Limas Sweed

There may be no Randy Moss or Jerry Rice in this year’s crop of wide receivers, but teams looking to upgrade their receiving corps should be able to find someone to fit the bill. This solid, deep pool of players has a good mix of speed and size to complement any NFL roster.

Let’s take a look at some of the players that could be big catches for clubs come draft day.

1. , 6’0, 178, California: Jackson is a fast and physical playmaker who can also make an impact in the return game. He has blistering speed, good hands and a penchant for making big plays. A good showing in the combine should make him the 1st overall WR taking in the draft.

2. , 6’4, 218, Oklahoma: If Jackson isn’t the first receiver taken in the draft, then will be. Kelly is a big, physical player with great height at 6′4″. Kelly is often compared to Plaxico Burress because of his big-bodied style which bodes well for his NFL future.

3. , 6’4, 212, Texas: Sweed is a big, physical receiver with pretty good speed. A wrist injury his senior season will keep him being drafted as high as he could have been, but he should be gone by round 2. He’ll need to work on polishing his route running even more to become an elite player.

4. , 5’11, 186, Houston: Avery will fit in nicely on a team needing a deep threat/return man. His game is all about speed, but he’s also hardworking and very coachable.

5. , 6’0, 211, LSU: Doucet is a proven winner. He excelled in the SEC as a big play receiver and should do well in a pro-style offense. If he can improve his top-end speed before draft day, he could earn himself more dinero as a high draft pick.

6. , 6’6, 220, Indiana: Hardy should be a viable option in the NFL if he can work on his initial burst off the line and route running. Despite these concerns, many GMs are drooling over this raw, talented specimen.

7. , 6’0, 185, Michigan: Manningham could end up being the man for a team looking for an all-around solid performer with good physical skills. He’s fast, also has some of the best hands in the game making him a good catch for anyone. He needs to add some strength in order to deal with the more physical corners at the next level.

8. , 6’3, 220, Oklahoma State: Bowman is a late-blooming physical receiver who probably has the most potential of anyone at his position. His main problem was development at the collegiate level, where he relied mostly on his physical advantages.

9. , 6’2, 215, Michigan State: Thomas is tall and fast, which is what the NFL looks for in a receiver. Scouts are split on how high he will go in the draft, but his ability to return kicks will certainly help him land on an NFL club’s radar.

10. , 6’1, 207, Florida: Caldwell’s speed and athleticism are impressive. He’s a 4.4 guy and a good blocker. His overall durability is a concern, but he projects to help in the return game as well. I like Caldwell’s overall potential, and older brother Reche’ should be able to help him polish his route running to impress scouts at the combine.

Save up to 80% at FansEdge Clearance Center - shop NFL, NCAA, MLB, NBA & More

11. , 6’1, 205, Vanderbilt: Bennett put up great numbers in the tough SEC, setting a career conference record in receptions and becoming the first player in conference history to amass 75 or more catches in three straight seasons. He has good size and good hands.

12. , 6’3, 215, Kansas State: Nelson had a big senior year and owned top corner prospect Aqib Talib of Kansas in their annual battle. This former walk-on was the most impressive WR at the Senior Bowl and could make an even bigger splash at the combine. He is a player that could climb as high as the 2nd round come draft day.

13. , 6’2, 190, Alabama: Hall is a great route-runner with soft hands and quick feet. He is fast but lacks the kind of burst that threatens defenses at snap of the ball. Hall needs to improve his blocking skills if he wants to make it in the NFL.

14. , 5’11, 187, California: The other receiver from California will be a good option for teams looking for a slot receiver/kick returner. Hawkins impressed league scouts with his quickness and tenacity at the Senior bowl.

15. , 5’10, 182, Virginia Tech: Royal is a burner with exceptional speed. The lack of a consistent QB at VT plagued his development as a top round pick, but scouts like his big play ability and good hands. He is small but can get behind most corners in coverage.

Others of note

was Brian Brohm’s prime target at Louisville the last two seasons, in the process leading the Big East in receptions and receiving yards per game both years. Douglas is one of the fastest receivers in the draft and one of the top big-play threats available.

However, because of his small frame (5’11, 170), small hands (the smallest at the Senior Bowl), and issues with route-running, he currently projects as a late first-day guy, at best. Also, there are quite a few people not sold on his success, given he had one of the nation’s best quarterbacks throwing to him. Well, it doesn’t appear that those small hands didn’t have a problem wrapping around 141 passes the last two seasons, did they? And, it certainly doesn’t hurt for a good quarterback to have good receivers, does it?

Michigan’s really thrust himself onto the radar with nine catches, 153 yards, and two touchdowns in the Wolverines’ win over Florida in the Capital One Bowl, and at 6’3, his size makes him a good prospect in the mid-to-late rounds, though he could jump if he can post a fast time at the combine.

The class is deep this year, so don’t be surprised to see other guys move up and down the list as the scouting process continues. Some names to watch out for are and from Hawaii, from Coastal Carolina, from Utah State and for Appalachian State. These guys may be from lesser known schools, but all project to get serious looks from NFL clubs come draft day.

  • Share/Save/Bookmark

Related posts on The Red Zone Report