| Authored by Jeff Risdon - 11th February, 2009 - 12:05 pm
 This is a group that has a clear-cut #1 in Michael Crabtree, followed by several players that could be ranked based more on team preference than any actual differentiation of "Who's Better."
That cluster extends from Hakeem Nicks down through Jeremy Maclin, with another similar cluster starting at Brian Robiskie and extending down through Jarrett Dillard. It would not surprise me at all if a couple of the guys I've rated 16-20 wind up having better careers than any of the 10 players I've ranked above them either. Some in the "others" category have big upsides and could blossom with good coaching and strong supporting casts.
Most NFL scouts don't see much in the way of a true #1 wide receiver, but a depth of players who can readily contribute as a #2, in the slot, or as a red zone target. Many of these players bring added value as a return specialist, but I've tried to downplay that impact and give far greater emphasis to playing wide receiver.
The 40 times listed here are garnered from various sources, and should not be viewed as official
*Special note on Percy Harvin: I envision Harvin as much as a third down back and operating out of "Wildcat" schemes in the NFL as I do as a straight wide receiver. It diminishes his ranking here, but his overall value is perhaps higher than any other player here, save Michael Crabtree.
1. Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech. 6'3", 209 pounds. 4.52 40.
Positives: Big, strong, physical receiver with outstanding hands. Earned consecutive Biletnikoff Awards and there was really no argument. Dynamic big-play machine who seizes the ball from the air with tremendous hand strength and body control. Does all the little tricks of the great ones (selling fakes with his shoulders, patience in looking for the ball, subtle leverage pushoffs) and looks very natural doing everything. Transitions easily from receiver to runner. Can break tackles with his power or make defenders miss with his lateral quickness and balance. Willing and tenacious blocker. Good student of the game who works hard at his craft.
Negatives: Played just two seasons of college ball in a pass-happy system where he rarely faced any sort of NFL coverage or the type of attention normally given to talents of his caliber. Lacks the top-end speed of most elite receivers and his speed isn’t sudden.
NFL Comparison: Calvin Johnson, though Johnson is faster and taller. Anquan Boldin in terms of likely NFL style and impact.
Forecast: Unless he gives more legitimate fodder to the "is he fast enough?" crowd, Crabtree will be the first wide receiver off the board and is a certain top-10 overall pick. And no, the Lions are not going to take him #1 overall. That joke is staler than the half-empty Bud Light you just found left over from the Super Bowl party.
2. Hakeem Nicks, North Carolina. 6'1", 210 pounds, 4.55 40.
Positives: Thickly-built with very large hands for his height, and he knows how to use them properly. Very physical receiver who is near impossible to jam and knows all the subtle tricks to use his hands to get separation. Catches anything near him, looks the ball into his hands every time. Thrived as part of a very talented receiver package, which indicates he understands the team dynamic and can share the spotlight. Very good feet along the sidelines and in the red zone. Will go across the middle and make catches in traffic.
Negatives: Does not have great top-end speed, and he lacks the extra gear to chase down a long throw. Not as strong a blocker as you would think for such a physical presence. Will drift outside instead of shooting straight up the field on longer routes. Not real elusive as a ball carrier, but does break tackles with his strong lower body. Can get caught up in verbal battles and trash talking, and Nicks is one of those players who needs an edginess to thrive.
NFL Comparison: Reminds me a great deal of Michael Irvin, who made up for a lack of blazing speed with intensity, physicality, and superb hands and body control. Nicks also has the Irvin bravado and swagger, minus the self-employed models and cocaine.
Forecast: His lack of speed hurts his draft stock, probably limiting him to the 20-40 overall range. If he does not interview well he could drop to the bottom of the second round.
