2010 NFL Draft Rankings: Wide Receivers

This was, by far, one of the hardest rankings I've ever had to do. A lot of people have told me they consider this to be a relatively weak class of wideouts but the footage that I've watched says otherwise. The top five were especially hard to place. They are all so talented and will be legitimate contenders at the next level. There isn't a hefty amount of speed or stature in this year's group, but all are very knowledgeable of the game and have a sense of respect and maturity toward the game that I've never seen. Draft talk will become more and more popular as this year's NFL season winds down and multiple, varied opinions will slowly emerge, but here are my top receivers in this year's player lottery. 

1. Damian Williams (USC)

Height: 6-1

Weight: 190

40 Time: 4.45

Projected Round: Top 25

One of the more underrated players in this year’s draft, I have Williams as my first overall for a couple of reasons. He has extensive experience playing in a pro-style offense and he is the premier route runner in his class. 

More quick than fast, Williams has the ability to change directions with more conviction than anyone else I’ve watched this year. He has great hands, catching the ball away from his body and never shying away from the difficult throws over the middle.

He is excellent at shielding the corner and making sure only he has the opportunity to catch the ball, flashing his numbers to the quarterback and adjusting his body to whatever throw comes his way.

He has tremendous upside for any NFL team but a shoulder injury he sustained in 2008 may be a concern for scouts. His physicality at the line is also questionable but his athleticism and variety of skills will have a number of teams vying for him.

Look for a team with any sort of need at receiver to look closely at Williams.

Teams that will target him: Cleveland, Baltimore, Miami,

2. Brandon LaFell (LSU)

Height: 6-3

Weight: 209

40 Time: 4.49

Projected Round: Top 25

This pick was one of the more difficult ones I had to make. LaFell’s numbers are down this year, but that’s mostly due to LSU’s inadequacies at the quarterback position. He is still one of the most physical wideouts in his class and he can make the catch anywhere on the field.

He doesn’t have the fastest 40, but he makes his cuts on the field faster than anyone else. He runs flawless routes, whether it is streaks, slants, or out routes. He isn’t afraid to take the hit when he makes a catch in the middle of the field and once he gets the ball in hands, he lowers his pads and bowls over anyone that gets in his way.

He has top-tier vision when he’s in open space and will track the defender and shield him with his outside shoulder to make the catch. He is the best blocker in this year’s draft, on the line and in open field. When another receiver makes the catch, LaFell is right there with him, making the pivotal blocks to free his teammate up.

He is an NFL-style threat in the redzone, always getting behind the coverage or using his size to break off his man and making the grab in the back corner of the endzone.

LaFell needs to learn to be patient with the ball, though. He has a habit of taking off before he has the ball secured in his hands, resulting in dropped passes that are elementary.

He also lacks pure top-end speed but that won’t matter, he will transition nicely in the NFL and be a fast improvement to any team’s receiving corp.

Look for a team lacking physicality at the wide out position to pick LaFell up and use him immediately.

Teams that will target him: New York Giants, Carolina, Miami

3. Arrelious Benn (Illinois)

Height: 6-2

Weight: 214

40 Time: 4.46

Projected Round: 1-2

Benn is an all-around athlete, acting as both wide receiver and return specialist at Illinois. He is faster than most for his size and has a second gear that will grab the attention of more than a few NFL scouts.

His numbers aren’t the best compared to other wideouts entering the draft this year, but he makes up for it by his sheer athleticism. When the ball is perfect and the defender is in check, Benn always reels it in. However, he struggles to adjust his body and make the difficult catches, especially near the sidelines.

He doesn’t track the ball correctly at times and it shows by when he finds himself out of position at times. He isn’t the best route runner but that is something that can be taught. It is Benn’s athletic attributes that will cause him to be a top receiver taken. If anything, his skills at the return position will elevate his status and have him off the board before the first day of the draft is over.

Look for a team with needs on special teams and an athletic number two receiver to take a good, hard look at Benn.

