Draft Watch: Wide receivers

Arch Stanton

it was the grave marked unknown right beside
Messages
6,474
Reaction score
0
Draft Watch: Wide receivers

By Dan Pompei
Sporting News


An analytical look at the top wide receivers in the 2006 draft:

1. Demetrius Williams, Oregon, 6-2, 197. Instinctive player who runs nice routes and is elusive after the catch. Has good play speed and burst. Makes sharp cuts. Has excellent body control. Can redirect. Can make the circus catch, but will drop an easy one occasionally. Has height and range. Had a reputation for not being tough, but it might be unwarranted. Does not go down easily. Will go over the middle. Is competitive. Is a little slender, and could improve his strength so he can get off the jam easier. Has upside. Underrated by most.

2. Santonio Holmes, Ohio State, 5-10, 179. Smooth runner with hands to make catches away from his body. Knows how to get past a cornerback on a fly route, and can catch the deep ball. Has a feel for finding space in zones. Has OK size, but has the quickness of a smaller man. Has separation ability. Isn't a real physical blocker. Doesn't have elite speed, but is fast enough. Is a hard worker who picks up things quickly. Has shown consistent improvement and should continue to improve.

3. Chad Jackson, Florida, 6-1, 213. Measurables are outstanding. Has size and speed to go with good hands and toughness. Is outstanding when going over the middle. Caught a lot of balls at Florida, but didn't make many big plays. Doesn't get a lot of yardage after the catch. Didn't show explosiveness, separation or precise route running. Could be more aggressive going after passes. Has considerable potential. Leaving school after junior season.

4. Sinorice Moss, Miami, 5-8, 185. Little guy with the strength to break tackles and the speed and quickness to elude defenders. Can make big plays. Is very dangerous in space. Has a quick burst. Has good hands and can extend for the ball, which makes him play taller. Struggles to get off jams. Gets knocked off routes easily. Must run better routes. Has potential as a return man.

5. Greg Jennings, Western Michigan, 5-11, 198. Gifted, has deep ball ability. Speed/size ratio is excellent. Is a fluid athlete with good play strength. Has the body control and discipline to run excellent routes. Gets yards after the catch. Hands are dependable. Has excellent intangibles. Was very productive, but level of competition must be factored into the equation. Stock is up.

6. Travis Wilson, Oklahoma, 6-2, 214. Is a big, strong possession receiver with soft hands. Gets off jam well. Plays well against zone. Can be effective over the middle and in the red zone. Is competitive; will fight for the ball. Is not a speedster. Is a little tight athletically. Production was down as a senior, and his stock subsequently dropped.

7. Jason Avant, Michigan, 6-0, 209. Is a polished possession receiver who does all the little things well. Runs great routes. Can get open. Has excellent hands. Plays strong. Is tough and will block. Can break tackles. Is savvy. Lacks a top gear and struggles to beat press coverage. Isn't an elite athlete. Did not help himself with postseason workouts. Should be a good special teams contributor.

8. Maurice Stovall, Notre Dame, 6-4, 217. Big guy who finds room against zone coverage. Has good hands and concentration. Can make all the catches. Will adjust to the pass. Struggles some getting off the jam. Is not speedy; is a long strider. Doesn't have much burst. Isn't real physical for his size.

9. Greg Lee, Pittsburgh, 6-2, 197. Productive junior whose stock is rising. Catches well, but sometimes body-catches. Competes for the ball. Runs solid routes. Gets yards after the catch. Has good size. Lacks top-end speed, but finds a way to get the job done. Concentration could be better.

10. Derek Hagan, Arizona State, 6-2, 208. Is tall. Can get deep and track the ball. Has an NFL body. Comes in and out of cuts gracefully for his size. Runs nice routes. Is athletic and has good body control when tracking a pass. Can make tough catches, but drops a lot of balls. Doesn't fight for the ball. Must give more consistent effort. Is a high-maintenance player. Has average speed. Is raw and can improve.

