Perhaps no position has seen more shake up than this year's wide receiver class. Malcolm Kelly headlined the '08 class as the top overall prospect, but injury issues and a poor workout has him dropping perhaps even into the second round. Devin Thomas has ridden to the top of this class, in a sense by default. Had DeSean Jackson measured a little bigger he likely would have been #1. Had Limas Sweed not missed the Senior Bowl due to his lingering wrist injury, he might also have been #1. All four of these players are likely first rounders and all could make impacts as rookies. However, none are top 10 talents and most of them belong in the bottom half of the first round. There may be no Calvin Johnson type talent here, but plenty of talent sprinkles this list with big red zone receivers, as well as speedy slot players who can give nickel corners fits. With so many teams in need of more play makers on offense, expect four or five receivers to be taken in the first round and as many as eight or nine could be taken on the first day.
1.) Devin Thomas 6-2 216 Michigan State
This one has been hard for me to go with. Thomas had just one solid season at State after transfering from Coffeyville Community College. He has size and strength to big a big-time receiver, plus the speed and explosion to make big plays with the ball in his hands. Even at 6-2 216, he can take a bubble screen 80 yards to the house. However, he does not run great routes and does not possess great technique. He will likely struggle against press coverage and does not do a great job blocking. At this point, the only thing putting him ahead of DeSean Jackson is size. Thomas may only be a hair under 6-2, but at 216, he is better equipped physically to deal with the punishment of an NFL season. Additionally, Thomas may have more upside long term, Jackson is more ready to make an impact in the NFL right now because of his ability to return. Thomas is at the head of a weak receiver class, however he has the physical tools to warrant a top 20 selection. He has the kind of explosion Donovan McNabb was looking for and with holes having already been filled on defense, Thomas would be an ideal fit with Philadelphia at 19. Rumors also say the Bills are willing to reach for Thomas at #11.
2.) DeSean Jackson 5-10 169 California
DeSean Jackson projects as a better receiver than Ted Ginn Jr last season and TGJ was a top 10 pick. Jackson is a more polished receiver as well as even more explosive in the return game. Every team could use a play maker like Jackson. He has great hands and will take hits going across the middle, although he has a tendency to drop easy ones worrying too much about what he will do after he makes the catch. To be fair, that is where Jackson makes his money. He has excellent body control and wiggle to get in position to catch and then make defenders miss. He can run any route you ask him to and does a good job getting separation with fluid hips. Jackson does not have great footwork and does not show great aggression while blocking. His return skills make up for the few blocks he may miss. You simply cannot kick or punt to him because he has serious, Devin Hester like stuff in returns, having returned 6 punts for touchdowns (Including 4 as a junior...as a senior most teams just didn't kick to him). I have been on Jackson's bandwagon all season long despite his struggle with injuries and his lack of ideal size. He is the most explosive player in this draft not named Darren McFadden and has return skills second to none in this year's class. He could inject some much needed life into Tampa Bay's passing attack, as well as give them explosion in the return game at #20 if Philly doesn't grab him at 19.
3.) Limas Sweed 6-4 215 Texas
The only reason Sweed finds himself here has been the strong workout of Devin Thomas and lingering injury concerns after Sweed lost most of his senior season to a wrist injury. Sweed has been a stand out at Texas and as a junior scored 12 times while averaging over 17 yards per play. The former Longhorn has explosive capabilities in the passing game despite his lack of top-end speed (Only runs in the 4.5's). However, his massive frame makes him a match-up nightmare for corners, particularly in the red zone. Sweed uses his body well to get in position and shows a particular knack for finding soft spots in zones, almost the way a tight end would in the middle of the field. He works extremely hard and is a smart, competitive player, displaying the kind of attitude you want from a #1 receiver. The biggest issue not relating to his injury is his lack of explosion in and out of cuts. Sweed may struggle to get separation against corners with great speed, but that is why his big frame and soft hands become so important because he can make the tough plays in traffic. With Jackson and Thomas off the board, plenty of teams will still be looking for a top receiver at the bottom of the first round. Vince Young desperately needs a true #1 and do not be surprised even if the Titans have Kelly rated higher if they take Sweed at # 24 to recapture of of VY's Longhorn magic.
