Prospect Bio

Bo Melton was a multi-sport athlete at Cedar Creek High School in New Jersey. He was a Cape Atlantic League champion in the 200m, 400m, and long jump and starred on the basketball court. His best work came on the gridiron where he earned first-team All-State honors with 742 yards rushing, 676 yards receiving, and 24 total touchdowns in his junior season. Despite battling through injuries, Melton was again named first-team All-State as a senior. He amassed 766 yards and nine touchdowns on 51 receptions with another 451 yards and seven scores on the ground. As a four-star prospect, the offers came flowing in from around the country. With both of his parents being former Rutgers athletes, Melton turned down offers from Penn State, Oregon, Ohio State, Michigan, Kentucky, Duke, Boston College, and others to join the Scarlet Knights. He started three games as a freshman but was mostly a special-teamer. He finished his first season with just four receptions for 83 yards. As a sophomore in 2018, Melton caught 28 passes for 245 yards. 

In 12 starts in 2019, Melton led the team in receiving with 30 receptions for 427 yards and two touchdowns. He followed that up by catching 47 balls for 638 yards and six touchdowns in 2020. Due to COVID-19 policies, Melton was eligible to return for another season in 2021. He chose to stay in school and again led the Scarlet Knights in receiving. He caught 55 passes for 618 yards and three touchdowns. 

College Stats

Bo Melton College Stats Courtesy of sports-reference

Positives

+Speed; 4.34 40-time; 103.6 (79th-percentile) Speed Score (PlayerProfiler.com)

+125.1 (73rd-percentile) Burst Score (PlayerProfiler.com)

+39.6 (80th-percentile) College Dominator (PlayerProfiler)

+Run after catch

+Good route runner 

+5.5 receptions per game in 2021

+33.3% receiving touchdown share in 2021

+16 kick/punt returns (1 TD) over final two seasons 

+25 career rush attempts

Negatives

-Undersized 

-Struggles in contested situations 

-Struggles vs press

-11.2 YPR

-Fifth-year player

Highlight Reel

Comparable Player: Kenny Stills

NFL Draft Projection: Third/Fourth Round

Yards Per-Formance Grade: 37.8

Bottom Line:

Bo Melton is a former four-star prospect whose college production was limited thanks in part to poor quarterback play. His coaches found creative ways to get him the football. Whether it be screen passes, rush attempts, or kick returns, it was clear they wanted the ball in his hands. And who could blame them? Melton has blazing sub 4.4 speed with the burst and elusiveness to make plays from anywhere on the field. He struggles vs physical corners and in contested situations but is a good enough route-runner to create consistent separation. There is some speculation he gets drafted in round three. If that happens, he quickly becomes a very intriguing pick in dynasty rookie drafts as a third-round sleeper.

Post Draft Analysis:

As a seventh round pick, Bo Melton will be fighting for his life in the Seattle offense. It’s too bad, because he was a fun prospect.

Resources: DLF, PlayerProfiler, PFN, PFF, TDN