3. Kenny Britt, Rutgers. 6'4", 205 pounds. 4.55 40.
Positives: Tall and long-limbed with large, strong hands. Very physically strong and he knows how to translate that into his game. Thrives in the deep middle and along the sidelines. Not afraid of contact, secures the ball quickly and absorbs the hit. Long strider who covers a lot of ground quickly, runs faster than it looks like he's going. Supremely confident in his ability. Generally runs good routes with crisp footwork. Can really climb the ladder on high balls. Good balance and hand-eye coordination. Played better against better competition throughout his college career. His leadership and positivity was a big part in turning around a dismal start for Rutgers in 2008.
Negatives: Inconsistent effort, takes plays off. Indifferent blocker. Tends to make the difficult look routine and the routine look difficult. Can be chippy and overconfident to the point of absurdity. Not known for having a strong work ethic or responding well when it's questioned. Got suspended for violation of team rules, reputedly insubordination to coaches. Lacks elite top end speed. Doesn't always play at top speed, particularly against lesser competition. Offers no added value on special teams.
NFL Comparison: Terrell Owens the player and some of the persona.
Forecast: His stock is rising headed into Indy, and if he can maintain the momentum his athleticism has garnered, he could go in the 20s, perhaps the late teens. Could slide to the 45-60 range if his personality traits and inconsistency get more traction.
4. Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland. 6'2.5", 206 pounds. 4.48 40.
Positives: Athletic junior with a great package of size and speed. Has instant acceleration to top speed. Uses his hands well to create space and easily maintains his separation with his speed and quickness. Finds holes in zones well. Has strong hands and secures the ball well. Has very good body control along the sideline and in tight spaces. Shows very strong blocking technique and tenacity. Does not seem fazed by making difficult catches look routine. Catches low throws very well for a taller wideout. Elusive and tough runner after the catch. Presents his shoulders as a target well. Showed good ability to get and stay open in useful spots when the quarterback improvised outside the pocket.
Negatives: Has a nasty propensity to disappear from games and loses focus far too often. Does not play real physical for a guy his size. Will make some head-scratching drops. Will cut off routes and round his corners. Doesn't always give maximum effort when he’s not designed to be involved in the play.
NFL Comparison: Braylon Edwards, both the Pro Bowl 2007 and dreadful 2008 version. Caveat drafter as to which one you get with Heyward-Bey.
Forecast: Scouts I've talked to are sharply divided on Heyward-Bey; some love his potential and believe his ceiling is the highest in this draft class, while others see his inconsistency and diva-esque trappings and don't believe he's worth the headache. Could go as high as the top 15, or he could slide to the top of the 3rd if he interviews poorly and teams dwell on the negatives more than the positives.
5. Jeremy Maclin, Missouri. 6'1.5", 200 pounds, 4.30 40.
Positives: Gifted speedster with incredible wheels for his height and size. Has nice soft hands. Transitions from receiver to runner very quickly and has the speed and elusiveness to turn a simple short pass into a long touchdown. Does a good job of getting a clean release. Squares his shoulders to the QB nicely, and understands how to react to different coverage techniques (ex. Oklahoma State played inside technique and gave help over the top, so Maclin adjusted and ran short outs and curls instead of fighting for deeper inside routes). Snatches the ball from the air with strong hands and secures it quickly. One of the best collegiate return men in years. Has rare speed and can hit an extra gear when being chased that makes him almost impossible to catch.
Negatives: Comes from a spread offense where he rarely faced press coverage and saw lots of one-on-one matchups against inferior defensive backs. Has little experience running more complex route trees. Not very physical, does not get separation well unless he can use his great wheels. Doesn't always look the ball into his hands. More of a dancer than a blocker, but he does that reasonably effectively. Has not shown a propensity to fight for yards by lowering his shoulder.
NFL Comparison: Ted Ginn Jr. is the most obvious comparison, but Maclin is bigger and more natural catching the ball and is a quarter-step slower. Favorably compares to Eagles rookie Desean Jackson as both a receiver and a return man, and Maclin is significantly bigger.
