Xavier Weaver, WR, Colorado
Size:
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 169 pounds
Arm Length: 31 1/8"
Hand Size: 8 7/8"
Accomplishments:
Second Team All-AAC (2022)
“Xavier Weaver has the athletic traits to develop into a receiver who can be relied upon to create explosive plays in the right NFL offense.”
Strengths:
Acceleration and start/stop ability
Route-running/quickness
Alignment-versatile
High-IQ player
Concerns:
Catch radius
Size
Role-specific
Film Analysis:
Xavier Weaver entered the NFL draft after spending his first four years at USF and then transferring to Colorado where he emerged as one of their best players. Weaver is an alignment-versatile receiver who appears to be a reliable big-play option utilizing his speed, acceleration, and open-field elusiveness to create big plays.
Weaver can align as an outside receiver or in the slot and create explosive plays. As a route-runner, Weaver can accelerate/decelerate to get in and out of breaks and routes. This allows Weaver to create separation from defenders on short and intermediate routes. Weaver also showcases as a high-IQ player in how he understands how to run routes against off coverage, understanding how to threaten defensive backs, cushion, and snap off routes to stay in uncovered areas while running routes. When running vertical deep routes, Weaver is a quick accelerator and can run past defenders to create a big play. Weaver also understands how to set up and stem defenders using leverage and a rocker step at the top of his route to sell defenders on false directions at the top of the route.
Weaver has deceptive speed that appears to catch defenders off guard and allows him to win vertically. Weaver does a good job tracking the ball and can track the ball over either shoulder to haul in accurate passes in tight, condensed situations.
With the ball in his hands, Weaver showcases his open-field elusiveness. He can make the first defenders miss and get vertical up the field. Weaver is a player that can change direction instantly and he makes for an ideal player to use for quick screens, tunnel screens, and jet motion handoffs to convert into big plays.
Weaver’s concern as a player is that his limited frame may make him a specific role player. Weaver's lack of size prevents him from being an ideal middle-of-the-field player due to potential injury. He also appears to have a limited catch radius, which means most passes will have to come via an accurate pass from the quarterback.
Overall, Weaver has many translatable NFL traits that can make him a productive receiver in the NFL in the right scheme and role.
Prospect Projection: Day 3 — Developmental Traits
Written By: Keith Sanchez
Exposures: USC (2023), Oregon (2023), UCLA (2023), Nebraska (2023)