4.) Malcolm Kelly 6-4 224 Oklahoma
When Kelly declared, he was considered the top wide out in a weak class. After being unable to perform in the combine due to a lingering leg injury, Kelly had a disappointing work out in Norman where he only ran in the high 4.6's in his 40. Scouts already had concerns about Kelly's ability to get separation in the NFL, something he did not do consistantly in college either. He has a tremendous ability to make catches in traffic, but part of that has been because he simply does not get the kind of separation you would like to see. Like Sweed, he uses his frame well to wall off defenders and has excellent hands. Kelly runs pretty good routes and has good feet. He will be a tough cover in the red zone. Kelly simply cannot stay healthy and that concerns a number of teams. You name it, it seems like Kelly has missed time because of it. Kelly's value had been driven through the roof, and unfairly so. He could have a great career as a possession receiver, but will never be the kind of explosive #1 the guys ahead of him could be. Some scouts have Kelly falling behind Hardy/Manningham here to #5 on the list, but I cannot justify moving down a player ranked #1 without a workout down to 5 just because he had a poor workout. Personnel evaluators will always look at the film first, and on film, Kelly is certainly a first round pick.
5.) James Hardy 6-5 217 Indiana
Of the big receivers in this draft, none of them have been as consistent as this former Hoosier. Hardy has been a starter since he came to Bloomington and has scored double digit touchdowns in each of his three seasons. As a junior, Hardy broke out with 1,125 yards and 16 touchdowns on 79 catches. He has outstanding size and can be physical across the middle. Hardy will not be bullied and can get off press coverage and release. Hardy is a long strider and has a tendency to round cuts. That lack of explosion in and out of cuts could make it difficult to get separation against quicker corners at the next level. That does not mean Hardy is not a threat after the catch. He has a second gear and is tough to bring down in the open field. Hardy was arrested on a domestic battery in 2005, but has reportedly matured significantly since then. With the fall of Malcolm Kelly and questions surrounding guys like Manningham, Hardy's stock has put him in that borderline first round range. Teams like Jacksonville and Dallas could both use the help at wide receiver, but if he fell out of the first, he probably would not get past the Chiefs at the top of round 2.
6.) Mario Manningham 6-0 181 Michigan
If you watched college football, you know how devastating Manningham can be. He was one of the premier play makers in the country in his three seasons at Ann Arbor, punctuated by his junior season with 1,174 yards and 12 touchdowns. Mario is an extremely fluid athlete, showing smooth, clean, route running. He has great hands and can makes catches everywhere on the field, including over the middle. However, he is not very physical and can struggle getting off the line against bigger corners, as well as blocking in the run game. And although he did not run a great 40 at the combine, he came back with mid 4.4 times at his pro day. Manningham has the kind of athleticism to fool corners and get separation despite not having explosive speed. May have some similarities to Greg Jennings and could be a dynamic play maker in the NFL. Some character issues and durability concerns remain and his lack of size and bulk probably precludes him from being a true top receiver, although it did not stop him from dominating a Big Ten loaded with talented corners. Manningham was once considered a first round prospect, however his stock has slipped due to inconsistency in pre-draft workouts. He has righted the ship to some degree, but will still likely slip into the second round. A team like the Jets who desperately want to add a dynamic dimension to their offense would gladly welcome Manningham's big-play ability at the top of the second round.
