Next Five: The Top 5 Receivers After the "Big Three"
It seems fairly clear that most teams have either Justin Blackmon
(Oklahoma State), Michael Floyd (Notre Dame), and Kendall Wright
(Baylor) as their top rated receiver, and regardless of who is first,
they generally have all three of these talents firmly in the top 3-4 on
their receiver board.
But in a receiver class that I expect to have multiple #2 and slot
receivers in the NFL and could break the record for receivers drafted
(current record since 1999 is 37), here are the "next five" to look at.
1. Joe Adams, Arkansas
The drafts best slot receiver (even above Kendall Wright in my
opinion), Adams has a rare blend of elusivieness, focus, vision of
levels of the defense, and decisiveness in his breaks to be an elite
NFL slot receiver if he continues to progress mentally against NFL
style defenses. Concerns medically (had a stroke in his past) and the
lack of 1st round value for slot receivers may push him to late round
two, but don't be shocked if he is a favorite for the rookie of the
year award if he ends up in a playoff-caliber offense.
2. Brian Quick, Appalachian State
While Blackmon, Wright, and Floyd may be considered the best receivers,
it would not shock me one bit if the raw yet super talented Brian Quick
ended up as the top receiver in this class. His mix of basketball
athleticism, length and frame, ball skills, in-stride post catch
ability, and still developing routes with his quickness, he has all the
makings of a potential feature receiver in time. Despite hailing from a
"small school", Quick could sneak into late round one.
3. Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina
A polarizing prospect in the draft community, Jeffery has everything
you want and many things you don't in a receiver. His
size-speed-athleticism combo wreaks of a Top 10 pick, and as a junior
with a balanced offense, he was near dominate in the NFL
prospect-loaded SEC. However, his weight control concerns, lack of
consistent separation, and sometimes laziness in his junior season also
worry of a potential Mike Williams (USC) type bust. Still wouldn't be
shocked if he goes in late round one, but with his talent/ceiling, it's
very unlikely he falls past pick 50.
4. Rueben Randle, LSU
A slowly rising prospect based on his athleticism, deep play ability,
and the fact he was hidden in an atrocious passing game, Randle now
seems firmly in the first round discussion. Deep play, bigger receivers
are always in demand, but Randle lacks polish to be a feature receiver
in route depth, and his lack of production or consistent college impact
(though likely blamed on his offense) isn't something that can easily
be gotten over.
5. Marvin Jones, California
Maybe the biggest winner of the post draft process, Jones has esclated
himself from the number two or three option in a medicore Cal offense
to a potential number two receiver and high second round pick come late
April. His explosiveness, decisivness, and balance in his routes in at
a near elite level, and he could thrive and compare similar to Chad Johnson (before he was OchoCinco) based on his routes alone. An ideal,
seemingly safe prospect, teams could prefer Marvin over riskier
receivers if they need help now (a la St. Louis, Jacksonville,
Cleveland).
Others to Watch: Stephen Hill (Georgia Tech), Dwight Jones (North Carolina), T.Y. Hilton (Florida International), Mohammed
Sanu (Rutgers), Juron Criner (Arizona), Devon Wylie (Fresno State)
Eric Galko is a contributing NFL scout for Patriots Insider at
Scout.com.
Eric Galko is the Owner, Director
of Scouting of Optimum
Scouting and lead editor for OptimumScouting.com. He
has been scouting college football for eight
years, and for pro teams and other sports professionals for the last
four years. Eric is also a member of the
FWAA.
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