PROSPECT SUMMARY – MICHAEL STRACHAN

At 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, Michael Strachan proved to be one of the most dependable targets in the Division II ranks during his final season. Collecting 78 receptions for 1,139 yards and 19 touchdowns, he’s a vertical stretch wide receiver that has thrived off of down-the-field concepts. Primarily playing on the outside, he possesses adequate build-up speed in order to race past defensive backs. Also a “go up and get it” type of target, he’s consistently able to enter regions that defenders aren’t capable of. Still needing development in his route-running in the underneath areas, he has the more than natural ability to sink his hips and redirect in routes. An intriguing project, he’s a prospect that teams could take a chance on later in the draft or as a priority undrafted free agent that could go on to be depth down the line as an "X" receiver.

Ideal Role: Developmental X receiver that will need time on the practice squad in order to learn to add details to his game in order to be a more consistent option in the short-to-intermediate areas.

Scheme Fit: X receiver in an Air Coryell system or vertically attacking scheme that incorporates lots of 10- and 11-personnel sets.

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Jordan Reid

Games watched: Glenville State (2019), Fairmont State (2019), Notre Dame College (2019), West Liberty (2019)

Best Game Studied: Notre Dame College (2019)

Worst Game Studied: Frostburg (2019)

Route Running: Used primarily as a vertical ball specialist during his time at Charleston, a large chunk of his production came primarily on vertical nine routes down the sideline. The small percentage of when he was asked to run routes in the short-to-intermediate areas was promising. While there are obvious limitations of being able to sink his hips and change directions because of his frame, he has some twitch when doing so.

Hands: Strachan has well above average hand strength when attacking the ball out of the air. Using his height to his advantage, he makes catches even more certain with his leaping ability. Being able to reach regions that most defenders aren’t capable of, he has plenty of flash plays where he outstretches the competition.

Separation: The portion of his game that he will need to prove more consistently is his ability to detach from matchups. A major portion of the catches on his pie chart consisted of him racing past the competition on go routes down the sideline. On the next level, that could become more difficult for him as defenders will aim to attack his frame by getting physical with him at the line of scrimmage. One of his sole purposes on the offense was to be a go-ball specialist. He wasn’t afforded many opportunities to prove that he could win underneath because of his effectiveness in that particular role.

Release Package: He’s been able to utilize quick foot fires prior to running past corners. On the next level, he will need to develop more hand usage and physicality at the line. Bigger receivers like him will be challenged and free releases will be scarce because of the ways he was effective during his college career.

Run After Catch: Strachan is an extremely long strider who can pick his feet up and put them down quickly. He's much more of a build-up runner than one who can accelerate quickly after the catch. When able to crank up his motor freely and run for 10-plus yards, he’s able to pick up considerable amounts of speed when running north and south.

Ball Skills: Possessing well above average hand-eye coordination, Strachan displays an adequate ability to attack the ball out of the air. Keeping his frame as an advantage during the catch process, he’s able to easily reach higher domains than what’s possible for matchups. Towering over the heads of defensive backs along the exterior of formations is seen often. He also is able to make tough catches in cluttered environments.

Football IQ: His football intelligence is best seen at the catch process, as he has multiple ways of how he goes up and attacks the ball out of the air. Using his body structure as a shield, he’s able to block out other elements but still maintain focus with his hands. Displaying a relentless hunger to track the ball out of the air, he’s able to turn 50-50 passes into 80-20 chances in his favor.

Versatility: He's been utilized primarily on the outside of formations, but there have been glimpses of him playing in the slot in the red zone. The added advantage of being the large target that he is created some disadvantageous situations for smaller nickel corners and linebackers.

Competitive Toughness: The evidence of his competitive nature happens at the catch point. Feeling as if he can haul in every pass on vertical patterns was the reason that he became the unquestioned best option for the team's offense. Strachan is a huge competitor on those types of down-the-field plays.

Big-Play Ability: Throughout his final season, Strachan was a big-play machine. Whenever his team needed a big play or a spark of some sort, he was the number that they dialed—often some type of vertical stretch play down the field. He proved to be a consistent option for them.