7.) Early Doucet 6-0 208 Louisiana State University
Doucet may not have blazing speed or great height, but he is the type of player coaches love. Doucet has solid natural athleticism and body control to make catches all over his body. Doucet always seems to know where the first down marker is and possesses great awareness on the field. He is very strong, although he will need to get better at beating press coverage. Scouts consider him a quick player rather than a fast one and his timed speed is average (upper 4.5 range in the 40). As a result, Doucet will not stretch the field, but can be a reliable target underneath. He flashes the ability to make plays after the catch and can be elusive in the open field. Doucet does not have much experience being a #1 wideout and benefited from playing with guys like Craig Davis and Dwayne Bowe. Some scouts love Doucet and others wonder how much upside he really has. To me, he looks like a potentially solid #2 receiver, but could also be tough in the slot as a #3. Doucet is another player who was considered to be a first round pick, but has dropped into the second round as a result of disappointing 40 times and workouts. Mike Martz and Mike Nolan fell in love with Doucet at the Senior Bowl and with WR a big need for the 49ers, Doucet could be their pick at the top of the second round.
8.) Lavelle Hawkins 5-11 187 California
Hawkins is one of the most natural pass catchers on this list. He has great quickness and agility and is smooth in and out of cuts. Despite his lack of size and strength, he uses his quick feet to beat press coverage and can get separation against a number of coverages. Even at his size, Hawkins shows a willingness to go across the middle and take the big hit. He may not have great timed speed (4.5 40's), but watching him, you can see just how explosive he can changing directions. He also has some upside as a return man with his elusiveness and agility. Hawkins was one of the most impressive players at the Senior Bowl showing he can get separation against some of the top corners in the country. Hawkins was overshadowed at times by his teammate Jackson at Cal, but has faired well in workouts and evaluations. Hawkins has a chance to be a killer from the slot and only adds to his value with return ability. His stock has risen over the last several weeks and he has played himself into mid-second round consideration. The Minnesota Vikings could use someone consistency at the receiver position and will likely consider Hawkins with their 2nd round pick.
9.) Andre Caldwell 6-0 204 Florida
Caldwell has been a tough prospect to figure out. He has sub 4.4 40 speed and soft hands, but lacks great height to be a red zone threat and lacks elusiveness to be a big run after catch receiver. Caldwell has soft hands and can find spots in the zone. May very well be a possession receiver who you can send vertically every now and then because of his excellent top end speed. However, at Florida, Caldwell was not a true vertical threat, certainly not the way a guy like Manningham or Jackson were. His nickname, "Bubba" does not relate in any way to his physicality as he will not overpower anyone, but shows the will to fight for balls in traffic. Caldwell was outstanding and productive at Florida, becoming their all-time leader in catches. However, Florida receivers have a history of underachieving in the NFL and while Caldwell does not project as a top-tier receiver, it may be difficult to project his role at the next level. Although Caldwell's stock has risen since leaving Florida, "Bubba" simply has not done enough to get himself into the first day. While he could sneak into the late second round, the top of the third seems considerably more likely.
10.) Eddie Royal 5-10 184 Virginia Tech
A case could be made for a player like Jordy Nelson from Kansas State or Jerome Simpson of Coastal Carolina and a number of scouts will actually have both Simpson and Nelson rated higher than Royal. However, I think Royal has more upside than both Nelson and Simpson. Royal has excellent explosion and speed running with sub 4.4 speed. In addition, Royal has great strength as he showed in his position best 24 reps of 225 at the combine. The former Hokie also makes up for his slight stature with a 36 inch vertical leap. On the field though Royal's athletic skills really shine through. He is a shifty runner who can make people miss. He has solid hands and can pluck the ball out of the air on the run. His experience on special teams playing "Beamer Ball" will only add to his value. Royal has never been to go-to guy, but likely will not have that burden in the NFL either. He has the size, speed, and elusiveness to be devastating out of the slot, and a huge boost on special teams. Royal is one of my favorite players in this draft, but he may not be for scouts. He could be a steal in the third round.
Other players to watch: Jordy Nelson Kansas State, Jerome Simpson Coastal Carolina, Earl Bennett Vanderbilt, Donnie Avery Houston, Dexter Jackson Appalachian State
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