Jordan Leslie only played in Provo for one season, but you didn't have to watch very much BYU Football last season to see the impact he had for the Cougars from the wide receiver position. Leslie finished the season with 779 yards receiving on 55 receptions and six receiving touchdowns. He also added another touchdown on the ground. Before coming to BYU as a graduate transfer, Leslie racked up 125 receptions, 2015 receiving yards, and 15 receiving touchdowns over three seasons with UTEP.
While those stats aren't phenomenal, they are very good and better than some of the wide receivers projected higher than him on various mock drafts. He showed the ability to be a big-time receiver before UTEP changed offensive schemes, and then battled injury in his lone season at BYU. When those stats are combined with his performance at his Pro Day they should earn him a draftable grade from at least a few teams.
There's no question Leslie's Pro Day are impressive. In fact, if Leslie had been invited to the combine he would have finished top five among wide receivers in the 20-yard shuttle, broad jump, and bench reps. He also would have finished top ten among wide receivers in the 3-cone drill, top 15 in the 40-yard dash, and top 20 in the vertical jump.
What remains to be seen is if Leslie's Pro Day performance will be enough to get him drafted or if he'll have to wait and sign as an undrafted free agent after the draft. Current projections have Leslie being drafted between the sixth and seventh rounds or getting picked up after the draft as a priority free agent.
At 6-2, Leslie has the combination of height and speed that is highly valued in the NFL. He was an above average route runner in college, but will need to continue to improve in that area as he transitions to the next level. He has a good catch radius, quick hands, and is an underrated blocker downfield. Overall, Leslie is a pretty well-rounded wide receiver prospect who should be a welcome addition to any team in need of receiver help.
While Leslie's on field production and Pro Day numbers could certainly warrant a projection in an earlier round, the best case scenario for Leslie at this point may be for him to get picked up by a team that is a good fit and just will give him a real opportunity to prove himself. If given that opportunity, Leslie should have a decent career in the NFL.
Leslie has had pre-draft visits with the Houston Texans and the Green Bay Packers. The Miami Dolphins have also reportedly showed interest.
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