Forecast: The last two wide receiver classes make this one a real toughie. He's a better overall prospect than 2007 #9 overall pick Ginn, but last year's class did not feature a first rounder and then largely justified the collective slide. If teams are still down on drafting wide receivers, Maclin could slide into the low 20s, but if the stigma has worn off he could go in the top 10. His speed at his size is rare enough to guarantee 1st round status.
6. Patrick Turner, USC. 6'5", 221 pounds, 4.58 40.
Positives: Very tall, long-limbed receiver who improved steadily throughout his career. Freakishly strong hands. Seizes the ball from the air and secures it quickly and strongly right away, almost never bobbles the ball. Shows good feet in route running for a tall guy. Presents himself as a target well. Not afraid to leave himself exposed to catch an off-target throw. Has experience running pro-style routes. Uses his hands and size well to create space. Showed in Mobile that he can turn up the speed to go get a long throw. Consistent professional effort and attitude.
Negatives: The track record for tall Trojan wideouts is dreadful, and Turner doesn't play as fast as Mike Williams, Keary Colbert or Dwayne Jarrett before him -- though it should be pointed out his attitude and demeanor are nothing like those three. Runs very upright and does not jump well for a tall guy, fails to bend his knees when he jumps. Very hit and miss as a blocker. Has no moves with the ball other than a nice stiff arm. Needs to build upper-body strength.
NFL Comparison: Similar in style to 2008 second rounder James Hardy, but a better worker and more polished receiver.
Forecast: When I gauged his market in October it was fifth round. A strong finish to his season and good Senior Bowl week have elevated his stock to the second round, but don't be surprised if the failure of similar Trojans before him slides him down to the third.
7. Brian Robiskie, Ohio State. 6'3", 207 pounds. 4.48 40.
Positives: Grew up around the game as his dad Terry is a former NFL player and coach. Long, lean athletic build. Catches the ball in traffic as well as anyone. Can go up and get high balls and secure them easily. Consistently uses his hands and arms well to get separation. Good runner after the catch. Very physical receiver who thrives on contact and uses his size well. Can be a very good blocker. Generally runs crisp routes, doing a better job on longer ones than shorter ones. Very coachable and works at making himself better.
Negatives: Has better long speed than short-area burst, does not accelerate quickly. As one GM in Mobile pointed out, he often struggles when he's wide open because he doesn’t know where the hit is coming from. Prone to running lazy routes. Needs to learn to sell his fakes better. Will whiff on blocks more than he should. Never became the playmaker that Buckeye coaches and fans expected; more of a solid, steady complementary receiver than a stud.
NFL Comparison: Muhsin Muhammad or Joe Jurevicius, guys who thrive at playing opposite very good #1 wide receivers, but struggle when asked to do too much.
Forecast: Second-third round, though if he blazes a sub-4.45 40 and interviews well he could sneak into the bottom of the first round.
8. Derrick Williams, Penn State. 5'11.5", 202 pounds, 4.49 40.
Positives: Real shifty playmaker in the slot with great quickness and lateral agility. Very strong for his size, good weight room body. Does a good job getting initial separation with a combination of hand and footwork. Catches on the dead run very well. Quick acceleration and has great burst out of his cuts. Very good runner after the catch, great in space. Understands that on 3rd and 8 he needs to run a tight 9-yard pattern and not short it. Brings added value as a punt returner, though in Mobile he looked lost fielding punts in the wind.
Negatives: Not very big and doesn't play as big as his smallish height. More quick than fast, does not have long speed. Lets way too many balls get to his pads. Reacts as if he isn’t expecting the ball at times. Marginal blocker, more of a dancer. Has some ball security issues. Has done most of his damage on bubble screens and short slants. Displayed some traits of showing up his quarterback and tuning out coaches during Senior Bowl week and wasn't real accommodating to the media (not including myself).
NFL Comparison: A cross between Shaun McDonald and Eddie Royal.
