Eric McAlister

● Tall, lithe athlete and presents a large target in the passing game ● Runs with long, fluid strides to quickly chew up grass and stack corners ● Shifts gears cleanly to get coverage off balance using a linear route tree ● Can turn simple slants into explosive plays ● Speed also shows after the catch, when pursuit fails to catch him ● Runs stronger than his weight would suggest, blowing through unserious tackle attempts ● Tracks deep ball well and looks comfortable along the sideline ● Quiet hands to catch the ball well in stride 147 Back to table of contents -- 151 of 629 -- ● Outstanding production, with more than 3,000 career receiving yards

● Thin-framed with lean muscle on his arms and lowers ● Only offensive player 6-3 or taller and less than 195 pounds at the combine ● Crowded catch points are normal on his film (seven interceptions on passes he was targeted in 2025) ● Average-at-best agility to shake free from press ● Undisciplined route runner and allows coverage to alter his steps ● Mediocre play strength shows vs. the jam and as a blocker ● Fumbled three times in 2025 ● No special teams experience ● Messy in-season split from Boise State in 2023 ● Character and off-field decision-making will be scrutinized by NFL teams — arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and a second misdemeanor count of terroristic threat causing fear of imminent serious bodily injury (March 2024); pleaded guilty to the latter in August 2024 (assault count was waived) and received probation plus mandatory gun safety and anger management courses; arrested for violating conditions of his bond, after his urine tested positive for THC (August 2024)

A starter for one-and-a-half years at TCU (and a two-and-a-half-year starter overall), McAlister was an outside receiver (primarily to the right of the formation) in former offensive coordinator Kendal Briles’ spread scheme. After an acrimonious end at Boise State, he resurfaced at TCU and produced one of the best receiving seasons in school history. He was the only Big 12 player to surpass 1,000 receiving yards in 2025 and was named an All-American. McAlister is a tall, linear athlete who maintains his acceleration through route stems to take off vertically (one of five FBS players with at least 20 catches of 20-plus yards in 2025). His speed also shows with the ball in his hands, when he can turn short catches into big plays. More precise route running will be key to him finding more accessible catch windows and being more reliable. Overall, McAlister has draftable talent, but off-field and discipline questions cloud his projection. Accountability concerns will follow him to the league, although he could be a steal if given an opportunity to mature in a professional environment.