You won’t hear anyone’s name on this list being called early in the draft, but it does have some nice depth to it and quality to be found in each round. Terrance Williams of Baylor and Elon’s Aaron Mellette could possibly find themselves in the first round depending on who declares and if they can continue their developmental process, but most likely seem like solid second day picks. West Virginia’s Tavon Austin offers homerun ability and will be someone to keep your eye on as the season progresses. You’ll notice Michigan QB Denard Robinson is listed as a WR, as I don’t think his game translates into a NFL QB and he’s more of an athlete. Creative offensive coaches will have a fun time getting his hands on the ball in the NFL.
The underclassmen of this WR prospects group can make it a really deep class with at least four prospects having a potential of first round grades
These rankings are extremely fluid, especially this early in the season and will change constantly throughout the process. Juniors will be added as they begin to declare for the draft
Rankings: Big Board ¦ QB ¦ RB ¦ WR ¦ TE ¦ OT ¦ OG ¦ C ¦ DE ¦ DT ¦ OLB ¦ ILB ¦ CB ¦ S
1. Terrance Williams, Baylor, 6’3 205: 2nd Round (Scouting Report)
-Will be Baylor’s number one option, but his production could take a hit with Robert Griffin III now with the Redskins. He’s very athletic and long and will go up and get the ball. Not a sharp route runner and faced a lot off coverage. His play without RGIII will determine a lot as far as how high ,or low, his stock can go.
2. Aaron Mellette, Elon, 6’3 218: 2nd Round
-Mellette is the top FCS prospect this season. Comes into his senior season with 207 career catches and 26 TD’s. IS further along than Appalachian State’s Brian Quick was at this time last season. Has great size and catches everything, but doesn’t take the top off of defenses. Mellette is very reliable and productive but isn’t necessarily flashy. Like many FCS WR’s, Mellette needs to polish up is route running to excel at the next level.
3. Cobi Hamilton, Arkansas, 6’3 210: 2nd Round
-Hamilton is going to benefit as Tyler Wilson’s number one target. Hamilton is more talented than any of the other three Arkansas WR’s who were drafted last season, and should showcase that in 2012. Has good size, speed, and does a great job showing consistent hands. Needs to take advantage of the chance in front of him this season.
4. Tavarres King, Georgia, 6’1 192: 2nd – 3rd Round
-Was Georgia’s #1 WR last season, but wasn’t as dynamic as you expect. He has all the measurables that you look for, but needs to be more consistent as a number one option. With Aaron Murray developing into a solid QB, King should see an increase in performances if he’s willing to work at it.
5. Tavon Austin, West Virginia, 5’9 176: 2nd – 3rd Round
-Has the look of a typical slot receiver and kick returner at the next level. Shows great hands and the ability to score any time he has the ball. Has great open-field agility and doesn’t get caught from behind. Like of size will hurt him at the next level, and needs to show his durability to scouts this season.
6. Aaron Dobson, Marshall, 6’3 205: 3rd Round
-Great combination of size and speed. Playmaker who makes the difficult catches. Production hurt from lack of solid QB play. Dobson shows the ability to adjust to poorly thrown balls. Still raw as a WR and needs to work on not rounding off his routes. Has a chance to really improve his stock this season by showing he’s developed as a pass catcher.
7. Keenan Davis, Iowa, 6’3 215: 3rd Round
-with Marvin McNutt now in the NFL, Davis has the opportunity to really put his skills on display. He has prototypical size to go with long speed. Can make the tough catches in traffic but needs to prove his short area quickness and polish his route running.
8. Emory Blake, Auburn, 6’2 197: 3rd Round
-Good WR with solid overall game. Has playmaking ability just needs more consistent QB play to showcase his skill. Solid route runner with good hands and speed. Should be one the Tigers top offensive performers this season.
Recap: (Clemson)
9. Ryan Swope, Texas A&M, 6’0 206: 3rd – 4th Round
-Dependable with solid hands. Swope has good vision with the ball in his hands a does a good job getting YAC. Works best underneath the zone where he can find an open spot on the field. Tough to bring down and a competitive football player. Swope lacks top end speed and is probably limited to slot duty in the NFL.
10. Conner Vernon, Duke, 6’1 195: 4th Round
-Vernon is a nicely built wideout with good straight line speed. More of an underneath weapon who can catch and run upfield. Makes the tough catches all over the field. Not a polished route runner and looks a little stiff in and out of his breaks.
11. Roy Roundtree, Michigan, 6’0 177: 4th Round
12. Quinton Patton, Louisiana Tech, 6’2 195: 4th Round
13. Denard Robinson, Michigan, 5’11 195: 4th Round
14. Dan Buckner, Arizona, 6’4 214: 4th Round
15. Erik Highsmith, North Carolina, 6’3 190: 4th – 5th Round
16. TJ Moe, Missouri, 5’11 195: 5th round
17. Marquis Goodwin, Texas, 5’9 177: 5th Round
18. Marcus Davis, Virginia Tech, 6’ 4 228: 5th Round
19. Russell Sheppard, LSU, 6’1 185: 6th Round
20. Marcus Wheaton, Oregon State, 6’0 180: 6th Round
21. DJ Monroe, Texas, 5’9 175: 6th Round
22. Nicolas Edwards, Eastern Washington, 6’3 201: 6th – 7th Round
23. Theo Reddick, Notre Dame, 5’11 199: 7th Round
24. Chad Bumphis, Mississippi State, 5’11 200: 7th Round
25. Uzoma Nwachukwu, Texas A&M, 6’0 194: 7th Round
26. Tracy Moore, Oklahoma State, 6’2 220: 7th Round
27. Brice Butler, San Diego State, 6’3 195: PFA
28. Mike Shanahan, Pitt, 6’5 225: PFA
29. Josh Jarboe, Arkansas State, 6’3 215: PFA
30. Marcus Sales, Syracuse, 6’0 183: PFA
31. Rodrick Rumble, Idaho State, 6’2 202: PFA
32. Tyrone Goard, Eastern Kentucky, 6’3 196: PFA
33. Marlon Brown, Georgia, 6’5 222: PFA
34. DeVonte Christopher, Utah, 6’1 200: PFA
35. Kevin Dorsey, Maryland, 6’2 210: PFA
36. Jheranie Boyd, North Carolina, 6’2 190: PFA
37. Lindsey Lamar, USF, 5’9 164: PFA
38. Xavier Boyce, Norfolk State, 6’3 220: PFA
39. Brandon Wimberly, Nevada, 6’3 210: PFA
40. Javone Lawson, UL-Lafayette, 6’1 183: PFA
41. LaRod King, Kentucky, 6’4 211: PFA
42. Tyshon Goode, Kent State, 6’1 185: PFA
43. Mitch Burroughs, Boise State, 5’9 186: PFA
44. Rodney Smith, Florida State, 6’6 219: PFA
45. Omarius Hines, Florida, 6’2 223: PFA
Top Underclassmen
Robert Woods, USC, 6’1 185
Keenan Allen, Cal, 6’3 206
Justin Hunter, Tennessee, 6’4 205
Marquess Wilson, Washington State, 6’2 188
Da’Rick Rodgers, Tennessee, 6’3 215
Josh Boyce, TCU, 5’11 203
Kenny Stills, Oklahoma, 6’0 190
Rankings: QB ¦ RB ¦ WR ¦ TE ¦ OT ¦ OG ¦ C ¦ DE ¦ OLB ¦ ILB ¦ CB ¦ S
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Jeremy Cabler covers the NFL Draft and College Football for Rant Sports. Check out his Scouting Reports
Follow him on Twitter @JeremyCabler and @RantSports.
