Summary

Josh Palmer was drafted in the 2021 NFL Draft, Round 3, (pick 77) out of University of Tennessee. Palmer is a well-rounded wide receiver who offers reliability, strong hands, body control in the air, and a good understanding of route-running and field awareness. He thrives in contested-catch situations, works well in the slot or outside, and brings a physical element to his game.

However, he is not (at least thus far) the kind of receiver who blows by defenders with speed. His explosiveness and separation tools are a notch below the top tier, and his statistical production has been solid but not elite. In essence: he projects as a dependable WR2 (or better) rather than a clear WR1 right now.

Strengths

• Reliable hands & contested-catch ability: Scout reports consistently highlight his strong hands and ability to “snatch the ball out of the air,” even in traffic or contested situations. NFL Draft Buzz

• Body control and catch radius: Palmer shows good body control, works well with his frame, can high-point the ball and adjust mid-air to make catches. Steelers Depot

• Route running savvy and IQ: He demonstrates awareness of where he is on the field, understands route concepts, and has shown promise in releasing from the line and finding soft spots in zones. Steelers Depot

• Size and strength to fight through contact: At 6′1″/210, he has a build that helps when working over the middle or dealing with physical defenders, and his blocking effort is noted. Bleacher Report

Weaknesses

• Limited elite explosiveness / burst: Although he has size and length, many scouts note that he isn’t ultra-fast or super explosive compared to some of the very top wideouts. PFSN

• Release and top-end speed issues: Some reports mention he comes off the snap a bit upright at times and doesn’t always reach top speed quickly, which can limit separation. NFL Draft Buzz

• Production vs. opportunity gap: His college numbers were modest given his physical traits and he has yet to break out into a full WR1 level in the NFL, which raises questions about ceiling. Steelers Depot

• Consistency in deep separation & YAC (yards after catch): While good in contested catches, he may lack elite after-the-catch explosiveness and consistent separation downfield. SI

Fit & Outlook

In a passing offense that values possession receivers, reliable hands, and route nuance (rather than just burner speed), Palmer fits nicely. He is a receiver you can trust to make the catch rather than gamble that he’ll outrun everyone. For teams needing a complementary wideout who can operate in multiple alignments, he is a good fit.

The outlook for Palmer is positive but tempered. If he is given consistent volume and a prominent role, he has the tools to become a strong WR2 with upside toward WR1 depending on surrounding context. On the flip side, if he remains in more limited roles, his ceiling may settle as a solid complementary receiver rather than a breakout star.