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Back when TO was a Raven, we thought that the draft would be the Eagles' last place to strengthen their anemic wide receiving corps. Since rookie wideouts don't have a great history of success, this would have been a problem. But if there is any year to draft a wide receiver, the time is now. Everyone knows about the top of the draft, but since the guys at the top are so "can't miss," other good players will slip. This is the best and deepest position that I have ever seen in a draft. Very good NFL prospects will be taken well into the 4th round. It is going to be hard for the Eagles' to pass up a WR based solely on value.
Larry Fitzgerald - Pittsburgh - Sophomore
6'3" 220 lbs 4.55-4.6
2003 Season - 87 Catches 1595 yards 18.3 YPC 22 TD
Fitzgerald is the prototype receiver, but he does lack "sprinter" speed. Ideal power and size. Tremendous hands. Will make the big play, the easy play, the tough play, whatever play you need. Great body control. Willing blocker and will be able to get off the line, which is important in today's NFL. If there is a weakness, it would have been the fact that he was a non-factor against Miami late this season. He caught an "oh by the way" TD very late, so please don't bring stats to refute that statement. But there were other factors limiting his effectiveness against the 'Canes. Namely: The offensive line's inability to give Rutherford ANY time at all. But that is nit-picking. Fitzgerald is a superstar in every sense of the word. What sets him apart is his attitude and work ethic. Though he is the best he still strives to be better (like Jordan). He is also a great teammate and good leader. With all due respect to Peyton's little brother, he is my choice for 'Best Player on the Board' because there is NO risk in taking Fitzgerald, only reward.
Mike Williams - USC - Sophomore
6'5" 220 lbs 4.5-4.55
2003 Season - 95 Catches 1314 yards 13.8 YPC 16 TD's
If Fitzgerald is #1, Mike Williams is 1A. There is nothing not to like about this guy's ability. He made Carson Palmer a Heisman Trophy winner as a FRESHMAN and got even better this past season with a new signal caller. Scary good size, strength AND speed. Some people (mostly on the Left Coast) actually like Williams BETTER than Fitzgerald. He's not just a guy who looks the part, either. Extremely dangerous as a home run threat and also goes over the middle without fear. And why should he? Ability to win the jump ball is probably his biggest asset. Great hands and ability to snatch the ball at it's highest point. Doesn't let the ball get into his body, either. Everytime I watched him play he lived up to the hype. He won't be jammed at the line. The knocks on M. Williams are that he is still young and needs more seasoning. Which is scary because he's already damn good. Probably even more physically gifted than Fitzgerald (which is unreal) but Fitz wins the intangibles.
Roy Williams - Texas - Senior
6'2" 210 4.4
2003 Season - 61 Catches 982 Yards 16.1 YPC 8 TD
The guy they call "The Legend" is rapidly moving up draft boards after a tremendous individual workout. There is talk that Oakland will take him over Mike Williams. I think that is nothing but a smoke screen. Not even Al Davis is that stupid. Even with his great size, speed and leaping ability he didn't "bring it" every time I watched. He has ALL the tools, so why did he have less than 1000 yards as a Senior? His talent is unquestioned. His head is another story. That, and he has perceived 'toughness' issues. Hampered by injuries his So. and Ju. years. Roy relies too much on talent and is not a great route runner, but is quick and could become a superstar with the right coaching. He's another guy who will win jump balls and, needless to say, can play in any system. I may have been a little hard on the guy in my analysis, but when your drafting top 10, the words 'possible bust' should never enter the equation. Obviously, anyone with that talent may certainly boom, also, but I would pass on Roy Williams if I had a very high draft choice and focus on another need. Plenty of rounds to get your receiver.
