Doomsday101
04-08-2005, 09:42 AM
The Texans already have a Pro Bowl receiver on one side of the field. But that doesn't necessarily shut the door on the possibility of adding another first-rounder opposite Andre Johnson.
Is the door wide open for a wide receiver? Depends on who you ask. Houston doesn't take its turn on the clock until the 13th pick so plenty of shuffling can take place before then. But the Texans and many other teams agree there are plenty of intriguing wideout options in 2005, from the first round on down.
"I don’t think we have the blue-chippers but I do think we have some excellent receivers in this draft," general manager Charley Casserly said. "This will be a good receiver draft but it might be spread out to second, third and fourth-round players."
Expect Edwards to go high in Round 1.
Highlighting the wide receiver crop is Michigan's Braylon Edwards, who some think is the most talented player in the draft. Texas fans remember well how Edwards virtually toyed with the Longhorns' secondary in the Rose Bowl. Over his last three seasons in Ann Arbor, Edwards averaged 83 catches for 1,167 yards and 13 touchdowns. Expect the Bears to pull the trigger on Edwards with the fourth overall pick.
Edwards has heard the rumors as well, but he's not taking anything for granted.
"You can't go off what you hear," he said. "I've heard so many different things. Based on the things I feel like I've accomplished, I feel like I have a great shot at being a top-10 pick."
Remember Mike Williams? After failing in his attempt for early entry in last year's draft, the former USC standout is back and expected to be a first-round pick. At 6-5, Williams towers above his peers and he possesses tremendous hands. Although out of competitive football for more than a year now, it's tough to ignore Williams' numbers at USC -- 176 catches for 2,579 yards and 30 touchdowns over two seasons.
Williams should be a high pick, especially if you ask somebody rather familiar with him.
"I think he's going to be very successful," said Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow, who was Williams' offensive coordinator for two seasons at USC. "He's big, he's strong and he's talented. College was too easy for him."
The Vikings could take the plunge on Williams with the seventh pick, which they obtained from Oakland in their trade for Randy Moss.
South Carolina wide receiver Troy Williamson didn't put up huge numbers in Columbia, primarily because the Gamecocks' offense ranked 75th in passing offense last season. But Williamson averaged more than 19 yards per grab and is considered one of the fastest prospects and best deep threats. He could be there when the Texans are on the clock in round one. Ditto for UAB's Roddy White, who had 71 catches for 1,452 yards and 14 scores in 2004. White might be a little unpolished on his route running but there are few comparable to him after the catch.
Two diminutive wideouts should hear their names called before the first day is through. Oklahoma's Mark Clayton is just 5-10 but shined in the Senior Bowl and he can return kicks. Miami's Roscoe Parrish is shorter than Clayton but caught 43 passes for 693 yards and eight touchdowns last season.
Georgia's Reggie Brown is as physical as any receiving prospect but some teams are concerned with his injury history, which includes ACL and hamstring injuries. At 6-4, West Virginia's Chris Henry is second only to Williams in terms of size, but is somewhat inconsistent. Another Sooner, Mark Bradley, is quietly moving up the charts as a receiver and return man.
And what to make of Arkansas quarterback Matt Jones? He likely won't make a living under center in the NFL, but many project the 6-6, 242-pounder as a wide receiver or an H-back. Expect some teams to consider grabbing Jones on the draft's first day.
Is the door wide open for a wide receiver? Depends on who you ask. Houston doesn't take its turn on the clock until the 13th pick so plenty of shuffling can take place before then. But the Texans and many other teams agree there are plenty of intriguing wideout options in 2005, from the first round on down.
"I don’t think we have the blue-chippers but I do think we have some excellent receivers in this draft," general manager Charley Casserly said. "This will be a good receiver draft but it might be spread out to second, third and fourth-round players."
Expect Edwards to go high in Round 1.
Highlighting the wide receiver crop is Michigan's Braylon Edwards, who some think is the most talented player in the draft. Texas fans remember well how Edwards virtually toyed with the Longhorns' secondary in the Rose Bowl. Over his last three seasons in Ann Arbor, Edwards averaged 83 catches for 1,167 yards and 13 touchdowns. Expect the Bears to pull the trigger on Edwards with the fourth overall pick.
Edwards has heard the rumors as well, but he's not taking anything for granted.
"You can't go off what you hear," he said. "I've heard so many different things. Based on the things I feel like I've accomplished, I feel like I have a great shot at being a top-10 pick."
Remember Mike Williams? After failing in his attempt for early entry in last year's draft, the former USC standout is back and expected to be a first-round pick. At 6-5, Williams towers above his peers and he possesses tremendous hands. Although out of competitive football for more than a year now, it's tough to ignore Williams' numbers at USC -- 176 catches for 2,579 yards and 30 touchdowns over two seasons.
Williams should be a high pick, especially if you ask somebody rather familiar with him.
"I think he's going to be very successful," said Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow, who was Williams' offensive coordinator for two seasons at USC. "He's big, he's strong and he's talented. College was too easy for him."
The Vikings could take the plunge on Williams with the seventh pick, which they obtained from Oakland in their trade for Randy Moss.
South Carolina wide receiver Troy Williamson didn't put up huge numbers in Columbia, primarily because the Gamecocks' offense ranked 75th in passing offense last season. But Williamson averaged more than 19 yards per grab and is considered one of the fastest prospects and best deep threats. He could be there when the Texans are on the clock in round one. Ditto for UAB's Roddy White, who had 71 catches for 1,452 yards and 14 scores in 2004. White might be a little unpolished on his route running but there are few comparable to him after the catch.
Two diminutive wideouts should hear their names called before the first day is through. Oklahoma's Mark Clayton is just 5-10 but shined in the Senior Bowl and he can return kicks. Miami's Roscoe Parrish is shorter than Clayton but caught 43 passes for 693 yards and eight touchdowns last season.
Georgia's Reggie Brown is as physical as any receiving prospect but some teams are concerned with his injury history, which includes ACL and hamstring injuries. At 6-4, West Virginia's Chris Henry is second only to Williams in terms of size, but is somewhat inconsistent. Another Sooner, Mark Bradley, is quietly moving up the charts as a receiver and return man.
And what to make of Arkansas quarterback Matt Jones? He likely won't make a living under center in the NFL, but many project the 6-6, 242-pounder as a wide receiver or an H-back. Expect some teams to consider grabbing Jones on the draft's first day.