Alabama Wide Receiver Germie Bernard Leaves an Impression

Some college prospects “look” like NFL players, and Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard had that look on his 2024 game film.

He’s strong.

His movements are smooth, and his route running is precise.

How ’bout his hands?

PRETTY GOOD

Bernard had 50 receptions on 77 targets (64.9% catch rate) in 2024.

He can strike from anywhere.

Short, intermediate, or deep.

Doesn’t matter.

Bernard is a threat at all three route levels, and he proved he could stretch the field more and more as the 2024 season went on.

“Romeo Doubs,” who plays for the Packers, is one of the names that went through my mind as Bernard’s tape was playing in front of my eyes on my laptop.

“Jaxson Smith-Njigba,” who plays for the Seahawks, was another.

I liked Doubs when he was coming out of Nevada, and I loved Smith-Njigba.

He’s kind of a mix of both.

Tell me more about his route running

• Pretty to watch
• Does a good job selling routes to corners
• Runs crisp and calculated routes
• Excels at route breakpoints⎯whips around fast
• Body control
• Doesn’t jump unnecessarily
• Good awareness of where he is on the field
• Will work back to the quarterback when he’s in trouble
• Helps to clear out areas for other receivers

YAC upside

YAC stands for “Yards After Catch.”

What makes Bernard a legit YAC target?

• Vision
• Quick feet
• Playing strength
• Good contact balance
• Determination
• Mean stiff arm

Hard-core blocker

I’m not sure anyone else in the draft community will talk about this, so I will.

Bernard is one best blocking wide receivers I’ve ever evaluated.

I can’t tell you how many receivers I’ve seen throughout the years who want little to nothing to do with blocking, so I really appreciate this when I see it.

How good is he at blocking?

Bernard could put on a clinic.

Why’s this so important?

Good blocking by a receiver can spring the running back, and more often than not, there is one, maybe two defenders standing between another receiver on a catch, and the end zone.

NFL crystal ball

I wasn’t sure how I would end up feeling about Bernard when I first began evaluating him, but by the end of his film study, he’s my third favorite receiver in the 2026 NFL Draft, based on 2024 game film (behind Ohio State’s Carnell Tate and Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson).

Wowser.

I want to credit ESPN’s Matt Miller for bringing Bernard to my attention on his receiver rankings board. Miller had him ranked as his No. 2 receiver. That caught my attention. It’s crunch time for me as I am wrapping up my 2024 film studies in general by the end of November. There are more prospects than time, and in my quest to identify the top-32, I have to make some calculated decisions. I’m glad I decided to evaluate him.

Based on what he put on his 2024 film ⎯

Bernard fits today’s NFL. He fits the offensive play scripting that’s all about the short-to-intermediate route level (0-19 yards). This prospect also offers game planning flexibility by lining up inside in the slot or bumping out to the outside receiver spot.

He can do either.

#5 Germie Bernard 6-foot-1, 204 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2025 Fall Grade: First-Round (I would select him)

Projected by NFL Mock Draft Database to be a Second Round prospect as of November 27, 2025

2024 game film evaluated: Western Kentucky, USF, Wisconsin, Georgia, Vanderbilt, South Carolina, Tennessee, Missouri, LSU, Mercer, Oklahoma, Auburn, and Michigan (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Rangy and competitive receiver with soft and strong hands. Sturdy frame. Bigger presence. Plays like the game is important to him. Instinctual. Athletic. Quiet feet. Decent playing speed vs. man coverage. Average at achieving route leverage. Front faces for underneath routes well. Good concentration. Above-average catch radius. Skilled catcher. Finds the soft spots in zone coverage. Looked inexperienced and below average in contested catch situations. Feels like he’s growing into the position. Became viewed as a legit intermediate threat. Can slip behind a defense.

What to watch for during the 2025 college football season

1. Playing speed?

2. How does he look on 50-50 balls?

3. Catch rate?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. Featured in USA Today. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.