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Overview
Married. Last name is pronounced "ab-bruh-DAIR-is." Was a high school quarterback and defensive back in Wisconsin, where he won a state championship, wrestled and was the Gatorade track athlete of the year. Walked on and redshirted in 2009, working as a scout team spread quarterback. Earned a scholarship in '10 before playing all 13 games (two starts) and recording 20 receptions for 289 yards (14.4-yard average) and three touchdowns. Started all 14 games in '11 and posted 55-933-8 (17.0). Broke a bone in his left foot against South Dakota in Week Four -- was not diagnosed until after the season and he sat out '12 spring practice. In the fall, started 12-of-13 games and caught 49-837-5 (17.1). Sustained a concussion against Oregon State and did not play against Utah State. Also sustained a concussion against Penn State. Started 12-of-13 games in '13, totaling 78-1,081-7 (13.9) with six rushes for 119 yards (19.8) and two touchdowns. Did not start against Indiana (ribs). Did not play in the Senior Bowl (hamstring). Also returned 55 career punts for 587 yards (10.7), including a score, and 31 career kickoffs for 800 yards (25.8). Burlsworth Trophy winner as nation's best player to begin his career as a walk-on.
Analysis
Strengths
Uses his hands well to swat away press. Stems his routes. Sells his patterns. Nice hands. Good field and boundary awareness. Gives effort to engage and shield cornerbacks as a blocker. Outstanding football intelligence -- like a quarterback on the outside. Productive three-year starter. Mature and humble. Hardworking and coachable. Carved up Ohio State CB Bradley Roby to the tune of 10-207-1.
Weaknesses
Has a slender build and needs to bulk up and get stronger. Ordinary pop off the line. Builds to average speed. Could struggle to separate vs. quick-twitch covermen. Lets throws into his body and breaks stride to catch. Not a jumpball player (30 1/2-inch vertical jump). Straightlinish after the catch -- pedestrian agility and elusiveness. Has a history of concussions. Bench-pressed 225 pounds just four times, lowest of all combine participants.
Bottom Line
A former walk-on, Abbrederis went from afterthought to scholarship player to No. 1 receiver. While the blue-collar overachiever lacks exceptional athletic traits for the NFL, he's a steady "X" receiver whose hands and smarts could enable him to work his way into a No. 3 or No. 4 receiver role.
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