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PaCkFan_n_MD
04-08-2007, 08:40 AM
Draft '07: The Wideouts
rotoworld.com

If you've paid any attention to this year's draft, you've heard that the wide receiver class is stacked. Anywhere from five to eight will go in the first round. Players 1-19 on this list possess starting potential in two-to-three years, with a few marquee slot prospects mixed in.

Now that we've established how to project rookie QBs, judging wide receivers may be the most difficult position remaining. There aren't any players here I don't like, so I won't go out on a limb and call Jason Hill the next Rashaun Woods. (Worth noting: Woods' brother D'Juan will likely be selected in the fourth or fifth round and have a career as a No. 4 receiver.) A true crapshoot position, two or three of the top 19 will undoubtedly be out of the league in three years. I have no idea who they'll be. I'll just give you what I know.

1. Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech

Overall Rank: 1
Ht/Wt: 6-5/239
Combine: 4.35 forty
Pro Day: 11-foot-7 inch broad jump, 42.5-inch vertical

Negatives: Johnson can become flustered on the rare occasion that he's not dominating a game, leading to the occasional drop.

Positives: Without an experienced No. 2 opposite him, Johnson consistently separated from double and triple teams in college. He has huge hands and nearly 35-inch arms. Johnson is a devastating blocker, a hard worker, and durable. Despite a suspect QB in Reggie Ball, Johnson scored 16 times in 2006 and averaged 15.8 yards-per-catch.

Verdict: This is the best and most can't-miss player in the 2007 Draft. He won't fall past the top two picks and should go first if Oakland swings a deal for Josh McCown, Daunte Culpepper, or David Carr.

2. Ted Ginn Jr., Ohio State

Overall Rank: 12
Ht/Wt: 5-11/178
Combine: injured
Pro Day: April 11

Negatives: Ginn isn't ready to start at receiver in the NFL. At OSU, he ran basic routes that didn't prepare him for the complex pro-style offenses he'll be forced to learn. He's recovering from a mid-foot sprain that prevented him from participating in postseason workouts.

Positives: He's the draft's fastest player and a threat to go the distance every time he touches the football. Ginn has plenty of upside as a pass catcher and will help in the slot before becoming a starter in one or two years. He can make an immediate Devin Hester-like impact on returns. Ginn has experience at cornerback and could help as a dime defender until he grasps his team's offense.

Verdict: Unlike many players, Ginn's absence from pre-draft drills shouldn't hurt him because there's enough on tape to justify a top-15 selection. His injury is comparable to the one Philip Rivers suffered at the end of 2006 and isn't expected to linger. If Ginn is available at No. 13, expect St. Louis to snap him up.

3. Sidney Rice, South Carolina

Overall Rank: 14
Ht/Wt: 6-3.5/200
Combine: 4.53 forty, 4.34 short shuttle, 9-foot-11 broad jump, 40-inch vertical
Pro Day: Performed position drills

Negatives: Rice lacks ideal long speed. He is lanky and needs to add strength. A third-year sophomore who will be 20 when drafted, Rice is considered raw.

Positives: Rice is South Carolina's all-time leader in TD receptions and a terrific red-zone weapon. He managed 70 catches and 10 scores despite playing seven games with converted WR Syvelle Newton at QB last year. Rice goes to the ball and grabs everything with his hands. He will go over the middle and take a big hit. Chris Houston (Arkansas) held Dwayne Jarrett (5-35), Robert Meachem (4-65), Dwayne Bowe (5-68), and Earl Bennett (4-31) in check last year. Rice (7-126-1) ate Houston for lunch.

Verdict: If you can do what Rice did against the draft's top press corner, there should be no questions about whether you can separate. While he doesn't have Ginn's versatility, Rice's natural playmaking ability rivals Johnson's. He's a great fit for the Packers at 16 if they don't land Randy Moss and shouldn't get past Tennessee (No. 19).

4. Robert Meachem, Tennessee

Overall Rank: 17
Ht/Wt: 6-2/214
Combine: 4.39 forty, 4.31 short shuttle, 10-foot-1 inch broad jump, 38-inch vertical
Pro Day: 4.41 and 4.48 forties, 4.19 short shuttle, 10-foot-8 inch broad jump, 37.5-inch vertical

Negatives: He only started one year in college and is considered underdeveloped as a blocker. Meachem tends to "round off" his routes. He will drop passes over the middle.

