Updated 04/1/10

Check back as I update my rankings each week!

1. Dez Bryant - Oklahoma State, 6’2” 220 lbs. - Simply the best wide receiver in this draft class, and it’s not even close.  Bryant reminds many in the scouting community of Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald because of his size/speed/athleticism combination.  He can make the tough catches seem routine, and has elite body control to turn and make any sort of catch.  Bryant has great run after the catch ability and will constantly challenge a defense.  He can become frustrated with aggressive coverage and lose his concentration from time to time. 

2. Demaryius Thomas - Georgia Tech, 6’3” 229 lbs. - Even though he sustained a foot injury that has kept him from working out for NFL teams, Thomas is still highly thought of in NFL circles.  He’s not a burner, but has the size and my ball mentality to go up and snag jump ball passes.  Working out of the triple option offense at Georgia Tech the team only averaged 12 passes per game, but Thomas accounted for 59% of their receptions.  He knows how to use his large frame to shield defenders away from the football, and is also a good run blocker. 

3. Arrelious Benn - Illinois, 6’2” 220 lbs. - Benn had a disappointing final season for the Fighting Illini, but NFL scouts know his game is elite.  Benn has strong hands and is tough to bring down after the catch because of his strength and aggression.  He’ll fight for extra yards after contact, and is looking to maximize his yardage on every catch.  He’s not a burner, but understands angles of pursuit and will use the entire width of the field to his advantage.  He has good sideline awareness, but is not quick in or out of his breaks. 

4. Golden Tate - Notre Dame, 5’11” 195 lbs. - Tate lacks elite speed, but his run after the catch ability reminds some in the scouting community of Ravens WR Anquan Boldin.  The former high school running back knows how to weave his way through traffic with the ball in his hands, and worked hard to improve during his entire career at Notre Dame.  He’s not the biggest target and needs to work on becoming a better route runner.  Tate could take a couple of years to fully develop in the NFL, but can immediately contribute on a team looking for help in the return game. 

5. Dexter McCluster - Mississippi, 5’8” 165 lbs. - This year’s Percy Harvin knows how to make plays with the football in his hands.  He’s not as big as Harvin, but just as electric when he’s got the football.  McCluster can be used as a RB/WR/KR/Wildcat QB at the next level, and will have defenses holding their breath when he’s on the field.  He’s very quick, elusive, and shifty in the open field.  He’s small, but very well built and can surprise an unsuspecting defender by running through arm tackles and bouncing of players who don’t wrap up.  He had an outstanding performance at the Senior Bowl and his draft stock has been on the rise ever since.

6. Brandon LaFell - LSU, 6’3” 206 lbs. - LaFell is a big possession receiver who lacks the speed and quickness to ever be a true number one in the NFL.  He knows how to use his size to his advantage, and can be a force in the red zone.  LaFell was able to be fairly productive at LSU the last two season despite poor/inconsistent quarterback play. 

7. Taylor Price - Ohio, 6’0” 198 lbs. - Like Demaryius Thomas, Price’s college numbers won’t “wow” anybody because he played in a run heavy offense at Ohio.  He’s very fast and looks to be a dangerous deep threat in the pros.  Price can beat the jam at the line of scrimmage because of his quickness, and it doesn’t take him long to get to top speed.  He’s a somewhat raw prospect who needs to become a better route runner.  Price could also contribute as a return man, but has little experience on special teams.

8. Eric Decker - Minnesota, 6’3” 215 lbs. - Some in the scouting community consider Decker to be the best possession receiver in this draft class.  Decker has a high football I.Q. and knows how to find the soft spot in the defense.  With strong hands Decker will bring in the toughest of catches, even with a defender draped all over him.  His draft stock has fallen since last football season because of foot surgery in November, and his medical grade will determine if he’s a third-round or late-round draft pick. 

9. Damian Williams - USC, 6’1” 195 lbs. - Williams has very consistent hands, good concentration, and almost always hauls in passes thrown his way.  He has build up speed and doesn’t generate much burst off the line of scrimmage and that could mean trouble for him against NFL quality corners.

