NFL Draft Analysis: Wide receivers, tight ends
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel pro football writer Bob McGinn assesses the top wide receivers and tight ends in the draft next weekend. Included are each player's school, height, weight, 40-yard dash time and round in which he is projected to be selected.
NFL Draft Analysis: WIDE RECEIVERS
WIDE RECEIVER
School HT. WT. 40-Yd. Dash Rd.
1. CALVIN JOHNSON
Georgia Tech 6-5 239 4.35 1
Almost too good to be true in every category. "He's one of the easiest picks of all time," San Diego GM A.J. Smith said. "Who's the one guy you're betting the house on will be a performer, won't embarrass you, won't get the money and run south? This is the one guy." Third-year junior started all 38 games. "He's sort of a strider who gains speed," one scout said. "He's not one of those initially quick guys but he has quickness. He can run routes, he can catch, he can take balls away. He needs to work on his blocking but he can destroy people when he wants to." Caught 178 passes for 2,297 yards (16.4) and 28 touchdowns. "He's a mismatch just lining up for a lot of people, let alone he's got speed and catching ability," Buffalo assistant GM Tom Modrak said. "Physically, he's got more than Larry Fitzgerald. He's bigger and stronger than (James) Lofton. I hate to do this but he really is a freak." Tech receiver coach Buddy Geis, who coached Sterling Sharpe in Green Bay and Marvin Harrison in Indianapolis, said Johnson is the best he has had.
2. ROBERT MEACHEM
Tennessee 6-2 216 4.41 1
Runs after the catch like the running back that he was for a time in high school. "Best run after the catch in the draft," St. Louis VP Tony Softli said. His running dimension led Arizona scout Jerry Hardaway to draw a comparison with Andre Rison. Fourth-year junior sat out '03 with torn knee cartilage, then made just two starts in 2004-'05. Exploded in '06 with 71 catches, 1,298 yards (18.3) and 11 TDs. "Rare combination of size and speed," Indianapolis President Bill Polian said. "I worry about the hands some." Not a true vertical receiver but does have a burst and sensational athleticism. "He's strong, can catch and can make plays after the catch," one scout said. "But he's got no feel for zones. He's kind of stiff in the hips and struggles in and out of breaks. His routes aren't very good, either."
3. DWAYNE BOWE
Louisiana State 6-2 219 4.54 1
Compared by two scouts to Bears veteran Muhsin Muhammad. "He is like him," Chicago GM Jerry Angelo said. "Power player. More the possession tough guy. Does the dirty work. Really good body control. You love the competitor. Has his drops, too. He can (get deep), but he's going to have to win it one-on-one. He's not going to win it with pure speed, obviously." Started 30 of 50 games, finishing with 154 catches for 2,403 yards (15.6) and 26 TDs. Improved each year. "Tough guy and will block for you," Tennessee national scout C.O. Brocato said. "His hands are good. He's got everything you want except being a burner." Must fight a constant battle with weight. One scout said he was quicker and probably better than Arizona's Anquan Boldin.
4. TED GINN JR.
Ohio State 5-11 178 4.35 1
Third-year junior with world-class speed. "He's one of those rare guys that if he played with Brett Favre and Brett threw the ball 80 yards, Ted Ginn could go run 80 yards," Seattle scout Charles Fisher said. "The field isn't big enough for him. He has a chance to be a superstar, but there's a lot of hit or miss with the guy." Rated by most teams as the No. 1 return specialist. Was a great prep cornerback playing for his father in Cleveland. He isn't refined as a receiver and appears somewhat timid. "Everybody is looking for reasons why he dropped a lot of balls," one scout said. "Maybe his hands aren't special. And he dropped them with his back toward the heavy breathers that are coming to knock the hell out of him. But I know one thing: he has scored a lot of touchdowns." Caught 125 passes for 1,943 yards (15.5) and 15 TDs as a 2 1/2-year starter. "This guy has been pampered all his life and it's all about him, it's not about his team," another scout said. "He's got dangerous vertical speed and will double as a return guy, but he's selfish." Still not fully recovered from a foot injury suffered in early January.
