2010 NFL Draft: Breaking Down the Wide Receiver Prospects
Do not expect a run on receivers going in the first round in 2010 like we did in 2009 when six pass catchers were selected in the first round. Oklahoma State’s Dez Bryant is the only reciever considered a lock to go in the first round with guys like Golden Tate and Arrelious Benn having a shot at sneaking in to the tail end of the first round. While there is not a lot of elite talent at the position there is good overall depth.
Dez Bryant (Oklahoma State, Jr.)
Bryant is the most polished receiver in college and was off to a great start prior to a NCAA imposed suspension for lying to them about his relationship with Deion Sanders. There are those who say Bryant would have been rated higher than Michael Crabtree had he been in the 2009 draft. He has the size and speed teams look for in receivers. He is also an excellent punt returner taking three of his 25 returns back for touchdowns while at OSU.
Bryant is considered a potential top ten talent but it remains to be seen if he goes that high. It seems unlikely his suspension costs him too much in the eyes of pro teams as long as he works out well.
He could slip into the top ten if a team like Seattle or Cleveland decides it needs to upgrade receiver over everything else. If Mike Holmgren decides that Brady Quinn and/or Derek Anderson deserve another year then getting a receiver with the potential to be a legit #1 receiver is a good move for them. The Seahawks have good receivers but they do not have that game changing receiver.
The Raiders are always a wild card as to what they will do in the draft.
Jacksonville could be a possibility but with Mike Sims-Walker having a breakout year and more pressing needs at other positions it seems unlikely they will bite on Bryant.
Do not expect Bryant to last past Miami though. The Dolphins are in desperate need of a top flight receiver to pair with Chad Henne as it is becoming painfully obvious that Ted Ginn, Jr. is never going to be that guy.
Golden Tate (Notre Dame, Jr.)
Tate is an explosive player who seems to find ways to make plays. He is extremely versatile as Notre Dame used him as a ball carrier on running plays and a punt returner. Tate is another player that does a lot of things well, but, he lacks elite speed and is on the smallish side for a wide receiver measuring in at just under six feet. The one big knock on Tate is he is built more like a running back than he is a wide receiver.
Tate is considered a late first round, early second round prospect right now. He could, however, end up going in the middle of the first round if someone steals Bryant away from the Dolphins.
Other first round possibilities include the Ravens and Bengals. With Derrick Mason a threat to retire this summer the Ravens need to find a younger alternative in the event he does retire. With the untimely death of Chris Henry and Laveranues Coles not living up to expectations the Bengals have a need for a big play guy to line up opposite Chad Ochocinco.
If he slips to the second round the Rams, Bucs, Chiefs, and Browns would all be strong candidates for Tate’s services. They all have a potential need for a starting wide receiver.
Arrelious Benn (Illinois, Jr.)
Benn entered the year as the second best receiving prospect and was considered a first round prospect. His stock has slipped a bit due to a disappointing season at Illinois. If Benn can run a comparable 40 time to Golden Tate’s he should surpass him in the receiver rankings as he has the prototypical body type NFL teams look for in receivers. He is not considered to have elite top end speed but enough speed to be a quality NFL receiver.
Arrelious is currently considered to be a second round prospect who could sneak into the tail end of the first round. He could jump past Tate based on how well he runs and depending on a prospective team’s taste in receivers.
His potential suitors are the same as that of Tate’s. If he is still on the board when the Panthers select in the second round there is a good chance they will snap him up. Muhsin Muhammad is believed to be on his way out and the front office is beginning to lose faith in Dwayne Jarrett becoming the guy to supplant Muhammad as the other starting receiver opposite Steve Smith. Benn would be a good complimentary receiver to Smith who could eventually ascend to the #1 spot once Smith moves on.
Brandon LaFell (LSU, Sr.)
LaFell has the body type to play in the NFL, he simply lacks the elite speed to be a top receiver in the league. He is very athletic and catches the ball well. He is big and physical and uses his body to get to the ball. LaFell will need to work on his route running if he wants to stick at the next level.
He is kind of a poor man’s Keyshawn Johnson and is considered to be a second round prospect. Carolina would definitely have an interest if Benn is off the board when they pick.
The Steelers need to start thinking about who is going to take Hines Ward’s spot when he retires and it is beginning to look as though Limas Sweed is never going to amount to much in the NFL.
The Ravens could also have an interest as well.
Keep an Eye On
Demaryius Thomas (Georgia Tech, Jr.) – Thomas still has a year of eligibility left, but, he could end up being the Derrius Heyward-Bey of the 2010 draft. He has good size, is a tremendous athlete, and is a big time play maker for the Yellow Jackets. Thomas has flown under the radar screen this season due to Georgia Tech’s overwhelmingly run-centric offense. He also has a tendency to drop some balls that he should catch. Demaryius currently grades out as a second round prospect but given his measurables he could move into the first round and be the second receiver to come off the board.
Damian Williams (USC, Jr.) – Williams has been one of the bigger movers in terms of draft status this season. He has the size teams like, it remains to be seen if he has the top end speed. He faded down the stretch and struggled against some of USC’s tougher opponents this year. He is considered a second round prospect and it seems somewhat unlikely he will move much higher up the rankings. He is a good all around receiver with no glaring weaknesses but he is not an elite receiver.
Mardy Gilyard (Cincinnati, Sr.) – Gilyard is the top senior receiver in the nation this year. He is excellent with the ball in his hands and is one of the country’s elite kick returners. He does not have elite speed but he has enough to play in the NFL and he is more quick than he is fast. Gilyard excels at making defenders miss as opposed to simply out running them. The biggest knock on Mardy is his lack of size coupled with lack of elite speed which will keep him from being a first round prospect. He is an excellent candidate to be a #3 or slot receiver in the NFL due to his ability to elude defenders.
Eric Decker (Minnesota, Sr.) – Possesses prototypical size but lacks elite speed. He has good hands and uses his strength to pick up extra yards but he is never going to be a guy who out runs the secondary. Has the potential to be a good complimentary receiver in the NFL. He is likely a late second or early third round pick.
Jordan Shipley (Texas, Sr.) – Jordan Shipley just reminds me a lot of Wes Welker. He is on the smallish side and gets by more on his guile and smarts than he does his physical attributes. He is willing to catch the ball in traffic and does not drop many passes. Shipley does not possess great foot speed but he is fast enough and excels at eluding defenders. He also excels at running routes. It is hard to see him coming off the board before the third round given his lack of size and elite speed.
