Bub Means NFL Draft 2024: Scouting Report for New Orleans Saints WR

HEIGHT: 6'1"

WEIGHT: 212

HAND: 10⅛"

ARM: 33¼"

WINGSPAN: 79⅜"

40-YARD DASH: 4.43

3-CONE: N/A

SHUTTLE: 4.40

VERTICAL: 39.5"

BROAD: 10'2"

POSITIVES

— Good vertical presence. Smooth, strong strider with the speed and size to win down the field.

— Powerful mover overall. Above-average explosiveness, both with and without the ball.

— Flashes of smooth hips and flexibility as a route-runner, especially on routes snapping back to the line of scrimmage.

— Above-average YAC threat. Regularly used on screens as a result.

NEGATIVES

— Doesn't always make the easy catches look easy. Inconsistent confidence and hand technique.

— Relatively unproven against press coverage despite so many reps outside. Will likely require an adjustment period.

— Low-effort blocker.

2023 STATISTICS

— 12 G, 41 REC, 721 YDS (17.6 AVG), 6 TD

NOTES

— Born Jan. 10, 2001

— 3-star recruit in Tennessee's 2019 class, per 247Sports' composite rankings

— Transferred from Tennessee to Louisiana Tech in 2020, then to Pitt in 2022

— 19 career starts

— Attended 2024 Shrine Bowl

OVERALL

Bub Means is a classic Day 3 vertical X receiver. The athletic tools are there, but he will need refinement to be unlocked in the NFL.

Means is clearly built like an NFL receiver, and he moves like one as well. At 6'1" and 212 pounds, he is a powerful strider with good top speed from the outside. It's easy to see how Means can threaten defensive backs on the vertical route tree.

Means also flashes the ability to work different routes off that vertical tree. Some of his work on comebacks, deep outs and stop routes was impressive in terms of foot quickness and hip flexibility to seamlessly work through the top of the route.

At the same time, Means was largely untested against press and did not prove himself well in limited opportunities. Means' hand usage as it relates to keeping DBs out of his frame is not up to par right now.

Additionally, Means' hands run hot and cold. There are flashes of impressive ability to snag the ball high in the air, but he also routinely drops passes that hit him dead in the hands, especially over the middle of the field.

Means is also a shaky, low-energy blocker. That may scare some teams off.

Means is an intriguing gamble on a vertical outside receiver. He checks the boxes when it comes to size, speed and overall movement skills. Means has a long way to go when it comes to learning the nuances of the position and making his hands more consistent, though.

GRADE: 5.5 (Backup/Draftable — 6th/7th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 247

POSITION RANK: WR29

PRO COMPARISON: Terrace Marshall Jr.

Written by B/R NFL Scout Derrik Klassen

Visit B/R's NFL Scouting Department hub for scouting reports on all of the top prospects.