Draft Season Series: WRs Stock Report
Illinois WR Arrelious Benn helped himself at the Scouting Combine
The wide receiver depth in this year's draft is sensational. We'll discuss it more in my position breakdown in a couple of weeks. For now, let's focus on offseason developments involving the top draft-eligible wideouts.
For more stock updates, click the following links:
** Quarterbacks
** Running Backs
1. Dez Bryant - Bryant was unable to participate at both the Combine and Oklahoma State's Pro Day due to a lingering hamstring injury. He's scheduled an individual workout for March 25. Meantime, seemingly countless stories have surfaced questioning Bryant's diva-like attitude, irresponsible tendencies, fitness, and even his academic record. We've kept the 2008 Academic All-Big Twelve pick in the top five of our mock draft, because he is one of the most naturally gifted receivers to come out of college in sometime. Still, Bryant's real-life draft placement hinges on his performance later this month. STOCK PENDING
2. Demaryius Thomas - Ridiculously gifted and in the Terrell Owens mold, "Bay-Bay" Thomas was dealt a significant blow when he fractured a bone in his left foot in mid-February. Though the break was clean, Thomas underwent surgery and was ruled out for the Scouting Combine and Yellow Jackets' Pro Day. The 6'3/229-pound game breaker was videotaped running a 4.38 forty just days before the injury, and Thomas' representation sent the film to all 32 teams. Still, he remains questionable to perform drills live for evaluators before the draft and is no longer a surefire first-round pick. STOCK DOWN
3. Golden Tate - The lone top-three receiver prospect coming from a true pro-style system, Tate measured in at the Combine an inch shorter than his 5-foot-11 college listing. Tate, though, helped himself tremendously by registering the fourth fastest forty time (4.42) of any receiver in Indianapolis. We'd seen Tate get caught from behind at Notre Dame, so this was a promising development. With Thomas injured, Tate appears to have emerged as the likeliest wideout to be drafted second, behind Bryant. STOCK UP
4. Arrelious Benn - Benn entered Indianapolis with a lot to prove after managing just a 38/490/12.9/2 line in the Fighting Illini's Big Ten-worst offense. The former Parade All American was up to the task, pacing his position in reps of 225 (20), placing eighth in the vertical (37"), and running an adequate forty in the low 4.5s at a well-put together 6-foot-1 and 219 pounds. Benn's alarming production drop (he caught 67 balls for 1,055 yards as a sophomore) and lack of proven red-zone ability (only 7 TDs in college) may be held against him on draft day, but he's done well this offseason. STOCK UP
5. Mike Williams - Williams, listed at 6'2/210 by The Orange, reported to the Combine at 6'1/221 and let it show up on the track. Billed as a 4.4 athlete, Williams couldn't break 4.6 and showed the weight he added wasn't upper-body muscle, managing just eight reps of 225 on the bench. A league source opined to Profootballtalk.com that Williams is "a train wreck as a person." Williams quit Syracuse coach Doug Marrone's team after seven games last year, so we're not seeing many reasons to disagree. STOCK DOWN
Other Risers: Taylor Price (Combine's second best forty by a WR at 4.41), Marcus Easley (impressive 4.46 at 6'3/210), Carlton Mitchell (serious sleeper ran 4.49 at 6'3/215, had 10-foot-2 broad jump).
Other Fallers: Brandon LaFell (missed Senior Bowl with a knee injury, ran 4.6 in Indianapolis), Dezmon Briscoe (shorter than expected, couldn't break 4.6 at the Combine), Jordan Shipley (24-year-old's best unofficial time was 4.57; he won't be viewed as a future NFL starter), Danario Alexander (had a whopping fourth surgery on his left knee last month).
Staying Steady: Mardy Gilyard (best Senior Bowl of any skill position player, rebounded from a 4.56 forty at the Combine with a 4.47 at UC's Pro Day), Damian Williams (4.5 speed, but route running and punt return skills keep him in the second-round conversation).
Comments
I bet Bay Bay still goes in the first.
Posted by: Steve | March 11, 2010 2:51 PM
You stated Bryant is one of the most naturally gifted receiver coming out of college in some time. My question is, how would he stack up with Calvin Johnson when he came out of college?
Posted by: Maddog | March 11, 2010 3:21 PM
Not. Even. Close.
Posted by: Rica | March 11, 2010 4:05 PM
Not. Even. Close.
Posted by: Rica | March 11, 2010 4:05 PM
Closer than you'd think, I'd argue.
Posted by: evan | March 11, 2010 4:11 PM
I'd like to see that arguement posted.
Posted by: Maddog | March 11, 2010 4:15 PM
is shipley capable of starting in the slot? does he have faster game speed? im specifically asking as a browns fan
Posted by: Thomas G | March 11, 2010 6:18 PM