Forecast: Some scouts love him a lot, others (I'm in this group) appreciate his potential but wonder about how much of it we'll ever see. The 30-40 range is plausible but he more likely will come off the board in the 60-80 overall range, just like Royal. If he performs within 80% of Royal's rookie year, the drafting team will be ecstatic.
9. Brandon Tate, North Carolina. 6'2", 195 pounds, 4.55 40.
Positives: Big, physical outside receiver with great body strength. Very aggressive with his hands and body, knows how to use his size to his advantage. Catches everything in his hands and looks it all the way in every time. Can absorb contact and keep the ball secure. Fearless across the middle, almost dares the defenders to bring the wood. Climbs the ladder well. Good footwork along the sidelines. Hard to tackle once he transitions to runner, plows through arm tackles and has great timing on avoiding dive tackles. Willing blocker, though he holds a lot.
Negatives: Coming off a nasty knee injury that cut his season short just as he was really beginning to blossom. Never had great speed to begin with, so if his ACL/MCL tear robs him of any speed he is at a real disadvantage and will never get deep. Tends to run stiff. Will take false steps and use extra steps when making his breaks.
NFL Comparison: Put Terrell Owens' physical style in Bernard Berrian's body, minus Berrian's top-end speed.
Forecast: Cloudy, because his knee surgery won’t allow him to work out before the draft. With a clean bill of health he would be among the first 4-5 receivers off the board, likely in the middle of the second round. But because of his knee and his limited production during college, the flags are flying higher and darker. Third-fourth rounder with great potential if his knee checks out.
10. Percy Harvin, Florida*. 5'10.5", 192 pounds, 4.33 40.
Positives: Exceptional speed. Accelerates to top speed in an instant and can cut sharply at full speed without breaking pace. Has the vision and balance of an elite running back. Deadly in open space and very crafty in a phone booth. Stronger than expected by just looking at him. Not afraid to reach out and make a tough catch. Generally shows good hands and body control. Very positive, grounded young man with a sincere appreciation for his abilities.
Negatives: Undersized. Comes from a spread system where almost all his touches were on quick screens and extended handoffs -- made just 4 catches more than 15 yards downfield his entire career. Has some injury and durability issues. Negligible blocker. Urban Meyer skill position players have troubling history of disappointing in the NFL.
NFL Comparison: As a receiver, Devin Hester without needing the two developmental years. As an overall player, Reggie Bush or Chris Johnson.
Forecast: Teams looking for a #1 wide receiver will be terribly disappointed, but Harvin offers great impact value as a RB/WR hybrid and return man. His speed, elusiveness, and versatility are a creative offensive coordinator's wet dream. Size and durability concerns keep him out of the top 10, but will go in the 11-25 overall range and is the kind of unique talent teams will trade up to get.
11. Kenny McKinley, South Carolina. 6'0.5", 182 pounds, 4.45 40.
Summary: Tough-nosed flyer with a nice combo of hands and speed. Plays much bigger than his size and is very strong for his build. Has a great fight/size of dog ratio. Consistent hands. Knows how to create space with his hands and by varying his speeds. Instant acceleration to top speed and very good lateral quickness. Very good open field runner, has potential running the Wildcat package. Effectively shifty, nifty runner. Generally runs crisp routes as designed. Thinly built and his frame is maxed out, though durability has never been a problem. Ineffective blocker. Can get pushed off routes and doesn’t clear jams well. Will get alligator arms in traffic if he doesn’t know where the safety is. Has dynamic PR/KR potential. Coached by Steve Spurrier, which has its plusses and minuses in NFL eyes.
NFL Comparison: Donnie Avery without the extra gear.
Forecast: Keep an eye on his 40 times; if he runs the sub 4.4 some think he can, McKinley will rocket up to the top 50 overall. If he can’t break 4.45, teams will look at his thin frame and pigeonhole him as a Z receiver, which dictates 3rd-4th round status.
