It's Sammy Watkins, then everyone else.
Everyone, including anyone since A.J. Green and Julio Jones.
That's how highly NFL Films producer Greg Cosell views Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins and his place among the elite prospects in the 2014 NFL Draft.
"To me, there is no debate here. I think Sammy Watkins, based on what I've seen, is the best receiver in this draft," Cosell told the Midday 180 radio show in Nashville (8:40 mark). "And I think you can make the argument that he's the best wide receiver to come out since the A.J. Green, Julio Jones 2011 draft. I mean, he's got size, speed, hands, shiftiness, explosion. I think Sammy Watkins is hands down the best receiver in this draft."
Watkins made a career-high 101 receptions for the Tigers as a junior for 1,464 yards and 12 touchdowns, prompting his early entry into the NFL. NFL Media analyst Charles Davis' latest mock draft projects Watkins to land with an NFL team that has historically been attracted to speedy wide receivers: The Oakland Raiders with the No. 5 overall pick.
Other top receivers projected by Davis for the first round include Southern Cal's Marqise Lee (No. 13 to Rams), Texas A&M's Mike Evans (No. 15 to Steelers), LSU's Odell Beckham (No. 26 to Browns), Florida State's Kelvin Benjamin (No. 30 to 49ers) and Penn State's Allen Robinson (No. 32 to Seahawks). For Cosell, however, Benjamin presents a better package of skills for the NFL than does Evans.
"I actually liked Kelvin Benjamin from Florida State a little more than I liked Mike Evans. He's basically as big, and I thought he had a little more natural quickness and athleticism than Evans," Cosell said.
*Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter **@ChaseGoodbread.*
