1. Justin Blackmon - compares to Andre Johnson. Ok no, I dont think Blackmon is going to be as good as Andre Johnson, but more of a.... call it poor mans Andre. Blackmons combination of polish, production and athleticism have earned him the right to be the concencous number 1 WR in this class. The two time Biletnikoff winner gives you just about every attribute you need in a WR. He attacks every ball thrown his way instead of waiting on them. He has plus coverage reading ability, an extensive catch radius, plus adjustments and great box out abilities. His upside is capped due to his lack of elite speed but his skill set should be more than enough to get him a few pro bowl invites. Blackmon may not end up being the best WR in this draft but its pretty tough to argue for any other wideout to be selected over him.
Draft projection: Jags 7th overall
2. Michael Floyd - Compares to Brandon Marshall. Floyd is the safest WR in this class. His ceiling is much lower than others but his floor is very high. His body of work (271 catches 3686 yards 37 TDs') and his mesurables (6'3" 225lbs 4.47 40 36.5 inch vert) solidify him as the number 2 WR in this class. In the right situation he could have a Colston-esk career as a perennial 1000 yard performer garnering multiple pro bowls and hauling in numerous clutch catches for his team.
Draft projection: Cardinals 13th overall
3. Kendall Wright - Compares to Santonio Holmes. Don't let his combine 40 time fool you. Wright is a fast WR running in more of the sub 4.45 area but his speed on the field appears to be even faster. He possesses great burst after the catch. He also has plus route running ability and excellent hands with a good catch radius. Wright does stand just 5'10" at a position where the 6'4" 6'5" guys are the "prototype" but the game today has trended in a different direction at the WR position. Yes, its a nice luxury to have a guy you can throw the ally to, but the new generation of football supports smaller, quicker out of breaks WRs. Wright is also someone who excels at the deep routes which will open things up for his teamates in other areas of the field. Wright is one of the premier playmakers this draft has to offer.
Draft projection: Cleveland 22nd
4. Stephen Hill - Compares to AJ Green. Although Hill remains very raw and contains no where near the polish of an AJ Green his mesurables and overall upside are very comparable to Green. Hill has the most upside of any of the WRs in this years class with his 6'4" frame and workouts consisting of 4.36 40 39.5 inch vert 11.1 inch broad jump. Although I'm not a fan of anointing combine heros as future NFL superstars Its hard not to see that Hill has the upside to emerge not only as the best WR of this class but after 3-4 seasons in the NFL to be a top 3 WR in the league once he becomes better polished in other aspects of the receiver position.
Draft projection: Colts round 2
5. AJ Jenkins - Compares to Victor Cruz. Jenkins is another highly underrated prospect. He has tremendous acceleration, reaching top speed quicker than most. He runs routes very fluid and has plus balance and body control. He has no issues going over the middle and snagging passes out of the air. Jenkins can also take the top off the defense with his sub 4.4 speed. He also posesses incredible polish. He one of the most well rounded WRs in this class. Jenkins is simply put, "the real deal" and with his current stock where it sits will be one of the biggest gems this draft has to offer.
Draft projection: 2nd round Texans
6. Rueben Randall - Compares to Dwayne Bowe with a side order of mario manningham mixed in. Randle is great at creating seperation and even better with the ball in his hands. He has plus balance, catch radius, route running ability and field awareness and short area burst. He can be a dynamic threat with the ball in his hands with the ability to make the first man miss and explode up field for huge gains. He may never develop into a true number 1 for a team but he should make for a very nice number 2 option for many years to come as hes very well rounded.
Draft projection: Vikings 2nd round
7. Ty Hilton - Compares to Desean Jackson. Hilton is an incredibly explosive player at the receiver position and as a returner. He can jump out of bed and run a sub 4.4. He has excellent vision, makes sharp cuts with plus short area quickness and once he sees daylight has the elite straight line speed to make a house call everytime. Simply put Hilton is a tremendous playmaker who should get strong consideration as the round 2 skill position run takes off. He will be a true game breaker at the next level.