12. Juaquin Iglesias, Oklahoma. 6'1", 204 pounds, 4.48 40.
Summary: Highly productive, fundamentally sound player with good hands and decent size. Very good vision, tracks the ball well and can turn and catch a ball that is on top of him. More quick than fast but he can chase down long throws. Competitive spirit, not afraid to get hit or fight for yardage. Breaks off the line very well, good initial separation. Has a knack for producing in the clutch. Hasn’t run much in the way of route trees or faced tight coverage in OU’s shotgun spread system. Had trouble creating space the few times he was crowded. One of those guys that doesn’t do anything great but doesn't have any big holes in his game either.
NFL Comparison: Deion Branch as a ceiling, Keary Colbert as a floor.
Forecast: Could go as high as about #50 overall, but is more likely in the 70-90 range because of his somewhat generic #2 wide receiver profile. Fits best as a Y on a team that runs a base 3-receiver set.
13. Brandon Gibson, Washington State. 6'0.5", 204 pounds, 4.45 40.
Summary: Good size/speed package and well-built athletically. Plays faster than he will time, with real good acceleration and the ability to vary his speeds as needed. Uses his shoulders and hips well to sell fakes and get position and separation. Has strong hands but will let some balls play him. Gamely soldiered through nagging injuries that didn’t hurt his production. Presents a good target in the red zone and on the sidelines. Good blocker, knows how to steer while blocking. Straight-linish, not much wiggle in his hips or elusiveness as a runner. Had some plays where he didn’t help his quarterback with max effort going for a tough throw. Comes from a spread, though Wazzou did incorporate some sight-read routes. Had trouble getting open deep consistently despite having good speed.
NFL Comparison: Brandon Jones, Domenik Hixon.
Forecast: Third-fourth round with a lot of boom/bust to him.
14. Jarrett Dillard, Rice. 5'10", 185 pounds, 4.60 40.
Summary: Highly prolific touchdown machine with as good of hands as anyone. Runs picture-perfect routes and knows how to use his body to set up moves and get space for himself. Adjusts to the ball in the air very well. Knows all the tricks. Has faced all sorts of special attention and still racked up huge numbers. Not real fast or athletically gifted. Doesn’t offer much YAC ability. Can get pushed off his route and defensive backs with good ball skills can disrupt his catches, lacks strong hands and wrists. Not a very good blocker.
NFL Comparison: Somewhere between Brandon Lloyd without the headaches and David Ball.
Forecast: His productivity is legendary, but he comes up short on all metrics of desired athletic traits and comes from a run-n-shoot offense. Fourth or fifth rounder and a good sleeper if he winds up in a pass-happy offense playing inside a strong deep threat.
15. Marko Mitchell, New Mexico. 6'4.5", 210 pounds, 4.45 40.
Summary: Very tall, athletic wideout with surprising speed for his height. Great hands, can make catches away from his body. Can really leap to get high balls, making him great in the red zone. Very strong blocker, sinks and drives his hips. Fights for balls in traffic and can take a hit. Lacks quickness and can run very stiff. Not real strong for his size, needs to build upper-body strength. Double catches a lot of balls, can struggle securing the ball because of his long arms. Did not fare well when played physically. Comes from an unusual offense that helped hide his weaknesses.
NFL Comparison: Paul Hubbard, perhaps the JAX-era Ernest Wilford if he develops physically.
Forecast: Teams generally don't draft possession/#4 receivers before the fifth round, though Mitchell has intriguing size and speed with enough upside to warrant consideration in the 90-110 range. I like him more than a lot of people do.
16. Jamarko Simmons, Western Michigan. 6’3”, 240 pounds, 4.58 40.
Summary: Converted running back with a thick body but very lithe quickness and speed for his size. Very good hands and the ball rarely gets to his pads. Quick acceleration and he knows how to hit the extra gear at the right time. Very good at catching and securing the ball in traffic and in the red zone. A real load to bring down with the ball. Has a knack for clutch catches and shined in the spotlight. Not real polished running routes but showed the ability to learn quickly at the Texas vs. the Nation game, where he really stood out. Got away with a lot of pushes and chucks that won't fly in the NFL to get initial separation. Lacks top-end speed, though he does play faster than he'll likely time. Very hit and miss as a blocker. Needs time in the weight room and with an NFL training staff.