11. Willie Reid, Florida State, 5-10, 188. Well-built former running back who is rising on some boards. Is tough, but more of a possession player than a big playmaker. Has been productive. Is above average in just about every category. Can make the acrobatic catch. Is a little tight as an athlete. Has some return ability.

12. Devin Hester, Miami, 5-10, 190. Is more of a return specialist than a receiver, but played receiver, cornerback and running back in college. Is a good athlete with decent speed. Can catch. Doesn't have a feel for the receiver position. Does not run good routes. Lacks instincts as a cornerback. Gives up big plays. Is a poor tackler. Has been an explosive return specialist. Also plays on kick coverage units.

13. Cory Rodgers, Texas Christian, 6-0, 188. Is athletic but raw receiver who did not help himself at the Combine. Lacks ideal speed. Finds the crease in zone coverage. Doesn't run great routes. Best quality is his excellent ability to return punts and kicks. Hands are inconsistent, but caught a lot of passes in college. Adjusts to the ball well. Is a patient, instinctive runner after the catch.

14. Brandon Williams, Wisconsin, 5-9, 179. Is competitive, a tad short and more quick than fast. Runs good routes. Can separate. Catches the ball well. Is a fearless return man, which might be his main value. Helped himself with workouts. Lack of size is the big issue.

15. Michael Robinson, Penn State, 6-1, 219. Could be a quarterback, running back, receiver or safety. Might be best uses as a "slash" type player. Is a big, strong athlete who makes plays. Had a fine season as a quarterback. Has a strong arm. Decision-making and delivery are inconsistent. Is smart, tough, with good intangibles. Is an excellent leader. Doesn't have great speed.

16. Jeremy Bloom, Colorado, 5-9, 173. Outstanding return man with limited receiving ability. Is very fast and elusive. Has a feel for running with the ball. Is highly athletic; was an Olympic skier. Has body control, agility and the ability to adjust. Is very strong for his size. Is too small to be a dependable target on offense, but can be a premier return man.

17. Devin Aromashodu, Auburn, 6-2, 202. Is tall, has big-play ability. Can locate and catch deep balls. Has long speed, but isn't very quick. Is inconsistent. Is not polished in terms of technique and route running. Has potential.

18. Mike Hass, Oregon State, 6-1, 207. Might have the best hands of any player in the draft. Positions his body for the catch very well. Is tough over the middle. Won't go down easily. Plays physically, bigger than his size. Is a poor man's Fred Biletnikoff. Lacks ideal speed and separating ability. Doesn't make defenders miss.

19. Domenik Hixon, Akron, 6-2, 190. Is big, fast and productive. Is a former safety who has been pretty consistent. Shows good hands and toughness. Had a good workout and is a late riser. Also returns punts and kicks. Hasn't faced top cornerbacks.

20. Skyler Green, Louisiana State, 5-9, 192. Is quick and fast, but is limited by his size. Is a competitor. Runs adequate routes. Isn't a real natural receiver. Is almost a hybrid running back/receiver. Primary value is as a return man. Is a dynamic punt returner, and can return kicks. Has some value as a slot receiver.

21. Hank Baskett, New Mexico, 6-3, 222. Is a big, loping runner with leaping ability. Can make plays down the field and in the red zone. Comes down with the ball in a crowd. Has upside. Doesn't have the speed to run away from defenders. Drops some catchable passes.

22. Marques Colston, Hofstra, 6-5, 222. Is a big, inconsistent performer who has ability. Can make spectacular catches. Can leap, stretch, adjust and time it all perfectly. Has great concentration. Is excellent in red zone. Gets yards after the catch. Is tough and can break tackles. Drops some easy passes. Could develop.

23. Brandon Marshall, Central Florida, 6-4, 229. Is a playmaker whose stock has risen. Is huge and very athletic. Isn't a burner. Has the body and the willingness to block. Played free safety in the past. Has a lot of upside.

