Michigan 2017 Draft Profile: Wide Receiver Amara Darboh

After serving a five-year stint in Ann Arbor, former Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Amara Darboh is set to make the transition from the Big Ten to the NFL come this year’s draft.

Darboh, a four-year letterman with the Wolverines, caught 151 passes for 2,062 yards and 12 touchdowns in 49 career games (28 starts). He also capped off his productive career at Michigan with a strong senior season, earning career highs in receiving yards (862) and touchdown’s (seven).

Prior to joining the likes of Jim Harbaugh & Co., Darboh was considered a four-star recruit (Rivals, Scout) out of Dowling Catholic High School in Des Moines, Iowa. He punched his ticket to Ann Arbor after reeling in 48 passes for 765 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior with the Maroons.

However, Darboh is not from Des Moines or even The Hawkeye State, as he is a native to Sierra Leone. He came to the United States at an early age and became a citizen as of Sep. 2015, per NFL’s Lance Zierlein.

At 6-feet, 2-inches, 214 pounds, Darboh possesses good size paired with desirable arm length (32 5/8 inches) for a boundary receiver at the next level. And, despite his longer frame, he still showed signs of his fluid athletic ability at the 2017 NFL Combine.

In Indianapolis, Darboh recorded a 4.45-second time in the 40-yard dash and jumped 36 inches and 124 inches in the vertical jump and broad jump, respectively. He also put up 17 reps of 225 pounds in the bench press portion of the workout.

Darboh’s size and strength bode well for his ability to fend off press coverage and block defensive backs in the run game outside the hashes.

Additionally, Darboh has good enough top-speed to beat defenders over the top at times, but where he lacks is his short-area quickness and burst.

Without elite acceleration, Darboh will struggle to create separation on short and intermediate routes, as he doesn’t have the explosiveness needed to break in and out of his cuts without his defender staying in close proximity.

Darboh will also need to improve his hands with NFL coaching, as he far too often allows the ball to come into his body and struggles to secure passes through traffic and contact.

In order to climb up an NFL depth chart at the next level, Darboh must become a special teams maven early in his career and refine his route running and hands to best prepare for a significant offensive role. He shouldn’t see too many snaps in the slot because of his size and skill set, forcing him to seek out opportunities on the outside.

Entering the draft as a fringe Day 2 option, Darboh should join an NFL team looking for a reserve receiver outside with potential to take the reigns as a starter later in his career.