Teams that will target him: Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, Baltimore

4. Dez Bryant (Oklahoma State)

Height: 6-2

Weight: 210

40 Time: 4.54

Projected Round: 1-2

Bryant is a gifted athlete who could use another year at Oklahoma State to really polish his skills, but will garner a first round selection nonetheless. His size is a great asset and he uses it often. He excels at meeting the ball at the highest point and using his big body to box out defenders and come back to the quarterback on curl routes.

Although he gets off the line of scrimmage quicker than most, he lacks the deceptive speed that a lot of teams strive for. He isn’t the best route runner but he rarely drops balls. He has excellent vision when streaking down the field, keeping a close eye on the sideline and knowing where the man-to-man coverage is going to be.

He needs to improve his YAC and do a better job at reading zone coverage but he makes up for that by coming back to the quarterback and giving him an out when he’s facing a tenacious pass rush.

Bryant will be a top pick because of his size. In a league where the dominant receivers are 6-2 and beyond and upwards of 230 pounds, Bryant has the potential to eventually join their ranks.

Look for a team who needs a number two receiver NOW to target him.

Teams that will target him: Chicago, Tennessee, Cleveland

5. Golden Tate (Notre Dame)

Height: 5-11

Weight: 195

40 Time: 4.41

Projected Round: 2-3

Tate is not an average receiver by any means, but in a class of standout athletes, this is where he falls. He isn’t the most prolific wideout on the list, but he may be the fastest one to be selected in day one of the draft. He is quicker than quick off the line, getting off coverage and hitting the jets before the corner can recover.

Tate is a classic sideline receiver with his straight line speed and sure hands. He doesn’t have the size to meet the ball at times, but if he even gets to touch the ball, consider it caught.

He has limited experience in returning balls, a skill that many teams look for in rookie wideouts. Tate also doesn’t have the size or the physicality to demand space and box out the corner. You won’t catch him volunteering to make the catch in the middle of the field and he isn’t much of a threat in the endzone.

Despite his small size, Tate will eventually become a legitimate number two receiver. His experience in a pro-style offense will also elevate his draft status. Look for a team with a shallow receiving corps to give him a shot.

Teams that will target him: Chicago, Cincinnati, Seattle

6. Erick Decker (Minnesota)

Height: 6-2

Weight: 215

40 Time: 4.52

Projected Round: 2-3

Decker is under the radar at this point but don’t let that fool you; he is an NFL-ready wideout who has great size, great hands, and an unmatched work ethic. His imposing size will make him a target for teams missing a possession-type receiver and he will transition nicely into the professional level.

Although he sometimes neglects to plant his foot properly and make the quick cuts, Decker is very knowledgeable and can run every route on the field. He also does a great job at adjusting his body and catching poorly thrown balls.

Even though he is one of the more physical players coming into the draft, he does a poor job at getting off the line of scrimmage and shaking the bump and run. He also has one of the lowest YACs in this year’s class, but his true asset is his sure hands. He rarely drops the ball, making him a sure-fire contender for a possession wideout position in the NFL.

The NFL is chock full of lanky, athletic receivers who can run the sidelines and out jump the coverage. Look for a team who needs the lower-center-of-gravity type of receiver to join their already solid corps of wideouts.

Teams that will target him: Minnesota, Dallas, Philadelphia

7. Jeremy Williams (Tulane)

Height: 6-1

Weight: 205

40 Time: 4.54

Projected Round: 3-4

It is Williams’ history of injuries that keeps him so low on the totem pole of receivers. He is big, physical, and has great hands, but he can’t seem to stay healthy. He has had problems with his knee and his hand, causing his participation at Tulane to be limited.

That being said, he is a wild card in this year’s draft and will be a gift for any offense attempting to expand their gameplan. He has extensive experience in the Wildcat, a formation that is quickly catching fire in the NFL.

He was primarily used in the slot formation and in motion; his speed or lack thereof inhibits his ability to make the necessary cuts on the outside. Williams does the little things to prove his effectiveness, though. He uses a well-practiced head fake to open up space on his routes and he is one of the meanest blockers to come out of college this year. He does whatever it takes to keep the defender from getting to the quarterback and will follow a fellow receiver all the way down the field to ensure the score.

