Arms Wide Open: NFL Draft Receivers

Just how good does a wide receiver have to be in the NFL?

Just ask those guys who put up Hall of Fame numbers every single week.

The bar has been set higher every season by future hall of famers such as Randy Moss, Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce, Steve Smith, Terrell Owens, and of course, Ocho Cinco himself Chad Johnson.

This year's draft will have some guys that are capable of big things. They just need the right team to snag them. Here are some of the guys who will be making noise on draft day.

Malcolm Kelly, Oklahoma: Playmaker as receiver in a world of ground and pound.

Strengths: Ed McCaffrey and Torry Holt

Kelly is a wide receiver who can get free when in coverage. He has great hands for an underclassman. Like Holt, Kelly runs crisp, precise routes and has excellent reach for a big target. One of the biggest plus marks for him is that he can take a hit and come back for another shot if he has to. That explains the reference to Ed McCaffrey, the former Broncos receiver who can make a dynamic catch while getting drilled by a defender.

Weakness: No Ball, Big Problem

Kelly is a phenom when he has the ball. The problem is that without the ball, he is practically under the radar. Though he is a good blocker, he is a non-factor if he isn't going out for a pass. The other issue that Kelly has is whether his hip pointer will be a factor in his route running. Despite all that, he would be a good fit for teams in need of a dependable receiver. 

Spotlight Teams: St. Louis, NY Jets, Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Houston, Tennessee, Green Bay, Miami

Limas Sweed, Texas: Making up for lost time.

Strengths: Speed and Stride

Though he spent a majority of last season on the sideline with a nagging wrist injury, his speed is still a good thing to have. His route running isn't up to speed, but his long strides will make defenders work extra hard to make things happen on defense. When he does run a route, he is smooth when he starts and has no problem getting physical with a defender if that helps his team move the chains.

Weakness: Timing

He runs good routes, has good hands, good speed, great strides, and enjoys getting physical at times. So what's the downside of Limas Sweed? His timing. He has a tendency to break off his routes too soon, which could or could not cost him. As a blocker, he has moments of shying away from it. This is a bad thing for teams who focus more on the run than the pass. However, when the ball is in his hands, he has great elusiveness. That could make up for his bad timing at breaking routes.

Spotlight Teams: Arizona, Houston, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, San Diego, San Francisco, Kansas City, Detroit, Chicago, Miami

DeSean Jackson, California: DJ gets ball. DJ finds end zone. The End.

Strengths: Playmaking Ability

Jackson spent three seasons terrorizing the Pac-10 Conference every time he touched the ball. Out of 36 games, he and the end zone found each other 29 times. His good training etiquette pays off when he is on the field. He runs like a sprinter and catches like Steve Smith. He has the playmaking ability to slip past defenders and gain extra yardage. When he drops the pads, he has the natural instinct to break off defenders and get downfield for either a big gain or 6 points.

Weakness: Size

He has a small frame which makes him vulnerable to big hits. He can handle a few shots, but too many will mess him up pretty good. If he is lined up as a blocker, teams will be risking the chance of a sack due to his size. Scouts think he should bulk up, but if it messes with his top plus (his speed), bulking up may have to come later.

Spotlight Teams: San Diego, Jacksonville, San Francisco, Washington, Seattle, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Buffalo, Carolina

Early Doucet, LSU: The Spawn of Vick, LT, Randle El, and Ocho Cinco

Strengths: Versatility

Doucet was considered the elite receiver at LSU after Dwayne Bowe and Craig Davis were drafted last year. Despite suffering a groin injury this season, Doucet still managed to put up some impressive numbers and lead the team in receptions this season. Doucet showed that he can play practically any position on the field which makes him a perfect nightmare for teams. After terrorizing the SEC for four years, the NFL looks like a perfect fit for Doucet.

Weakness: Vision and Hands

Doucet is more quick than explosive which makes him questionable on deep routes. His body has been banged up during his time with LSU and it shows when he runs some routes. He has a tendency to run more like he's playing Arena football than NFL football. He jogs off the line which makes him lack a little in getting to a good spot for a reception. He will have a time or two of running before his blocks fully develop. He also suffers from Darius Watts-itis, which means he will catch long passes but drop a few short easy ones.

Spotlight Teams: Chicago, Detroit, Tennessee, Seattle, New England, Cincinnati, New Orleans, Arizona 

Devin Thomas, Michigan State: From Underdog to Opportunist

Strengths: Hands and Routes

Thomas was considered a disappointment before he even stepped on the field. That apparently gave him enough motivation to make things happen while he was with the Spartans. He has solid hands and uses them to his advantage. He has great catch adjustment that makes him a force on the field. He also runs complete routes which makes him a solid shot as a top 10 pick in the draft. Teams could benefit from having him either on the field or on the sideline.

Weakness: Proving Ground

Thomas only had one season of great productivity, but it was as season that makes him a 5 Star prospect. In the NFL, he'll have to prove that he has the tools to be a good deep threat. He has too many times of shake and bake rather than heading down the field for six.

Spotlight Teams: Miami, Atlanta, Oakland, New Orleans, Baltimore, Buffalo, San Francisco, Green Bay, Indianapolis