10. Mardy Gilyard - Cincinnati, 6’0” 179 lbs. - Gilyard is not refined as a receiver, but teams love his passion for the game and ability to make big plays at just the right time.  In the right type of system Gilyard could be the type of player that can take over a game with his playmaking ability.  He has quickness, speed, and elusiveness that are off the charts, but he struggles with concentration and will drop too many passes.  Gilyard did not have a good week of practice at the Senior Bowl, but during the game he was a standout player. 

11. Blair White - Michigan State, 6’2” 205 lbs. - White was one of my favorite players to watch on the All-Star road trip this year.  He is very quick in and out of his breaks, and knows how to come back to the football and square up to his quarterback.  White hates to drop passes, and will do whatever it takes to secure a catch.  Originally a walk on for the Spartans, White became one of the keys to their passing game.  He can help out on special teams, and could develop into a fine slot receiver at the next level. 

12. Carlton Mitchell - South Florida, 6’4” 212 lbs. - Mitchell has been generating a lot of positive buzz recently in the scouting community.  He’ll likely be used as a vertical threat because of his build up speed, size, and long arms.  He’s displayed good ball tracking ability for deep passes over his shoulder.  This year he became a starter for the Bulls after spending the previous seasons as the #3 or #4 wideout, and did well in an expanded role.  Mitchell has a large frame but doesn’t fully use it to his advantage and needs to become more aggressive and physical against smaller corners.

13. Jordan Shipley - Texas, 6’0” 190 lbs. - Shipley is as reliable as they come, and had more catches over the last two years than any other player in college football.  Shipley has great body control and can tightrope down the sidelines in addition to weave his way through traffic over the middle.  He’s a big play waiting to happen and can help a team as a returner.  Durability is Shipley’s biggest concern after missing two years of his college career due to injury (‘04 knee - ‘05 hamstring).

14. Riley Cooper - Florida, 6’4” 214 lbs. - Tim Tebow’s favorite receiver now makes the jump to the NFL.  Cooper is extremely tough and not afraid to go over the middle of the defense.  He is a great blocker, and is aggressive when picking up yards after the catch.  While not a burner, Cooper will work hard to improve his game and is a very coachable prospect. 

15. Mike Williams - Syracuse, 6’2” 212 lbs. - Williams is clearly talented, but scouts and front offices are concerned about his off field issues as he quit the team his final year at Syracuse.  Character is a big concern, but on the field he has first-round talent.  He has good size and can blaze by defenders with his deceptive speed.  Williams has good hands and naturally plucks the ball out of the air with arms extended away from his body.  Some teams have taken him completely off their draft board because of character concerns, but some team (like Cincinnati) will look past that and potentially get a big play receiver. 

16. David Gettis - Baylor, 6’3” 217 lbs. - Gettis does not drop many passes, but he body catches most every pass thrown his way.  Coaches were working with him at the Texas vs The Nation game, and Gettis seemed to improve over the course of a week of practice.  He can gain significant yards after the catch, but struggles with running precise routes. 

17. Dezmon Briscoe - Kansas, 6’3” 200 lbs. - Briscoe’s best attribute is turning a routine catch into a big play because of his elusiveness and run after the catch ability.  He knows how to climb the ladder and go up to snag jump passes.  He’s been very productive during his college career, but does not like to go over the middle of the field.

18. Jeremy Williams - Tulane, 6’0” 205 lbs. - Williams is one of the best big play receivers in this entire draft class.  He gets off the line of scrimmage quickly, can find the soft spot in the zone, and is very elusive after the catch.  Durability is a concern, although he played well in 2009 after tearing his ACL in 2008. 

19. Andre Roberts - Citadel, 5’11” 192 lbs. - Roberts is considered a sleeper in draftnik circles, but NFL talent evaluators have long known about his playmaking ability.  He’s coming off a disappointing senior season and will have to prove that he can overcome his lack of elite measurables.  He started proving doubters wrong at the Senior Bowl, where he wowed everyone in attendance with his knack for making the difficult catch.   

20. Jacoby Ford - Clemson, 5’9” 181 lbs. - Ford’s game is built on speed, but he’s more than a track guy that plays football.  He can run deep patterns because of his speed, but Ford is known to slip a few tackles on underneath routes as well.  He’s not quick off the line of scrimmage, and needs to become a better route runner.  Ford also has added value as an experienced return man. 

