Widerecievers
QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | OG | C | DE | DT | ILB | OLB | CB | S
Widereceivers
1. Michael Crabtree – Texas Tech
Height: 6′1″ | Weight: 215 | 40 Time: NA | Vertical: NA | Projected: Top-5
Upside: Great coordination and after the catch moves. He has extremely good field vision and excellent ball skills, as he was an option QB in high school.
Downside: Maturity is a big question mark and scouts are wondering how much effort he’ll put forward after his payday. Mysterious foot injury stemming from last season has prevented him from working out.
Bottom Line: Back to back Biletnikoff Award winner. Even though he scored 41 TDs in only two years of play, Crabtree will take an adjustment period to pro-style systems. A Boom or Bust prospect, Crabtree can only be stopped by himself.
2. Jeremy Maclin – Missouri
Height: 6′0″ | Weight: 198 | 40 Time: 4.48 | Vertical: NA | Projected: Top-20
Upside: Amazing straight line speed combined with superb kick returning ability. Hits top gear quickly and has deadly moves in open space. Only 20 years old and can only get better.
Downside: Not accustomed to a pro style offense and might struggle to break the jam at the line of scrimmage. Not a big body type that is going to break a ton of tackles and his blocking will need work.
Bottom Line: Maclin is a game breaker plain and simple. He’s got prototype speed for a kick returner and with work on his router running, he could be a very dangerous receiver. Will be drafted in the first round due to his endless upside.
3. Darius Heyward-Bey – Maryland
Height: 6′2″ | Weight: 210 | 40 Time: 4.30 | Vertical: 38.5 | Projected: 1st Round
Upside: With the fastest WR combine time in the draft, Heyward-Bey is a flyer with a terrific vertical leap. Has returning ability and can be dangerous on reverses and end around plays.
Downside: Career production isn’t very good for a three year starter. Has not mastered the route tree and will need a ton of coaching up. Doesn’t really move well laterally and had a lot of drops during his career.
Bottom Line: Heyward-Bey can flat out fly, he has terrific size, and great jumping ability. Those three things will get him selected in the first round. Needs to refine his route running and work on his hands and he could be a legitimate #1 wide receiver in this league.
4. Kenny Britt – Rutgers
Height: 6′3″ | Weight: 218 | 40 Time: 4.56 | Vertical: 37.0 | Projected: 1st Round
Upside: Prototype size and speed. Britt played in a pro style offense at Rutgers and is an accomplished route runner. Excellent blocker who understands the proper angles to take and seal his man.
Downside: Maturity needs to be evaluated, as he was suspended for violating team rules last season. Is rumored to be a prima dona by some scouts. Does not have elite speed.
Bottom Line: Great prospect with tons of upside who understands the game of football. He’s solid route runner, he has nice explosion, and will come down with the jump ball. I think that Kenny Britt fits into the first round because he could be a team’s primary receiver due to his phenomenal skill set and swagger.
5. Brandon Tate – North Carolina
Height: 6′0″ | Weight: 183 | 40 Time: NA | Vertical: NA | Projected: 2nd Round
Upside: Amazing kick returner. Good Hands and can really pluck the ball out of the air away from his body. Gets into high gear suddenly and has moves on top of moves. He’s solid blocker and is a smart player. Big hands.
Downside: Is coming off of a horrific knee injury, tearing both his ACL & MCL. Might not be back to form until 2010. Tested positive for marijuana at the combine.
Bottom Line: Explosive athlete that turned heads as a kick returner and is a more polished route runner than Jeremy Maclin. His stock will take a sever hit as a result of the drug testing but he is a special player if he heals from this injury and gets his head on straight.
6. Hakeem Nicks – North Carolina
Height: 6′1″ | Weight: 212 | 40 Time: 4.63 | Vertical: 36.0 | Projected: 2nd Round
Upside: Excellent route runner who can create space with his precise cuts and ability to find holes in the defense. Good size to be a primary receiver and competitiveness to match.
Downside: Lacks deep speed and has struggled with weight recently. Thinks highly of himself and needs to keep his trap shut.
Bottom Line: Might fit into the first round, as I expect there to be a run on wide receivers. Nicks has great career production at UNC, having improved statistically every single year.
7. Percy Harvin – Florida
Height: 5′11″ | Weight: 192 | 40 Time: 4.41 | Vertical: 37.5 | Projected: 2nd Round
Upside: Special athlete that hails from an area notorious for producing elite talents such as Micahel Vick, Allen Iverson, and former NFL quarterback Aaron Brooks.(Newport News Virginia) Unbelievable burst and acceleration. A superior kickoff returner.
Downside: Ran in an option/spread offense that allowed him to take advantage of wide open running lanes, multiple screen passes, flip plays, quick hand-offs, and gadget trickery. Harvin also tested positive for marijuana at the combine and will slide as a result.
Bottom Line: I really don’t know where Harvin fits at the next level but I won’t argue that there’s a place for him. He’ll have to be a gimmick player at first, since he’s not a savy route runner and it’s still questionable if he can absorb a complex playbook or not.
8. Jarrett Dillard – Rice
Height: 5′10″ | Weight: 191 | 40 Time: 4.57 | Vertical: 42.5 | Projected: 4th Round
Upside: The best route runner in this year’s class hands down. Is an extremely quick cutter, as he creates separation from the defender. 42.5 inch vertical leap that help him make up for his lack of size.
Downside: Less than ideal height. Lacks top end speed and doesn’t string moves together. Played in a spread attack in college and might have trouble adjust to the next level.
Bottom Line: All Dillard does is consistently go out and prove the doubters wrong. He has 60 TDs in his college career and his 4,000+ yards is almost unheard of. A very competitive player who will respond well to coaching and will over-achieve, as he has a penchant for doing.
9. Mike Thomas – Arizona
Height: 5′8″ | Weight: 195 | 40 Time: 4.40 | Vertical: 40.5 | Projected: 4th Round
Upside: The Pac-10 career leader in receptions is entering the draft after a stellar college campaign. Shows the ability to create after the catch. Offers return ability and is a very quick footed athlete.
Downside: Lacks ideal height and size. Will struggle to beat the jam at the next level. Not an accomplished blocker.
Bottom Line: Will have added value to most teams that also need a spark in the return game. Thomas is an ideal slot type that plays smart, adjusting routes and improvsing to find the open area of the defense.
10. Brian Robiskie – Ohio State
Height: 6′3″ | Weight: 209 | 40 Time: 4.59 | Vertical: 37.5 | Projected: 2nd Round
Upside: Great height. Solid route runner that knows the game and has a great work ethic. Son of Falcons’ WR Coach Terry Robiskie.
Downside: Not elusive or creative with the ball in his hands and can be tracked down from behind. A little too lean and needs to add more bulk to sustain hits.
Bottom Line: Doesn’t seem to play to his timed speed but tested well at Indianapolis. Robiskie is a solid worker who will fit well in the pro game. He has a ton of upside and could readily contribute in a slot role on a pass happy team.
