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2009 NFL Draft: Dan Pompei's top wide receivers
Questions surround talented class of wideouts
By Dan Pompei | Tribune staff reporter
8:15 PM CDT, April 8, 2009
1 2 3 4 5 next 1. Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
The problem with Crabtree is no one knows how fast he is. He does not play particularly fast, and he has been unable to run a 40-yard dash because of a stress fracture. That aside, he has been a spectacular producer and he has excellent size (6-3, 215). Crabtree is a very physical receiver who gets lots of yards after the catch. One scout compared him to Terrell Owens in that regard. He has outstanding ball skills and he makes big plays. He will have to make an adjustment to playing in a pro-style offense after playing in a spread in college.
2. Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland
This underclassman really helped himself when he ran a 4.25 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine. He is the fastest receiver in the class, and he also has size at 6 feet 1 inch. Heyward-Bey isn't the best route runner, but he doesn't have to be because he can run by defenders. He is at his best on post routes. He is a clean prospect who keeps looking better and better to NFL teams.
Huddle Up: 2009 draft updates, analysis 3. Jeremy Maclin, Missouri
A versatile weapon who plays faster than his times, Maclin is both flashy and productive. His 40-time of 4.45 was disappointing, but on tape he accelerates very quickly and has excellent stop-start ability. The junior has strong hands and gets good yardage after the catch. One scout compared him to Carolina's Steve Smith.
4. Percy Harvin, Florida
An underclassman with unusual playmaking skills, Harvin can be used out of the backfield and in the slot. He is a little like Devin Hester in that regard. Like Hester, he can run away from defenders. And like Hester, he lacks experience as a route runner and will have a lot to learn. Harvin is tough and explosive, but at 5-11, 192, he is a little smaller than NFL teams prefer. He also has some character issues that could affect his draft stock.
5. Kenny Britt, Rutgers
This junior is a big (6-3), physical target with solid hands who runs well in the open field. For his size, he plays fast. He can make the tough catch in traffic. He will need some time to develop, but Britt has lots of potential. Some say he has a bit of a diva mentality.
6. Hakeem Nicks, North Carolina
He doesn't have great speed, but he is a strong, tough, physical receiver who makes unbelievable catches. Nicks knows how to get open, has top body control has excellent hand-eye coordination. His draft stock has not been helped by a hamstring injury and weight gain. One scout compared this junior to Hines Ward.
7. Brian Robiskie, Ohio State
He wasn't the most productive college player, but he has the skills and makeup to be a fine pro. He is the son of longtime NFL coach Terry Robiskie. He has worked out and has run well, but he isn't considered in the top tier of athletes at the position. He probably will be more of a possession receiver in the pros. Robiskie has soft hands and good size, and is a polished player.
8. Juaquin Iglesias, Oklahoma
He times faster than he plays, but that did not prevent him from being very productive in college. Iglesias is a big, tough, physical receiver who is not a burner. Gets open by running good routes. He gets yards after the catch because he doesn't go down easily.
9. Demetrius Byrd, Louisiana State
He's a top athlete who combines size and speed. The problem is he is an inconsistent performer with questionable hands. Byrd was not a dominating player in college, and the team that drafts him will be betting on the come line.
10. Louis Murphy, Florida
He's big, fast and athletic but has not been very productive. Runs good routes and catches the ball well, but something is missing. Has durability issues and character issues. He could have as much potential as any here.
i have added the next 20 after this, so maybe one of these wrs might be a sleeper;
1. Mohamed Massaquoi, Georgia
He didn't have a great Senior Bowl, but he was an outstanding player in the Southeastern Conference. Massaquoi is an athletic, tough receiver with good size. Hands have been inconsistent in the past, but he improved last season. Plays faster than he times. Durability is a concern.
12. Mike Thomas, Arizona
Some offensive coordinator is going to have fun dreaming up ways to use the versatile, productive Thomas. He's only 5-8, but he can fill a variety of roles, including lining up in the backfield and returning kicks. Thomas helped himself with a 4.30 40-yard dash at the combine.
13. Deon Butler, Penn State
He is a shifty, nimble receiver who also can run by defenders. Butler isn't the biggest wide receiver, but he makes up for it with good routes and good ball skills. Helped himself at the combine.
14. Mike Wallace, Mississippi
A top end speed receiver, Wallace needs to work on becoming a more complete player. He doesn't run great routes and is not very consistent over the middle. His technique needs improvement. His hands are inconsistent. Also can help as a return man.
15. Johnny Knox, Abilene Christian
He will be drafted because of his speed—which was on display at the combine. He hasn't faced top competition and likely will take awhile to acclimate to the NFL. Knox probably would be used best as a slot receiver/return man.