Reggie Williams - Washington - Junior
6'4" 230 4.5-4.6
2003 Season - 89 Catches 1109 Yards 12.5 YPC 8 TD's
2002 Season - 94 Catches 1455 Yards 15.5 YPC 11 TD's
Going into last season, Reggie was considered the best Williams playing WR. His Junior year wasn't extremely spectacular, and he slipped to Williams #3. This guy is a Terrell Owens clone (for better and worse). Huge, strong, powerful guy who welcomes contact. Will overpower small, Lito Sheppard type DB's. Extremely aggressive. But he has the otheer TO characteristics as well. Drops some passes, and is confident in his abilities to a point that might throw up a red flag for some teams. Runs good routes, has good speed (especially for his size). Some scouts say he is not the most agile guy, but he will not be jammed or bumped off his route. Attitude is a question, work ethic is not. He WANTS to be as good as he thinks he is and works hard to do that. If your SF in the early teens, you've got the next TO.
Lee Evans - Wisconsin - Senior
5'11 197 4.31
2003 Season - 60 Catches 1162 Yards 19.4 YPC 12 TD
After watching Evans in college, I couldn't believe that he is only 5'11". He plays much bigger. Maybe that's because he is a great leaper. That, and he is very strong for his size with great hands. No problem going over the middle with a great ability to get open. Blazing speed translates onto the football field. Can beat zone or man coverage. If he can avoid the jam at teh line (which is a question mark) he is a VERY tough cover. Evans did tear knee ligaments in the Spring of 2002, so that has got to be a concern, but doctor's were impress with his work ethic during rehab. This is probably why he came back without missing a beat. RED FLAG: Was busted on marijuana possession while injured, but everyone around Evans calls him a great character guy. Not a great blocker because of limited size. If he's around at #28 the Eagles should give Evans serious consideration as Pinkston's heir apparent.
Rashaun Woods - Oklahoma St. - Senior
6'2" 202 4.5
2003 Season - 66 Catches 1144 Yards 17.3 YPC 14 TD's
2002 Season - 107 Catches(!) 1695 Yards(!) 15.8 YPC 17 TDS(!!)
Woods seems to be slipping down draft boards and will probably be around early in the second round. Whoever gets him will get a tremendous football player who produces. Great intangibles, brings it every week. Tremendous hands and great technique. Considered the most polished WR in the draft. Flawless route runner who uses his body well. Knows all the tricks. Because of this, some scouts feel that he may already have maxed out his abilities. I wouldn't count on it. Woods isn't physically overwhelming and may not have world class speed (but his 40 time says otherwise). Not the quickest guy in teh draft and may struggle with the jam early in his career. That being said, give me the guy who torched Oklahoma's Andre Woolfork in 2002 to the tune of 12, 209 and 3 any day. He also had 7 TD's IN ONE GAME against SMU. Another GREAT character guy who was loved in the locker room and around campus. Great leader. "Andy Reid guy." Called a perfect WCO receiver by one scout. Great hands. Another guy I would strongly consider at #28, but other people worry about lack of upside potential.
Michael Clayton - LSU - Junior
6'3" 185-209 (?) 4.45-4.6 (??)
2003 Season - 74 Catches 1041 Yards 14.1 YPC 10 TD
I have to admit that I didn't see this guy play except for the National Championship game. All these notes are from different scouts. Great height, strong, despite frame. Called the best (and most willing) blocker by every report. (Think Hines Ward) Very agile, good with the ball. Runs smart routes and probably helped himself more than anyone with his great Junior season. One scout says he is not a great route runner, yet another says he is one of the best... Thought that was odd. Good character guy with tremendous work ethic. Will get better. Doesn't have elite physical skills, but will get the very best out of whatever he has. Some people like him better than both Evans and Woods.
Michael Jenkins – Ohio State – Senior
6’4” 218 4.45-4.55
2003 Season – 50 Catches 738 Yards 14.8 YPC 5 TD
2002 Season – 61 Catches 1078 Yards 17.6 YPC 6 TD
Has the perfect physical tools. Jenkins absolutely LOOKS like a WR. Problem is, he doesn’t always play like one. Prototype workout warrior. With those skills, all you can give me is 50/738/5? Tall, durable outside receiver. Has a tendency to disappear, even when you need him nost. Doesn’t use size well. This was supposed to be ‘his year’ with Clarett sidelined and he didn’t seize the moment. Has concentration lapses and not a big fan of the middle of the field. Saw a lot of Ohio State games and he disappeared for long stretches. He’s projected to go in the second round because of the workout numbers. I would definitely stay away because of production and intangibles. Looks like a guy who could slide. Even if he slid into the 3rd round, I would pass. Too many other alternatives.
