NFL Draft Profile: Malik Knowles, Wide Reciever Kansas State Wildcats
In this story:
Malik Knowles
Kansas State Wildcats
#4
Pos: WR
Ht: 6022
Wt: 196
Hand: 0868
Arm: 3228
Wing: 7758
40: 4.50
DOB: 8/17/2000
Hometown: Mansfield, TX
High School: Lake Ridge
Eligibility: 2023
One-Liner:
Malik Knowles has shown that he can be an offensive weapon in certain roles, but it remains to be seen if he has the skill to be a consistent receiver in the NFL.
Evaluation:
Malik Knowles has the kind of skills that translate to the professional level. Standing at 6-foot-2, 196 pounds, Knowles has a large frame to make plays all over the field. His versatility was put on display throughout his college career. Not only was he used as a receiver on offense, but he was also often asked to be a runner through jet sweeps, where he displayed his great acceleration and intriguing ability to make defenders miss in open field. Knowles’s game also features great elusiveness and balance for a receiver with below average BMI. Arm tackles are too weak to bring him down, especially when he gets to his top speed. As a great open field runner, Knowles excelled as a kick returner at Kansas State, with 3 total kick return touchdowns over his career. His combination of size, speed, and agility led to him being one of the most dangerous kick returners in the country, making him a quality option for NFL teams solely for his impact on Special Teams. The best fit for Knowles would be a run-first offense; think of a zone-run scheme that gets the receivers involved in the run game. This kind of situation would allow him to impact the run game as a runner as well as make big plays down the field. The biggest flaw in Malik Knowles’s game is his limited route tree. He did not show the ability to run crisp routes during his time at Kansas State, as there is a lot of wasted movement at the top of his routes. Knowles may be relegated to a minimal route tree at the next level, limiting his wide receiver upside. Not having the trust of coaches as a complete wide receiver will restrict the role he can have on a team. Along with expanding his route tree, Knowles can use his large frame and improve as a run blocker. Doing this will help him gain more opportunities on the field. Knowles has demonstrated success in other roles, such as a deep threat, gadget player in jet sweeps, and a kick returner. Excelling in those roles will allow him to create a career for himself at the professional level.
Grade:
7th round
Quotes:
“He’s continued to grow as a leader, a guy that understands the work ethic and how to get better, how you go about attacking the process… we had a little bit of downtime when Christmas came. Neither (Malik and teammate Josh) of them went home. Both of them were in the weightroom on their own, not just working out but catching balls and catching jugs and that type of stuff. That work ethic is going to be huge for us because it will allow them to kind of teach that and mentor the young guys that come in.” - Kansas State Offensive Coordinator Courtney Messingham on Malik Knowles and teammate Josh Youngblood
Background:
Originally from Mansfield, Texas. Attended Lake Ridge High School and was rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports. He played at Kansas State University. Decided to redshirt his first year. As a redshirt freshman, he played in eleven games, totaling twenty seven receptions, 397 receiving yards, and three receiving touchdowns. He also had a kickoff return for a touchdown. He started in nine games during his sophomore season, totaling thirteen receptions, 204 receiving yards, and three receiving touchdowns. As a junior, he played in thirteen games, totaling twenty nine receptions, 441 receiving yards, and four receiving touchdowns. He also had two kickoff returns for touchdowns, which was second highest in the country. He had a fantastic senior season, playing in all fourteen games, totaling forty eight receptions and 725 receiving yards, which both ranked first on the team. He also had two receiving touchdowns. Declared for the 2023 NFL Draft.