21. Shay Hodge - Mississippi, 6’2” 208 lbs. - Hodge is not the same player as Steelers WR Mike Wallace, but the former teammates do have some similarities in their game.  Like Wallace, Hodge is very adept at tracking deep passes in the air, but doesn’t have the speed to consistently gain separation down the field.  Hodge isn’t afraid to mix it up over the middle, but lacks the strength and physicality he needs to standout. 

22. Freddie Barnes - Bowling Green, 6’0” 212 lbs. - Barnes is another speed wide receiver that is somewhat raw as a route runner.  His strong hands were on display at the Shrine Game in Orlando earlier this year, and he has a great feel for setting up defensive backs trying to cover him.  His quickness and concentration will help him overcome his lack of elite measurables. 

23. Danario Alexander - Missouri, 6’5” 221 lbs. - Alexander’s ranking would be much higher but he sustained a knee injury at the Senior Bowl and his draft stock has taken a tumble because of it.  He is an excellent student of the game, and will devote himself to film study in order to improve his game.  He’s an intriguing blend of size and athleticism, and showed the ability to adjust to poorly thrown passes before he was hurt at the Senior Bowl. 

24. Antonio Brown - Central Michigan, 5’10” 182 lbs. - Dan LeFevour’s favorite target at Central Michigan, Brown put up huge numbers in the Chippewas passing attack.  He’s speedy, but not quick off the line of scrimmage and could struggle against the jam.  While effective on bubble screens, Brown didn’t develop as a savvy route runner and must get better in that area.  He’ll contribute as a return man at the next level, but might not be more than a fourth or fifth receiver in the pros.

25. Marcus Easley - Connecticut, 6’3” 214 lbs. - Easley is another sleeper wide receiver in this draft class that people need to know about.  He immediately gets your attention because of his size.  Easley has strong hands and will consistently high point passes with his arms extended away from his body.  He went from a walk on to a key contributor for UCONN last year, and the skill he’s shown is just the tip of the iceberg for what he could be.  Easley was one of the most impressive receivers at the Texas vs The Nation Game, where stars like Colts WR Pierre Garcon and Bears WR Johnny Knox first burst onto the scene in years past.

26. Seyi Ajirotutu - Fresno State, 6’3” 211 lbs. - Ajirotutu is a star in the making if he can make the most of his potential.  He was held back at Fresno State because of the run-heavy offense, but has the physical tools to be a featured receiver at the next level.  He can be a big play receiver downfield because of his speed, and is a factor in the red zone because of his size, vertical, and knack for correctly timing jump passes.  At the Shrine Game he showed me that he is a quick learner because he listened to WR coach Keenan McCardell closely and was constantly looking to improve his game. 

27. Emmanuel Sanders - Southern Methodist, 5’11” 182 lbs. - He played and put up huge numbers in June Jones pass-happy offense, but Sanders has enough game to stick around at the next level.  While not the biggest receiver Sanders doesn’t shy away from contact and is not afraid to go over the middle.  NFL teams are in love with his quickness and aggression after the catch.  He needs to become a sharper route runner, and he sometimes needs to just take what the defense gives him after the catch.  He won’t be able to dart around as much in the NFL, and could lose yardage if he’s trying to do too much.

28. Naaman Roosevelt - Buffalo, 6’0” 190 lbs. - I was excited to see Roosevelt at the 2010 Shrine Game in Orlando earlier this year, but came away slightly disappointed in what I saw.  A converted high school quarterback, Roosevelt knows how to come back to the football and square his shoulders to the line of scrimmage - giving his quarterback the biggest possible target to throw to.  However, he’s not fast and will struggle to gain separation at the next level.  Durability is a concern after a knee injury at the end of his senior season that forced him to miss a couple of games.  Roosevelt is a hard worker with good hands, but will have to make his way on special teams in order to stick around on a roster. 

