Would have been drafted much higher if he had run better at combine (4.73)
This is lofty praise for Cephus, but interestingly enough, his newest teammate Jeff Okudah claimed Cephus was the best player he competed against in college and someone who made him evolve his own game at cornerback. Obviously, the players will get to compete against each other all the time now.
Jeff Okudah called Quintez Cephus the toughest receiver he covered in college. Now they’re teammates.
Jeff Okudah: “Quintez Cephus from Wisconsin, I think he’s the best receiver I went against. It doesn’t matter what his 40 time was. Football is played in between the lines and he’s a technician, someone that I changed my plan up for every single week.”
It will be interesting to see how good Cephus and Okudah can make each other moving forward, and if Cephus can take his place amongst the best in the league like Brandt thinks.
Quintez Cephus Stats
In college, Cephus put up a solid 1,496 yards and 9 touchdowns in a run-heavy Badgers offense. He’s a player that has some potential that could be developed into something a little more, and with the Lions needing wideouts for the future, it’s possible they could take a couple swings in the middle to late rounds at the position.
Cephus didn’t have a fast run at the NFL Combine running in the 4.7’s, but improved things during his early pro day with Wisconsin. More than the speed, it’s the ability of Cephus to run good routes and make solid catches which impresses. As a result of that, he could be a solid pro who sticks in the league.
That’s the type of thing Jones could believe in after working closely with Cephus this offseason.
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Marvin Jones Fired up After Working With Young Lions Wideout