This is a below average crop
of WR talent with Florida's Chad Jackson and Ohio State's
Santonio Holmes the only players expected to get a shot in
the first round in most years they would be late first
rounders or early second rounders, not this year.
Top
Wide Receivers
1
. Chad
Jackson, 6-1, 213, Florida (Jr.):
Chad is a well-rounded and talented
prospect who possesses all the physical
tools you look for in a #1 NFL wideout.
He lacks experience though and would
have benefited greatly from another year
in college. He does have a ton of
potential and has not yet reached it.
Jackson experienced a bit of a rollercoaster
season as a junior, which led to immediate questions
regarding his decision to leave school early. While
he certainly could have finished with a better
season had he returned as a senior, Jackson should
benefit from coming out early to be part of what
shapes up as a comparatively weak wide receiver
class in 2006. With an outstanding combination of
size, speed, athletic ability and hand-eye
coordination, Jackson is an underrated prospect with
a great deal of NFL upside. He could slip due to his
inconsistent collegiate career, but we think Jackson
is a first-round caliber wide receiver prospect that
will flourish in the NFL.
FoxSports:
The two-year starter and Biletnikoff Award
semifinalist decided to bypass his senior year to
become perhaps the only clear-cut first round wide
receiver in this draft. As a deep threat in 2004,
Jackson broke the Florida record for most yards per
reception (22.3). With the offense changing due to
new coach Urban Meyer's schemes in 2005, Jackson was
asked to catch more short passes. He went on to tie
the school record with 88 receptions, showing he is
more than just a deep threat. Ran the 40-yard dash
in 4.32 seconds at the Combine and added a 38-inch
vertical.
2.
Santonio Holmes,
5-11, 188, Ohio State (Jr.):
Santonio Holmes
possesses excellent deep speed with very good hands.
He doesn't drop a lot of balls, and is very durable.
We think he will be an excellent slot man but
doesn't really have the height to ever be a number
one guy.
Holmes shares a lot of similarities with
former Wisconsin standout Lee Evans (first round
pick of the Bills in 2004), including just decent
size, explosive speed and outstanding hand-eye
coordination. Holmes did not get nearly the
opportunities in Ohio State's conservative offense
that some other elite receivers get in more
pass-friendly systems, but his production is still
impressive in terms of the ratios for
yards-per-catch and touchdowns-per-catch. Holmes
lacks ideal size but he is explosive and consistent
enough to eventually develop into a No. 1 starting
WR in the NFL. In the meantime, Holmes can compete
for touches in the return game and should be able to
contribute right away as a No. 2 or slot-No. 3 WR.
Holmes should be the first wide receiver selected in
the 2006 draft, likely in the middle portion of the
first round.
FoxSports:
Could be strictly a speed threat.
Superb athleticism, but tends to freelance a bit as
a route-runner and drops too many passes, most due
to trying to make a move before he has the ball
tucked away. Fluid runner with the burst to get to
top speed instantly. Worked out well during his Pro
Day (4.35 in 40 yards). Finished fifth in school
history with 140 receptions for 2,295 yards and
third with 25 touchdowns
3. Sinorice Moss,
5-08, 185, Miami
:
Sinorice Moss may be one of the fastest players in
college football and has a knack for making big
plays. The younger brother of Santana Moss; they
both share comparable size and speed. That is where
the comparisons end. Sinorice might never be a
number one receiver like his brother but he will
make a huge contribution to any team as a third or
fourth receiver or on special teams very much like
Dante Hall does for the Chiefs.