Positives: His speed is ideal and he uses it after the catch. His hands are adequate. The starting point guard on his high school's two-time All-State basketball team, Meachem is a tremendous athlete. He caught 71 passes, averaged a startling 18.3 yards-per-catch, and found pay dirt 11 times in his one year starting at UT.

Verdict: As a Vol, Meachem made most of his big plays down the sideline or after the catch. No doubt an awesome specimen, it's questionable whether he'll be a dominant No. 1 receiver in the NFL because he doesn't like going over the middle. Still, he's certain to go in Round One and likely to be a productive No. 2 by his rookie or second year.

5. Dwayne Jarrett, USC

Overall Rank: 19
Ht/Wt: 6-4/219
Combine: Didn't work out
Pro Day: 4.62 and 4.67 forties, 4.20 short shuttle, 10-foot-1 inch broad jump, 36.5-inch vertical

Negatives: He's slower than Mike Williams, who ran 4.58 and 4.59 forties at the Trojans' Pro Day in 2005. As alluded to previously, Jarrett struggles against press-man coverage. He had a run-in with the LAPD prior to 2006 and was involved in a college house allegedly financed by Matt Leinart's father.

Positives: Jarrett is a remarkably fluid athlete and an acrobatic pass catcher. He has the best hands in the draft. Jarrett was arguably the most dominant receiver in college football last season. A starter since his freshman year, he has ideal experience.

Verdict: His game is incredibly similar to Plaxico Burress'. Jarrett is unlikely to be the Mike Williams-like "bust" some have him pegged for, as his athleticism and hands are far superior. The Titans and old coordinator Norm Chow are an obvious fit at No. 19. He shouldn't make it past San Diego at 30.

6. Dwayne Bowe, LSU

Overall Rank: 22
Ht/Wt: 6-2/221
Combine: 4.51 forty, 10-foot-5 inch broad jump, 33-inch vertical
Pro Day: 4.40 and 4.49 forties, 10-foot-5 inch broad jump, 37.5-inch vertical

Negatives: Bowe's questionable combination of long speed and explosion isn't ideal for a downfield passing attack. He needs to improve his consistency as a ball catcher. Bowe doesn't excel against man coverage.

Positives: He's considered the best run blocking receiver in the draft. Bowe is a natural red-zone specialist with instincts to "box out" and get jump balls. He was phenomenal at the Senior Bowl. Bowe's NFL upside is as a productive, potentially high-scoring No. 2 receiver.

Verdict: The perfect match for a West Coast offense or one that values receivers willing to sacrifice themselves in the run game, Bowe makes sense as high as Kansas City at No. 23. He'd be a coup for Minnesota with the 41st pick.

7. Jason Hill, Washington State

Overall Rank: 32
Ht/Wt: 6-0.5/204
Combine: 4.32 forty, 4.22 short shuttle, 10-foot-3 inch broad jump, 37-inch vertical
Pro Day: Performed position drills

Negatives: After posting two 1,000+ yard seasons in which he averaged 22.4 and 17.7 yards-per-catch, respectively, and totaled 25 touchdowns, Hill struggled with a balky shoulder and a high ankle sprain in 2006, and eventually called it a season with two games remaining. He was believed to lack top-end speed before the NFL Combine.

Positives: Hill put to rest any negative notions about his speed in February. Another natural playmaker, Hill catches the ball over his shoulder with ease and has big hands. He is an aggressive football player whose skills translate to any scheme.

Verdict: Do we devalue Derrek Lee in fantasy baseball leagues because he got hurt last year? (Well, apparently some of us do; I got him in the late third round.) Hill's skill set is as good as anyone's in this draft after Johnson, and he drew comparisons to Jerry Rice as a sophomore and junior. It won't be a shock if he goes in Round One.

8. Anthony Gonzalez, Ohio State

Overall Rank: 36
Ht/Wt: 6-0/193
Combine: 4.44 forty, 4.08 short shuttle, 10-foot-3 inch broad jump, 38-inch vertical
Pro Day: Performed position drills, benched 225 16 times

Negatives: Gonzalez doesn't "play big." He scored eight times in 2006 but won't be as proficient in an NFL red zone. Gonzalez only started one season at OSU and although he has good speed, is more an underneath-type possession receiver. He lacks experience as a returner.

Positives: Gonzalez is a willing blocker and has close to a complete game. He is sure handed and reliable in all situations, especially the clutch. Gonzalez received a late first- to second-round grade from the NFL Draft Advisory Board before declaring a year early.

