Trey Palmer Complete NFL Draft Profile (Nebraska WR's Athleticism is Worth a Gamble)

Nebraska wide receiver Trey Palmer is headed to the 2023 NFL Draft following a 2022 season that saw him finally break out after failing to make an impact through three seasons at LSU. A one-year sample of success isn't a lot to go on for a four-year college player, but his speed and athleticism help make up for some of those worries.

Here's everything you need to know about Trey Palmer heading into the 2023 NFL Draft.

Trey Palmer Draft Stock & Mock Draft Projections

Mock draft sources accurate as of 4/25 NFL.com, ESPN, CBS, Walter Football, Sporting News.

Projected Draft Round: Round 4 (2), Round 6 (1), Round 3 (1), Round 5 (1)
Projected Team: Chiefs (2), Browns (1), Colts (1), Falcons (1)

Trey Palmer Scouting Report

Palmer is a former five-star recruit known for his incredible speed and athletic ability. He's made quite an impact as a deep threat, and his track star background has helped him stand out on the football field. Palmer's athleticism is undeniable, and he's shown his versatility by returning both kickoffs and punts for touchdowns.

However, he still has some areas to improve. His route running is raw, and he sometimes relies more on his athleticism than skill. He has experienced some inconsistencies when catching the ball, including drops that could be due to a lack of focus. Additionally, Palmer's experience against physical corners is limited, and he may need to develop better strategies for handling press coverage.

Despite these shortcomings, Palmer has displayed impressive skills in other aspects of his game. He's an explosive leaper with strong hands and a knack for making circus catches. His ability to vary his strides and utilize subtle head and shoulder fakes keeps defenders on their toes. Moreover, he has demonstrated a good understanding of how to exploit zone defenses by identifying gaps and sitting in the holes.

Palmer's impressive blend of speed and athleticism makes him an exciting prospect despite his knocks. While he needs to work on refining some aspects of his game, his potential as a deep threat and return specialist could make him an attractive prospect for NFL teams.

Trey Palmer NFL Draft Prediction

Only having one season of strong play under his belt is a concern, but NFL scouting departments like to use their imagination with an elite athlete like Palmer, so I'm not too worried about what that will do to his draft stock.

It's going to take a creative offense to get the most out of Palmer's athleticism early in his career, but also one that won't force him into a gadget player role.

The Chiefs clearly favor speed above just about anything else at wide receiver, and seeing the work they did with the athletic Kadarius Toney in a small sample last season makes Palmer an interesting fit.

Prediction: Kansas City Chiefs (Round 4, 134 Overall)

Check out more NFL Draft Coverage from The Duel:

Trey Palmer NFL Combine Results

Trey Palmer LSU/Nebraska Stats

Trey Palmer Nebraska Highlights