God only makes so many humans with the athletic ability of the highlight. It’s awesome. Had he started the entire season that would have projected to 983 rushing yards over 16 games, which would have fallen just shy of said last year, while with the Seahawks. “I’ve been a quarterback my whole life.”

Well that’s not a good start. Although it isn’t exactly accurate, as Pryor caught three passes (including two for touchdowns) during his college career. He looked good doing it, for what that’s worth. But three plays is not a great sample size for evaluating the ability of an NFL prospect, which is probably why the NFL landscape is littered with amazing college athletes who just couldn’t make the transition for quarterback to receiver.

Eric Crouch won the Heisman in 2001 after an outstanding career as a rushing quarterback for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. He was drafted in the third round by the St. Louis Rams as a wide receiver and failed to record a stat during his short career.

Matt Jones, a good physical comparable to Pryor, was drafted in the first round of the 2005 NFL draft after measuring in at the combine at 6’6”, 242 pounds, running a 4.3-second 40 and posting a 39” vertical jump. It took him four seasons to emerge as a productive player before drug and alcohol arrests ended his career.

Ronald Curry and Antwaan Randle El were solid NFL players after making the conversion from college quarterback to NFL receiver but failed to reach any sort of fantasy relevance during their respective careers.

Hines Ward and Anquan Boldin are often cited as success stories, but both played extensively as wide receivers in college before being drafted, allowing them to learn the nuances of the position early on in their careers.

If there is a success story to be told, it is probably the Patriots’ Julian Edelman, who played quarterback exclusively for Kent State. He recorded only one reception in his college career before switching to receiver before being drafted in the seventh round. That being said, it took five seasons before Edelman became a solid starter.

Historically, there just isn’t precedent to indicate that a position switch is likely to produce anything beyond a role player at best. Even the great Antonio Gates had experience playing tight end in high school and during his redshirt year under Nick Saban at Michigan State.

Those who are productive generally require three to five years of coaching before breaking out in an offense, which doesn’t bode well for those interested in stashing Pryor on a dynasty roster. But, as the old adage goes, there is a first time for everything!

Pryor the Prospect

While anything is possible for an athlete as dominant as Pryor, history indicates it is extremely unlikely that he will be a viable fantasy option anytime soon, if at all. Dominant athleticism does not an NFL receiver make. Just ask Cordarrelle Patterson.

Still, anytime someone with his unique traits gets a chance on the field, it’s at the least worth monitoring. Pryor has proven his ability to “out-athlete” NFL defenders in actual games, which can’t be undersold. He is faster than most defensive backs, has good ability in the open field and possesses a destructive stiff arm.

As a receiver, he is a massive mismatch against most defenders, especially in the red zone. If he can learn how to run routes and show the ability to catch the ball in traffic, he has the chance to be a unique and dangerous player.

So yeah, I guess it could happen. Anything is possible. I just won’t be holding my breath.