5. DWAYNE JARRETT
Southern California 6-4 215 4.63 1-2
Made a mint in the Rose Bowl with 11 catches for 205 yards against Michigan. "He's an athletic, big, tall, rangy guy with very good ball skills," San Francisco scout Trent Baalke said. "He makes a lot of contested catches because he knows how to use his frame. He's a very good red-zone possession receiver." Third-year junior and 2 1/2-year starter. Finished with 216 catches for 3,138 yards (14.5) and Pac-10 record 41 TDs. "He's not Mike Williams," Angelo said. "You always hear that comparison. He doesn't have that weight problem. Great body control. Plays big. He doesn't have great speed." Hurt himself with slow 40 on pro day. "He bothers me tremendously," one scout said. "I don't see any suddenness in his play. He looks like a possession guy in the red zone to me. That's not enough for me to be a top pick." Scored 14 on the Wonderlic, two fewer than Meachem, one fewer than Bowe and one more than Ginn.
6. SIDNEY RICE
South Carolina 6-3 1/2 197 4.51 2
"He's not as good as Johnson but he belongs with all the others," one scout said. "He's a tall, slender guy. Silky smooth. Played on an awful, awful team. The quarterback was terrible. A lot of times you don't see (Steve) Spurrier's guys have success early because they have to be taught how to play receiver." Third-year sophomore. Sat out '04 with hyperextended knee, then caught 142 passes for 2,233 yards (15.7) and 23 TDs. "Athletic going up and getting the ball," Tennessee director of player personnel Rich Snead said. "Can make a tough catch. Can run and jump. Runs well enough. Not a real strong guy." Some say he hears footsteps inside. "I like everything about him except his quickness and his separation," another scout said. "He will struggle to get off press. If it's in an area, he's going to catch it. He's a red-zone guy."
7. CRAIG DAVIS
Louisiana State 6-1 1/2 207 4.42 2
Some-time starter until '06 due in part to nagging injuries, including what one scout categorized as a "chronic hamstring." Said Buffalo national scout Marc Ross: "Overall, he's the most skilled guy. He's just been nicked up and has some questions on his durability and toughness. As far as size, speed, quickness, route-running, hands, run after catch, he's got it all." Finished with 141 catches for 2,107 yards (14.9) and seven TDs. "He didn't want to (play hurt) this year," one scout said. "He was in and out. Toughness is what worries you about him." Added another scout: "He's got the most up-side. I wouldn't say he's timid. Everything's got to be right for him to be good. If he gets a hamstring nick, (expletive), you might not see him for two weeks."
8. STEVE SMITH
Southern California 6-0 195 4.45 2
Three-year starter. "Exceptional route runner," Softli said. "Lot of quickness in his game. Very soft, sure hands. What you see is what you're going to get. I helped draft Keary Colbert (for Carolina '04), and this kid is just like that." Several scouts said USC wide receivers were among the best-prepared in the country. "Over the years I thought he was just a guy," one scout said. "I couldn't believe what I saw this year. Then he might have had a better workout than Johnson. Just spectacular. He reminds me of Reggie Wayne but he's faster." Started 27 of 46 games, finished with 190 catches for 3,019 yards (15.9) and 22 TDs and saved his best for '06. "Good college player," another scout said. "Not a special guy."
9. JASON HILL
Washington State 6-0 1/2 204 4.32 2
Three-year starter. "He's a great kid and really a success story," Baalke said. "The type of kid that will play a long time in the NFL." After a strong showing at the Senior Bowl, he was one of the major surprises at the combine with blistering 40. "Unbelievable that he ran that," one scout said. "Because he doesn't play to that. But he was productive." Finished with 148 catches for 2,704 yards (18.3) and 32 TDs. Well-built, sure-handed, high character but not very quick.