16. Aaron Kelly, Clemson
He didn't have a great senior year, but he offers a nice combination of size and speed. Kelly impressed scouts with his workout. He can get yards after the catch. Has good play strength and decent hands.
17. Patrick Turner, Southern California
A big possession receiver, Turner is a little reminiscent of Keyshawn Johnson. He can run well for his size and has surprisingly quick feet. His production has not been outstanding.
18. Sammie Stroughter, Oregon State
A 5-9 dynamo, Stroughter may be a better returner than receiver. He is quick rather than fast. Shows good hands. Has had some depression issues.
19. Brooks Foster, North Carolina
Foster is a talented player who never put it all together consistently in college. His size and speed are intriguing. Walked onto the basketball team in 2005 and played on the national champion. He bench pressed 225 pounds 27 times at the combine.
20. Brian Hartline, Ohio State
This is a tough receiver who also should contribute on special teams. He doesn't have great speed, but he can develop into a solid No. 2 possession type in the right system.
21. Derrick Williams, Penn State
This converted quarterback was a true impact player in college. His speed is only average, but he can separate in a short area. He is a little inconsistent catching the ball, but once he has it he makes yards after the catch. He also might have a future in the return game.
22. Marko Mitchell, Nevada
His size is intriguing, and he has athleticism as well. Ran a 4.43 40-yard dash at the combine. Has been productive and can make big plays. Wins jump balls. His hands are average.
23. Brandon Tate, North Carolina
He has explosive speed and it shows in his yardage after the catch. Tate also is a solid return man. He blew out his knee during the season, otherwise he might have been rated much higher.
24. Kevin Ogletree, Virginia
He is a candidate to play the slot because of his elusiveness. He got some attention with a 4.38 40-yard dash at the combine, but he doesn't play quite that fast. Could use some muscle.
25. Quan Cosby, Texas
This shorter, muscular receiver can play in the slot. Cosby is quick rather than fast, and shows good hands. He is elusive in the open field and gets yards after the catch. He also has potential as a return man. He played four years of minor-league baseball and is 26 years old.
26. Brandon Gibson, Washington State
He can catch well and has an NFL body, but his 4.6 40-yard dash times will scare off some teams. Gibson didn't have a great senior season.
27. Manuel Johnson, Oklahoma
An athletic receiver with decent size, Johnson was not a big producer in college. He is a tough, hard-working player who could find a role as a fourth or fifth receiver.
28. Jarrett Dillard, Rice
He is not particularly big or fast, but he set an NCAA record with 50 touchdown catches. Dillard knows how to get open and could develop into a decent possession receiver.
29. David Richmond, San Jose State
He is a late bloomer who came on strong as a senior. Richmond didn't start playing football until he was in junior college, so he has a lot to learn. But his tools are intriguing enough to make him a coveted developmental prospect.
30. Austin Collie, Brigham Young
If you judge receivers on production, you will love Collie. He has good hands and he plays smart. He isn't fast, but he runs good routes.
1. Tiquan Underwood, Rutgers
He's a tall, thin receiver who does not play strong. He has been productive and can run. With his long arms and leaping ability, Underwood can catch throws away from his body.
32. Andrew Means, Indiana
His size and speed are intriguing, but he was not a standout player in college. What could hurt him is he also is playing minor-league baseball in the Reds organization. Unless he wants to make a full-time commitment to football he could fall in the draft.
33. Jaison Williams, Oregon
Athleticism and size (6-4) are his best attributes, but his hands are suspect. Williams is known as an underachiever who has not always gone all out.
34. Ramses Barden, Cal Poly
He's a big receiver who dominated against a lower level of competition. Barden has good hands and body control but lacks speed. He failed to step up at the Senior Bowl.
35. Kenny McKinley, South Carolina
He has vertical speed, but his routes are unimpressive. His hands can be inconsistent. McKinley is thin and does not play physically.
36. Quinten Lawrence, McNeese State
He suffered a compound ankle fracture, missed most of the season and has not been able to work out. But he has athleticism and talent to merit being drafted.
37. Darius Passmore, Marshall
He is a talented receiver with off-the-field baggage. Passmore is tall and thin and he can extend well to catch the ball. He also makes plays in traffic.
38. Dominique Edison, Stephen F. Austin
He has a nice combination of height and speed but could use some muscle. He scored 18 touchdowns this year. Runs choppy routes.
39. Taurus Johnson, South Florida
He's a big, possession receiver with toughness to run routes over the middle. He did well at the East-West Shrine game and got himself noticed.
40. Greg Carr, Florida State
A big target who can make plays in the red zone. Carr is a possession receiver who lacks deep speed.