Although Williams lacks true athleticism and natural talent, he is a hard worker and generally loves to play the game. He has a variety of skills that will cause teams to look to him to help them implement a more effective Wildcat system into their offense.

Teams that will target him: Green Bay, Pittsburgh, Atlanta

8. Mardy Gilyard (Cincinnati)

Height: 6-1

Weight: 187

40 Time: 4.45

Projected Round: 3-4

With dominant straight-line speed, the only thing keeping Gilyard back is his size. At a mere 187 pounds, he won’t be campaigning any sort of physicality. He will have to rely on his break-away ability in order to have a chance at being a top-selected receiver.

Gilyard has the athleticism to break it open, but he has some of the more inconsistent hands in this year’s class. From play to play, you never know if he’s going to drop the easy pass or reel one in for a score.

He isn’t the best route runner but he will mostly likely be used in the same way Philadelphia uses DeSean Jackson, as a seam runner and crossing route type of receiver.

Gilyard’s true star quality is his determination to play the game of football. He arrived at Cincinnati on scholarship but lost it after being accused of cheating by a professor. Gilyard slept in his car for a few months while working multiple jobs in order to pay for school. He eventually made it back on the field and has been a coverage nightmare ever since.

Quite simply, Gilyard is elusive as he gutsy. Sure, he’s a little to susceptible to hearing “footsteps” and shies away from the big hit, but once he gets the ball into his hands, he is deceptively quick. It’s unclear as to who will want him as of right now, but he won’t stay on the board for very long come draft day.

Teams that will target him: San Diego, Carolina, Tampa Bay

9. Jordan Shipley (Texas)

Height: 6-0

Weight: 195

40 Time: 4.45

Projected Round: 4-5

For a guy who weighs only 195 pounds, Shipley sure does command a lot of space. Despite my having ranked him so low, he stands alone as a unique wideout in this year’s draft. As a sixth year senior, Shipley has had a lot of time to study the game and mature as a player. His lack of natural athleticism will hinder his draft status, but he will make an impact in the NFL nonetheless.

Quicker than some measurables may suggest, Shipley has a knack for finding the holes in zone coverage and darting in and out of his cuts with surprising fluidity. He also shows great maturity in his catching ability and body adjustment in open space.

Shipley truly shines when he has the chance to make the big play, whether that is on a screen play or returning balls. He is a playmaker at heart and will do nicely as a slot receiver at the professional level.

Honestly, Shipley has a chance to go earlier, but I think his size and skewed numbers from playing in a spread offense will cause him to slip to a late round pick and be a nice asset to any team lucky enough to grab him.

Teams that will target him: Houston, Kansas City, St. Louis

10. Jacoby Ford (Clemson)

Height: 5-10

Weight: 185

40 Time: 4.37

Projected Round: 4-5

Simply put, Jacoby Ford is a special teams nightmare. As the fastest wideout on this list, Ford demands attention at a number of positions. He could make a leering return specialist or a top-shelf big-play receiver or even a natural star in the Wildcat formation.

Ford has all the physical attributes you look for in a receiver plus bonus experience at throwing the football. And, while he displays a little inconsistency at times, Ford should do very well at the professional level.

Ford is not just known for his talents on the NFL field; he entered the 2009 season as the winner of the NCAA 60m dash and it shows. He doesn’t have the quickness to make proper cuts or sell a route but he can easily get behind unsuspecting coverage with his smooth acceleration and unmatched speed.

His lack of experience will keep him on the board longer than he’d like, but when he will blossom at the next level and rack up impressive stats if he is paired with a talented quarterback.

Teams that will target him: Oakland, Indianapolis, Carolina

Honorable Mentions:

·         Dexter McCluster – Ole Miss

·         Dezmon Briscoe – Kansas

·         Blair White – Michigan State

·         Danario Alexander – Missouri

·         Riley Cooper – Florida