10. ANTHONY GONZALEZ
Ohio State 6-0 194 4.44 2
Smartest (29 on the Wonderlic) and had fastest time (4.08) in short shuttle of the top wideouts. "He's one of those guys who will play for 10 years," Tampa Bay personnel consultant Jim Gruden said. "He's dedicated to football, a football fanatic. I'm sure he will be one of those guys that just gets open and catches balls." Fourth-year junior didn't start until '06. Finished with 87 catches for 1,286 yards (14.8) and 13 TDs. "Product of the system," one scout said. "If you got two, maybe three strong wideouts, he could come in and do your intermediate routes. A poor man's Ricky Proehl is what he is." Sleeps in a hyperbaric chamber. "He reminds me of people from the Bay Area in the 1960s," another scout said. "The 'Hippie Movement.' He's very, very bright but he's very different when you talk to him."
OTHERS: Jacoby Jones, Lane (Tenn.); Laurent Robinson, Illinois State; Paul Williams, Fresno State; David Clowney, Virginia Tech; Johnnie Lee Higgins, Texas-El Paso; Aundrae Allison, East Carolina; Dallas Baker, Florida; Steve Breaston, Michigan; Yamon Figurs, Kansas State; Courtney Taylor, Auburn; Mike Walker, Central Florida; Chris Davis, Florida State; Rhema McKnight, Notre Dame.
NFL Draft Analysis: TIGHT ENDS
TIGHT END
School HT. WT. 40-Yd. Dash Rd.
1. GREG OLSEN
Miami 6-6 255 4.51 1
Two-year starter moved into first-round consideration with blazing 40 at combine. "We don't think he is Dallas Clark," Polian said. "But the numbers tell us differently, that he's every bit as good." Fourth-year junior with 87 catches for 1,215 yards (14.0) and six TDs. "If you want somebody to stretch Cover 2, he can do it," Gruden said. "He's not in the (Bubba) Franks, (Jeremy) Shockey, (Kellen) Winslow class because he doesn't block. He won't block anybody. But he can run and catch." Olsen readily admits his blocking must improve and insists it will improve. "But if you think he's going to be a blocker, then you're talking about (urinating) on cotton because it ain't going to happen," one scout said. His parents both are coaches. Also compared to Jay Novacek. "Whenever they needed a big play Winslow made it," another scout said. "I've seen him look fantastic in practice. Larry Coker told me he'd be the best tight end they ever had when he was a freshman but he's never done it. He drops balls, he's not a blocker. I wouldn't take him in the first but I'm sure someone will because he ran 4.5." Had 30 on the Wonderlic.
2. ZACH MILLER
Arizona State 6-4 1/2 255 4.82 2
Third-year junior probably came out in a good year. "Zach will be a steady tight end in the league," Baalke said. "Can he be a Bubba Franks type guy? He certainly can. He can be an Alex Smith. He can block, catch, line up in multiple positions. He's smart, dependable and durable." Started all 35 games over three years and caught 144 passes for 1,512 yards (10.5) and 14 TDs. Broke Todd Heap's school reception record of 115 but Heap averaged 14.7. "He's a really good blocker and he's a great kid," Philadelphia GM Tom Heckert said. "He just doesn't run very fast." Wonderlic score of 29. "More of a strider athlete than a quick, sudden, explosive guy," one scout said. "I'd like to see him adjust better in the open field. He needs some work (blocking) but he's got enough size to position, shield, wall guys off so the back can clear."
3. SCOTT CHANDLER
Iowa 6-7 267 4.80 3
Two-year starter from a program that has produced capable tight ends. "You kind of know what you're getting," Modrak said. "It's pretty good and there aren't many." Joined the Hawkeyes as a king-sized wideout before moving to tight end in '04. Dropped too many in '06. "But he's got nice hands," one scout said. "He's too stiff, too erect. He's not sudden. He's an angle blocker." A two-year starter with 115 catches for 1,431 yards (12.4) and 10 TDs. Scored 34 on the Wonderlic. "He's not a blocker," another scout said. "I don't know how tough he is. That bothers me." Added a third scout: "Scott Chandler is 'Lurch.' I mean, what else is there?"
