Top wide receivers in 2008 NFL Draft:
1. Limas Sweed, Texas
Height: 6-4 Â Â Weight: 210
College stats: 124 receptions, 20 TDs
Vital numbers: 4.50 40-yard dash, 4.33 short shuttle, 37 ½-inch vertical
Limas stayed in college for four year and refined his route running and ability to read coverage's. There is a lot less risk with Sweed than many of the other receivers. He had 39 starts in college football as opposed to Devin Thomas with 13 college starts. As he said to me in our discussions, "I know how to get open, I can leap and the best thing I do is adjust to the ball." Sweed will not be in the dark when he lines up against NFL secondary, while some of the other candidates just might be lost. Finally, this guy has excellent character. Draft projection: Round 1.
2. Devin Thomas, Michigan State
Height: 6-2 Â Â Weight: 217
College stats: 79 receptions, 8 TDs
Vital numbers: 4.40 40-yard dash, 4.26 short shuttle, 33-inch vertical
Right now, Thomas is the popular choice to be the first receiver selected and he may well be. However, 13 college starts, junior college prior to that and two different high schools works against his great explosiveness. I must say his 1.47 10-yard time is lightning quick and in a simple system he may excel early. Draft projection: Round 1.
3. James Hardy, Indiana
Height: 6-5 Â Â Weight: 217
College stats: 191 receptions, 36 TDs
Vital numbers: 4.49 40-yard dash, 4.22 short shuttle, 37-inch vertical
Hardy had some off-the-field issues two years ago, and some feel he turns it down over the middle. It all may be true, but he has special physical skills and will be a red zone threat from day one. Hardy caught 36 touchdown passes in 32 college starts. He's almost 6-foot-6, with a good vertical leap and long enough arms to get to a ball almost 12 feet high. He is a former Indiana basketball player and a 5-foot-9 corner doesn't have a chance on the jump ball. Draft projection: Round 1.
4. DeSean Jackson, California
Height: 5-10 Â Â Weight: 167
College stats: 162 receptions, 22 TDs
Vital numbers: 4.35 40-yard dash, 4.19 short shuttle, 34 ½-inch vertical
A number of NFL people are uncomfortable about a 167-pound wide receiver. A good press corner will eliminate his release so he has to play off the line of scrimmage, and may ultimately wind up as a third-down slot receiver. Jackson can catch the ball, has return skills, and taking him is about the same risk as selecting Ted Ginn Jr. last year. Draft projection: Round 1.
5. Malcolm Kelly, Oklahoma
Height: 6-3 Â Â Weight: 224
College stats: 144 receptions, 21 TDs
Vital numbers: 4.68 40-yard dash, 4.24 short shuttle, 32-inch vertical
Kelly swears he has run 4.4 this spring, but NFL clubs have a high 4.6-4.7 time and that scares teams off. Kelly will run again and a faster time puts him back into play for the first round. Draft projection: Round 2.
6. Donnie Avery, Houston
Height: 5-11 Â Â Weight: 192
College stats: 210 receptions, 19 TDs
Vital numbers: 4.34 40-yard dash, 3.91 short shuttle, 37 ½-inch vertical
Avery can really run, and occasionally flashes Torry Holt skills. Some teams have him downgraded for his inconsistent hands and body-catching habits, but 44 starts and a ton of production make him intriguing. His short shuttle means he can separate on the break or just run by a defender with his 4.3 speed. Draft projection: Round 2.
7. Mario Manningham, Michigan
Height: 5-11 Â Â Weight: 183
College stats: 137 receptions, 27 TDs
Vital numbers: 4.38 40-yard dash, 4.38 short shuttle, 35-inch vertical
Manningham has some off-the-field issues concerning marijuana, but he is hoping a letter he sent to every club can help with the damage control. He ran much faster at his pro day than he did at the combine (4.6), which is hard to explain considering the difference. He's confident, but that can work for or against him in different situations. What if his team is losing and he's not getting the ball? That's how one personnel director put it when I asked him about Manningham. Draft projection: Round 2.