NFL Comparison: Roy Williams as a best-case that I'm optimistic he can eventually achieve, but more realistically Ruvell Martin or a thicker Michael Jenkins.
Forecast: His lack of speed and pedigree limit his status, but he's a sleeper worth watching. Probably won't get picked before the bottom of the fifth round, but trust me: you will be real happy if your team picks him in the sixth or seventh round and develops into a very good red zone weapon, special teamer, and possession receiver.
17. Mike Wallace, Ole Miss. 6'0", 188 pounds, 4.48 40.
Summary: Big-play wideout who consistently gets open downfield. Sneaky speed, good quickness. Runs better long routes than shorter ones. Average size, not very physical. Strong hands but lets the ball get to his pads too often, double-catches lots of balls. Needs to get physically stronger and add lower body bulk.
NFL Comparison: Nate Washington.
Forecast: Fourth-fifth rounder who can contribute as a slot/Z receiver and stretch the field.
18. Austin Collie, BYU. 6'2", 206 pounds, 4.5 40.
Summary: Consistent chain-mover with great hands who reliably gets open. Plays big for his size, makes a great target. Very strong, soft hands and he can secure the ball away from his body. Can be physical, knows how to use his hands. Runs solid routes, gets good separation on short and intermediate routes. Good downfield blocker. Overaged thanks to a Mormon mission, and very book smart. Real stiff hips and tight shoulders, little wiggle. Has only one gear when he runs and it maxes out lower than needed to get deep. His motor runs hot and cold.
NFL Comparison: Josh Reed or perhaps Davone Bess, though he couldn't look less like him. Collie is bigger than both.
Forecast: His stock is generally tracking up, and if he runs a sub-4.5 40 in Indy he could vault himself into the 50-60 range. His age and lack of dynamic upside could keep him down into the fourth-fifth round, especially if he times poorly.
19. Mike Thomas, Arizona. 5'8", 187 pounds, 4.48 40.
Summary: Dynamic waterbug-like slot man. His small body is filled with fast-twitch muscle and he exudes quickness. Generally sure-handed. Miscast in college as a #1 but still put up big production. Very good on underneath routes and between the hashes. Transitions from receiver to runner in an instant. Very good in a phone booth. Much more quick than fast, does not have the elite speed of most diminutive receivers. His lack of height and speed limit his value, though he does bring added oomph as a punt returner
NFL Comparison: Sinorice Moss, perhaps Devin Hester.
Forecast: Fifth round
20. Mohammad Massaquoi, Georgia. 6'1.5", 210 pounds, 4.55 40.
Summary: Big target with strong hands and long arms. Is one of the few wideouts in this class with experience catching balls from an NFL quarterbacl, and Matt Stafford doesn't hold back unleashing his cannon. Massaquoi struggled with drops early in his career but really worked at his craft, though too many balls still get into his pads. Uses his hands and change-of-speed to get separation well. Runs good routes but tends to drift on outside routes. Plus blocker. Good leader and influence in the locker room, an underappreciated talent at wide receiver. Not blazing fast but has an extra "being chased" gear. Struggled at times against real fast cornerbacks. Could fight for the ball with more vigor.
NFL Comparison: A slower version of former Dawg Reggie Brown.
Forecast: Will move up draft boards after the interview process and if he shaves half a second off his alleged 40 time. Fits well on a team that rotates WRs based on packages like the Saints or Redskins. Lack of speed and the drops history render the fifth round his ceiling.
