Malcolm Epps 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Background: 

• Transferred to USC after three seasons at the University of Texas
• Earned his bachelor’s degree at Texas in three years

System: 

• Scheme tendencies: Spread offense
• 2022 projected role: Starting TE

Pros: Man… the flashes of athleticism here are really impressive and hard to overlook. There are bright flashes of high-point catches, open-field burst, and fluidity for his stature. The Longhorns used Malcolm Epps intermittently at wide receiver as a split end as well, so there’s some versatility in alignment that could be tapped into here given how dynamic he is for his size. The hands-receptions he was able to show away from his body popped as well—the pass-catching ability is absolutely real despite the lack of production over the last two seasons. Epps has NFL size and in a schemed, split-flow offense that calls upon leak routes and shallow crossers, I could foresee Epps having a viable role to fill in an NFL offense as he continues to develop thanks to his pure gifts athletically.

Cons: Malcolm Epps is a total wildcard as a prospect at this point in time. He flashed most in 2019 as a member of the Longhorns but has caught just 13 passes in the last two seasons combined. He’s struggled to find targets with consistency despite his clear and obvious physical gifts as a mismatch option. There appears to be ample room for improvement as a route-runner and the Lincoln Riley offense should afford him the opportunities needed to find space naturally—but proof of concept will need to be seen tangibly. He’s a mismatch player in the passing game but I didn’t see a lot of upside as an in-line player, so traditionalists may struggle with an assessment that keeps him on the field with consistency unless he shows new layers to his game in 2022. I’d consider him a developmental pass-catching specialist at this point in time, but I would have a hard time passing on his tools late in the draft.

Malcolm Epps NFL Draft Scouting Report by Kyle Crabbs