NFL Draft: The Kings of Day Two—Aaron Kelly, WR, Clemson

Heading in to the 2008 NCAA football season, the Clemson Tigers were ranked 10th in the nation. The College Football Preview magazine I have in my bathroom still predicted them going to the national championship against Georgia (neither made it).

Within a month or two of their season-opening 34-10 loss against Alabama, they were no longer ranked and their Head Coach, Tommy Bowden, resigned. So what happened?

It seems to be a pretty simple answer, they just couldn’t get the ball in the end zone when they were up against good defenses.

There could be many reasons for this, but the one I think was key was the inability of the offensive line to protect quarterback Cullen Harper from being hurried or open holes for the running game.

After the 2007 season, starting offensive linemen Barry Richardson and Chris McDuffie both graduated and were replaced by unseasoned underclassmen. This was a huge hit to the production of the offense, as indicated by offense statistics alone.

In 2007, Harper went 282 of 433 for 2,991 yards, 27 touchdowns and 6 picks, but in 2008, he was 221 for 360 for 2,601, 13 touchdowns and 14 picks.

The killer came in the running game statistics that fell from 2,095 yards with 4.1 yards per carry in 2007 to 1,450 yards and 3.4 YPC in 2008.

Clemson’s disappointing season was summed up in the Gator Bowl when Nebraska sacked Harper five times and held James Davis and C.J. Spiller to 43 combined rushing yards.

But alas, from the rubble once known as the Clemson Tigers, there is a shining star—6’5” wide receiver Aaron Kelly.

Right now, Kelly is ranked right around 20th overall in this year’s receiver class. The rank would most likely have been higher if Clemson would have had the season that most predicted.

As of right now, Kelly is said to be a fourth or fifth round pick, and scouting experts are worried about his elusiveness and ability to get off the line of scrimmage against a bigger defensive back.

When I watch highlights of Kelly, I see a gifted ball hawk who is not afraid to run over the middle, fight for every yard available, and when in open space, rarely gets chased down by opposition.

Kelly will be a great red zone threat in the NFL, and he also has the tools to be an every down receiver as well.

I found three other receivers in the NFL that have somewhat of the same physical characteristics as Kelly to compare him to:

Brandon Marshall, 6’4” 230 pounds, ran a 4.55 at his combine with a 37” vertical jump. He was selected 119th overall in the draft.

Plaxico Burress, 6’5 3/8” 233 pounds, ran a 4.6 at his combine. He was selected eighth overall in the draft.

Chris Henry, 6’4” 197 pounds, ran a 4.50 at his combine. He was selected 83rd overall in the draft.

With the exception of Henry, all Aaron Kelly is lacking on these guys is about 25 pounds, or one year in the weight room.

Also, unlike the guys listed above, he has never had any negative character issues plaguing his career.

Am I saying Aaron Kelly is going to be the next Marshall or Burress? Not necessarily, but I think it’s a strong possibility, and he isn’t the type to wreck your big screen TV or shoot himself in the leg. That’s worth a look at the highlight reel alone.

The chuckleheads at DraftGuys.com did a little piece on him as well, check it out.

I would draft the guy just for his one pogo foot jump spin move alone??? Chuckleheads...good stuff though.

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