2024 NFL Draft Profile: FIU Wide Receiver Jalen Bracey

Bracey joined FIU prior to the 2022 season after three years at Mississippi Gulf Coast College. With the Panthers, Bracey became a threat as a slot receiver. With his speedy ability, he was also used plenty at special teams, especially in 2023. 

Bracey's best game of the season came against the UConn Huskies where he had five receptions for 90 yards and one touchdown. With the draft just a couple months out, we look at what can be one of the faster receivers in this draft class.

RELATED: 2024 NFL Draft Profile: Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell

Background

Measurements: 5'10", 199 pounds

Prior to FIU, Bracey was at Mississippi Gulf Coast College where in three years, he hauled in 115 receptions for 1,678 yards and 15 touchdowns. At the FCS level, Bracey was also briefly with UT-Martin prior to ending up at FIU.

In his two years as a Panther, the slot receiver recorded 70 receptions for 610 yards and three touchdowns. 

With the departure of Tyrese Chambers following the 2022 season, Bracey and the rest of the receiving corps saw an increased role. Although Kris Mitchell was able to replace the offensive production that Chambers brought, Bracey brought an aspect to the game that will surely receive interest from NFL teams: his ability on special teams.

Strengths

One major thing that Bracey will provide to NFL teams is versatility. This past season, the Mississippi native was coming out of the backfield at times, in the slot and spent a lot of times as a specialist.

Along with being a slot receiver, which continues to be a key factor in NFL offenses, NFL teams also benefit from having a return specialist, which is a key role Bracey played for FIU in 2023. Mainly as the Panthers kick returner, Bracey had 176 yards, but didn't see any action as the main punt returner with Dean Patterson taking those reps.

What's Next

The likeliness that Bracey gets selected is low, but there's always a chance a team will want to take a chance on a specialist with speed and good ability to break out for plays. Towards the end of the season, Bracey also took reps as a running back.

A good comparison as to what Bracey's role in the NFL could look like, we can keep it down south and talk about current Miami Dolphins wide receiver Braxton Berrios who even made a Pro Bowl off of his special teams success.

If he does sign as an undrafted free agent, Bracey can always be a practice squad player who is elevated throughout the season.