Questions surround talented class of wideouts
By Dan Pompei | Tribune staff reporter
8:15 PM CDT, April 8, 2009
1 2 3 4 5 next 1. Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
The problem with Crabtree is no one knows how fast he is. He does not play particularly fast, and he has been unable to run a 40-yard dash because of a stress fracture. That aside, he has been a spectacular producer and he has excellent size (6-3, 215). Crabtree is a very physical receiver who gets lots of yards after the catch. One scout compared him to Terrell Owens in that regard. He has outstanding ball skills and he makes big plays. He will have to make an adjustment to playing in a pro-style offense after playing in a spread in college.
2. Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland
This underclassman really helped himself when he ran a 4.25 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine. He is the fastest receiver in the class, and he also has size at 6 feet 1 inch. Heyward-Bey isn't the best route runner, but he doesn't have to be because he can run by defenders. He is at his best on post routes. He is a clean prospect who keeps looking better and better to NFL teams.
Huddle Up: 2009 draft updates, analysis 3. Jeremy Maclin, Missouri
A versatile weapon who plays faster than his times, Maclin is both flashy and productive. His 40-time of 4.45 was disappointing, but on tape he accelerates very quickly and has excellent stop-start ability. The junior has strong hands and gets good yardage after the catch. One scout compared him to Carolina's Steve Smith.
4. Percy Harvin, Florida
An underclassman with unusual playmaking skills, Harvin can be used out of the backfield and in the slot. He is a little like Devin Hester in that regard. Like Hester, he can run away from defenders. And like Hester, he lacks experience as a route runner and will have a lot to learn. Harvin is tough and explosive, but at 5-11, 192, he is a little smaller than NFL teams prefer. He also has some character issues that could affect his draft stock.
5. Kenny Britt, Rutgers
This junior is a big (6-3), physical target with solid hands who runs well in the open field. For his size, he plays fast. He can make the tough catch in traffic. He will need some time to develop, but Britt has lots of potential. Some say he has a bit of a diva mentality.
6. Hakeem Nicks, North Carolina
He doesn't have great speed, but he is a strong, tough, physical receiver who makes unbelievable catches. Nicks knows how to get open, has top body control has excellent hand-eye coordination. His draft stock has not been helped by a hamstring injury and weight gain. One scout compared this junior to Hines Ward.
7. Brian Robiskie, Ohio State
He wasn't the most productive college player, but he has the skills and makeup to be a fine pro. He is the son of longtime NFL coach Terry Robiskie. He has worked out and has run well, but he isn't considered in the top tier of athletes at the position. He probably will be more of a possession receiver in the pros. Robiskie has soft hands and good size, and is a polished player.
8. Juaquin Iglesias, Oklahoma
He times faster than he plays, but that did not prevent him from being very productive in college. Iglesias is a big, tough, physical receiver who is not a burner. Gets open by running good routes. He gets yards after the catch because he doesn't go down easily.
9. Demetrius Byrd, Louisiana State
He's a top athlete who combines size and speed. The problem is he is an inconsistent performer with questionable hands. Byrd was not a dominating player in college, and the team that drafts him will be betting on the come line.
10. Louis Murphy, Florida
He's big, fast and athletic but has not been very productive. Runs good routes and catches the ball well, but something is missing. Has durability issues and character issues. He could have as much potential as any here.
i have added the next 20 after this, so maybe one of these wrs might be a sleeper;
1. Mohamed Massaquoi, Georgia
He didn't have a great Senior Bowl, but he was an outstanding player in the Southeastern Conference. Massaquoi is an athletic, tough receiver with good size. Hands have been inconsistent in the past, but he improved last season. Plays faster than he times. Durability is a concern.
12. Mike Thomas, Arizona
Some offensive coordinator is going to have fun dreaming up ways to use the versatile, productive Thomas. He's only 5-8, but he can fill a variety of roles, including lining up in the backfield and returning kicks. Thomas helped himself with a 4.30 40-yard dash at the combine.
13. Deon Butler, Penn State
He is a shifty, nimble receiver who also can run by defenders. Butler isn't the biggest wide receiver, but he makes up for it with good routes and good ball skills. Helped himself at the combine.
14. Mike Wallace, Mississippi
A top end speed receiver, Wallace needs to work on becoming a more complete player. He doesn't run great routes and is not very consistent over the middle. His technique needs improvement. His hands are inconsistent. Also can help as a return man.
15. Johnny Knox, Abilene Christian
He will be drafted because of his speed—which was on display at the combine. He hasn't faced top competition and likely will take awhile to acclimate to the NFL. Knox probably would be used best as a slot receiver/return man.
