Andy Isabella 2019 NFL Draft Profile

Football fans don't typically think of UMass as a hotbed for NFL players but Andy Isabella has emerged as one of 2019's top slot receiver prospects.

Overview
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 5’9″
Weight: 188 pounds
School: Massachusetts Minutemen

Combine Performance Data
40-yard dash: 4.31 seconds (tied for third-best at 2019 Combine)
Bench press: 15 reps
Vertical jump: 36.5 inches
Broad jump: 10 feet 1 inch
Three-cone drill: 6.95 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.15 seconds

Andy Isabella 2019 NFL Draft Profile

Football fans don’t typically think of the University of Massachusetts as a hotbed for NFL players. However, Minutemen wide receiver Andy Isabella has made a name for himself as one of the premier receivers in this year’s draft. The 5’9″ wideout leaves UMass as one of the best players in the school’s history. In his four years at UMass he hauled in 231 catches for 3,526 yards and 30 touchdowns.

In addition to this, Isabella also tacked on two rushing touchdowns in his collegiate career. His most impressive season was his senior year where he scored 13 touchdowns and piled up 1,698 receiving yards. He proved during his collegiate career that he has the ability to succeed as a slot receiver, but he can also make plays on the outside. At just 5’9″ and 188 pounds, Isabella will likely play exclusively as a slot receiver in the NFL.

Despite some gaudy numbers in college, Isabella still wasn’t considered an elite receiving prospect. Some of this can be attributed to playing in a weak conference and not facing a high level of competition on a weekly basis. However, Isabella made quite an impression on scouts and fans alike at this year’s NFL Combine. He blew everyone away by running a 4.31 forty yard dash. He had a faster time than some of the top prospects at his position including Arizona State’s N’Keal Harry and Ole Miss’ D.K. Metcalf. In addition to some incredible physical ability, Isabella is a very smart player who runs solid routes, something that will play well in the NFL. He spent much of the time leading up to the combine working out with Hall of Fame receiver Randy Moss. Having a teacher like Moss certainly can’t hurt for a developing wide receiver.

Strengths

intelligent player with strong football I.Q.
a crisp route-runner;
speedy prospect with impressive quickness;
boasts a great deal of agility;
proved to be durable during his college career, all the more impressive given his size;
reliable pass-catcher with soft hands.

Weaknesses

didn’t show a lot in terms of being able to win in contested catch situations;
not particularly adept at blocking downfield;
obvious concerns about his size;
generally gets bottled up at initial contact;
doesn’t have a particularly large catch radius.

NFL Comparison: Cole Beasley

Teams With Need at Position: New England Patriots, Washington Redskins, Oakland Raiders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers

Projection: Fourth round

Bottom Line

Although Andy Isabella’s physical stature doesn’t jump off the page, his skill and ability to play the wide receiver position can’t be overlooked. He is a quick and agile player who can succeed as a slot receiver in the short and intermediate passing game. In addition to his physical speed and agility, Isabella is a crisp route runner. This is an incredibly valuable skill that many college receivers struggle with. Despite not being a highly touted receiver out of college, an impressive combine has boosted his draft stock considerably. Although he won’t be a first round pick, he is definitely a safe bet in the third through fifth rounds. There is little doubt that Isabella will be a productive slot receiver in the NFL for years to come.

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