4. BEN PATRICK
Delaware 6-3 251 4.74 3-4
Led lowly Duke in receiving for two seasons, graduated and transferred to Division I-AA Delaware for final year of eligibility. "Doesn't have great burst to separate but he's a fluid, smooth-moving guy," one scout said. "He's got ability. He's dependable. Pass pro (protection) is his issue." Another scout knocked him for bailing out on the Blue Devils. "We need people up here that are fighters in the sport," he said. "You go to Delaware? I ain't got nothing against the University of Delaware. Nice school. But the problem I have is he didn't dominate there." Lingering foot injury is cause of considerable concern for some teams. "Not great speed, not a great blocker," Snead said. "He's like an H-back type." Strangely, he has dropped almost 20 pounds since last fall. Caught 143 passes for 1,420 yards (10.3) and eight TDs.
5. MATT SPAETH
Minnesota 6-7 270 4.83 4-5
Had shoulder surgery late in the season. "He worked out April 5 and ran quite well," Tennessee scout Johnny Meads said. "He could be perhaps an early second-day pick." Smart (29 on the Wonderlic), rugged and a four-year starter. "Tough guy," Angelo said. "Kind of a self-made player. He's limited in the passing game but he's a big target." Caught 109 passes for 1,291 yards (11.8) and 12 TDs. Father, Ken, was Buffalo's fifth-round pick as a tight end in '78 but never made it. "It's hard for those big guys to block with leverage but he's decent at it," one scout said.
6. MARTREZ MILNER
Georgia 6-4 250 4.81 4-5
Split time with Leonard Pope in '05 before finally starting in '06. "Great athlete," one scout said. "But he dropped balls and has always dropped balls." Besides Pope, Georgia also has sent tight ends Jermaine Wiggins, Randy McMichael and Ben Watson to the NFL in last decade. "Over-hyped and overrated," another scout said. Finished with 49 catches for 808 yards (16.5) and five TDs. Said a third scout: "Average blocker. He has good hands but he has been inconsistent. Better athlete than player."
7. MICHAEL ALLAN
Whitworth 6-6 254 4.71 5
Lightly recruited from an 0-9 prep team in Bellevue, Wash., and went to Division III program. "Whitworth?" one scout said. "Who knows what he's going to be? You don't know what he's going to be." Only non-scholarship school invitee at combine. "He sees himself as a receiver, and for a big guy he's athletic," Snead said. "But he can't just make it as a receiver." Finished with 118 catches for 2,202 yards (18.7) and 29 TDs.
8. CLARK HARRIS
Rutgers 6-5 1/2 258 4.79 5-6
Three-year starter with 143 catches for 2,105 yards (14.1) and 11 TDs. "All his stuff is in front of him," Hardaway said. "He's an athlete and he's smart. You can develop strength and conditioning." Posted 40 on the Wonderlic. "You can't say he's a threat as a receiver although he can catch the ball," one scout said. "He doesn't run block all that well but he gives effort. He doesn't play very fast, he doesn't play very strong." One of two position players in the draft with a chance to long snap.
9. DANTE ROSARIO
Oregon 6-3 242 4.78 6
Moved from fullback to tight end in '05. More of an athlete than a physical player. Finished with 94 catches for 1,003 yards (10.7) and 11 TDs. "He's an H-back," one scout said. "He actually doesn't play on the line of scrimmage. Motion guy. Catches the ball well. He's not a blocker."
10. BRADEN JONES
Southern Illinois 6-3 260 4.67 6
Enrolled at Northwestern in '01 but didn't play after suffering head injuries in a fight. Part-time starter at outside linebacker in 2002-'03 but had all kinds of legal problems and was kicked off team in '04. Transferred to SIU in '05 and moved to tight end. Granted a sixth year of eligibility in '06 and caught 32 passes for 521 (16.3) and seven TDs. One of the few tight ends with above average speed. "We don't have him high at all," one scout said. "He can run but we killed him character-wise."
OTHERS: Kevin Boss, Western Oregon; Derek Schouman, Boise State; Ray Hall, Ohio State; Cody Boyd, Washington State; Daniel Coats, Brigham Young; Jonny Harline, Brigham Young; Joe Newton, Oregon State; Anthony Pudewell, Nevada.
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