24. Todd Watkins, Brigham Young, 6-2, 202. Has great size and speed -- a nice combination. Runs average routes. Is seen as strictly a vertical receiver. Must learn to play the intermediate game. Doesn't make the routine plays consistently.

25. Anthony Mix, Auburn, 6-4, 235. Is half wide receiver, half tight end. Could be used as an H-back to create matchup problems. Hands are inconsistent. Plays small for his size. Has good athleticism for a big man. Should be a great special teams player. Doesn't always make most of his abilities. Is an enigma. Is similar to former Packer Dave Martin.

26. Troy Bergeron, Georgia Force, 6-2, 180. Arena League star who never played in college. Is a big kid with speed. Is tough as nails. Can adjust to the ball. Will get yards after the catch and yards after contact. Has return ability. Could have problems in a complex NFL offense.

27. William Buchanon, Southern Cal, 6-3, 191. Has size and speed, and comes from a football factory. Has more straight-line speed than change of direction. Has played cornerback, and some teams see him in that position. Might even be a safety. Has the athleticism to play either position, but hasn't done anything for an extended period of time.

28. Brad Smith, Missouri, 6-2, 213. College quarterback probably is destined to play receiver in the NFL, though he has not given up the quarterback dream. Is considered more of an athlete than quarterback. Highly productive as a runner, but has poor mechanics as a thrower. Is an inconsistent, but strong-armed passer. Average accuracy. Is exceptionally quick and can make defenders miss. Will make big plays in the right system.

29. Miles Austin, Monmouth, 6-2, 215. Is a big receiver with decent speed and athleticism. Has good hands. Is very raw. Would be a developmental player. Hasn't faced top competition, but was dominant on his level of play. Has moved up the charts.

30. Adam Jennings, Fresno State, 5-9, 181. Lacks ideal size but should be a valuable return man. Has speed and wiggle. Doesn't have much production as a receiver. Can be used on flare routes, and can gain yards after the catch. Has risen.

31. Ben Obomanu, Auburn, 6-1, 205. Has decent size and athleticism. Runs well. Is a little stiff in changing directions. Is raw as a receiver. Has one speed. Is a project.

32. Marques Hagans, Virginia, 5-9, 202. Is athletic. Probably will be a return specialist. Has played receiver and running back. Doesn't have special speed, but makes plays. Is a football player and a winner. Has limited value because he's too short for quarterback, and probably is too short for receiver.

33. Tres Moses, Rutgers, 5-9, 196. Is a small guy who is quick but not real fast. Knows how to use his quickness to get open. Is good from the slot. Catches everything thrown his way. Also returns punts.

34. Delanie Walker, Central Missouri State, 6-1, 236. Is productive. Looks more like a tight end. Lacks top speed. Has average receiving ability. Is very competitive, physical. Was productive on his level.

35. Jonathan Orr, Wisconsin, 6-2, 196. Is a tall, long strider with inconsistent hands. Is a big target. Has some straight-line running ability, but not much quickness. Is raw and a developmental prospect.

36. Martin Nance, Miami (Ohio), 6-4, 214. Was at his best with Ben Roethlisberger as his quarterback. Is big. Isn't a blazer, but can build speed gradually. Does not separate well. Is inconsistent.

37. Richie Ross, Nebraska-Kearney, 6-4, 209. Is a possession receiver who lacks ideal speed. Runs good routes and catches the ball pretty well. Does not separate well. Will need to transition to the NFL level. Has some upside.

38. Jeff Webb, San Diego State, 6-2, 208. Has decent size and athletic ability. Has the body control to get in and out of cuts. Locates the ball well, but does not catch consistently. Might have trouble adjusting to a pro offense.

39. Damarius Bilbo, Georgia Tech, 6-2, 216. Is big and athletic. Has good hands. Is a former quarterback. Doesn't have much speed, but finds a way to make plays. Is physical. Did not helped himself in postseason workouts. Has made strides, but remains a work in progress.