Others:
Ramses Barden, Cal Poly: Very tall small-college receiver with a cool name. Eerily similar to Billy McMullen, of whom I was once a great admirer before his inability to get any sort of separation thanks to a complete lack of lateral agility and speed rendered his NFL career a giant disappointment. 4th-5th round.
Louis Murphy, Florida: The more I watched Murphy, the less I liked his NFL potential. Physically has the complete physical package, but lacks mental toughness and has a low football IQ. Florida wide receivers have a long history of bitter disappointment in the NFL and Murphy is less polished and not as professional as Chad Jackson or Taylor Jacobs or Dallas Baker. Will likely be drafted in the 3rd round.
Quan Cosby, Texas: Overaged, undersized but lightning-quick slot receiver and return man. Has the work ethic and motivation to make it work as the next Dante Hall, though Cosby offers more as a wideout. 5th-6th round.
Jaison Williams, Oregon: He is big-framed at 6'5", 235 pounds and has some speed and quickness. Has never come close to achieving his potential, though he flashes enough glimpses of being a faster Vincent Jackson that some self-assured coach will convince his team to spring for him in the 4th-5th round. You don't want that to be your team. Prove me wrong, Mr. Williams.
Demetrius Byrd, LSU: He runs fly routes real well and makes nice catches on deep balls, but has struggled doing pretty much anything else. The next Devery Henderson, but not as fast. 5th round
Brain Hartline, Ohio State: He left OSU early despite any and all advice and conventional wisdom. Was a barely-adequate #2 wide receiver in college, though he does have a great size/speed package and is known for his competitiveness. Could be a late-round diamond if he productively uses the negative energy directed towards him.
Brooks Foster, North Carolina: He is coming off a knee injury that lowers his stock. Has similar skills to Steve Breaston, but was wildly inconsistent at UNC. If he clicks in the NFL he could be a great Y receiver and special teamer, but the risk/reward is high.
Aaron Kelly, Clemson: He is real tall and skinny, but surprisingly fast and quick for his height. Inconsistent hands and he is regarded as playing "soft," not a good attribute for a big wide receiver. If he can reinvent himself as a special teamer and really amp up the toughness, he could have a Kelly Washington-type NFL career, though at this point Washington has more muscles in his left arm than Kelly does his entire body.
Sammie Stroughter, Oregon State: He projects primarily as a return specialist and could be a very good one. Has some value in Wildcat packages and is great in the locker room after a tumultuous college career. 6th rounder.
Jason Chery, Louisiana-Lafayette: He had a big week at the Texas vs. the Nation game elevated his stock. Not real big (5'11", 188) but plays with strength and has good wheels and acceleration. Has excelled as a kick coverage gunner. Caught lots of balls in traffic, which indicates trouble separating. Worth a 6th or 7th rounder and a year on the practice squad to develop.
Manny Johnson, Oklahoma: Everything about Johnson is average -- size, speed, hands, routes, work ethic. If he carves himself a niche (say, superb blocker or tough possession wide receiver), his lack of lacking anything could keep him in the league a long time.
Dominique Edison, Stephen F. Austin: He is an intriguing speedster with good size (6'2", 200) who dominated most FCS corners. I only saw one game tape and the TVTN week but he really impressed with his feet, hands, and body control, really looked like a man amongst boys. Making a huge leap in level of competition and comes from a shotgun spread. Good late-round sleeper who is similar to Laurent Robinson.
Dorrell Jalloh, West Virginia: Average size/speed who has one skill that could really help him stick with the right team: he's exceptional at getting open and presenting himself while his quarterback is scrambling. Needs to work on his routes and footwork.
Tiquan Underwood, Rutgers: Overrated complementary receiver who needs to add some serious mass. Lacks the sudden speed needed for a 6'2", 175 pound beanpole.
Quinten Lawrence, McNeese St: A small-school blazer, who showed good ability to get open deep and make acrobatic catches. That's pretty much all he showed, but has enough height and ST potential to merit a 7th round pick
--Jeff.Risdon@RealGM.com |
