Over the next month, we are going to be taking a look at a handful of draft prospects leading up to the 2022 NFL draft.
With the Chargers having needs at various positions, we will do our best to evaluate the players that we feel fit the team precisely.
Today, I take a look at Miami wide receiver Charleston Rambo.
Charleston Rambo | Miami (FL) | #11 | R-Junior | Cedar Hill, TX | 6’1” | 177
40-yard Dash: 4.57
Bench Press: N/A
Vertical Jump: 33.5
Broad Jump: 118
3-Cone Drill: N/A
20-Yard Shuttle: N/A
Career: Oklahoma transfer and three-year starter. All-ACC second team in sole season at Miami, where he set single-season records in receptions and receiving yards. Compiled 155 catches for 2,352 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns across 40 games.
Red Flags: None
Strengths: Wide, track-style stance primes him for instant explosion into his release. Employs a variety of sequences at the line to rotate defensive backs and obtain leverage. Press defense is optimal and counters jabs with wipe-away techniques and good placement on the defender’s forearm. Chews up cushions quickly with long, threatening strides. Hips snap down quickly on hooks and comeback routes, but he most consistently wins on inside routes. Smooth through his breaks and capable of executing advanced changes of direction in his route tree. Earns late separation with good hand fighting at the top of his route. Abrupt stack when turning into a vertical option and tracks the ball well while maintaining speed. Knows where to go with the football as a ball carrier upon securing the catch. Overall physical mentality and brings vigor to his blocking.
Weaknesses: Plagued by drops at Oklahoma and had few lapses in concentration last season. Would rather allow the ball to come to him than attack the trajectory. Poor at zoning off defenders and letting them back into the play. Slender frame can be pushed around and knocked off required route timing by bigger, aggressive defensive backs. Opportunity for yards after catch sharply diminishes when absorbing the first tackle attempt due to lackluster contact balance. The majority of snaps were at the right outside receiver spot.
Final Word: A late fourth-year breakout after playing behind sizable talent in Oklahoma’s receiver room, Charleston Rambo made his mark at Miami with a productive season that quickly netted him several mentions in the program’s history books. A good route runner that offers speed, short-game expertise, and unpredictability through his stem, Rambo projects as a Z receiver who will need to become more adept at capitalizing on his separation. His comfortability both receiving the football and attacking the catch point will determine his ascension on a roster.
Fit Likelihood: Medium
Grade: 5th
Film Highlights:
Rambo using late separation to win the post route against his defender.
Great example of late separation by Miami wide receiver Charleston Rambo ⚡️
Wax-off press ward and outside foot explosion get Rambo even with the defender. Stab to the inner chest in conjunction with his post cut sends him away and over the top. @CharlestonRambo | #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/HIcnSjPBpl
— Cole Topham (@HamAnalysis) March 19, 2022
Smooth hip turns and breaks from Rambo during a one-on-one rep at the Shrine Bowl.
Charleston Rambo runs routes so smoothly #ShrineBowl pic.twitter.com/JyS0yE4Yyk
— 🇺🇦Mike Spencer Hrynyshyn🇺🇦 (@MikeH_Draft) January 30, 2022
Over-the-shoulder ball tracking prowess from Rambo during a Miami fall practice.
Charleston Rambo reels in a fade. pic.twitter.com/RPcM4dOKsq
— David Wilson (@DBWilson2) August 7, 2021