16. Aaron Kelly, Clemson
He didn't have a great senior year, but he offers a nice combination of size and speed. Kelly impressed scouts with his workout. He can get yards after the catch. Has good play strength and decent hands.
17. Patrick Turner, Southern California
A big possession receiver, Turner is a little reminiscent of Keyshawn Johnson. He can run well for his size and has surprisingly quick feet. His production has not been outstanding.
18. Sammie Stroughter, Oregon State
A 5-9 dynamo, Stroughter may be a better returner than receiver. He is quick rather than fast. Shows good hands. Has had some depression issues.
19. Brooks Foster, North Carolina
Foster is a talented player who never put it all together consistently in college. His size and speed are intriguing. Walked onto the basketball team in 2005 and played on the national champion. He bench pressed 225 pounds 27 times at the combine.
20. Brian Hartline, Ohio State
This is a tough receiver who also should contribute on special teams. He doesn't have great speed, but he can develop into a solid No. 2 possession type in the right system.
21. Derrick Williams, Penn State
This converted quarterback was a true impact player in college. His speed is only average, but he can separate in a short area. He is a little inconsistent catching the ball, but once he has it he makes yards after the catch. He also might have a future in the return game.
22. Marko Mitchell, Nevada
His size is intriguing, and he has athleticism as well. Ran a 4.43 40-yard dash at the combine. Has been productive and can make big plays. Wins jump balls. His hands are average.
23. Brandon Tate, North Carolina
He has explosive speed and it shows in his yardage after the catch. Tate also is a solid return man. He blew out his knee during the season, otherwise he might have been rated much higher.
24. Kevin Ogletree, Virginia
He is a candidate to play the slot because of his elusiveness. He got some attention with a 4.38 40-yard dash at the combine, but he doesn't play quite that fast. Could use some muscle.
25. Quan Cosby, Texas
This shorter, muscular receiver can play in the slot. Cosby is quick rather than fast, and shows good hands. He is elusive in the open field and gets yards after the catch. He also has potential as a return man. He played four years of minor-league baseball and is 26 years old.
26. Brandon Gibson, Washington State
He can catch well and has an NFL body, but his 4.6 40-yard dash times will scare off some teams. Gibson didn't have a great senior season.
27. Manuel Johnson, Oklahoma
An athletic receiver with decent size, Johnson was not a big producer in college. He is a tough, hard-working player who could find a role as a fourth or fifth receiver.
28. Jarrett Dillard, Rice
He is not particularly big or fast, but he set an NCAA record with 50 touchdown catches. Dillard knows how to get open and could develop into a decent possession receiver.
29. David Richmond, San Jose State
He is a late bloomer who came on strong as a senior. Richmond didn't start playing football until he was in junior college, so he has a lot to learn. But his tools are intriguing enough to make him a coveted developmental prospect.
30. Austin Collie, Brigham Young
If you judge receivers on production, you will love Collie. He has good hands and he plays smart. He isn't fast, but he runs good routes.
1. Tiquan Underwood, Rutgers
He's a tall, thin receiver who does not play strong. He has been productive and can run. With his long arms and leaping ability, Underwood can catch throws away from his body.
32. Andrew Means, Indiana
His size and speed are intriguing, but he was not a standout player in college. What could hurt him is he also is playing minor-league baseball in the Reds organization. Unless he wants to make a full-time commitment to football he could fall in the draft.
33. Jaison Williams, Oregon
Athleticism and size (6-4) are his best attributes, but his hands are suspect. Williams is known as an underachiever who has not always gone all out.
34. Ramses Barden, Cal Poly
He's a big receiver who dominated against a lower level of competition. Barden has good hands and body control but lacks speed. He failed to step up at the Senior Bowl.
35. Kenny McKinley, South Carolina
He has vertical speed, but his routes are unimpressive. His hands can be inconsistent. McKinley is thin and does not play physically.
36. Quinten Lawrence, McNeese State
He suffered a compound ankle fracture, missed most of the season and has not been able to work out. But he has athleticism and talent to merit being drafted.
37. Darius Passmore, Marshall
He is a talented receiver with off-the-field baggage. Passmore is tall and thin and he can extend well to catch the ball. He also makes plays in traffic.
38. Dominique Edison, Stephen F. Austin
He has a nice combination of height and speed but could use some muscle. He scored 18 touchdowns this year. Runs choppy routes.
39. Taurus Johnson, South Florida
He's a big, possession receiver with toughness to run routes over the middle. He did well at the East-West Shrine game and got himself noticed.
40. Greg Carr, Florida State
A big target who can make plays in the red zone. Carr is a possession receiver who lacks deep speed.
