2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Ja'Corey Brooks

Last Updated: 1/7/2025

Career Stats

YR	Team	REC	YDS	TDS	ATT	YDS	TDs
21	Alabama	15	192	2	0	0	0
22	Alabama	39	674	8	0	0	0
23	Alabama	3	30	0	0	0	0
24	Lousiville	61	1013	9	0	0	0
	Career	118	1909	19	0	0	0

Summary

Ja’Corey Brooks exploded onto the scene at Alabama as a sophomore, posting an impressive 17.3 yards per reception en route to 674 yards receiving, second on the team. His 8 receiving touchdowns led the Crimson Tide. The following year, he battled an injury, preventing him from continuing to develop, but the story doesn’t end there. Taking advantage of the transfer portal to find a new home in Louisville, he found a prominent role in the passing attack, leading them in receiving yards and touchdowns, helping to reignite his draft prospects.

Brooks has a tall lengthy frame allowing him to create mismatches right out of the gate. This is helpful as he needs to develop a more expansive release package. Even with a lack of tools at the line of scrimmage his twitchy movements and speed allow him to stack defensive backs who press him if they miss their initial hand jabs. However, if the defenders get their hands on him, he is easily diverted off route. His speed often garners off coverage allowing him to manipulate the defender’s leverage with subtle movements and create open space down the field. We also see him display a strong jab step within his routes allowing him to lose defenders on in-breaking routes, primarily on slants. On the other hand, his lack of acceleration makes it hard for him to create separation on hard breaking routes. Against zone coverage, he settles down into voids well and is not afraid to attack the middle of the field routinely making tough physical catches. We also see Brooks display an ability to create when the quarterback leaves the pocket and find soft spots in the defense.

At the catch point, Brooks displays very soft but strong hands, allowing him to make a variety of catches regularly. He can make one-handed grabs with ease by pinning the ball to his body, we also see him make body catches in tight windows to help absorb contact without dislodging the ball. This paired with his ball tracking and ability to high-point the ball makes him very quarterback-friendly. After the catch, he leaves some to be desired. We see him accumulate yards that are there or take a busted coverage to the house, but he is not making defenders miss in the open field often.

Strengths

Soft hands
Ball tracking
Speed

Weakness

Acceleration
Limited routes
Consistency

Honors and Awards

None

Athletic Testing

40-yard dash: TBD
Vertical: TBD
Broad Jump: TBD
Three-cone: TBD
Shuttle: TBD
Bench: TBD

NFL Role Prediction

X wide receiver

Fantasy Outlook

Ja’Corey Brooks has a significant variance in his profile. Either his lack of consistency will demote him to nothing more than a depth receiver who may contribute on special teams. Or he will find consistency and unlock his immense ceiling, especially in a more pass friendly system. His big play ability down the field could allow him to become the perfect X receiver on a roster that has an alpha Z or slot receiver — think Detroit Lions or New York Giants. This wide range of outcomes will be aided by his draft capital, but be careful here as his special team capabilities may push him up some draft boards.