Vince Young, Tyler Thigpen visiting Cleveland, will participate in mini-camp
April 28, 2014Ray Farmer on WR Sammy Watkins playing opposite Josh Gordon: “Wow!”
April 28, 2014Wide receivers are more valued then ever because of the increase in passing in the NFL. The wide receiver position also happens to be the best and deepest group in the 2014 NFL Draft. It has players that have a variety of different skill-sets. If your team is looking for help at this position, they are in luck. This year could see as many as seven receivers taken in the first round. There are two elite players in Sammy Watkins and Mike Evans. But after these two, there is a huge group that can be very productive for teams and can become stars in their own right. Let’s take a look at my top five wide receivers!
1) Sammy Watkins, Clemson
Sammy Watkins is one of the best playmakers in the 2014 NFL Draft. The Clemson product had an outstanding year that propelled him strongly to the top of my rankings. According to ESPN, he was fifth in Division I-A college football in receiving yards with 1464 yards. The 6’1”, 211 lbs. receiver has the best big ability in the draft. Mel Kiper says, “The more I watch him, the more I see a special difference-maker on Sundays.” Watkins has elite speed that is only helped by his precise route running. Most top speed receivers use their quickness to break away from defenders, but that is where Watkins separates himself. He is a tough player that can run through defenders along with running around them. Watkins has extraordinary after-the-catch ability that makes him a player who must get the ball. According to Greg Peshek of Second Round Stats, Watkins has the highest YAC of the group of Evans, Lee, and Benjamin with an impressive 8.48 yards average. Watkins only downfall is that he does not have elite size, but he makes up for that using his strength and speed to beat defenders.
2) Mike Evans, Texas A&M
Mike Evans is one of the biggest freaks in the draft. The 6’5”, 231 lbs. receiver is a former basketball player that uses his body to go and get the ball in the air. The former Aggie is the best when the ball is in the air and he goes up to get it at its highest point. This ability will make him an immediate red zone target for the team that drafts him. Todd McShay says, “Evans is one of the best receivers I’ve ever seen at coming down with 50-50 balls.” He also has great hands to bring in the ball. According to Greg Peshek of Second Round Stats, Evans had the second lowest drop percentage of all the top receivers in the Draft with only 4.29%. His jumping and hands make him a player quarterbacks will look at when they need a big reception. To go along with his size, he ran a remarkable 4.53 second 40-yard dash, so he is not just a red zone target, but also a big play threat. Evans only flaw is that he is not a player who is quick and agile. This is not that big of a deal because he will not be used on screens as much. He will be a guy who will run deep routes and make plays downfield.
3) Marqise Lee, USC
Marqise Lee was the number one wide receiver many boards before the season, but had an inconsistent year that lowered his draft stock. Charles Davis of NFL.com says, “Lee could be the best receiver available.” He is a speed receiver that can break a huge run after the catch. He had a more productive year in 2012 when he had 1721 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns. But this year’s inconsistency was not totally his fault. He had very average quarterback play throughout the 2013 season and Lee also missed a few games with injuries. He has the ability to separate from defenders and take any catch all the way to the end zone. The biggest flaw for the Trojan product is his drops and his smaller size. According to Greg Peshek of Second Round Stats, he had a high drop rate of 12.31%. He also is slightly built that could lead to more injuries. He must be more consistent to be able to showcase all of his talents.
4) Odell Beckham Jr., LSU
Odell Beckham is a versatile receiver with the ability to help out on special teams, too. Gil Brandt of NFL.com says, “Beckham will be a star in the NFL both catching passes and returning kicks.” The Tiger alum is an agile receiver who is also very quick. He can take the ball and make defenders miss. He along with the previous receivers can take the catch and go for big yards after the catch. He can play anywhere on the field with the ability to play in the slot and also outside. Beckham can be a player who contributes right away because he can be a team’s kick returner and make plays in special teams. His weaknesses include his smaller size of 5’11”, 198 lbs and his concentration. He must make up for his smaller stature with his speed and quickness. Sometimes, he drops balls that are catchable and does not focus on catching the ball before trying to go up field.