Verdict: While there is a chance Gonzalez could thrive as an outside wideout in a Mike Martz-type spread offense, his game is better suited for the slot. He should be on Detroit and Houston's radar early in the second round.

9. Aundrae Allison, East Carolina

Overall Rank: 49
Ht/Wt: 6-0/198
Combine: 4.39 forty, 10-foot-7 inch broad jump, 37-inch vertical
Pro Day: 4.25 short shuttle

Negatives: Allison didn't try football until his junior year in high school and is considered raw. He also isn't physically strong. Another knock is that he'll take plays off, especially on non-passing downs. Allison has had trouble in the classroom.

Positives: Allison played in a run-heavy offense at ECU and caught 62 balls as a senior. He stood out at the Senior Bowl, showing the exceptionally soft hands that made him such a reliable college producer. Allison has some experience on punt returns.

Verdict: That Allison doesn't give all-out effort on every play could hurt his chances of getting on the field as a rookie, but his situation and physical skills are very similar to those of Greg Jennings. Allison seems a bit of a boom-or-bust pick with upside to be a speedy No. 2. He's a second-round prospect.

10. Craig Davis, LSU

Overall Rank: 72
Ht/Wt: 6-1/207
Combine: 4.46 forty
Pro Day: 4.41 and 4.44 forties, 10-foot-1 inch broad jump, 36.5-inch vertical

Negatives: Davis can't shake the nagging injury. It was a broken elbow as a freshman, a concussion in 2005, and after staying healthy as a senior, a groin pull forced Davis out of the Senior Bowl. He is also regarded as an inconsistent route runner.

Positives: When healthy, Davis makes plays down the field. He was considered the surest-handed Tiger on the LSU football team the past two seasons. Long overshadowed by bigger names in school, Davis has a well-rounded game and could be an instant third receiver in the Demetrius Williams mold.

Verdict: Davis has the measurables and has produced when he's had the shot. It could be a matter of opportunity at the next level. With a healthy offseason, he has a good chance to make an immediate impact and start down the line. It will be a surprise if Davis gets past the top 90 picks.

11. Steve Smith, USC - 5-11.5/197…4.44 forty… broken leg in 2004…always overshadowed at SC but highly productive…likely instant slot help

12. Paul Williams, Fresno State - 6-1/205…4.45 forty…college underachiever…big hands…has enjoyed terrific postseason workouts

13. Johnnie Lee Higgins, UTEP - 5-11/186…4.48 forty…13 TDs in '06…big-play specialist…fearless return man…inconsistent hands, routes

14. Rhema McKnight, Notre Dame - 6-2/211…4.5 speed…West Coast receiver…tore ACL in '05, 15 TDs in 2006…inconsistent hands

15. Courtney Taylor, Auburn - 6-2/204…possession receiver…will make the acrobatic grab…scrawny appendages…4.5 forty…quicker than fast

16. David Clowney, Virginia Tech - 6-0/188…4.36 forty…struggled with drops at Senior Bowl…great work ethic…Hokies' passing attack was poor

17. Mike Walker, Central Florida - 6-2/209…4.35 forty…tore ACL in '05, 90 catches in 2006…lacks good physical strength, blocking consistency

18. Brandon Myles, West Virginia - 6-1/189…4.4 speed…outstanding Senior Bowl…run-first offense at WVU, is underdeveloped…great hands

19. Jacoby Jones, Lane - 6-3/210…4.47 forty…began college 5-7/190…story of pre-draft events…scored ten all-purpose touchdowns as a senior

20. Laurent Robinson, Illinois State - 6-2/190…4.38 forty…elusive open-field runner…faced weak competition at ISU…possession-type slot receiver

Others: D'Juan Woods (Oklahoma State), Chris Davis (Florida State), Joel Filani (Texas Tech), Dallas Baker (Florida), Steve Breaston (Michigan), Syvelle Newton (South Carolina), David Ball (New Hampshire), Chansi Stuckey (Clemson), Legedu Naanee (Boise State), Marcus Price (Charleston Southern), Aaron Fairooz (Central Arkansas), Matt Trannon (Michigan State), Ryan Moore (Miami FL), Terry Moss (Ball State), Brad Ekwerekwu (Missouri), James Jones (San Jose State), Onrea Jones (Hampton), Yamon Figurs (Kansas State)

the_idle_threat
04-08-2007, 01:22 PM
There's something funny about that Clowney guy.