The receivers were running today at the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine and except for cornerbacks, speed means more to them than any other position. Speed is not everything obviously, they still need to be able to run crisp routes and catch the ball, but without top flight speed they will have difficulty separating from defensive backs in the NFL.On the Rise:
WR Jacoby Ford, Clemson (5' 9" 186 lbs): The fastest player at the combine so far. Ford ran a 4.27 and a 4.28 forty. He can stretch the field. In 2009 he amassed 779 receiving yards and 6 TDs and he had 15 catches of over 20 yards. Ford might have moved up into the second round unless the Raiders nab him with the 8th overall pick.
WR Golden Tate, Notre Dame (5' 10" 199 lbs): We all knew he could catch and run and rack up huge numbers. In 2009 he amassed 1,496 yards and 15 TDs. What we didn't know was just how fast he was. Now we know he can run, at the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine he ran an official 4.42 forty.
WR Arrelious Benn, Illinois JR (6' 1" 219 lbs): Benn has looked fantastic, very solidly built, very athletic and ran a 4.48 forty at the Combine. He is a first round lock for the 2010 NFL Draft. Benn was also the strongest receiver with 20 reps on the bench.
WR Marcus Easley, Connecticut (6' 3" 210 lbs): A sleeper and a player that might get drafted much sooner than most people think. Easley ran an amazing 4.39 forty at the combine and had a productive senior year catching 48 passes for 893 yards and 8 TDs.
WR Emmanuel Sanders, SMU (5' 11" 186 lbs): Some thought he was a system receiver in June Jones' pass happy offense, he finished 2009 ranked 7th in the NCAA with 1,339 yards and 7 TDs. Now we know he can run also to go along with his production. He ran an very nice 4.41 forty at the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine. Sanders was also 2nd fastest of all the receivers in the 3-cone drill with a time of 6.60 seconds.
WR Andre Roberts, Citadel (5' 11" 195 lbs): Who will be the next small school star like Pierre Garcon from last year? It might be Roberts or Chris Bell or Donald Jones. Roberts is a speedster, he ran a 4.46 forty and last year in the FCS (formerly division 1AA) he amassed 791 receiving yards and 8 TDs. WR Chris Bell (6' 2" 211 lbs) caught 51 passes for 958 yards and 13 TDs for Norfolk State and ran a nice 4.47 second forty at the combine. Youngstown State's Donald Jones (6' 0" 214 lbs) ran a 4.47 forty and recorded a 41 inch vertical jump.
TE Clay Harbor, Missouri State (6' 3" 252 lbs): Another Small School Prospect that I really like is Clay Harbor. Harbor is an excellent athlete with nice size. He caught 59 passes for 729 yards and 4 TDs last year. At the combine he ran a very nice 4.69 forty, benched 225 pounds 30 times and executed a 41 inch vertical jump.
WR Blair White, Michigan State (6' 2" 209 lbs): Was very productive in the Big 10 where he recorded 990 receiving yards and 9 TD. White has always been noted for running crisp routes and now his 4.53 second forty at the combine will only help him. White was also 3rd fastest of all the receivers in the 3-cone drill with a time of 6.69 seconds.
WR David Gettis, Baylor (6' 3" 217 lbs): Didn't put up huge numbers at run happy Baylor, but he showed a lot of explosiveness for a big receiver running a 4.47 forty at the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine.
On the Decline:
WR Desmon Briscoe, Kansas JR (6' 2" 207 lbs): Very productive on the field last year catching 84 passes for 1,337 yards and 9 TDs, but the big question on him has been speed and he didn't look real fast at the combine running a 4.61 forty.
Mardy Gilyard, Cincinnati (6' 0" 187 lbs): I still like Gilyard a lot as a receiver and a return man, he catches the ball very well and runs precise routes. His 87 catches for 1,191 yards and 11 TDs are impressive, but running a 4.56 forty at the combine will cause him to slip in the draft a bit. I thought he would run better, but I still think he has nice football (on the field) speed.
WR Damian Williams, USC (6' 1" 197 lbs): Not real big and not real fast. Williams ran a disappointing 4.53 second forty at the combine.
WR Brandon LaFell, LSU (6' 2" 211 lbs): Didn't look real explosive at the combine where he ran a mediocre 4.62 forty.
3 comments:
Damian Williams did well in the position drills with matters most. And a 4.53 is not that bad. Every receiver does not run a 4.4 forty. So what are you talking about.
You missed out on Danario Alexander. A 6'-6" specimen from Mizzou that can jump out of the gym (40"+ vertical jump), he also has 4.5 speed. He reminds me of a Plaxico Burress type. Great hands and great instincts
Alexander blew out his knee for the second time and will not be able to work out before the draft. There already were questions about his speed before that. I like Alexander a lot, but he will slip a little in the draft.
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