Dallas Cowboys Draft: NFL Prospects from the Dallas-Fort Worth Area

DALLAS, TEXAS – (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

SMU Prospects: WR James Proche II

Perhaps the most popular SMU draft prospect this season, Proche’s consistency in his 4 years at SMU was a bright spot for a program that has only recently been able to win games at a considerable rate. Proche was able to produce for the team while having players like Courtland Sutton and Trey Quinn to compete for targets with.  (Using compete very liberally here as SMU offenses have been very pass heavy as of late)

Proche is an ideal wide receiver for today’s NFL. Listed at 6’0″, 185 pounds, Proche has the build to lineup just about anywhere at the line. Not only is the build great, but he is a really good route runner. He understands where to break in his route patterns and can create space for tight window throws when facing man coverage. He can win leverage battles even against corners that are playing him physically. He also possesses the awareness to find the holes in zone defenses.

Proche isn’t super fast and that makes it difficult for him to get the edge on cornerbacks on deep patterns but his jumping ability, and more importantly his hands, make him a great threat to throw deep. Proche has the ball skills of a taller receiver, hands of glue, and the agility of a smaller slot receiver all packed into a barely 6-foot frame.

*Tongue click* Noice!