2010 NFL Draft: Wide Receivers

Dez Bryant—Ok St—6’2”-225—1st—Top 3 prospect in draft, probably my favorite player in the draft. He has everything I want in #1 receiver, he’s fast (faster than 4.53) strong, runs routes well, in and outta breaks effectively, and most of all the best ball skills Ive seen in a long long time, like since Larry Fitzgerald, The man catches it with his hands downtown/short/in traffic/ or above traffic, his best comparison is definitely Brandon Marshall, I love Dez Bryant and fuck all the nay sayers cuz he is getting treated like Heck Randy Moss did in ’98 and he had the 2nd best rookie year ever (Earl Campbell #1)

Demaryius Thomas—GT—6’3”-224—1st-2nd—Long but strong frame, is perfect on the outside, vertical threat that will need to develop a mean comeback route, Not very polished but catches with his hands, rises over defenders and catches deep balls with dudes draped all over him. Could be Bernard Berrian but has potential to be Calvin Johnson but a little worse, either way would be a great WR at stretching the field and really requiring a safety paying attention at all times

Golden Tate—ND—5’11”-200—1st-prob 2nd—On film looks like the kind of guy who is uncanny at just getting open, Hines Ward like in that regard, Ran well at 4.42, I like that he was a high school running back, I like that he must’ve been reading defenses under Charlie Weis, Very intriguing prospect and I like him more than most do because I see a little Torry Holt in his game, Has chance to walk in and be a productive #2 right away for a team like Jaguars, Pats, great fit in Cleveland also

Brandon Lafell—LSU—6’2”-211—2nd day—I like him a lot, I feel he is the most under talked about receiver heading into this draft. I really cannot see him being a bust due to his size, athleticism, receiving skill, and production.  Top 5 in school history in every major receiving category.  He is experienced in the toughest conference in college ball and excelled.  I think he has similar ability to a Greg Jennings or Sims-Walker. Could be a definite steal, or could simply become a Jabar Gaffney type, but will not be a Charles Rogers. Good pick for almost every system except Eagles, solid 2nd round selection.

Arrelious Benn—Illinois—6’1”-219—late 1st-2nd—Hated him when I watched him at the combine, he looked like a straight line speed guy who only got attention cuz he was big.  After watching the film he is more straight line speed than a double move guy, but he plays physical takes hits and crosses the middle very effectively. Is type of player that will catch a lot of slants and shallow crosses and has the ability to split the safeties and pick up some good yardage.  I think he is similar to a poor mans T.O. and would be a good 2nd round pick for a team looking for a #2 option, Jags?

Mardy Gilyard—Cinci—6’0”-187—2nd day—One of my favorite players in the draft, was homeless 4 years ago and worked his way outta debt to be the only playmaker on undefeated Cinci.  He has above average speed, but is better with change of direction, will run a mean post-corner route. Excellent after the catch and had 4 return touchdowns. Was the focal point of his offense and everyone knew it but still had 11 touchdowns each of last 2 years.  I love him as a guy how gets separation and will seemingly always be open and making plays. Solidly in 2nd round with Houshmazilli potential with better YAC

Damian Williams—USC—6’1”-197—2nd day—Plays very similarly to Mardy Gilyard, I like Gilyards intangibles better, but Williams has more of an NFL ready body. Has very good YAC and reasonable return ability, I like him in a spread system and has ability to be a 60 for 900 type guy, runs screens well, would be good addition for anybody in 2nd round especially Cardinals filling Boldin’s underneath ability

Eric Decker—Minn—6’3”-217—2nd day—Interesting prospect, highest wonderlick score at combine of any position, obviously intelligent and has tremendous hand eye and hands in general. Very productive in minn, scares me with his similarities with Brian Robiskee.  The difference is he was the man at Minn and still got open and has really great hands.  Will need to get the ball immediately outta breaks cuz he will only be open for a brief second due to his below average speed, not great upside, but could be a good addition as a #2 on the outside.

Dezmon Briscoe—Kansas—6’3”-207—2nd day—Long guy who set all receiving records at Kansas in only 3 years.  Not real fast, definitely not a separator, not really one for catching in traffic, will be shut down by most man to man matchups. Against zone though he will find creases give a big target and surprising after the catch ability.  He looks like Kenny Britt but with a lack of speed, Nate Burleson possible comparison, I think he could give real good value in 3rd round, Seahawks?

Jordan Shipley—Texas—5’11”-193—2nd day—After a stellar 17 year college career at Texas the Wes Welker comparison enters the NFL.  Not the change of direction Wesley has, or the athleticism of Percy Harvin, what Shipley does have are top 3 hands in the draft.  More athletic than expected for a white middle aged man, and gives terrific effort, I’m hesitant to call him a taller Wesley because he played on a very talented team with the winningest qb in college fball history in the most spread of the spread offenses.  He will get a chance in the 3rd round, but I think ppl are too quick to anoint him and may end up being lucky to be a Brandon Stokley type.

Emmanuel Sanders—SMU—5’11”-186—3rd day—Nice little prospect, kind of rangy but has nice toughness and good speed.  4.4 40 and good receiving skills, experience in the spread which is nice for spread teams but will likely drive down his draft stock.  He has a real love for the game and I believe he is a great addition to most teams especially those needing depth, a Mike Wallace or Johnny Knox type player that could be a good fit for Pats.

Riley Cooper—Florida—6’3”-222-2nd-3rd day—Tebow’s favorite target because he has big frame and good hands, will draw comparisons to other large white slow dudes, but from what Ive seen will not be able to fulfill a Joe Jurivicious career. Is different from Decker in that he is a catch in traffic guy more than a separator, is physical and plays with an edge which is nice, but like Decker may have to revert to his baseball options because neither will make a name on special teams

Mike Williams—Syracuse—6’1”-221--??3rd day prob—This guy rivals Maurice Clarett for character concerns, suspended all of 2008 and then quit halfway thru 2009. On the field he has #1 wideout potential goes up and gets in, catches in traffic, has deep threat ability tho not exceptional speed. Very interesting talent but would be a stunner if he fulfilled potential look for someone to take a flier on him late or possibly earlier than anticipated in the 3rd

David Reed—Utah—6’0”-191—3rd day—Good playing speed, looks awful skinny. Spread offense will hurt his draft position, but he has ability.  Looks like Reche Caldwell or Jabar Gaffney but will need time in order to develop Gaffney’s receiving knack, will be worth a mid-round pick prob 5th

Taylor Price—Ohio—6’0”-205—3rd day—Has good burst and clocked at 4.41, but was never really productive up to his talents standards. Will be a project for some team but the fact of the matter is he wasn’t productive enough in a crappy conference and doesn’t have enough physical tools (3 inches, .05 in 40) in order to really make it, I believe he will never pan out.

Jacoby Ford—Clemson—5’9”-186—3rd day—Speed! That’s all he’s got.  On tape not as fast as the stopwatch.  Do not get him confused with C.J. Spillers game breaking ability because though Ford is fast he aint gonna take it to the house all the time.  Does not make as many people miss as you would like which is why not a true punt returner.  I will be surprised if he doesn’t end up a raider but he wont live up to a 4.28 at the combine.

Freddie Barnes—Bowling Green—6’0”-210—undrafted—155 catches in 13 games as a senior, need I say more?  Ran a 4.67 but has the knack to get open the way Davone Bess does, also undrafted FA, could be worth a flier in the 7th, what does he have in common with Wes Welker and Jerry Rice? 40 in the 4.6’s