STRENGTHS - King has very good timed speed but plays at an even faster level. He is an explosive, smooth athlete that gets to top speed in a flash and stays there. This allows him to consistently outrun DBs on downfield routes, making him a constant deep ball threat. He flashes the body control needed to make off target catches and the toughness to come down with contested balls. He also impresses against zone coverage, as he runs solid routes and does an excellent job of recognizing and exploiting the soft spots underneath. Once he has the ball in his hands, he is an explosive and aggressive run, as he immediately attacks the defense and has the ability to run away from defenders out in space.
WEAKNESSES - Despite being an outstanding athlete, King does not run consistently clean routes and must be tighter on his breaks, as well as do a better job of selling his fakes. He struggles to beat the jam, as he is not aggressive with his hands and is too easily rerouted by physical corners. He also lacks the physicality and toughness to be an effective blocker, as he too often stops his feet and reaches, causing him to fall off blocks early. King is a body catcher that consistently lets balls within his framework get into his pads, and not surprisingly he is inconsistent catching balls outside of his strike zone.
SUMMARY -Tavarres King is an explosive vertical threat that is capable of making an immediate impact at the next level because of top end speed and open field running ability. He is explosive on his release off the LOS and consistently plays at top speed. Unlike other similar prospects known purely for their ability to take the top off of defenses, King is also an effective player underneath against zone coverage, as he is quick to diagnose open areas and sit down to make himself an easy target for his QB. When faced with press coverage, he struggled to compete with defenders and too often quit at the break point. His hands are also a concern, as he too often lets the ball get into his frame and leaves himself susceptible to drops. Although not a complete prospect, his game-breaking speed is sure to entice NFL teams to take him possibly as early as the 2nd or 3rd round.