Weston M
04-10-2007, 10:38 AM
2007 NFL Draft: Ranking the WR's
http://www.elitefoot.com/nfl/draft/logo.gif
Continuing with my breakdown of the top prospects in the NFL draft, I now focus on the glamour position of the NFL: wide receiver. This position has become an area of concern in the past few NFL drafts. Despite abundant talent and enormous potential seemingly every season, it always seems as though few of the “top players” at the position rarely reach their potential in the NFL. Whether the player never reaches his potential or has character concerns, teams always have something to worry about when evaluating this positions. That being said, the 2007 class features several prospects who have the potential to turn into solid contributors in the league. Here’s the breakdown:
http://images.athlonsports.com/d/1415-1/Johnson300.jpg
1. Calvin Johnson
Strengths: You name it, this kid has got it. His size immediately makes him a threat at 6’5” 240. Has great speed as evidenced by his 4.35 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. A great leaper which will create even more mismatch problems at the next level. Fights defenders and rarely loses jump-ball situations. Unlike many of today’s wide receivers he has not shown any character concerns. A humble kid. Has great hands and makes difficult catches look routine. Rarely drops passes. Size gives him the ability to dominate in blocking situations and has shown the willingness to do so.
Weaknesses: Sometimes loses concentration when going after balls. Didn’t have the luxury of playing with a consistent quarterback in college, which may have hindered his development. Has great speed but lacks initial explosiveness.
Bottom Line: Calvin Johnson is without a doubt the most impressive prospect in this year’s class. There are very few weaknesses in his game compared to dominating strengths. If the draft order stays as it is now then Johnson will not fall past the Buccaneers at number four. However, there will be a lot of draft talk about teams trying to move up to acquire Johnson. Expect Johnson to be an immediate impact player who could turn into one of the game’s best within a year or so.
http://media.theinsiders.com/media/image/36/367046.jpg
2. Ted Ginn Jr.
Strengths: Has great speed and quickness. Perhaps the most dangerous open-field threat in this year’s class…regardless of position. Shows good quickness off the snap and does a good job of getting open. His ability on special teams makes him even more desirable. Performed well in big games during college including against Texas and Florida.
Weaknesses: Despite a lot of talent, Ginn has many areas in which he must improve. Drops too many passes and muffed too many punts. Often relies on his speed and athleticism to get open and doesn’t run great routes. His size gives him a disadvantage in blocking situations. Will need work in the next level to reach the game-changing potential he possesses.
Bottom Line: Ginn’s playmaking ability and dangerous special teams skills up his value tremendously. He has the ability, however, to be more than just a one-dimensional threat. His lack of size and questionable technique will worry some teams but with time and work he has all the ability to become a solid #2 receiver.
http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2006/writers/stewart_mandel/12/20/underclass.draft/Jarrett.jpg
3. Dwayne Jarrett
Strengths: A big, physical receiver who creates mismatches on the outside. A red-zone threat who will cause problems inside the ten. Has great hands and makes spectacular catches on a regular basis. Wins a lot of jump balls and does a good job shielding defenders with his body. Performed well in big games for USC and had a lights-out performance in the Rose Bowl against a solid Michigan defense. Can make plays after contact and fights for extra yardage after the catch. A good route-runner.
Weaknesses: Speed and quickness are a huge concern. Will not outrun defenders in the NFL and will have trouble creating separation and making huge plays vertically. Will sometimes disappear in games and will lose focus when going after routine balls. Runs high which limits his quickness. Is a confident player that borderlines arrogance, which makes teams worry about future issues. Mike Williams part II?
Bottom Line: Jarrett has great physical tools. His size, leaping ability, and great hands will make it tough on defenders to cover him. Speed and quickness will be a continual question for him but if he can run in the 4.50 range then it should not overwhelm the rest of his talents. Someone will take a shot at Jarrett in the top 20 because of his abilities to put up big touchdown numbers.
4. Robert Meachem, Tennessee
5. Sidney Rice, South Carolina
6. Dwayne Bowe, LSU
Sleepers:
Paul Williams, Fresno State: Is an incredible athlete who has the ability to become a top-notch receiver in the NFL. He has great speed, hands, and playmaking ability. However, for some reason it appears as if he has not been willing to reach his potential. Work ethic and aggressiveness are concerns for this prospect but if he can get his head on straight he’ll be an absolute steal.
Jacoby Jones, Lane College: Was a superstar receiver playing in Division II. Has good size and speed for a receiver and often beats his man downfield. Appears to be a humble kid who is a hard worker. He is a very raw prospect who will need to develop in many areas of his game. Scouts worry about his small hands at the next level. Despite all this, he can become a solid receiver in the NFL along with being a deep threat.
Yamon Figurs, Kansas State: Was the fastest player overall at the NFL combine and performed well enough in other drills to make him a candidate to be a sleeper in this year’s draft. Like many other receivers with great speed, he is very raw. He must work on areas of his game to become a more polished and consistent threat at the next level.