Draft projection: Bears 2nd round
8. Mohammed Sanu - Compares to Hines Ward. In the words of Jay Bilas, Sanu is "relentless". His hybrid RB/WR usage and willingness to not only block but absolutely lay would be tacklers out is very much like a guy named Hines Ward. Sanu will excel wherever he lands. He's not a WR... he's a football player as John Gruden likes to say. Sanu is a tenacious competitor with a nose for the endzone. When he steps onto the field no one is safe. Not DBs, not LBs not even D-Lineman. If you get in either his or his teamates way he will blow you up. Sanu is also the first ever freshman to start a season opener under HC Greg Schiano. He only missed one start in his career despite his head hunting demeanor and fearlessness in going over the middle again and again. Sanu is a player all NFL teams should covet. He's a true warrior.
Draft projection: Ravens 2nd round
9. Alshon Jeffery - Compares to Jonathan Baldwin/Mike Williams. Jeffery might be the biggest risk/reward pick of the 2012 class. Theres no doubting his upside, but his love for food is sadly a concern. It was reported by SC beat writers that a "gut" was easily spotted on Jeffery from the sidelines during his time with the gamecocks. His work ethic and mental toughness is questionable to say the least. He's just as likely to eat up Defenses as he is to scarf down a couple Big Macs from Mickey Ds'. These "character issues" will be the only thing to force him to slide in the draft and the only thing that could hold him back from making a splash at the next level.
Draft Projection: NYJ 2nd round
10. Chris Givens - Compares to Mike Wallace. Givens does a lot of things well but nothing abnormally great which isn't exactly a negative. He's a plus route runner with great acceleration and fluidity. He makes necessary adjustments when the ball is the air and also possesses quality footwork and change of direction speed. His detourants are his occasional "alligator arm" tendencies and how easily jammed he can be at times. Still I think Givens could become one of the leagues premier deep threats with a little seasoning
Draft projection: Miami round 3
11. Brian Quick - Compares to Anquan Boldin. Still a raw prospect with limited experience he will likely take quite a bit of seasoning fully develop. The upside of this developmental project is still worthy of a 2nd round pick. He has great balance and concentration, being able to haul in passes under duress with ease. Quick uses his 6'4" 220lb frame and basketball background to shield defenders from the "passing lane". Quick also breaks from his routes sharply despite is lack of experience. His one knock is his lack of straight line speed (4.55 40) which could prevent him from being a deep threat despite his size, leaping and box out abilities.
Draft projection Round 2: Carolina
12. Marvin McNutt - Compares to Almani Toomer. One of the most underrated prospects in this years class. He's not a superior athlete and therefore lacks the big upside of some of his peers but what he does have is solidarity. He's a very well rounded WR who excels at making tough catches in traffic and along the sideline. His hands and quickness are his greatest assets which when coupled with his 6'3" 220lb frame should make him into an excellent possession WR in the NFL. McNutt could easily fall to round 4 or later making him one of the biggest draft steals of 2012.
Draft projection: Patriots round 3.
13. Tommy Streeter - Compares to Kenny Britt. Streeter is your typical "prototype" at the WR position standing 6'5" with a sub 4.4 40. He has the potential to be a dominate deep threat in the NFL because of his ability to use his superior build and athleticism to "ball so hard". However, Streeter is incredibly raw (one year as a collegiate starter) and struggles running quality routes. He's still a bit of a project but is a perfect fit for a team rebuilding and his playmaking upside is something worth reaching for especially for a team lacking offensive fire power.
Draft projection: 2nd round Dolphins
14. Ryan Broyles - Compares to Steve Smith NYG version. Who has the record for most catches in NCAA history??? Ryan Broyles, but he is seemingly a forgetten man after suffering an ACL injury 5 months ago. His knee is recovering well as shown by his 4.57 40 time at his proday. No, running a "sub 4.6" is nothing to salavate over but again... he is only 5 months removed from ACL surgery. He will continue to progress from a physical standpoint. What can't be lost is his incredible polish and overall body of work at the college level. Broyles is someone who never stops competing. A quality that should be highly coveted. He will succeed at the next level whether its being a quality number 2 or a premier slot man.
Draft Projection: Denver round 3
15. Chris Owusu - Compares to Torry Holt. Owusu will slide in the draft due to his injury risk, but the risk will be well worth the reward. Owusu has a great blend of speed, strength and leaping ability as shown by his combine stats of: 4.36 40. 40.5 inch vert. 19 bench reps. He has plus hands, route running ability and return skills. As long as he can stay healthy Owusu has the talent to be a number 1 WR in the NFL.
Draft projection: 6th round Baltimore
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