:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68908629/usa_today_14891753.0.jpg)
According to The Draft Network’s Justin Melo, the Indianapolis Colts are among the pro teams that will meet virtually with BYU wide receiver Dax Milne prior to the 2021 NFL Draft:
One guy I want to talk about is BYU's Dax Milne. While watching Zach Wilson, it was Milne who came down with a lot of those big plays (70-1188-8 in 2020).
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) March 4, 2021
Milne will meet virtually with the #Patriots, #Bills #Washington, #49ers, #Broncos, #Colts, #Chargers, #Jaguars & #Seahawks.
The 6’1”, 190 pound junior wideout caught 70 receptions for 1,188 receiving yards (17.0 ypr. avg.) and 8 touchdown receptions during 12 starts for the Cougars this past season.
Milne was quarterback Zach Wilson’s favorite target for BYU (who’s a projected Top 5 NFL Draft pick)—and the two were also college roommates—sharing a connection both on and off the field.
The Draft Network’s scouting report on Milne is as follows:
PROSPECT SUMMARY - DAX MILNE
Dax Milne shows good proactive athleticism as a route-runner and does a good job at the top of the route. He typically defeats press with foot quickness, stacks the DB, and gets back on his route stem. He will track the football in the air and shows good extension and strong hands at the catch point. He is a hyper-competitive player who has made a lot of big plays in his career.
Ideal Role: Subpackage receiver with special teams upside.
Here’s some of the other scouting scoop on Milne:
BYU WR Dax Milne has incredibly strong hands. He finishes through contact repeatedly. Cool name too.
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) March 1, 2021
Dax Milne catches everything! Works sideline well, good adjustments, sharp route runner... Attended same high school as Kevin Curtis! Hope he can carve out similar career https://t.co/ut8cfoMe27
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) March 1, 2021
Any team that has a QB that creates out of structure
— Jake Morley (@JacobMorley) March 3, 2021
Patrick
Aaron
Deshaun
Russ
etc.
Should be interested in Dax Milne - WR - BYU
He and Zach Wilson did some silly stuff together on 2nd reaction plays in 2020. He has a knack for it.
BYU wide receiver Dax Milne (@DaxMilne) had quite the breakout season this year. He had an electric connection with his QB and roommate, Zach Wilson. His concentration allows him to make those tough catches and he has the ability to pick up some good yardage after the catch. pic.twitter.com/nmgincw8FY
— Jared Barsness (@JaredBarsNFL) January 1, 2021
Dax Milne just playing around now — what a throw, what a catch pic.twitter.com/deHceCLkoS
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) November 7, 2020
Zach Wilson with a perfect throw. Dax Milne with miraculous catch. #BYU #BYUFootball #ESPN960 #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/0tVRuzLEEj
— Benjamin Criddle (@CriddleBenjamin) November 7, 2020
Jaren Hall to Dax Milne touchdown reception!#BYU #BYUFOOTBALL #ESPN960 #GoCougs #GoCougars #MBGA pic.twitter.com/TUzZMqUyBZ
— Benjamin Criddle (@CriddleBenjamin) October 12, 2019
Zach Wilson to Dax Milne for the Touchdown.
— Benjamin Criddle (@CriddleBenjamin) December 5, 2020
Dax with superb balance staying in bounds, tip toeing up the sideline. #BYU #BYUFootball #ESPN960 #GoCougs #BYUvsCCU pic.twitter.com/nxjJB24ylh
Dax Milne on the fade. Zach Wilson throws a strike. TD cougars pic.twitter.com/MA8ouMIQL2
— Benjamin Criddle (@CriddleBenjamin) October 17, 2020
Dax Milne on the WR screen. Action away, screen to the field. Delicious pic.twitter.com/kAQxn3gJIR
— Benjamin Criddle (@CriddleBenjamin) October 17, 2020
Reminder: Dax Milne was a walk-on ⚡️pic.twitter.com/gXiOqtJ6nb
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) December 13, 2020
BYU WR Dax Milne has declared for the 2021 NFL Draft
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) December 31, 2020
1 of 4 WRs with a 90+ grade this season pic.twitter.com/ECRdtgcJtq
Most receiving first downs + TDs this season:
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) January 8, 2021
1. DeVonta Smith, Bama - 73
2. Jonathan Adams Jr., Ark St - 58
3. Elijah Moore, Ole Miss - 55
4. Dax Milne, BYU - 52 pic.twitter.com/RxW9WgTytW
Highest passer rating when targeted vs single coverage in 2020:
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) February 12, 2021
Dax Milne, BYU - 155.7
Treylon Burks, Arkansas - 150.9
Kyle Pitts, Florida - 150.7
D'Wayne Eskridge, WMU - 142.1 pic.twitter.com/K8CnjzAQOX
While he won’t necessarily ‘wow’ you as an athlete, Milne has incredibly sure hands, can catch through contact, find the football in traffic, and is a smooth and nuanced route runner—with a knack for making big catches. He has experience in the slot as well.
His father was drafted by the Detroit Tigers, so he has a professional sports pedigree.
The Colts could use more playmaking at wide receiver, and having played with Wilson at BYU, Milne has shined when catching footballs from a quarterback with improvisation skills—similar to Indianapolis’ new starting quarterback Carson Wentz, who also can make ‘playground plays’ when the passing pocket abruptly breaks down.
Milne could be a sneaky ‘late Day 3’ pick for the Colts at wide receiver, and the franchise has had some success with a BYU receiver in the past (see: Austin Collie before head injuries unfortunately derailed his promising early career). Plus, there’s also former BYU linebacker Rob Morris, who started for the Colts’ Super Bowl winning defense in 2006.
Simply stated, Milne makes some sense for the Colts as additional wide receiver depth.