Doomsday101
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The group of wide receivers in the class of 2005 possess size and speed. But don't look for a repeat of the 2004 draft when seven receivers were selected in the first round. Here is a list of some of the players we feel will get a good deal of attention as draft day approaches.
Braylon Edwards, Michigan-Edwards has the size, speed, strength and playmaking ability to be a star at the next level, if he stays focused. He has shown the athletic prowess to make circus catches, as well as the ability to be the man in the clutch (Michigan vs. Michigan State '04). But as gifted as he is, Edwards also has some weaknesses. He has dropped some easy passes in the past, and his attitude, which got him in the doghouse at Michigan, has frustrated some in Ann Arbor. Edwards is talented, but he is also cocky and a bit immature.
Mike Williams, USC-Williams is another prospect with top notch physical attributes. In fact, there are probably few receivers in the draft that compare to him physically. But as big as he is, Williams still has above average body control and superb coordination. Williams would likely be at the top of the 2005 class, but gambled and lost by declaring for the draft a year ago. A move that cost him his eligibility. He hasn't played since 2003, and will need to impress in workouts to stay among the elite at the position.
Mark Clayton, Oklahoma-Clayton is nowhere near as imrpessive physically as some of the other wide receivers, but he makes up for it in other areas. He has great hands, body control and is adept at running routes and reading coverages. While not a true physical presence, he may be one of the more polished receivers in the draft.
Chris Henry, West Virginia-Henry is big, fast, has soft hands and great athletic ability. He has all the skills to be a playmaker at the next level. But there will be teams who will be turned off by his lack of maturity and focus. Henry can be inconsistent at times, and was suspended twice by the team for disciplinary reasons in 2004. Henry is a talent, but also somewhat of a wild card.
Troy Williamson, South Carolina-Williamson is a player who may not have received a lot of hype, but has the skills to be considered among the better receivers in the draft. He has good size, soft hands, and is true deep threat. While he could be stronger, Williamson is one of the better blockers at the position in this draft.
Roddy White, UAB-White is a receiver who may not be a household name, but more because of where he went to school. While not physically imposing, White still has decent size. He has good speed and is a good athlete. White will have to work on his route-running and consistency, but he has some upside.
Terrence Murphy, Texas A & M-Murphy doesn't have great size, and will need work catching the ball, but he is a good athlete with decent speed. He is also tougher than most and a hard worker, which are two traits that can only help his draft stock.
Craphonso Thorpe, Florida State-After a fine 2003 campaign that ended when he broke his leg near the end of the regular season, Thorpe failed to meet expectations in 2004. He has above average hands, speed and athleticism, but his slump in '04 has some wondering how much the broken leg has really affected him.
Reggie Brown, Georgia-Brown has good size and is gifted athletically. He has the potential to be a playmaker, but has to be more consistent at the next level by eliminating dropped passes, as well as improving his blocking skills.
Fred Gibson, Georgia-Gibson is another player we think translates into a wild card. While he does have above average size, speed and atleticism, he also has flaws. Gibson can be terribly inconsistent in terms of effort, and has had some off the field issues. He was suspended by the team for being part of the group of players that sold their 2002 SEC Championship rings for profit. Add some questions about his durability and he may not go as high as some expect him to.
Braylon Edwards, Michigan-Edwards has the size, speed, strength and playmaking ability to be a star at the next level, if he stays focused. He has shown the athletic prowess to make circus catches, as well as the ability to be the man in the clutch (Michigan vs. Michigan State '04). But as gifted as he is, Edwards also has some weaknesses. He has dropped some easy passes in the past, and his attitude, which got him in the doghouse at Michigan, has frustrated some in Ann Arbor. Edwards is talented, but he is also cocky and a bit immature.
Mike Williams, USC-Williams is another prospect with top notch physical attributes. In fact, there are probably few receivers in the draft that compare to him physically. But as big as he is, Williams still has above average body control and superb coordination. Williams would likely be at the top of the 2005 class, but gambled and lost by declaring for the draft a year ago. A move that cost him his eligibility. He hasn't played since 2003, and will need to impress in workouts to stay among the elite at the position.
Mark Clayton, Oklahoma-Clayton is nowhere near as imrpessive physically as some of the other wide receivers, but he makes up for it in other areas. He has great hands, body control and is adept at running routes and reading coverages. While not a true physical presence, he may be one of the more polished receivers in the draft.
Chris Henry, West Virginia-Henry is big, fast, has soft hands and great athletic ability. He has all the skills to be a playmaker at the next level. But there will be teams who will be turned off by his lack of maturity and focus. Henry can be inconsistent at times, and was suspended twice by the team for disciplinary reasons in 2004. Henry is a talent, but also somewhat of a wild card.
Troy Williamson, South Carolina-Williamson is a player who may not have received a lot of hype, but has the skills to be considered among the better receivers in the draft. He has good size, soft hands, and is true deep threat. While he could be stronger, Williamson is one of the better blockers at the position in this draft.
Roddy White, UAB-White is a receiver who may not be a household name, but more because of where he went to school. While not physically imposing, White still has decent size. He has good speed and is a good athlete. White will have to work on his route-running and consistency, but he has some upside.
Terrence Murphy, Texas A & M-Murphy doesn't have great size, and will need work catching the ball, but he is a good athlete with decent speed. He is also tougher than most and a hard worker, which are two traits that can only help his draft stock.
Craphonso Thorpe, Florida State-After a fine 2003 campaign that ended when he broke his leg near the end of the regular season, Thorpe failed to meet expectations in 2004. He has above average hands, speed and athleticism, but his slump in '04 has some wondering how much the broken leg has really affected him.
Reggie Brown, Georgia-Brown has good size and is gifted athletically. He has the potential to be a playmaker, but has to be more consistent at the next level by eliminating dropped passes, as well as improving his blocking skills.
Fred Gibson, Georgia-Gibson is another player we think translates into a wild card. While he does have above average size, speed and atleticism, he also has flaws. Gibson can be terribly inconsistent in terms of effort, and has had some off the field issues. He was suspended by the team for being part of the group of players that sold their 2002 SEC Championship rings for profit. Add some questions about his durability and he may not go as high as some expect him to.
