Dante Cephas NFL Draft Scouting Report (Scouting Reports)
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Dante Cephas NFL Draft Scouting Report

Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports
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Dante Cephas, WR, Kansas State

Size: 

Height: 6’1” (v) | Weight: 195 lbs (v)

Accomplishments:

First Team All-MAC First Team (2022, 2021)

“Dante Cephas is a quick-twitched, experienced wideout who showcases a wide array of tools and traits that could pave the way for snaps at the next level.”

Strengths: 

  • Long strides 

  • Awareness

  • Playmaking

  • Rangy pass-catcher

Concerns:

  • Ceiling

  • Tight hips

  • Consistency at three programs

Film Analysis: 

Dante Cephas is a quick-twitched, experienced wideout who showcases a wide array of tools and traits that could pave the way for snaps at the next level. Former Kent State Golden Flash who began his career dominating lower-level competition in the MAC. Spent one season (2023) at Penn State, but failed to live up to expectations. He enters 2024 in his first season at Kansas State.

Primarily aligned as the ‘X’ wideout in every offense he’s competed within, Cephas’ profile and athleticism remain intriguing off the hoof. He’s shown the ability to tempo and vary his release package at the line of scrimmage, ultimately creating separation quickly. Plays high at the line which can, at times, affect his momentum and angles. But overall, Cephas has an understanding of creating throwing windows quickly in his stem. Cephas showcases excellent twitch on the outside to work inside/out on corners. He has the acceleration to work up to fifth gear quickly, but not the extra burst to outrun the elite athletes he’s faced in his career. Utilizes a dead leg and hesitation move on timing routes, making things tough for corners tasked with covering Cephas in short-yardage situations.

Cephas has shown the ability to work past opposing corners that align with inside leverage, but a higher willingness to mix it up inside the contact window is warranted. Good hands, not elite. Looks the ball in smoothly, but Cephas is not a dynamic athlete in the air nor will he contort his body to expand his catch radius at his size. If quarterbacks can consistently hit him in stride, he can often gain chunk plays due to his short-area quickness and long strides. Creating on his own, however, or adjusting to make a play both before and after the catch isn’t in Cephas’ profile at this point. Must improve at the top of his stems when working back to the QB.

His threat to press vertical is evident and will keep DBs honest, but Cephas’ hips are stiff, limiting his sink and drive ability both east-west, and working back to the football. On vertical shots, Cephas showcases a good awareness on the boundary and will utilize every inch of space to his advantage. Does well to lure corners into positions that are advantageous for his positioning. Will lean and press on DBs down the sideline, pushing toward the middle of the field, only to quickly disengage and haul in passes just feet away on the sideline. Willing blocker in the run game.

Concerns remain about his stiff hips and lower half flexibility, along with his consistency at multiple programs. Since dominating the MAC a few seasons ago, Cephas struggled against better competition in the Big Ten as one of Penn State’s premier transfers heading into the 2023 season. Now in the Big 12, Cephas’ ability to translate his success from Kent State years ago will remain key in finalizing his evaluation.

Overall, while key questions remain regarding Cephas’ consistency and ability to work back to what once was, he understands the nuances of creating separation, has experience as a WR1 within an offense, and touts the body profile/athleticism to make plays at a variety of depths. Finding a median in his production will greatly assist in classifying Cephas in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Prospect Projection: Day 3 — Role Specific Contributor

Written By: Ryan Fowler

Exposures: Maryland (2023), Illinois (2023), Wyoming (2021)

Dante Cephas NFL Draft Scouting Report



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