2011 NFL Draft: Power Ranking the Top 10 Game-Changing Wideouts in the Draft
In the 2011 NFL Draft, many teams draft for a need. This is understandable, as you cannot have a major hole in your roster and expect to make the Super Bowl. Other teams try to look for playmakers—people that can take a game and blow it wide open.
The positions that are most likely to blow a game open are the running back and wide receiver positions. While the running back class is rather weak this year, the wide receiver class has its fair share of talent, if teams know where to look.
Who are the wide receivers in the draft that could be the biggest game changers? Here are the top ten. They may not necessarily be the top ten receivers period, but if a team is looking for a receiver that can break out and have a 10-catch game or be a deep ball threat, then here they are.
10. Terrance Toliver, LSU
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Toliver may not have had amazing stats in his time at LSU, but with a quarterback who didn’t throw the ball that often, he did the best he could. If you watched the Cotton Bowl matchup against Texas A&M, then it’s clear that Toliver can be a game changer—taking his five receptions and turning them into three touchdowns.
At 6’4, Toliver is also one of the larger wideouts outside of the first round, and could be a very reliable target for any quarterback.
9. Randall Cobb, Kentucky
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Cobb can be a game changer on multiple fronts, as he is a solid option as a kick and punt returner in addition to his skill at wide receiver. In fact, he was named a first-team All-American as an all-purpose player. As a wide receiver, he was great for Kentucky, finishing the season with over 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns.
He has big games, but many of them were in losing efforts by Kentucky this year. At 5’11, he might also be a short target. But if he can be a game changer with Derrick Locke, then he can certainly be a game changer in the NFL.
8. Jerrel Jernigan, Troy
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The shortest wideout on the list at 5’9", Jernigan has nonetheless shown his ability to be a game changer this past season. He’s a speedy guy that could be a good slot option, and 84 receptions in a season is very impressive in college.
Like Cobb, Jernigan can be a force on special teams, and could be a third-down back option, as he averaged seven yards a carry in his college career. He may be a reach even on the first day, but if used well he could be great.
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7. Vincent Brown, San Diego State
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The more I see of Vincent Brown, the more I like him. He had a great senior year, and was able to keep the game against Utah close, almost single-handedly. He averaged nearly 20 yards per catch being led by quarterback Ryan Lindley, and was very impressive in the Senior Bowl.
He may be 5’11" like Cobb and others on this list, but he’s proving that he can be a force in the NFL should someone want to use a pick on him.
6. Titus Young, Boise State
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While Austin Pettis looked bad in the Senior Bowl and saw his draft stock tumble, Titus Young was amazing and saw his draft stock rise as a result. He may be under six feet as well, but after two 1,000 yard seasons at Boise State, he has more than enough energy to make an impact.
In the Senior Bowl, Young was considered both the quickest receiver and the best pass-catcher, which says a lot since he went up against tougher defenses than he was used to.
5. Leonard Hankerson, Miami
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Hankerson is not necessarily the flashiest receiver on the field, but he has deceptive speed and a solid 6’2" build to boot.
He had 1,156 yards and 13 touchdowns for the Hurricanes last year, including a 147-yard, three touchdown performance against Clemson—he can certainly have a big game.
The Senior Bowl showed that Hankerson uses his body to catch passes a bit too often, but he nonetheless has great control and could be a steal in the second round.
4. Jonathan Baldwin, Pittsburgh
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After a great junior year, Baldwin had a more pedestrian senior year, but nevertheless had a great enough build that he should go high in the draft. He was a non-factor in the bowl game, but what gets lost in the stats is that he is a deep ball threat.
While his size doesn’t make one think of a speedy deep threat (at 6’5 he’s the tallest game changer), he can get open and make plays when needed, as we will likely see in the combine.
3. Torrey Smith, Maryland
8 of 10Anyone who doubts that Torrey Smith is a game changer need only look at his game against North Carolina State. In the regular season finale, Smith had 14 catches for 224 yards and 4 touchdowns in a 38-31 win.
Smith has shown himself to be a big playmaker when it matters, and as a result some mock drafts even have him going in the first round now. The combine will help determine whether he actually does, but he’s the best under 6’3" receiver in the draft.
2. Julio Jones, Alabama
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Jones had a great year for Alabama this past year, and was instrumental in nearly taking out Auburn with a 199-yard performance. He’s a major game changer, with the only weakness perhaps being his hands.
At 6’4 and 220 pounds, he’s an ideal size for a wideout, yet can still show deceptive speed against opposing cornerbacks. He could be a day-one playmaker in the NFL under the right scheme.
1. A.J. Green, Georgia
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There’s a reason A.J. Green is the best wide receiver prospect in the draft. Like Julio Jones, he has an ideal size and speed combination, and had three great years in Georgia. Despite missing four games at the start of the season, he still nearly reached the 1,000 yard mark.
He can leap for tough passes, and he can take a game and blow it wide open even if he knows the team will lose—such as his huge effort against Auburn.
Green and Patrick Peterson are the best athletes in the NFL Draft, and Green will prove that by being a game changer in the NFL.
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