NFL Draft Profile: Matt Landers, Wide Receiver, Arkansas Razorbacks
Matt Landers
Arkansas Razorbacks
#15
Pos: WR
Ht: 6043
Wt: 200
Hand: 0928
Arm: 3248
Wing: 7918
40: 4.37
DOB: 06/16/__
Hometown: Saint Petersburg, FL
High School: Saint Petersburg
Eligibility: 2023
One-Liners
“An explosive receiver, Landers has a lot of really impressive flashes on film, but there is still a lot of development needed for him to have success at the next level.
Evaluation:
A tall and long wideout, Landers can play the X at the next level. He is quick off the line of scrimmage, displaying an explosive first step. His release package is underdeveloped but he has the ability to get off the line. For his size, Landers is very quick, with the ability to create separation on short and intermediate routes. On deep routes, there is enough speed on Landers' film for him to stack cornerbacks and create separation. His route tree isn't developed but his speed, quickness and good enough change of direction on film shows he has the upside to having an advanced route tree. Right now, Landers struggles to get in and out of breaks. He takes false steps and doesn’t break down quickly enough. His issues with route running are more technique based but for an older prospect, they should be better at this point in his career. On contested catches, Landers' lack of play strength shows up. He doesn’t have strong hands, allowing defenders to knock the ball out of his hands at the catch point. Downfield, Landers lacks the ability to track the football and he missed some easier receptions because of it. Landers doesn’t have natural hands and didn’t make enough clean catches. On wide open receptions, Landers would either body catch it or bobble the ball. When contested, Landers usually would have the ball jostled loose. For a receiver of his size, Landers lacks physicality. He shies away from contact. More physical cornerbacks will be able to beat him up at the catch point. As a blocker, Landers plays with little effort. He doesn’t have the strength of the play to thrive in that area but some of his issues revolved around his lack of willingness to run block. Overall, it is hard to find a receiver of Landers' size with his quickness. He is fast enough and showed separation ability. Still, Landers’ route running needs a lot of work and his hands are a cause for concern. Landers should definitely be on a practice squad but his lack of special teams ability will hinder his chances of making a 53-man roster until his game develops further.
Grade:
6th Round
Background:
He enjoyed the best season of his career in his lone season at Arkansas, leading the team with 901 yards and eight touchdowns on 47 receptions. His 901 receiving yards puts him eighth all-time in a single season at Arkansas, with his eight TDs matching the sixth-most ever by a Razorback in a single year. He recorded four 100-yard games during the season, placing him in a tie for fourth in a single season at Arkansas. Before Arkansas, Landers played at Toledo in 2021. At Toledo, he made 20 receptions for 514 yards and five touchdowns in 12 games played. He also played at Georgia (2018-2020), where he saw action in 25 games across three seasons at Georgia, including 12 games in 2019. Registered 10 receptions for 105 yards in 2019, catching a career-high three passes for 25 yards and a TD in the Bulldogs’ Sugar Bowl contest against Baylor. In high school he was rated as a three star prospect by major outlets.