Derrick Hamilton – Clemson – Junior
6’4” 200 4.45-4.55
2003 Season – 57 Catches 957 Yards 16.8 YPC(!) 10 TD
He’s a guy that will go in the 2nd or 3rd rounds because of his tremendous upside potential. I didn’t see Hamilton play, but he is called a tall, speedy, excellent route runner who gets good separation. With his height, will obviously be a good target in the Red Zone. Great attitude and work ethic. Also is a kick returner. Can play in any offense, Hamilton is a good blocker and wants to be a star. Character guy as well. He still is raw, however, and should have probably stayed in school another year (especially considering this draft class). Still a work in progress. Some scouts not as high on him as others. They feel that he needs to improve technique and get more polished at... everything... doesn’t know the tricks that come with experience. Lacks focus when not teh primary receiver and let’s balls get into his body too often. Every one of his problems seem easily correctable. Even his detractors love his UPSIDE. That is the word that everyone used to describe this guy.
Devery Henderson – LSU – Senior
5’11” 180 lbs 4.37
Another guy I didn’t see play much. I never like guys that are #2 receivers on their college teams (SEE: Markus Knight and Gari Scott) but Henderson may be an exception, if only because his only been a WR since his Junior year. Grew up a RB. Very speedy guy who can take a hit and hold on to the football. He’s not a Joey Galloway-type guy the is afraid to go inside the hash marks. Once the ball is in his hands, look out. Great YAC. The only thing is, sometimes it takes him longer than it should to collect the ball. Slows down after catch too often, but that is probably due to inexperience. Will be a kickoff returner as a rookie. Good attitude, quick and fast and a good teammate. Scouts love his potential. He will have problems getting off the line and some scouts feel that he needs to get more aggressive. Great potential, but will he ever beat the bump and run? Another guy in the 2nd/3rd round range.
Ernest Wilford – Virginia Tech – Senior
6’3” 221 lbs. 4.58
Yet another guy who is said to have a great work ethic and good upside. Physical tools are definitely there. Good leaper, obviously big with decent (not great) speed. Will go over the middle, but is most dangerous on fade routes and in the Red Zone. AGAIN, Lito Sheppard types will struggle with a guy like this. Wilford is big, with strong hands and is tough for a little guy to bring down. Doesn’t have the best hands. He doesn’t have the shiftiest moves and does lack quickness, however. Seems like a #2 possession type guy. Probably 3rd rounder.
Devard Darling – Washington State – Junior
6’3” 205 4.4
Tall guy with great speed and good hands. Some West Coast scouts think that this guy will be a superstar some day. They feel that his size/speed ratio makes him a sure fire 2nd round pick. Others see him going a little later. He doesn’t run great routes and is inconsistent catching the ball. Would have helped his stock tremendously with one more year of school. He was a game breaker for Wazzou, has great body control and leaping ability. May struggle against press coverage. Darling is the guy who transferred from FSU after the death of his brother. Good run after catch with no wasted motion. Another BIG UPSIDE guy.
P.K. Sam – Florida State University - Senior
6’2 ½” 193 4.5
There are better receivers in this class, but PK is my “sleeper.” He’ll probably go 4th round or later, which is good value for a guy with his talent coming from that program. Just last season, a guy from FSU by the name of Anquan Boldin came into the NFL with little fanfare, also. Tall with long arms, PK catches the ball away from his body. Tough guy who isn’t afraid of contact. Should have stayed in school to mature. Gets down on himself too quickly and will struggle with bump and run coverage. PK made plays against quality opponents and is used to the spotlight. He wants to be a star, and can achieve that if put with a strong position coach who will push and not coddle him.
I haven’t even gotten to many good receivers that will go in the middle rounds. Guys like Jerricho Cotchery (NCSU), Keary Colbert (USC), James Newsome (Oregon St) and Bernard Berrien (Fresno St.), just to name a few. Obviously, one or more of the guys I have mentioned will slip through the cracks into day two. Incredible value at the wide receiver position will have many going quickly off the board after team have a night to sleep on it.
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