Top 10 WR Prospects | Football Jabber

Draft Prospects: Wide Receiver, NFL Draft, National Football League

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This year’s class of wide receivers is a good mix of speed and size guys but lacks a standout top 10 guy. With many high profile offensive teams needing a top WR, this year’s class should prove to have good opportunity to make an immediate impact. A deep class, many teams may choose to wait until the third round to get their guys.

1) Limas Sweed, Texas

There was worry that Sweed would run a 4.5+ 40 at the combine and that teams may choose to ignore him until the second round. Well Sweed ran a 4.46 and had a solid combine, cementing his first round status. I think Sweed is the safest pick in the class with sure hands and crisp route running. He is a physical receiver who can fight off jams at the LOS. The only knock on Sweed is injury history.

2) Devin Thomas, Michigan State

Thomas may have earned the distinction of being the first WR selected in the draft with his monster combine. He ran a 4.32 40 at 215 pounds. A physical sure-handed pass-catcher, Thomas will receive some criticism for not producing at all until this past year but I believe that can be attributed to scheme and coaching as much as the player.

3) DeSean Jackson, California

The top speedster in the draft, he won’t get a lucky top 10 reach this year like the receiver many compare him to did last year, Ted Ginn Jr. Elite kick return abilities paired with 4.3 40 speed and sure hands, Jackson has Steve Smith-like upside but will need to adapt to playing at a much more physical NFL level.

4) James Hardy, Indiana

I really want to rank Hardy at #1 on this list. I really do but I always have difficulty ranking guys who have character concerns around effort. Look at guys like Dwayne Jarrett. Ranked highly and set up to succeed as the WR2 for Carolina but now he might be lucky to crack WR4 on that team. Hardy, at 6′5″, has the size to win jump balls all day in the red zone and has surprisingly good hands for a big man who doesn’t necessarily run the cleanest routes. Easily the biggest upside in the draft, Hardy could develop into the next TO.

5) Early Doucet, LSU

Many have Early Doucet as a proto-typical slot receiver; I couldn’t agree more. Doucet worked out and produced well at the Senior Bowl but neglected to perform at the combine and worked out poorly at LSU’s pro day, running a slow 4.56 40. Doucet has big game experience and the hands to produce in the NFL.

6) Malcolm Kelly, Oklahoma

Kelly has seen the biggest freefall in his draft stock outside of the now second day pick Adarius Bowman. Concerns about his knee, inability to tough out a thigh injury and finally a horrible 4.68 40 on the OU pro day have lead to Kelly falling from surefire WR1 to round 2 pick. Measureables and injuries aside, the kid has talent. We’ve all seen the circus catches that Kelly has made. I hope that the thigh injury bothering him had hampered his ability to run. If he can get/stay healthy, he might be a steal for a team in the second round.

7) Jordy Nelson, Kansas State

I like Nelson as a physical possession receiver for a team starving for WR help. He is the type of player who can fight for catches over the middle with his 6′2″ 217 lb frame and still have enough speed to beat his man occasionally with his 4.49 40 speed. He has shown the ability to beat elite corners in college and has the size to position out defenders in the NFL.

8 ) Donnie Avery, Houston

Donnie Avery sort of back up his claim to being a top level speedster. His 4.34 pro day time isn’t the 4.2 he predicted, nor was his 4.40 at the combine. However, 4.3 speed is still legitimate speed. Avery’s numbers are thought to be inflated because of the pass happy Houston offense but you cannot deny his ability to catch the ball. He also brings return abilities to the table. I like him to go in the late second or early third.

9) Eddie Royal, Virginia Tech

While a 4.39 40 time may not turn too many heads when you are 5′9″ 184 lbs, Royal won over scouts at the combine by performing well in the route running and catch drills. He was fluid and looked very comfortable in performing. Don’t be surprised if he sneaks into the first day.

10) Mario Manningham, Michigan

Manningham has done all he could to ruin his draft stock; running a 4.59 40 when speed is your calling card, lying directly to NFL GMs and scouts and terrible interviews to name a few. Mario is back on the rise after running a 4.42 on his pro day. He needs to works on his hands as the last time I recall watching some game tape on Manningham, he suffered through multiple drops. His injury history is also well documented. Still, when Manningham is on his game, he is a force on the field. Mario’s draft position may have much to do with what Gms are willing to gamble.

Close to the cut:
Andre Caldwell, Florida
Earl Bennett, Vanderbilt
Will Franklin, Missouri
Dexter Jackson, Appalachian State
Paul Hubbard, Wisconsin
Harry Douglas, Louisville
Marcus Monk, Arkansas

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Tjford @ April 25, 2008