The 2012 NFL Draft is behind us and we begin to look forward. Instead of boring you with pointless 2012 NFL Draft grades we will turn our focus to the 2013 NFL Draft. If you were wondering, my grades for every team are as follows, wait and see. For all we know Jacksonville’s 3rd round punter will be an immediate Pro Bowler and the Browns 3rd round reach on John Hughes will turn out to be a stud. We break down the rearview mirror today and look forward at the offensive skill positions. We ranked the top quarterbacks and running backs yesterday and move on to the wide receivers and tight ends today.
Wide Receivers
1. Robert Woods, USC*
Height: 6-1 Weight: 190
Matt Barkley has a bevy of wideouts to choose from. His favorite target is junior Robert Woods and for good reason. Woods has the physical tools to be in the elite category in grading out the position. His size may be the only detractor but Woods should push for a top five selection in next April’s draft.
2. Marquess Wilson, Washington St.*
Height: 6-4 Weight: 183
Wilson is a long, linear athlete with the skills to push Robert Woods for the top receiver honors in the 2013 class. Wilson will be aided by the addition of Mike Leach as HC of WSU and maybe the best QB that you’ve never heard of in Jeff Tuel. Wilson shredded his own defense in the spring game for a buck, fifty and a TD after Leach publicly ripped him for his efforts (or lack thereof) in practice.
3. Keenan Allen, California*
Height: 6-3 Weight: 206
Marvin Jones was considered to be a sleeper WR in the 2012 NFL Draft. The reason he was a sleeper was because of him being overshadowed by Keenan Allen. The QB play at Cal was spotty to say the least but Allen was still able to haul in 98 catches for over 1300 yards and 6 TD’s.
4. Justin Hunter, Tennessee*
Height: 6-4 Weight: 200
Hunter was on his way to becoming the SEC’s top receiver before he tore his ACL in the Florida game. Hunter has the size and leaping ability to be a major factor with Tyler Bray at the helm. Hunter and Da’Rick Rogers should team up with Bray to form one of the most lethal passing trios in the country. That’s if Rogers stays at UT.
5. Cobi Hamilton, Arkansas
Height: 6-3 Weight: 209
Arkansas lost a trio of receivers to the NFL but the cupboards aren’t bare for Heisman candidate Tyler Wilson. Wilson will have a 6-3 target in senior Cobi Hamilton. Hamilton went relatively unnoticed through three seasons despite hauling in 13 TD’s and over 1,500 yards in that time. It should be a breakout year for Hamilton as he assumes the No. 1 duties.
6. Da’Rick Rogers, Tennessee*
Height: 6-3 Weight: 208
This one is a wait and see because of Rogers has been rumored to be leaving the program. Rogers has had his share of run-ins with the UT coaching staff, the latest costing him practice time. Rumor of Rogers transfer to Georgia St. could affect his draft stock. He would be wise to get in the coaches good graces, feed off Tyler Bray’s right arm, and enter next April’s draft. We’ll see on this one.
7. Aaron Mellette, Elon
Height: 6-4 Weight: 212
Aaron Mellette had to be smiling when Appalachian State’s Brian Quick went with the 33rd pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. Mellette has similar physical gifts to Quick and outproduced him as a junior at Elon. Mellette has a chance to soar up draft boards with his combination of size, leaping ability, and athleticism.
8. Terrance Williams, Baylor
Height: 6-3 Weight: 205
It’s a make or break year for Williams. He was RGIII’s “other” target in 2011. Kendall Wright overshadowed Williams, who was no slouch on his way to 11 TD’s and just under 1,000 yards. Williams has a major opportunity to prove he was more than a by-product of the Robert Griffin hype train.
9. Kenny Stills, Oklahoma*
Height: 6-1 Weight: 189
Stills has blazing speed but will need to work on his overall game to include crisper routes if he wants to make the early jump to the NFL. Stills should be Landry Jones top target as both look to prove themselves worthy of first round selections in the 2013 NFL Draft.
10. Denard Robinson, Michigan
Height: 5-11 Weight: 195
Projecting Robinson as the tenth best receiver prospect in this class is nuts because he’s never played the position. That said, he’s an elite athlete that could be a dangerous option out of the slot in the NFL. Robinson will move to receiver once his days in Ann Arbor are done.
