STRENGTHS - Boyce is a quick and fast athlete who has shown that he can get great initial separation against corners. His speed and physicality allow him a free release off the line of scrimmage as defenders don't like to press him. Boyce gets up to speed quickly and is a very sudden, slippery route runner. He is a polished route runner who has the speed and savvy to beat corners with the slant, or deep over the top of a defense. He runs sharp, precise routes in short areas (like the quick slant TD vs. Virginia). Boyce looks very balanced and has good footwork. He does a good job of plucking the ball at its high point and anticipates the ball well, going up to get it in jump ball scenarios. He has strong hands and will rip the ball from the defender. Boyce is a yard-after-catch machine who will make the first tackler miss. He will run through arm tackles and is physically hard to bring down. Boyce is a willing blocker and will help down the field. Boyce is a tough football player and a player that teams must account for at all times.
WEAKNESSES - Boyce is limited because of his size and he won't realistically ever be a true No. 1 receiver. Despite his foot quickness, he is not an elite speedster and he needs a step to get his acceleration going. He is more quick than fast. Boyce doesn't have great awareness on the field as evidenced by him stepping out of bounds during a play against Virginia. While he goes up to get the ball well, he doesn't always come down with it, and he needs to focus on the ball better through the catch. He won't run away from defenders in the NFL and will have to rely upon his quickness because there isn't elite speed. Boyce does not help in the return game.
SUMMARY - Boyce has what it takes to make it in the NFL as slot receiver or as a possession type receiver. Boyce won't get any bigger as he looks maxed out at 203 pounds. Boyce has good, strong hands and is a reliable pass-catcher who will have success in the NFL. Boyce is tough with the ball in his hands as he is willing to turn the ball and run north and south. He does a good job of adjusting to the ball and high pointing it. He has excellent athletic ability and separation quickness and should be a productive slot receiver but he should not be lined up outside. Boyce needs a free release as he will struggle against a physical press from bigger cornerbacks. He does a nice job of breaking am tackles in the open field and is a threat to exploit defenses with the bubble screen. Overall, Boyce should not be a high pick because he is not an elite "X" receiver and he doesn't help in the return game. However, he does have good hands, and very good foot quickness and is big enough to play the slot position well in the NFL. Boyce should warrant third-round consideration as a slot receiver.