NFL Draft 2012: Profiling Former Arkansas WR Joe Adams

Wide receiver Joe Adams doesn't have the size that NFL scouts like.  His 4.5 speed wasn't what anyone expected.  His pre-draft measurables don't jump off the page.  But anyone that saw Joe Adams play football at Arkansas knows that Adams has what it takes to be a star in the NFL.

Adams suffered what was termed as a "mild stroke" during the 2009 season, but still managed to catch 29 passes for 568 yards and earn second-team All-SEC honors from the Associated Press.  He followed that up with a team-leading 813 yards and six receiving touchdowns in 2010.  In 2011, Adams caught 54 passes for 652 yards and three touchdowns.  

The numbers don't lie.  He consistently performed as a high level throughout his career as a Razorback as a wide receiver, but that's not all he can do.  

Joe Adams is known as one of the premier punt returners in the country.  While LSU punt returner Tyrann Mathieu grabbed all of the headlines last season, it was Adams who led the SEC with an average of 16.89 yards per return, and led the nation in punt returns for touchdowns with four.

Adams is a mid-round pick according to most NFL mock drafts, which puts his special teams ability at a premium.  He's going to have to work hard to succeed in the NFL, and his ability to make things happen on punt returns will make him a very attractive piece to NFL general managers.  

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