Moss lacks ideal size and may never be a
fulltime perimeter starter in the NFL. However, he
is one of the fastest prospects in the 2006 draft
class and he shows a lot of upside as a No. 2
receiver that can get vertical as a route runner and
make lots of things happen after the catch. He also
has great experience as a "gunner" on special teams
and, despite little experience, shows upside as a PR
specialist. After an impressive post-season showing,
expect Moss to come off the 2006 draft board
somewhere in the latter stages of the first round
FoxSports:
Much like his brother, Washington
Redskins Pro Bowl receiver Santana, Sinorice Moss is
a small package full of big plays. Spectacular
athleticism, but doesn't have nearly the numbers his
brother had or most of the top receivers in this
class either. Finished his career at Miami with only
has 68 receptions, with 37 of them coming last
season (614 yards, 6 TDs). Was the most consistent
wide receiver at the Senior Bowl, showing strong,
secure hands in short-yardage receptions, as well as
the deep speed. Pulled his left quad in his initial
40 at the Combine, but still was timed at 4.38.
4.
Derek Hagan,
6-2, 208, Arizona State
:
Derek Hagan is a very talented player with good
hands and unbelievable athleticism. He is not
however a workout monster and did not have a good
postseason which has dropped him down many boards.
Make no mistake though Hagan will be a very good
receiver in the NFL.
Hagan has had another exceptionally
productive season as a senior in 2005 and will have
led the Sun Devils in receiving in each of his last
three seasons (2003-'05). As a senior in 2005, Hagan
finished with 1,210 yards and eight TDs on 77
receptions. Hagan does not possess explosive speed
and he will occasionally fight the ball as a
receiver. However, he has adequate-to-good size, is
a savvy route runner with impressive quickness and
instincts, and he will pick up some valuable yards
after the catch. Hagan also shows good intangibles,
as he is an experienced, durable, high-character
player with good leadership skills. Hagan does not
grade out as an elite receiver prospect but he has
the qualities of a No. 2 possession receiver in the
NFL and he should be ready to contribute
immediately. We think the first round is a reach,
but Hagan is worth selecting in the late-second,
early-third round range of the 2006 draft
FoxSports:
Has good size for the position and
caught the ball consistently enough in college to
set Pac-10 career reception record. However, Hagan
struggled horribly with drops during the entire week
of practices at the Senior Bowl. He regained some
believers when he ran a 4.45 in the 40 at Combine,
but again appeared to struggle with his hands. Mixed
reviews, but could be taken earlier than listed
5.
Demetrius Williams, 6-2, 197, Oregon:
Demetrius Williams has the height that more teams
are starting to look for in their receivers, and
good speed to go with it. His physical abilities and
potential give him a huge upside, making Demetrius
an enticing prospect. However, he's also a prospect
in need of a lot of polish, and that could
ultimately hurt his draft standing.
Williams' lack of elite bulk and top-end
speed will cause him to slip a bit on draft day. He
also needs to improve his crispness as a route
runner and become more consistent with his
concentration. However, Williams has the height,
agility, body control and playmaking skills to
emerge as a starting receiver in the NFL. He has too
many red flags and limitations to consider in the
first two rounds, but Williams warrants third round
consideration in the 2006 draft
FoxSports:
Williams could turn out to be the
Pac-10's first drafted senior receiver. Has good
height and a developing frame. Lacks spectacular
speed, but can get deep. Good overall athleticism.
The biggest question surrounding Williams is his
speed, but he helped himself with a strong showing
at his Pro Day (4.48 in the 40). Averaged 51
receptions for 855 yards and seven touchdowns over
the past three seasons. Had a strong Senior Bowl
The rest of the best
Travis Wilson, 6-2, 214, Oklahoma
Todd Watkins, 6-3, 202, BYU Maurice Stovall, 6-5, 217, Notre Dame Devin Aromashodu, 6-3, 201, Auburn Devin Hester, 5-11, 190, Miami (Jr.) Jonathan Orr, 6-2, 198, Wisconsin Michael Robinson, 6-2, 227, Penn State Jason Avant, 6-1, 212, Michigan Brandon Williams, 5-10, 179, Wisconsin Brad Smith, 6-2, 213, Missouri (Wants to be a QB) Greg Jennings, 5-11, 197, Western Michigan Mike Hass, 6-1, 208, Oregon State
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