'Mind-Blowing' EXCLUSIVE: Draft Prospect Zay Flowers Interview - Falcons 'Best Fit'?
The Atlanta Falcons are set to enter the offseason with a need at receiver opposite record-setting wideout Drake London ... so how about Boston College standout Zay Flowers?
"It's kind of mind-blowing," Flowers told FalconReport at SI of his stature as an NFL prospect. "I had this dream as a child, so being able to live that is going to be extraordinary and amazing."
The Falcons were named one of the four best fits for Flowers by The Draft Network, citing his ability as a "burner that can stretch the field," a much-needed element to Atlanta's offense.
Falcons coach Arthur Smith openly admitted the need for his team to become "more explosive" offensively, dubbing it the "next challenge" to conquer this spring.
And if there's one word to describe Flowers, it's "explosive" - making him a particularly intriguing target for Atlanta.
Flowers, a projected first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, spoke exclusively with Falcon Report at the East-West Shrine Bowl, talking all things pickup basketball and his future in the NFL.
Here's what Flowers said ...
For years, the East-West Shrine Bowl has played second fiddle to the Reese's Senior Bowl as the premiere All-Star game for senior NFL Draft prospects ... but on this day, Flowers, one of the top seniors in college football, is inside the media room at the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.
A hot commodity, Flowers hasn't stopped doing interviews for the 30 minutes he's been in the room; everybody wants the chance to talk with the player who one Shrine Bowl staffer said was far and away the highest-rated player in attendance.
The Senior Bowl is three days away at this point, but Flowers hasn't left Vegas - and didn't. But why? Simply put, he believed in the value and direction of the Shrine Bowl, even if he only practiced once across four games and didn't participate in the game.
"I felt like it was going to be better this year," Flowers said. "Me and my agent went over it, talked about it, and so far, it looks good to me. On the field, it's a lot of scouts, a lot of talented players. The receivers next to me (are) probably just as talented."
And this, really, is what makes Flowers special.
In reality, the others probably aren't as talented - his Boston College career speaks for itself. Prior to arriving, the Eagles had only one receiver in program history to have earned First Team All-ACC honors. Four years later, Flowers posted two such campaigns on his own.
As a senior, the 5-9, 182-pound Flowers broke the single-season program record in touchdown receptions (12), tied the mark in receptions (78) and finished third in receiving yards (1,077). He was named the best player in the New England region and a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award given annually to the top wideout in college football.
In total, Flowers finished as the all-time career leader in all three above categories with 29 touchdowns, 200 receptions and 3,056 receiving yards.
He's special on the field, and perhaps more special off of it - in this era of college football where the transfer portal is increasingly popular, Flowers could've transferred ... but he didn't.
Why? Loyalty.
"Boston College gave me a chance to do something I dreamed about as a kid, to fulfill my dreams," said Flowers. "They were always there for me, and they gave me an opportunity, so I felt like I was indebted to them. It was right for me to stay, and it worked out best for me."
It has, indeed, worked out for Flowers, who's set to compete at the NFL Combine next week in Indianapolis, where he said he's expecting to run the 40-yard dash in the 4.3-second range.
The athleticism and production on the gridiron is particularly impressive when considering football wasn't Flowers' biggest sport in high school. Rather, he spent more time playing basketball at University School in Ft. Lauterdale, Florida, serving as the team's point guard.
As one would expect, Flowers was quick off the bounce - but he's also been quick to put the hardwood aside. Despite the impact basketball had on him growing up, Flowers said he hasn't played in two or three years, instead turning his attention to football.
Now two months away from draft weekend, Flowers' NFL career is approaching as fast as that 4.3 speed ... and it hasn't quite sunk in for the 22-year-old.
"It's kind of mind-blowing," Flowers said. "I had this dream as a child, so being able to live that is going to be extraordinary and amazing."
The dream is why Flowers stayed at Boston College, the lone school that offered him a chance to play college football at the Power 5 level.
And now, the dream is powering him into the next step of his professional career, where the loyal he gave the Eagles is sure to stick once more - after all, whoever selects him will have done so after at least several teams opted for somebody else.
Doubted and overlooked throughout his life due to his size, Flowers is ready to sell himself to NFL teams ... and certainly delivered a convincing statement that represents his values on and off the field.
"As a player, they're going to be getting a hard worker, somebody that's going to do everything at 100, and put everything into that program and believe in everything they're coaching," said Flowers.
"Off the field, they're going to get a person that's just caring, great with people and loves to play and laugh around."
Flowers' work ethic is legitimate - he worked out in the empty Luxor gym late into the night, staying disciplined to his plan and refusing to be distracted by the hype and attractions in Las Vegas.
This wasn't just a show, either. During the practices in which Flowers didn't participate, he remained locked in on what his teammates were doing, taking particular note of the receiver vs. defensive backs one-on-ones.
One of 13 siblings, Flowers is soft-spoken and respectful; there are other players in attendance who are familiar with his game, and even though that's not necessarily mutual, he's eager to learn more.
Considering the buzz around him coming in, it would've been easy for Flowers to show up, stay off to the side and away from his teammates and just do his own things - but that's not who he is or what his work ethic entails.
Flowers is a diverse individual with an expansive skill set that stems from his study habits; he said he watches everybody because there's things you can learn from each different player.
Nonetheless, his favorite receivers to study are the Buffalo Bills' Stefon Diggs, Las Vegas Raiders' Davante Adams and former Pittsburgh Steelers' Antonio Brown.
All three stars are widely regarded as nuanced route runners and some of the best separators in the league, a key part of why they earned All-Pro nods throughout their careers.
Now, Flowers is determined to embark on a similar path - starting with overcoming the notion that he's too small to be a featured wideout. He's proved people wrong his whole life and is now focused on sending one final message to evaluators in the closing stretch.
"That I can do everything," Flowers said. "That I'm not an undersized guy that can just run jet sweeps and catch underneath routes - that I can be used in multiple different ways and (however) a team needs me to be used."
Flowers did nearly everything there was to do in the media room, making stops with several outlets - and he never once seemed bothered by an additional question or interview request.
Comfortable but humble in the spotlight, Flowers remained engaged and came across as a genuine individual, whether it be with teammates, team personnel or media, leaving a stout impression on all who spent time with him.
Flowers closed his interview with Falcon Report by offering four words: "I'll see you again" ... and he might just do so in Atlanta.
You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft
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