5) Brandin Cooks, Oregon State
Brandin Cooks is one of the most explosive players in this year’s draft. He was one of the most underrated players in college football last year. Cooks had an outstanding year with 128 receptions for 1730 yards and 16 touchdowns. According to ESPN, he led the whole Division I-A in receiving yards this season. To go along with his high production in college, Cooks has good hands, explosive speed, and good route running ability. According to Greg Peshek, he was fourth in lowest drops percentage with 4.69% among the top receivers in the draft. Also at the NFL Combine, he ran the fastest 40-yard dash of all the receivers with a blazing 4.33 seconds. He can run past defenders with his speed and also quick agility. Another advantage for him is that he runs good routes that can add to ability to separate from defenders. When he gets to the NFL, Cooks will be used in many different roles. He can run the ball in reverses, play in the slot, and also go outside to run deep routes for big plays. The only blemish for the Beaver product is that he is small at 5’10”, 189 lbs. He will not be a physical receiver and so he may be vulnerable to press coverage. He must learn to break away from corners that jam him at the line.
16 Comments
“3) Marqise Lee, USC…The biggest flaw for the Trojan product is his drops and his smaller size. According to Greg Peshek of Second Round Stats, he had a high drop rate of 12.31%.”…NEXT!
“4) Odell Beckham Jr., LSU…Sometimes, he drops balls that are catchable and does not focus on catching the ball before trying to go up field.”…NEXT!
Thanks for playing, don’t forget your comlimentary set of steak knives as you leave.
I’m at the stage before the draft where I start talking myself into guys. And the more I think about Mike Evans the more I think that he’d be a fab fit. When the weather turns, the field is slippery and ball is fluttering that’s the dude with the height and leverage giving the db fits, a Dave Logan or Joe J. What an unstoppable complement to Josh Gordon taking a corner and safety with him on the other side and Cameron in the middle. Really think he and Watkins are 1A and 1B, and maybe Evans is the best fit for the late-season climate.
The great thing is there are plenty of WRs in this draft. That coupled with the fact that the Browns have already added Hawkins and Burleson leads me to believe that the #4 pick most likely won’t be a WR. Sorry RGB.
You could list probably at least 7-8 WRs and after Watkins and Evans all would be interchangable IMO.
http://www.reactiongifs.us/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/thumbs_down_gladiator.gif
Hey I’m just trying to look out for you. I don’t want to hear sirens go by my house and hear on the news that there’s a guy perched a top the Valley View bridge dressed in only a #2 orange jersey and Browns helmet on draft night around say 8:40-8:55 PM ET.
Get Johnny at 4 trade up for Evans.
You mean the sniper across from the Berea HQ.
both of those guys, I wouldn’t put “drops” in their bio. Lee had terrible QB play and his high “drop” rate was oftentimes him making such a great effort to get to the ball that he could somehow manage to awkwardly get to a terrible placed throw. Beckham uses good hands, just is looking to make that move upfield. that side of it, IMO, can be taught (it’s the bad catching with the body that I haven’t seen people ever completely get over).
absolutely perfect top5 here. fits in right with what I have except I put Lee above Evans (however, I do that knowing that Evans probably should be ahead due to injury concerns).
I think Watkins may be the more talented receiver, but for the Browns my pick would be Mike Evans. They have such a need for another viable red zone target. Jordan Cameron showed some ability there, but Josh Gordon really did not, and neither did any of the other receivers or tight ends. I see Sammy Watkins as more of a Josh Gordon type of receiver who gets his TDs from big YAC plays. I want the compliment to Gordon who commands a double-team in the red zone, yet will still win a lot of those battles in the air.
Last year, we had no running game and a QB who couldn’t throw a goal line fade for Gordon, so the only successful goal line plays were darts to Cameron between a LB and S.
I think that the addition of Tate, Hoyer at QB, etc. will make that a non-issue, and not sure regardless that red zone is a consideration that pushes Evans ahead of Watkins.
For me it does, and I disagree that Hoyer or another QB will make a big difference. Tate will help, but not in red zone pass-catching. Mike Evans reminds me of Andre Johnson, and I like that a lot. I don’t recall Gordon or any of the other receivers being very good at high-pointing a ball. That isn’t to say that he doesn’t use his hands, but I honestly can’t remember a pass where he jumped up and grabbed the ball at its highest point and pulled it down over a CB. I want that… not just for goal line plays, but for first downs, and that isn’t the limit of what Mike Evans can do… he’s going to be a great receiver.
He high-pointed a number of deep balls last year, particularly in the JAX game and the games before it (I remember JAX specifically because two were right in front of me).
Obviously disagree on the QB aspect; I do believe Evans will be good, I just believe Watkins is a better WR to have.
Then we shall disagree! 50 paces, turn and fire.
[steps]
1…2…3…4… …15!
[spins, fires]
Oh, did you say fifty? Whoops!