Wide Receivers

Dez Bryant, Oklahoma State- Bryant is built like the prototypical number one WR in the NFL. He’s big, he’s strong, he’s fast, he can jump, and he is a great return man to boot. My only minor problem with him is that he doesn’t catch the ball consistently away from his framework. If he can show improvement in this area, and it’s a very minor area, I think he will come out early and could be one of the top 15 picks in the draft. He’s definitely a difference maker at this position.

Philip Livas, Louisiana Tech- Livas is a bit of a sleeper. He’s only a Junior, so he technically has two more years to play, but he is a playmaker, he’s not a true WR, as he plays in the slot, in some wildcat formations, and some end around running plays. Livas is undersized and plays against lower competition, but he’s a guy that will be a very valuable pick for a team willing to take a chance on a tweener guy who will start off as a return specialist and potentially contribute out of the slot. He’s very fast, and you can’t teach speed.

Brandon LaFell, LSU- I was very glad to see LaFell pull his name out of the draft last year. He wasn’t ready to go, and probably would have slipped a lot lower than some though (second round or so). LaFell needs to show more consistency from play to play in his route running and effort. He had a tendency to dog it a bit on plays going away from him. If he can improve on these small points, he’s going to be very close to Bryant as the top WR in this draft. He has all of the physical tools you want; he just needs to match consistent effort with his natural talent. That extra year of seasoning could make a difference in millions of dollars come draft day.

Jacoby Ford, Clemson- What I liked best about Ford was his ability to get off the jam, and his speed to gain separation from that point. This is an often overlooked trait in college WRs, and it’s the one thing that causes many to fail right away in the NFL. It doesn’t matter how great a route runner a guy is, or how fast he can run, if he can’t get off the line right away he’s done for in the NFL. He’s probably not a high pick, but I think he will be a very good value pick sleeper come draft day.

Mardy Gilyard, Cincinnati- The only thing working against Gilyard is his physical stature. He’s a bit shorter and lighter than you want on a perimeter receiver, but Steve Smith has shown you can still excel in the NFL if you are undersized. If Gilyard continues to show he can gain separation from the bigger CBs with his quickness, it will go a long way to prove to me that he’s worthy of a first day pick. His ability to return kicks helps his value a great deal as well.

AJ Green, Georgia- Only a true Sophomore, it’s hard to believe Green has two more years to develop. If he can stay healthy, he’s going to be a top 10 pick in the draft. Like Bryant, he has all of the physical tools of a top shelf NFL WR. What will be interesting to watch with Green is how many touches he will get with a new QB being broken in (after Stafford departed to the Lions in the 2009 draft).

Julio Jones, Alabama- Everything I said about Green applies to Jones as well. Jones needs to continue to mature physically and stay healthy. If he does that, he could be the next Calvin Johnson or Brandon Marshall (minus the domestic abuse).

Jordan Shipley, Texas- I love Shipley, but he will probably slip on draft day. He’s almost a clone of Wes Welker. He’s not the big and physical type of outside receiver like Bryant/Jones/Green, but he’s a precise route runner with great quickness in and out of his cuts. He’s a smart receiver, and has great field awareness and vision. His return ability is top notch as well. If I’m running a team’s front office, I hope other teams pass on him and I get a great deal in the third round or onward.

Damian Williams, USC- I’m very weary of USC receivers based on their track records of producing recently once they have made it to the NFL. I think that may stop with Williams. He was overshadowed last year on a supremely talented team, and I think he will shine this year (even if they run the football a lot with their stable of top notch backs). He might be in contention for the top three overall WR spots with another solid year.