40. Barrick Nealy, Texas State, 6-4, 226. Is big, athletic and has an NFL body. Played quarterback and likely will be converted to receiver. Is a dangerous runner who can make defenders miss. Inaccurate thrower. Has a low, ugly release. Hasn't faced top competition.

41. Ed Hinkel, Iowa, 6-0, 191. Is a try-hard receiver with limited athleticism but some speed. Is a competitor; was productive and tough in the Big Ten. Could struggle with physical play in the pros.

42. Chris Denney, Nebraska-Omaha, 6-3, 224. Has good size and real good hands. Speed is just OK. Will have difficulty beating NFL cornerbacks because he lacks suddenness and quickness. Must continue to develop.

43. David Anderson, Colorado State, 5-10, 190. Has come on late. Is athletic, shifty and has excellent hands. Good college player who might have trouble adjusting to the NFL.

44. Jason Carter, Texas A&M, 6-0, 211. Runs good inside routes. Is not afraid to catch in traffic. Has more quickness than speed. Has good hands.

45. D.J. Smith, Idaho, 6-0, 203. Productive receiver who left school after his junior season. Has decent skills, but lacks a special trait. Claim to fame is he's married to the sister of singer Beyonce.

Senior writer Dan Pompei covers the NFL for Sporting News. E-mail him at pompei@sportingnews.com.
 

Woods

Well-Known Member
Messages
12,460
Reaction score
61
That's the first time I've seen Williams ranked number 1.
 

ghst187

Well-Known Member
Messages
15,588
Reaction score
11,404
I like Holmes, Stovall, Moss, Jennings, Travis Wilson, Hagan, Skyler Green, and Brad Smith.
Stovall is majorly underrated. He is about the only WR in this draft capable of becoming a #1.
Jennings is a hidden gem also and Wilson will be a good #3 that will eventually turn into a good #2. Green is a #3 speedster and great return guy...like Zuriel Smith with better hands and higher caliber talent. I love Brad Smith's potential...could be another Crayton or better...although not sure we need that.
 

Sitting Bull

Active Member
Messages
1,432
Reaction score
1
Wow. Just, wow. I saw D. Williams burn my Sun Devils in person and agree that he is a player who could surprise. He is a tough guy who plays with a "'tude" that I never saw from Hagan. Other than that, I hate Pompei's WR rankings. Of all the positions in this draft, there seems to be the least amount of consensus at WR. By all accounts, this is a weak class, but there are actually some very interesting later round prospects that aren't even mentioned here and others are wickedly undervalued on this list, IMO.

About 30 WRs get drafted in a typical year, so that should put some perspective on these rankings and what Pompei is implying. Hass, Baskett and Watkins could go as high as the third round and are dramatically better prospects than most everyone listed after #10. Nance is in a lot of first-day mocks, also. Drouzon Quillen from LA-Monroe and Jayson Boyd from UTEP are tall, red-zone threats with huge triangle numbers who will get drafted and they aren't even on the stinking list.

But I've got the biggest red-arse about the ommission of Wyoming's Jovon Bouknight. High character, insanely productive WR in college and a top kick return prospect. Some wrote him off after his admittedly putrid 4.71 40 at the combine, but his game is elusiveness and YAC (posted 3rd-best short shuttle at combine) with great hands and no fear over the middle. I've seen him dominate even in the rare games Wyo has faced top competition. He redeemed himself with 4.53/4.56 40s at his pro day but by then, he'd been dropped from many mock lists and nobody has even bothered to update his numbers (I know, "If Wyoming has a pro day in the forrest and nobody is there to watch it, does it make a sound?") I really think he'll get drafted in the 4th or 5th (probably by Denver). You see where he is in my mock, so I'll eat crow if I'm wrong on draft day. I'm really just jealous because I want to get paid to make WR draft lists! /rant
 
Top