NFL Draft 2011: In Search of a Burner for the Buccaneers

We hear the clamoring out there for a "burner."

We hear the call for a "field stretcher," and we don't mean the kind that escorted guys to the IR list.

We're talking about a need for speed, Top Gun speed.

Let's get right to it.

Leonard Hankerson:  University of Miami. 6'2", 209 pounds. Speed: 4.43.

Comments: Is projected as a complete NFL receiver. Has all the skill sets, huge hands, great hands, catches the football and breakaway speed. If the Bucs want him, they'll have to use their second-round pick because he won't be there in the third round.

Edmund Gates: Abilene Christian, 5'11", 190 pounds. Speed: 4.35.

Comments: Here's your "burner." Speed to burn, can take it to the house from anywhere. He makes big catches, but the knock on him is he'll drop the easy catch. One word—explosive. He'll go in either the third or fourth round.

Dwayne Harris: East Carolina, 5'10", 203 pounds, Speed: 4.45-4.53.

Comments: Playmaker from my alma mater. Watched him seven times last year. Exciting player, can turn a simple catch into a big play. He'll be a solid NFL receiver. Third or fourth-round guy.

Armon Binns: Cincinnati, 6'3", 205 pounds, Speed: 4.5-4.59.

Comments:  Big body, great speed for his size, catches the football. Big play guy for the Bearcats. Fourth-round pick.

Tyrod Taylor: Virginia Tech, 6'0", 215 pounds, Speed: 4.5.

Comments: Quarterback at Virginia Tech. Extraordinary playmaker. Fast, elusive. Will have to learn a new position and can play QB in the wildcat, could make Josh Johnson trade bait. He may go in the fifth round.

DeAndre Brown: Southern Miss, 6'5", 230 pounds, Speed 4.59.

Comments: One of the most intriguing receivers in the draft. He's a beast who can run. He's no angel, however, comes with character questions, but he's no Aqib Talib. Could be a great haul in the fifth round.

Aldrich Robinson: SMU, 5'10", 180 pounds, Speed 4.4.

Comments: Very raw but has speed. Not a big guy but should be there in the seventh round.

Okay, there's a few guys to think about. If the Bucs seriously want to upgrade the receivers, then Hankerson is the guy in Round 2.

My favorite receiver in the draft is Jonathan Baldwin from Pittsburgh. The guy has a great combination of size and elite speed, and can go really high to get the football. Problem is you shouldn't take a wide receiver in the first round. They simply don't touch the ball enough and cannot impact a game the way an elite defensive player can.

Also, the need for a "burner" may be overrated. With the elite speed of defensive secondaries these days, you don't see many "home run" balls.