NFL Draft
Catching On: WR class could be best since ‘96
The 1996 NFL Draft class was one of the best ever for the wide receiver position. That class saw the emergence of future NFL greats Keyshawn Johnson, Terry Glenn, Marvin Harrison and Terrell Owens from the collegiate level to the NFL. This year, many experts are predicting an equally impressive crop.
This draft class is full of star-studded All-Americans and darkhorse candidates alike. Let‘s sift through and (borrowing from Emmit Smith) see if we can tell the diamonds from the trash.
There are 3 receivers in this year‘s class battling it out for the top spot at the position. While none of these guys will come close to pulling a Keyshawn and being drafted #1 overall, one or more of them may be able to equal or eclipse what Johnson did in the NFL. Two of them are the big-bodied, sure-handed type of receiver Keyshawn was, and both maybe a bit faster than the future hall-of-famer. Malcolm Kelly (6‘4“, 214) from Oklahoma fits the pro-typical biggie-sized receiver en vogue these days. Despite not competing at the combine, Kelly is currently battling speedster DeSean Jackson from California for top billing in this year‘s draft.
However, another big brute is fast on his heels, so fast in fact that he was recently clocked in at 4.46 in the forty yard dash. Limas Sweed(6‘4” 216) from the University of Texas has used a great combine performance to increase his draft stock ten-fold. I know, I know…”don‘t over think the process.” Okay, but Sweed was a big-time player at Texas. He made big catches in big games, and there is no reason to believe he won‘t do the same in the NFL.
If speed is more your game, then look no further than super-speedy receivers DeSean Jackson and Donnie Avery. Jackson (5‘9“, 169) competed at an ultra-high level as a Golden Bear of California where he broke all sorts of ankles as a WR/KR. Jackson runs a 4.31 forty and is a wizard in pads. Not to be outdone, Houston‘s Donnie Avery (5‘11“, 192) has all the gifts you could want. He‘s a bit bigger than Jackson, is equally adept at the return game and he may even be faster. Avery mustered a 4.40 forty yard dash at the combine on a strained hamstring.
Sure, but what about the lesser known guys in the 1996 draft that hit it big and had solid NFL careers? I know, I can almost anticipate what you are going to ask before you ask it. You‘re thinking about solid performers like Eric Moulds and Amani Toomer. Yes, the 2008 class has those, too.
Hard-charging Jordy Nelson (6‘2“, 217) from Kansas State looks like a potential pro-bowler. He had a great Senior Bowl and followed that up with a nice showing at the combine. In college, Nelson had at least 10 catches for over 100 yards in 3 straight games against Kansas, Missouri and Texas. His performance against Kansas was one for