Blackmon still topping our WR rankings
The 2012 NFL Draft is quickly coming upon us. With less than ten days until Andrew Luck’s name is called by Roger Goodell, we will be offering our position-by-position rankings with final grades on most of the draftable prospects.
Today we look at the wide receivers in the 2012 NFL Draft:
1. Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
Height: 6007 Weight: 207
Blackmon’s getting challenged late in the process by Notre Dame’s Michael Floyd. I still give the edge to Blackmon because of strength that he plays with. In all honesty I thought Blackmon was 6’3 and 225-230 pounds based on the tape. When he checked in under 6’1 and just above 200 pounds, I was shocked. He’s a better prospect than Michael Crabtree but not in the A.J. Green/Julio Jones territory. Somewhere between 8-12 appears to be his sweet spot.
2012 NFL Draft projection: Top 10
Final Grade: 6.8
2. Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
Height: 6030 Weight:220
Floyd’s off-the-field discrepancies appear to be a thing of the past. He interviewed well with teams and is picking up some steam, even passing Blackmon on many boards. He is 1B at this point for me at the position. He does everything pretty well but lacks concentration at times and I don’t see him playing at his timed speed. That said, he’s the best blocking receiver in this draft, he can run after the catch, and high points the ball as well as any receiver in college football.
2012 NFL Draft projection: Top 15
Final Grade: 6.7
3. Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
Height: 5102 Weight: 188
Kendall Wright disappointed with his 40 time at the Combine raising some questions about this 5’10” receiver. On tape he plays like a 4.4 guy and should be a mid-first round pick. If Wright slips past pick 17, he becomes a terrific value. He’s a vertical threat that showed consistent hands during the 2011 season and one of the main reasons we all know the name Robert Griffin III at this point.
2012 NFL Draft projection: Top 15
Final Grade: 6.6
4. Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech
Height: 6036 Weight: 215
Stephen Hill fell from the sky in 2011. He wasn’t on any draft radars during the preseason partially due to the program he played at. Georgia Tech shouldn’t be the hotbed of receiving talent that it has been over the last six years but producing Calvin Johnson and Demaryius Thomas helps. Hill could be the next in line. He will need to learn the intricacies of playing receiver at the next level but certainly has the physical tools to develop into a good one.
2012 NFL Draft projection: Round one
Final Grade: 6.1
5. Mohammed Sanu, WR, Rutgers
Height: 6017 Weight: 211
Mohamed Sanu is a versatile receiver that is tough to grade because of that fact. He could play the Z or slot in the NFL but may not ever develop into a “No. 1” receiver. Greg Schiano found ways to get the ball into Sanu’s hands despite inconsistent QB play. I think Sanu is Greg Little with better hands.
2012 NFL Draft projection: 2
Final Grade: 6.0
6. Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina
Height: 6030 Weight: 216
Jeffery has experienced the ultimate high’s and low’s of being a highly sought after NFL prospect. Jeffery was considered by most to be the top pass catching threat in the draft during the preseason. A shaky junior season which brought about questions of work ethic, conditioning, and speed has made Jeffery an afterthought. Jeffery did show up to the Combine and pro day in great shape and run solid 40 times. Teams will have to answer questions about his work ethic after playing noticeably out of shape during the 2011 season.
2012 NFL Draft projection: 2
Final Grade: 6.0
7. Rueben Randle, WR, LSU
Height: 6027 Weight: 210
Rueben Randle was recruited as a QB and moved to receiver early on in his career. His skill set is through the roof but needs time to develop into an NFL route runner. He made hay at LSU in the vertical passing game but will need to further develop in an NFL route tree.
2012 NFL Draft projection: 1-2
Final Grade: 6.0
8. A.J. Jenkins, WR, Illinois
Height: 6002 Weight: 190
Jenkins quietly had one of the better seasons amongst collegiate receivers. Jenkins has the flexibility to play as an X or slot receiver in the NFL. His slender frame doesn’t lend itself to holding up so it will be important to limit his targets in traffic. I think Jenkins best football is still ahead of him and he may wind up being a steal if he lands in the third round.
2012 NFL Draft projection: 2-3
Final Grade: 5.9
9. Ryan Broyles, WR, Oklahoma
Height: 5102 Weight: 192
Broyles injury could land him on the PUP list to begin the season. He looked good at his pro day considering the lack of recovery time from his ACL. That may be enough to convince teams that he could be ready for the start of the season and his first year won’t be a redshirt year. Broyles lacks the burst and size to be a considered a first rounder but has the skills to be a second round. My feeling is the injury pushing him into the third round but I would be surprised if he fell much further.
2012 NFL Draft projection: 3-4
Final Grade: 5.9
10. Jarius Wright, WR, Arkansas
Height: 5096 Weight: 182
Wright’s obvious lack of size will hinder him come draft day but his competitive streak is evident on tape. He’s a fearless route runner that can take the top off the defense with his vertical speed. I think he’s far and away the best receiver of the three-headed monster at Arkansas with Joe Adams and Greg Childs. I have him graded as a guy just outside round two range.
2012 NFL Draft projection: 3-4
Final Grade: 5.9
11. Devon Wylie, WR, Fresno St.
Height: 5091 Weight: 187
Devon Wylie offers so much versatility that it’s hard to imagine him making it out of the fourth round. He’s a small framed slot receiver that brings the added bonus of punt return ability. Wylie may be the top pure slot player in this draft and should come off the board earlier than most anticipate.
2012 NFL Draft projection: 4
Click below to read the rest of our rankings
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