8. Early Doucet, LSU
Height: 6-0 Â Â Weight: 203
College stats: 160 receptions, 20 TDs
Vital numbers: 4.59 40-yard dash, 4.45 short shuttle, 34 ½-inch vertical
This kid is this year's Anquan Boldin. Can he overcome the slow 40 times and get teams to just look at the game tapes? Is there enough evidence that he's crafty enough to beat man coverage? I like this guy in a West Coast "shallow crossing route" package. Draft projection: Round 2.
9. Andre Caldwell, Florida
Height: 6-0 Â Â Weight: 204
College stats: 185 receptions, 16 TDs
Vital numbers: 4.37 40-yard dash, 4.11 short shuttle, 36 ½-inch vertical
Caldwell has the speed, change of direction and size to be rated higher than this, but he isn't considered a complete receiver. His hands can be inconsistent and blocking isn't his strong suit, but I think he has a chance to have a solid career like his brother Reche Caldwell. Draft projection: Round 3.
10. Dexter Jackson, Appalachian State
Height: 5-9 Â Â Weight: 182
College stats: 110 receptions, 17 TDs
Vital numbers: 4.37 40-yard dash, 4.15 short shuttle, 30 ½-inch vertical
This kid can fly on a football field. He just looks faster than any of the other guys on the field. He is built for the slot, making the pivot route almost impossible to cover. He can also run away from defenders on the shallow cross. Could be a terrific NFL return man. Draft projection: Round 3.
11. Eddie Royal, Virginia Tech
Height: 5-9 Â Â Weight: 184
College stats: 119 receptions, 12 TDs
Vital numbers: 4.39 40-yard dash, 4.34 short shuttle, 36-inch vertical
Royal has the same package as Dexter Jackson, but he is stronger (24 reps on the bench, tops for wide receivers) and he demonstrated at the Senior Bowl he can get behind a defense. Draft projection: Round 4.
12. Earl Bennett, Vanderbilt
Height: 5-11 Â Â Weight: 209
College stats: 236 receptions, 20 TDs
Vital numbers: 4.48 40-yard dash, 4.33 short shuttle, 32-inch vertical
Bennett could be ranked higher by the time the draft. He has a second-round grade by some teams, while others see him as a late third-round selection. His play speed appears average on tape, but he does snatch balls and will fit in a West Coast short-route attack. His 11 yards per reception and just five touchdowns last year were partially due to the quarterback, but it has something to do with his skills as well. Draft projection: Rounds 3-4.
13. Jordy Nelson, Kansas State
Height: 6-2 Â Â Weight: 217
College stats: 206 receptions, 19 TDs
Vital numbers: 4.51 40-yard dash, 4.35 short shuttle, 31-inch vertical
People who watched Nelson play in 2007 believe he's a first-round receiver and are very frustrated about where he sits heading into the draft. He has the size, production and speed to excel in the NFL. He had a few fine moments when I watched him at the Senior bowl practices. He is fast enough to be an effective seam-route runner. His numbers were off the charts last year when he caught 122 passes and got to the end zone 11 times. Three years from now when he's still in the NFL and more productive than some of the above mentioned players, he will get the last laugh. Draft projection: Rounds 3-4.
14. Jerome Simpson, Coastal Carolina
Height: 6-2 Â Â Weight: 199
College stats: 161 receptions, 44 TDs
Vital numbers: 4.48 40-yard dash, 4.52 short shuttle, 41-inch vertical
Simpson is this year's version of Jacoby Jones, who was drafted by the Texans in the third round out of Lane College. Simpson has the hands and arms to snatch a football, and his vertical leap makes him dangerous when it's time to go up after a ball. He is raw and will struggle with releases and coverage recognition early, but he's worth the time and effort. Draft projection: Round 4.