Biggest Risk:
Dwayne Jarrett, Southern California: Is a phenomenal athlete with great hands and will be a nightmare for cornerbacks inside the red zone. However, his lack of speed and explosiveness are big issues. Some wonder if his attitude is a resemblance of confidence or arrogance. It’s hard to ignore the similarities between him and former Trojan Mike Williams.
http://www.elitefoot.com/nfl/draft/logo.gif
Continuing with my breakdown of the top prospects in the NFL draft, I now focus on the glamour position of the NFL: wide receiver. This position has become an area of concern in the past few NFL drafts. Despite abundant talent and enormous potential seemingly every season, it always seems as though few of the “top players” at the position rarely reach their potential in the NFL. Whether the player never reaches his potential or has character concerns, teams always have something to worry about when evaluating this positions. That being said, the 2007 class features several prospects who have the potential to turn into solid contributors in the league. Here’s the breakdown:
http://images.athlonsports.com/d/1415-1/Johnson300.jpg
1. Calvin Johnson
Strengths: You name it, this kid has got it. His size immediately makes him a threat at 6’5” 240. Has great speed as evidenced by his 4.35 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. A great leaper which will create even more mismatch problems at the next level. Fights defenders and rarely loses jump-ball situations. Unlike many of today’s wide receivers he has not shown any character concerns. A humble kid. Has great hands and makes difficult catches look routine. Rarely drops passes. Size gives him the ability to dominate in blocking situations and has shown the willingness to do so.
Weaknesses: Sometimes loses concentration when going after balls. Didn’t have the luxury of playing with a consistent quarterback in college, which may have hindered his development. Has great speed but lacks initial explosiveness.
Bottom Line: Calvin Johnson is without a doubt the most impressive prospect in this year’s class. There are very few weaknesses in his game compared to dominating strengths. If the draft order stays as it is now then Johnson will not fall past the Buccaneers at number four. However, there will be a lot of draft talk about teams trying to move up to acquire Johnson. Expect Johnson to be an immediate impact player who could turn into one of the game’s best within a year or so.
http://media.theinsiders.com/media/image/36/367046.jpg
2. Ted Ginn Jr.
Strengths: Has great speed and quickness. Perhaps the most dangerous open-field threat in this year’s class…regardless of position. Shows good quickness off the snap and does a good job of getting open. His ability on special teams makes him even more desirable. Performed well in big games during college including against Texas and Florida.
Weaknesses: Despite a lot of talent, Ginn has many areas in which he must improve. Drops too many passes and muffed too many punts. Often relies on his speed and athleticism to get open and doesn’t run great routes. His size gives him a disadvantage in blocking situations. Will need work in the next level to reach the game-changing potential he possesses.
Bottom Line: Ginn’s playmaking ability and dangerous special teams skills up his value tremendously. He has the ability, however, to be more than just a one-dimensional threat. His lack of size and questionable technique will worry some teams but with time and work he has all the ability to become a solid #2 receiver.
http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2006/writers/stewart_mandel/12/20/underclass.draft/Jarrett.jpg
3. Dwayne Jarrett
Strengths: A big, physical receiver who creates mismatches on the outside. A red-zone threat who will cause problems inside the ten. Has great hands and makes spectacular catches on a regular basis. Wins a lot of jump balls and does a good job shielding defenders with his body. Performed well in big games for USC and had a lights-out performance in the Rose Bowl against a solid Michigan defense. Can make plays after contact and fights for extra yardage after the catch. A good route-runner.
Weaknesses: Speed and quickness are a huge concern. Will not outrun defenders in the NFL and will have trouble creating separation and making huge plays vertically. Will sometimes disappear in games and will lose focus when going after routine balls. Runs high which limits his quickness. Is a confident player that borderlines arrogance, which makes teams worry about future issues. Mike Williams part II?
Bottom Line: Jarrett has great physical tools. His size, leaping ability, and great hands will make it tough on defenders to cover him. Speed and quickness will be a continual question for him but if he can run in the 4.50 range then it should not overwhelm the rest of his talents. Someone will take a shot at Jarrett in the top 20 because of his abilities to put up big touchdown numbers.
4. Robert Meachem, Tennessee
5. Sidney Rice, South Carolina
6. Dwayne Bowe, LSU
Sleepers:
Paul Williams, Fresno State: Is an incredible athlete who has the ability to become a top-notch receiver in the NFL. He has great speed, hands, and playmaking ability. However, for some reason it appears as if he has not been willing to reach his potential. Work ethic and aggressiveness are concerns for this prospect but if he can get his head on straight he’ll be an absolute steal.
Jacoby Jones, Lane College: Was a superstar receiver playing in Division II. Has good size and speed for a receiver and often beats his man downfield. Appears to be a humble kid who is a hard worker. He is a very raw prospect who will need to develop in many areas of his game. Scouts worry about his small hands at the next level. Despite all this, he can become a solid receiver in the NFL along with being a deep threat.
Yamon Figurs, Kansas State: Was the fastest player overall at the NFL combine and performed well enough in other drills to make him a candidate to be a sleeper in this year’s draft. Like many other receivers with great speed, he is very raw. He must work on areas of his game to become a more polished and consistent threat at the next level.
Biggest Risk:
Dwayne Jarrett, Southern California: Is a phenomenal athlete with great hands and will be a nightmare for cornerbacks inside the red zone. However, his lack of speed and explosiveness are big issues. Some wonder if his attitude is a resemblance of confidence or arrogance. It’s hard to ignore the similarities between him and former Trojan Mike Williams.