29. David Reed - Utah, 6’0” 188 lbs. - The classic overachiever, Reed’s measurables and skill set are not elite.  However, he gets the most out of his ability and has had big games against very tough competition.  He’s a savvy route runner that is slippery in the open field.  While not the biggest receiver, Reed knows how to climb the ladder and go get passes most receivers his size couldn’t touch.  Reed may be a late round draft pick, but coaches will fall in love with his work ethic and Reed will find a way to maximize his potential.

30. Chris Carter - UC Davis, 6’0” 195 lbs. - Carter is a raw prospect, but one with upside to be a solid possession receiver at the next level.  He’s not quick or elusive, but is strong enough to run through arm tackles after the catch. 

31. Alric Arnett - West Virginia, 6’2” 183 lbs. - Arnett needs to add a little more weight to his frame, and his lower body looks especially thin.  His lack of strength means he can be jammed at the line of scrimmage and thrown immediately off his route.  He does get in and out of his breaks quickly and has very consistent hands. 

32. Joe Webb - UAB, 6’3” 223 lbs. - Webb is trying to convert from quarterback to wide receiver, and impressed me at the Senior Bowl earlier this year with his overall athleticism.  He’s huge, has strong hands, and is very fluid for a big man.  He’s just changing positions, and is obviously very raw in all aspects of his game.  When polished he could be a force in the red zone because of his size, but offers value now as a fourth or fifth receiver with the ability to play some Wildcat quarterback.   

33. Kerry Meier - Kansas, 6’3” 220 lbs. - Another former college quarterback, Meier made the transition to wide receiver three years ago and has refined his game.  He is very savvy and knows how to find the soft spot in a zone.  He has a good size/strength combination and consistently comes back to the football.  Meier could eventually switch to a tight end or H-back at the next level.

34. Kyle Williams - Arizona State, 5’10” 185 lbs. - He stood out at the Texas vs The Nation game because of his speed, quickness, and route running ability.  The son of Chicago White Sox GM Ken Williams, he was drafted by Chicago in the 47th round back in 2006 but chose to focus on his football career.  He’s a little raw, drops a few too many passes, and will turn upfield before properly securing a pass but he has a chance to develop into a solid slot receiver if he reaches his full potential.

35. Scott Long - Louisville, 6’2” 216 lbs. - Long’s draft stock has been on the rise after a great performance at the 2010 Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.  He’s still going to be a late-round pick, and perhaps could still fall to priority free agent status - but scouts are impressed with his quickness and strength. 

36. Trindon Holliday - LSU, 5’5” 162 lbs. - Holliday is going to be a return specialist at the next level, but could play a little third-down running back or slot receiver in the pros.  He’ll drop too many easy passes as he’s focused on gaining yards after the catch.  He’s very quick and very elusive, but seems to make better cuts further in his routes and has build up speed.  Holliday is a dangerous weapon, but doesn’t have the consistency to be much more than a return man.

37. Chris McGaha - Arizona State, 6’0” 195 lbs. - McGaha was a very productive receiver in college with good lateral quickness, agility, and field vision.  NFL teams love his work ethic and football intelligence.  McGaha knows how to adjust to poorly thrown passes and has the hands to be a reliable slot receiver.  He’s not fast and can be jammed at the line of scrimmage. 

38. Verran Tucker - California, 6’2” 194 lbs. - Tucker is a deep threat that may never develop a more well rounded game.  His route running is very raw and he failed to show much improvement during his college career at Cal.

39. Ryan Wolfe - UNLV, 6’1” 205 lbs. - Wolfe’s draft stock would be much higher if it wasn’t for a broken foot he sustained the week before the season finale for the Rebels.  He finished as the all-time leading receiver in UNLV history and had more receptions than any other player has had in the Mountain West conference.  His recovery has reportedly gone well, and some team could get a value pick later in the draft.  Wolfe is a crafty receiver who knows how to work his way open and has consistent hands.

40. Pat Simonds - Colgate, 6’5” 230 lbs. - Simonds dominated a lower level of competition in the FCS, and may have to make a switch to tight end in the pros.  He’s a huge target that knows how to use his frame to shield defenders away from the football.  Simonds provides immediate value as a red zone target, but isn’t very fast or elusive when running his routes.