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No great catch among draft’s shaky WRs

Discussion in 'NFL Draft Forum' started by ATVZ400, Apr 16, 2008.

  1. ATVZ400

    ATVZ400 Senior Member

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    In the past month, Michigan State’s Devin Thomas has gained enough position to potentially become the first wide receiver selected in the 2008 NFL draft. Right there in contention with him are LSU’s Early Doucet, Oklahoma’s Malcolm Kelly, Cal’s DeSean Jackson and Florida’s Andre Caldwell.

    There are good reasons, however, for doubting Thomas and the rest of the consensus top five as being solid first-round picks. Wide receiver is one of the most difficult positions to evaluate, but it’s easy to see there’s no Calvin Johnson or Braylon Edwards in this class.

    Red flags—or in some cases, red crosses—are attached to every one of the top five prospects. Not one of them is purely devastating with his size, speed, hands, experience and production to stand out in a way where a GM should feel confident projecting him as a long-term No. 1-type receiver.

    Let’s start with Thomas. He had a terrific statistical junior season with Michigan State. He also is big (6-2, 210) and shows the pure speed/quickness to be a fine kickoff returner.

    link to rest of story
    http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_y...g=nogreatcatchamongdraftss&prov=tsn&type=lgns
     
  2. Stitches

    Stitches ThePhin's Biggest Killjoy Luxury Box

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    Consensus top five?

    James Hardy and Limas Sweed are easily ranked higher than Doucet or Caldwell.
     
  3. gcd960

    gcd960 Junior Member

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    i was going to say the same thing ...... but ...... if it allows us to grab either one with 2a, i am perfect with.
     
  4. ATVZ400

    ATVZ400 Senior Member

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    AS PER nfldraft.rivals
    2008 NFL Draft Wide Receiver Rankings
    1. Limas Sweed, 6-4, 215, Texas
    Sweed is a physical player who opted out of the Senior Bowl because of a recurring wrist injury. He had a good performance at the NFL Combine and hopes to run better at the Texas pro day.

    2. Devin Thomas, 6-1, 210, Michigan State
    Thomas is a tough junior who had a fine 2007 season. He showed big-play ability as both a receiver and returner. He had a terrific performance at the NFL Combine that has him flying up the charts.

    3. James Hardy, 6-6, 220, Indiana
    Hardy is a huge prospect who was an unstoppable force in the Big Ten in the 2007 season. He is physically ready for the NFL game.

    4. DeSean Jackson, 5-11, 165, California
    This all-purpose playmaker can be an impact performer as both a receiver and return specialist. He burned up the track at the Combine - as expected - and may be the top prospect selected at this position.

    5. Early Doucet, 6-0, 210, LSU
    Doucet is a fast and athletic wideout who had a good week at the Senior Bowl. Doucet followed that up with a strong performance at the NFL Combine.

    6. Malcolm Kelly, 6-4, 220, Oklahoma
    This big and athletic junior flashed playmaking ability over his Big 12 career.

    7. Mario Manningham, 5-11, 180, Michigan
    Manningham is a junior who was a fine playmaker in his short Big Ten career. His performance at the Combine was disappointing, and he needs a good sprint time at his pro day to move up on teams' boards.

    8. Earl Bennett, 6-1, 202, Vanderbilt
    Bennett entered the draft after a tremendous three-year SEC career. The record-setting performer had a good effort at the NFL Combine
    .
    9. Eddie Royal, 5-9, 185, Virginia Tech
    Royal is a solid all-purpose performer who had big weeks at the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine. His efforts got the attention of many NFL scouts.

    10. Keenan Burton, 6-1, 205, Kentucky
    Burton is a receiver/return specialist who displays big play ability. However, he must prove that he has recovered from late season knee problems to rank higher in this class.

    11. Andre Caldwell, 6-0, 205, Florida
    Caldwell is an agile senior who has sure hands and a good understanding of the passing game. He ran a super sub-4.4 time at the Combine that has him moving up the charts.

    http://nfldraft.rivals.com/content.asp?SID=1164&CID=767677
     
  5. ATVZ400

    ATVZ400 Senior Member

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    Top Prospects: Wide Receivers
    1. DeSean Jackson, California
    Agility Tests:
    40-yard dash: 4.29 Bench press: 250 lbs Verticle jump: 35"
    The skinny: He has great speed, but he's tiny at 170 pounds. He does have return ability. You can't discount his kind of speed.

    2. Devin Thomas, Michigan State
    Agility Tests:
    40-yard dash: 4.42 Bench press: 365 Verticle jump: 33"
    The skinny: Thomas is one of the fastest risers in this draft. He has showed well in his workouts and has big-time speed. He is polished as a route runner.

    3. Limas Sweed, Texas
    Agility Tests:
    40-yard dash: 4.48 Bench press: 355 lbs Verticle jump: 34.5
    The skinny: He suffered a wrist injury last season, which pushed him to the sidelines. He showed well in his Pro Day workout. He's got size and speed.

    4. Malcolm Kelly, Oklahoma
    Agility Tests:
    40-yard dash: 4.54 Bench press: 300 lbs Verticle jump: 38"
    The skinny: The concern with Kelly is reports that he has knee issues. If that doesn't scare off teams, his poor 40 times might. But he sure plays a lot faster and he is 6-4, 225 pounds.

    5. James Hardy, Indiana
    Agility Tests:
    40-yard dash: 4.5 Bench press: 255 lbs Verticle jump: 39"
    The skinny: At 6-5 ½, he was timed under 4.5 at the combine. That surprised some scouts. That type of speed should put him at the back end of the first round or at the top of the second.

    Player on the rise:
    Thomas. This junior has really impressed with his physical size and speed. He could be the first receiver taken, maybe even in the top 15.
    Player on the decline:
    Kelly and Early Doucet, LSU. Kelly's workouts have hurt him in a big way. Doucet has run slower than expected times in the 40, which has dropped him down some boards. He should still go in the second or third round.
    Sleeper
    Jerome Simpson, Coastal Carolina. At 6-2, he has good size and he has been timed under 4.5 in the 40. He has a 41 1/2-inch vertical leap.

    http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/draft/prospectrankings/OFF/WR
    http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/draft/prospectrankings/OFF/WR
     

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