Underclassmen Watch: Receivers

DECLARED

Arrelious Benn, Illinois, JR – After going for 1000 yards in his sophomore season, many had projected Benn to really break out and separate himself from the pack as one of the nation’s elite receivers. This year he failed to even reach half last year’s total, with 490 yards on the year. Benn is a nice physical specimen, who many liken to Anquan Boldin because of his listed 6’2, 220 pound size. Benn is far from a polished product, but has the upside some teams may love working with. PROJ ROUND: 1st-2nd

Dezmon Briscoe, Kansas, JR – In back-to-back seasons, Briscoe surpassed the 1300 yard mark. He runs nice routes, has good hands, and great body control, but lacks the elite speed to crack the first round. He’ll sit in that middle tier of talented receivers that will compete for a draft position in the first two rounds. Mangino’s departure from the school may have held a hand in his decision, but Briscoe leaves little to prove in college with a very productive career as he moves to the next level. PROJ ROUND: 2nd-3rd

Antonio Brown, Central Michigan, JR – With his quarterback and coach leaving this year, Brown thought it was about time to try to move onto the next level, after capitalizing on a huge Bowl performance. At 5’11, 184 pounds, Brown is a small receiver with good college production, which totals over 3000 career receiving yards, and projects as a slot receiver and returner in the pros. He has nice hands, body control, and good speed. He could be an impact player and game changer at the next level. PROJ ROUND: 3rd-5th

Dez Bryant, Oklahoma State, JR – After being ruled ineligible for the rest of the season due to some miniscule NCAA violation, Bryant decided not to return to school, but rather make the jump to the pros. Many think Bryant is this class’s top prospect at the position because of his ability to attack balls in the air. Had he played out the season, Bryant would have most likely been a top 10 selection, but has now fallen into the teens in many mock drafts. He’ll have plenty of opportunities to work his way into the top 10 this offseason. PROJ ROUND: 1st

Rob Gronkowski, Arizona, JR – (TE) Prior to the season, Gronkowski was rated by some to be the best tight end prospect. However, he lost his junior season to back surgery that shelved him for the entirety of the 2009 season. His combination of size and speed to be an impressive pass-catching tight end at the next level, but also the size to become one of the better well-rounded ones. His father said, having spoken to 18 NFL teams, half believe he would still be a first rounder, while the other half predicts he’d be selected no later than the second. Having declared, the doctor who performed his back surgery must feel that Gronkowski will be able to return close to full health before the Combine. PROJ ROUND: 1st-2nd

Aaron Hernandez, Florida, JR – (TE) By declaring for the NFL Draft, Aaron Hernandez became the second Gator player to leave early, with a couple more expected to do the same in the upcoming week. Hernandez is an athletic, pass-catching tight end who currently leaves something to be desired as a blocker. He reminds me a lot of Dustin Keller as a prospect from a couple years ago, but it remains to be seen if he can match his Combine performance and sneak into the first round. With the top tight end Jermaine Gresham coming off a season-ending injury, Hernandez could compete to be the top tight end taken this April. PROJ ROUND: 2nd

Carlton Mitchell, South Florida, JR – This declaration comes as bit of a surprise considering the lack of media hype he’s received and no previous mentions from Mitchell toward leaving. However, the 6’4 Mitchell could capitalize as a mid-round sleeper who could develop into a true number one receiver at the next level. He isn’t short of talent as he has the height and speed to be one of the better deep ball receivers in the class. This decision could have been heavily swayed by the recent firing of Head Coach Jim Leavitt. PROJ ROUND: 3rd-4th

Golden Tate, Notre Dame, JR – The biggest problem with Tate is that he doesn’t have any of the physical traits of an elite wideout, yet he still posted elite numbers in a system that will resemble the pro game more than most college offenses. He’s a very good route runner with the ability to make some excellent catches. He does a great job accelerating in and out of cuts and hits top speed pretty fast. With smaller guys making noise in the NFL, the first round isn’t out of picture with Tate as long as he posts a respectable 40 time. PROJ ROUND: 1st-2nd

Demaryius Thomas, Georgia Tech, JR – Despite playing in the Triple Option offense Thomas’s numbers are nothing short of remarkable. He has 46 receptions for 1154 yards (25.1 average), and 8 touchdowns. To put that in perspective, the next leading receiver on Georgia Tech has 8 catches the entire year for 244 yards and a single touchdown. Thomas doesn’t have experience running a full palette of routes, but does an excellent job getting downfield. One advtange the system will give him is blocking at the next level. If Thomas can learn the ins and outs of being a wide receiver at the NFL level, he’ll have the experience as a blocker to lean back on to give him an advantage over other underdeveloped blocking prospects. Thomas said after the game that the loss to Iowa won’t factor into his decision and in his press conference that he has no idea what his teammates plan on doing. PROJ ROUND: 2nd

Damian Williams, USC, JR – Williams doesn’t have elite physical attributes or elite top-end speed, but has been a consistent target for the Trojans the past two years. At 6’1, 195 he has enough size to be a good possession receiver who relies on exceptional route running and solid hands. Williams most likely will never be a true number one receiver at the next level, but has plenty of ability to be the great complement opposite the number one. In deciding to go pro, he’ll leave USC with a degree, which played a large role in he and his family’s decision for him to go pro. PROJ ROUND: 2nd

Mike Williams, Syracuse, JR – Williams made news earlier this year when he decided to quit the football team for undisclosed reasons. He had been suspended before, which was thought to be academically-related. Safe to say, Williams has some baggage that will need to be sorted out this offseason. On the field, he remains a gifted receiver who should have been drafted in the first couple rounds. Where he goes now will depend on how the interviews in the upcoming months turn out. PROJ ROUND: 3rd-6th

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