NFL Draft results 2014: Jordan Matthews goes to Philadelphia Eagles at No. 42
After an under-appreciated career at Vanderbilt, Jordan Matthews is headed to Philadelphia to make a name for himself.
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Jordan Matthews made a name for himself despite playing for a Vanderbilt team that doesn't garner the same national attention as some of its SEC brethren. He will have a chance to do it again after being drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles with the No. 42 overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft.
The Eagles moved up all the way from 54 to 42 for this pick, dealing with the Tennessee Titans. Philadelphia swapped second-round picks and also gave up No. 122 overall to get the trade done.
Matthews was named a first-team All-American in 2013 and first-team All-SEC in both 2012 and 2013. He set SEC records last season with 112 receptions for 1,477 yards and seven touchdowns. He finished his college career with 262 receptions for 3,759 yards and 24 touchdowns.
Matthews was ranked No. 39 on SB Nations top 200 big board, and sixth among all receivers. He trailed players like Sammy Watkins and Brandin Cooks, and was ahead of Kelvin Benjamin and Davante Adams, among others.
Big, with good speed for his size, Matthews certainly looks the part of an NFL receiver. As Behind the Steel Curtain noted in its scouting report, his most important weapon may be his hands.
The hardworking Matthews has many tools that suggest he could be a successful receiver in the NFL. Like any receiver in the NFL his hands are the tools that start the discussion. Matthews appears to have large hands increasing the surface area of contact with the football and allowing for cleaner catches. He has a soft catching motion cradling the football into his hands. He has a good ability to go up and catch high throws and as the play below shows he isn’t afraid to go across the middle.
Combine results
Height: 6’3
Weight: 212 pounds
40-yard dash: 4.46 seconds
Bench press: 21 reps of 225 pounds
Vertical jump: 35 1/2 inches
Broad jump: 120 inches
20-yard shuttle: 4.18 seconds
3-cone drill: 6.95 seconds
Matthews proved he can run at the NFL Scouting Combine. His 40 time of 4.46 is excellent for someone his size, and he has plenty of film that shows off his ball skills. Matthews is noted for having excellent hands. His speed was supposed to be his biggest knock, but he drew few complaints at the combine.
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