Meet the Prospect: John Ross

Name: John Ross Position: Receiver School: Washington Ht/Wt: 5-11, 188 40 dash: 4.22 seconds Vertical: 37.0 inches Broad: 133.0 inches How he fits: It is unlikely the draft’s fastest player is still available when the Lions are on the clock at pick 21, but if he is, GM Bob Quinn will have an interesting decision to make. The Lions have obvious needs on the defensive side of the ball, especially in their front seven, but Ross could be an explosive weapon in this offense.The Lions still need another receiver to pair with Golden Tate and Marvin Jones Jr. This team still lacks a true burner at the position that can take the top off a defense. Ross, and his 4.22 speed, would certainly provide that. Just imagine teams having to deal with his speed, Jones' ability to make plays at all three levels of a defense, Tate's run-after-the-catch element and Eric Ebron over the middle and up the seam from the tight end position. That would put a lot of pressure on a pass defense, especially after the Lions upgraded their pass protection. Quarterback Matthew Stafford has just the kind of arm that could make a player like Ross an unbelievable deep threat. After missing all of the 2015 season with a knee injury, Ross returned healthy in 2016 and had a career-season with a team-best 81 receptions for 1,150 yards and 17 touchdowns. Ross also has experience returning kicks, which the Lions need. Ross returned at least one kickoff for a touchdown in each of his three years at Washington. Key observations: He finished his career with the school record for 50-plus-yard receptions in a season (6) and career (11). What they had to say about him: “Ross is an instant-impact weapon who scored 23 touchdowns in just 112 touches. He should be able to step right in as a kick returner and a slot receiver, but teams with speed at tight end might utilize him outside to create extreme vertical stress on opposing safeties. If his knees check out as healthy, Ross is a likely first-round pick with the rare ability to become a high-volume slot receiver or a lesser-targeted, high-yield deep-ball threat.” – Lance Zierlein, NFL.com How he stacks up: Ross is the second-best receiver available in this draft after Western Michigan’s Corey Davis, according to CBSSports.com. NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock lists Ross as the third receiver on his board after Davis and Clemson’s Mike Williams. Scouts Inc. lists Ross as the No. 17 overall prospect available in this draft. What he had to say: “You just look at the history. We have a lot of great guys who set great examples like Brandin Cooks, DeSean (Jackson), T.Y. Hilton, Emmanuel Sanders. Those guys are not six-foot tall and they are very productive. Antonio Brown. He is now the highest paid receiver in the league and he is not six-foot. Guys that came before us who have set a great example why (their success) should transfer to guys like me, guys who are not as tall."