Is Royals one of the hidden gems in the 2025 NFL Draft?
The average fan could be forgiven for not recognizing Jalen Royals, the wide receiver from Utah State.
After all, Utah State isn’t a big school and rarely have a big school on their schedule. Also, Royals himself only played seven games in 2024 thanks to an injury, so he’s been out of sight for much of the year.
But the fact that he isn’t widely known, however, shouldn’t mean that he isn’t a very good prospect. Had Royals played for a bigger school, such as Alabama, LSU, or Ohio State, he might be reckoned among the very best receivers in the draft.
The NFL is likely far more aware of Royals than the average fan. However, could he still be something of a sleeper and a great value for a team like the New York Giants?
Prospect: Jalen Royals (1)
Games Watched: vs. Utah (2024), vs. Boise State (2024), vs. New Mexico (2024)
Red Flags: Foot (2024)
Measurables
Kent Lee Platte | RAS.football
Strengths
Best traits
- Athleticism
- Versatility
- Run after catch
Jalen Royals is a densely built wide receiver with plus athleticism, ball skills, and versatility.
Royals has solid (but not great) size at 6-foot, 205 pounds with 30-inch arms and 9 ½ inch hands. He also sports great athleticism and movement skills, which allowed Utah State to play him all over their offensive formation.
He was used out wide as an X and Flanker, as well as in the slot and out of bunch formations. He played well out of each alignment and is also a threat at every level of the field.
Royals has good vision as well as being quick and agile, which makes him a consistent threat as a ball carrier. Utah State frequently used him on screen plays and he was effectively able to supplement their running game doing so. He also has an efficient release package and gets into intermediate and deep routes with little wasted energy. Royals flashes nuanced route running, manipulating the shape and tempo of his stem to influence corners, as well as using good head fakes and subtle double-moves to maximize separation at the top of his routes. He has solid ball skills and generally does a good job of locating and tracking the ball in the air, as well as adjusting or working back to wayward passes.
He has the speed to be a true deep threat, which Utah State took advantage of as a misdirection piece in their run game. Royals plays hard and gives good effort without the ball. He’s a willing blocker at the line of scrimmage and also transitions quickly from receiver to blocker when a teammate gets the ball.
Weaknesses
Worst traits
- Size
- Route consistency
Royals is a well-rounded receiver with few true holes in his game.
His biggest overall weakness is his relative lack of size compared to the NFL archetype for outside receivers. He doesn’t have the height or length sported by more traditional X or Z receivers, and that could lead some teams to view him solely as a slot receiver. It does occasionally show up when he has to make contested catches, as he can’t consistently box out defenders or make plays over them.
Royals should also continue to hone his craft as a route runner. His routes are typically good, but there can be instances where his breaks are rounded or otherwise a bit sloppy. That could be related to the inconsistent quarterback play at Utah State, and more consistently precise passing could allow Royals to take the next step as a route runner.
Finally, teams will want to double check his medical reports regarding the foot injury that ended his season. Royals had a very good performance at the Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine, so it likely isn’t a major concern, however it’s still worth investigating.
Game Tape
Projection
Jalen Royals projects as a starting receiver with scheme diversity and alignment versatility at the next level.
Royals should be able to find a home in any offense in the NFL, from aggressive vertical attacks to catch-and-run Spread Coast systems. He can line up out wide, as a possession receiver, in the slot, and out of the backfield. Royals can attack deep or create chunk yardage with screen plays or quick timing routes.
He isn’t a big name from a powerhouse school, so not many at the national level have heard of him. However NFL teams are likely well aware of his potential and skill set, and he won’t have to wait long to hear his name called.
Does he fit the Giants?
Yes
Final Word: A Day 2 value