NFL draft preview: Top five wide receivers
Zack Gugenheim
Issue date: 3/1/07 Section: Sports
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So far, we have covered quarterbacks and running backs entering the NFL draft, and now we will cover what should be one of the most exciting groups of wide receivers to enter the draft in years.
1. Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech
Last week, I said that running back Adrian Peterson would have been the top overall prospect if he hadn't had a history of injuries. However, Calvin Johnson has now taken the role of top prospect. This man's size and speed combination is incredible (6'5", 238 lbs., 4.35 40-yard dash) and has been making big time catches throughout his college career. This past season he had 1,202 yards and 15 touchdowns, which is incredible considering how bad his quarterback was. He has Randy Moss/Terrell Owens ability with a Marvin Harrison work ethic and attitude. There aren't many things that you can pick out to critique; he runs great routes, uses his body well and runs well after the catch. He has great hands to catch the ball and is a playmaker. There were some games where he did not make much of an impact, but part of that could be due to the quarterback. Overall, he is currently the number one pro prospect in this draft, even though he will most likely fall past the top two picks due to team needs.
Draft projection: Top five pick.
2. Dwayne Jarrett, Southern California
Standing at 6'5", 215 lbs., Jarrett is another beast of a receiver. He arguably has the best hands in the draft and is incredibly consistent. He caught at least 12 touchdown passes in each of his three seasons as a Trojan and over 1,000 yards the past two seasons. Not as special of a specimen as Johnson, he lacks top-end speed. However, he does have deceptive speed and runs fantastic routes. He had a career game vs. Michigan in which he had 11 catches for 205 yards and two touchdowns (he was matched up against one of the best pro cornerback prospects in the draft, Leon Hall). He can be arrogant at times and benefited greatly from the talent around him. Overall, he is a great receiver and would be an upgrade for a lot of teams.
1. Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech
Last week, I said that running back Adrian Peterson would have been the top overall prospect if he hadn't had a history of injuries. However, Calvin Johnson has now taken the role of top prospect. This man's size and speed combination is incredible (6'5", 238 lbs., 4.35 40-yard dash) and has been making big time catches throughout his college career. This past season he had 1,202 yards and 15 touchdowns, which is incredible considering how bad his quarterback was. He has Randy Moss/Terrell Owens ability with a Marvin Harrison work ethic and attitude. There aren't many things that you can pick out to critique; he runs great routes, uses his body well and runs well after the catch. He has great hands to catch the ball and is a playmaker. There were some games where he did not make much of an impact, but part of that could be due to the quarterback. Overall, he is currently the number one pro prospect in this draft, even though he will most likely fall past the top two picks due to team needs.
Draft projection: Top five pick.
2. Dwayne Jarrett, Southern California
Standing at 6'5", 215 lbs., Jarrett is another beast of a receiver. He arguably has the best hands in the draft and is incredibly consistent. He caught at least 12 touchdown passes in each of his three seasons as a Trojan and over 1,000 yards the past two seasons. Not as special of a specimen as Johnson, he lacks top-end speed. However, he does have deceptive speed and runs fantastic routes. He had a career game vs. Michigan in which he had 11 catches for 205 yards and two touchdowns (he was matched up against one of the best pro cornerback prospects in the draft, Leon Hall). He can be arrogant at times and benefited greatly from the talent around him. Overall, he is a great receiver and would be an upgrade for a lot of teams.