RANKINGS: WIDE RECEIVERS

1. MICHAEL CRABTREE
SCHOOL- TEXAS TECH
SIZE- 6'2 214
VIDEO- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPz7caPqoJE
GRADE- Top 5 pick
ANALYSIS- Michael Crabtree is very close to the complete package as a wide receiver. At 6'3 215, he has ideal size at the WR position. He is a great route runner and shows an elite ability and desire to make a play after the catch through using vision, power, and explosiveness to fight for extra yards. He displays elite hands; catching the ball away from his body and at its highest point. He offers a wide catching radius in which the QB has larger room for error in delivering a 'catchable' ball. One of my favorite things about Crabtree, when watching him, is how he runs slants. He uses an excellent first step in setting up the corner, by making one hard step to the outside, then ouickly planting his outside foot and using elite suddenness to explode to the inside and seal off the defender; offering an easy target for the QB. The biggest question mark about Crabtree is his straight-line, forty time, speed; scouts do not have an accurate time on him. In this area, he may not impress. However, the NFL is littered with former and current elite pass catchers who failed to impress in their combine forty. These NFL greats include the likes of Terrell Owens, Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald, and the greatest receiver of all time Jerry Rice; who coincidentally is apart of one of the agency teams trying to represent Crabtree in the upcoming draft. Crabtree possesses all the other requisite skills, like the afformentioned names, to join the NFL elite and become a game-changing WR in the NFL; The only thing a forty time will determine is whether he is locked into the top 5 or slips to picks 6-10.

2. JEREMY MACLIN
SCHOOL- MISSOURI
SIZE- 6'1 200
VIDEO- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wzrltr66LqI&feature=related
GRADE- Top 10 pick
ANALYSIS- Jeremy Maclin, first and foremost, offers great versatility to any NFL team that drafts him. In addition to offering elite receiving skills, teams can use him in a variety of ways by lining him up in the backfield or utilizing him on end arounds. As well, he was an elite college kick-off and punt returner and NFL scouts expect him to find great success, in this role, as a pro. In terms of receiving skills, there is a lot to love about Maclin. He provides breathtaking straight-line speed which will give a team a true deep threat in the passing game. In addition to elite speed, he also has a solid frame, at 6'1 200, for a receiver which allows him to be an effective receiver in traffic; he is not afraid to go over the middle. He also displays great hands, elite leaping ability, and excellent body control. Maclin is still raw, as a route runner, and relies more on athleticism to created separation. He needs to work hard, when he gets to the NFL, to learn the nuances of being an excellent route runner; in order to develop into a true number 1 receiver. He had a horrific knee-injury in 2006, which he has successful come back from. So a thorough medical check is obviously needed before committing a top 10 pick. However, one thing is clear; Jeremy Maclin is a rare playmaker who can score from anywhere and in any situation, on the field.

3. HAKEEM NICKS
SCHOOL- NORTH CAROLINA
SIZE- 6'2 210
VIDEO-
GRADE- Mid/Late 1st rd.
ANALYSIS- To me, Nicks is one of the safest bets at WR, in this class, to have a successful career as a quality 1 or 2 receiver. At 6'2 210, he is a very good possession receiver who is tough, runs good routes, has sure hands, and displays excellent vision and ability to gain extra yards after the catch. His most outstanding attribute is his excellent concentration when catching the ball in traffic; if you need verification of this look at highlights from the West Virginia game. He is not limited to running short-to-intermediate routes and uses his sneaky speed to effectively run deep routes and make big plays. The biggest question, regarding nicks, is what exactly his forty-time will be. If he runs in the high 4.4/ mid 4.5 range he will almost certainly secure a spot in the first round. However, if he runs in the 4.6 range, he could slip into the second round. Personally, I could care less what he runs, as I think he will be a very good NFL receiver regardless of his straight-line speed. I liken him to Anquan Boldin; and the fact that Boldin ran a 4.73 before the draft isn't doing anything to prohibit him from being one of the best WR's in the league. I am very confident Nicks will be a great player in the NFL- if not a star- and that is why I have him stacked higher, in my wr rankings, than many other people who analyze the draft.

4. PERCY HARVIN
SCHOOL- FLORIDA
SIZE- 5'11 195
VIDEO-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34--XTjboDI&feature=related
GRADE- Mid/Late 1st
ANALYSIS- Harvin is one of the harder receivers to analyze in this draft because of the fact that he was used in college as a hybrid wr/rb. On a positive note, it shows that he offers any NFL team, who drafts him, great versatility. Harvin has an elite burst and acceleration which truly makes him a threat to score from anywhere on the field. He has good hands, great vision, and elite lateral mobility which give defenders fits when they are trying to take good angles in pursuit. As well, he is not afraid to go over the middle and displays good toughness for his size. Any team that drafts him will have to polish him more, as a route runner, in order to truly capitolize on his huge potential. The biggest question about Harvin is his durability; as he has had significant nagging injuries throughout his career at Florida. If teams are fearful that he will continue to sustain injuries- he could slip to the bottom of the first round. However, if he can successful acclumate himself to pro-style offenses; Harvin will be a rare playmaker in the NFL.

5. DARIUS HEYWARD-BEY
SCHOOL- MARYLAND
SIZE- 6'3 206
VIDEO- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyjaBWuo4zA
GRADE- Late 1st/ early 2nd
ANALYSIS-
6. KENNY BRITT
SCHOOL- RUTGERS
SIZE- 6'4 215

7. JUAQUIN IGLESIAS
SCHOOL- OKLAHOMA
SIZE- 6'0 204

8. BRIAN ROBISKIE
SCHOOL- OHIO STATE
SIZE- 6'3 200

9. DERRICK WILLIAMS
SCHOOL- PENN STATE
SIZE- 6'0 194

10. LOUIS MURPHY
SCHOOL- FLORIDA
SIZE- 6'3 205

11. MOHAMED MASSAQUOI
SCHOOL- GEORGIA
SIZE- 6'2 198

12. RAMSES BARDEN
SCHOOL- CAL POLY
SIZE- 6'6 225

13. BRANDON TATE
SCHOOL- NORTH CAROLINA
SIZE- 6'1 195

14. DEMETRIUS BRYD
SCHOOL- LSU
SIZE- 6'1 205

15. BRANDON GIBSON
SCHOOL- WASHINGTON STATE
SIZE- 6'3 205

16. BROOKS FOSTER
SCHOOL- NORTH CAROLINA
SIZE-

17. MIKE THOMAS
SCHOOL- ARIZONA
SIZE- 5'8 195

18. AUSTIN COLLIE
SCHOOL- RICE
SIZE- 6'2 206

19. PAT WHITE
SCHOOL- WEST VIRGINIA
SIZE- 6'1 192

20. DARIUS PASSMORE
SCHOOL- MARSHALL
SIZE- 6'3 190