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Bob Sturm’s NFL draft series: Another year, another strong class of receivers
Bob Sturm Follow @sportssturm Email sturm1310@me.com
Published: April 21, 2015 6:54 pm
It is redundant to say that this is strong draft for receivers because we seem to say that year after year. With the evolution of the sport, teams now realize they need at least three quality receivers who can separate and make plays to become an elite offense. In 2014, 12 receivers went in first two rounds and it might be double digits again. The well is full.
Spotlight player
Dorial Green-Beckham
There is no more complicated player in this draft than Green-Beckham. From his well-documented and multiple off-the-field issues, to the fact that he hasn’t played a game since 2013, to the fact he requires large amounts of refinement about the way he plays wide receiver. But, if you want to roll precisely on the positive, just have a look at some of his highlights. He is too big and too fast to cover with one guy. It cannot be done. So, Missouri would routinely tease the safety away and then just throw it up and allow him to go get it – which he would regularly do even as a freshman and sophomore. He is so big that he is one of those players that is like 7-11 – always open. If you squint, you can see Terrell Owens. The fact is, you can’t teach 6’5. 240, with 4.4 speed who can take the top off any coverage.
Seldom does someone come along that could be the best receiver of a class on one hand, yet perhaps a player available on Day 2 of the draft on the other hand. If you are willing to take a chance on a player like this who has considerable baggage, it could represent value of the highest order. There are certainly franchises that would not take him at any price. In five years, he is possibly the type of guy to make teams wonder why they passed on him so many times. But, that is the draft game at its best.
The best
Kevin White, West Virginia
It is difficult to say which of the top 3 – White, Parker, and Cooper is the clear No. 1, but White is absolutely the most jaw-dropping and perhaps the one with the highest ceiling. If one of this trio turned into a superstar in three years, you would be wise to consider White for that job. He is really special in terms of doing what football is all about – changing the game by defying the X’s and O’s and just winning with dominance in size and speed. He is very good, but you do wonder if he is as versatile at all aspects of his game as Parker or Cooper.
Sleeper
Jamison Crowder, Duke
Perhaps available in the Rounds 3 or 4, the ACC all-time catch leader is very small (5’8, 185) and not particularly jaw-dropping with his 40-time (4.56 at combine). But, he is so productive as Duke’s primary weapon in the offense all over the field in terms of catching and making defenders miss in space. He is a devastating return man who can change the game in that capacity as well in the blink of an eye. He has great hands, is so competitive and tough, and flashes with productivity on a constant basis.
Best of Texas
Antwan Goodley, Baylor
The state didn’t produce many pass catchers this season, but Goodley is well known in these parts for his big moments – especially in 2013. Goodley is a thick wide receiver who made the jump from running back and still looks like he is better suited for the RB position at times with his frame and even his approach. He is a bit older, but he has a certain amount of intrigue due to his skill set and productivity and with some return skills could catch on with special teams and depth at WR this season somewhere in the NFL.
Bob Sturm’s top 10
Rk., player College Noteworthy
1. Kevin White West Virginia 6-3 215 Oozes with superstar upside
2. Devante Parker Louisville 6-2 209 Also in top class, most rank 3rd
3. Amari Cooper Alabama 6-0 211 Safest pick at the top, how high is ceiling?
4. Dorial Green-Beckham Missouri 6-5 237 Highest ceiling, lowest floor
5. Nelson Agholor USC 6-0 198 Needs refinement, but flashes very high
6. Jaelen Strong Arizona St 6-2 217 may lack burst, still big and impressive
7. Rashad Greene Fla. St 5-11 182 Productive, but ordinary measureables
8. Brashad Perriman UCF 6-2 212 Fast — 4.25 — riser after combine
9. Devin Smith Ohio St 6-0 196 Amazing one-trick pony: deep threat
10. Phillip Dorsett Miami 5-9 185 Diminuative with electric speed
Bob Sturm Follow @sportssturm Email sturm1310@me.com
Published: April 21, 2015 6:54 pm
It is redundant to say that this is strong draft for receivers because we seem to say that year after year. With the evolution of the sport, teams now realize they need at least three quality receivers who can separate and make plays to become an elite offense. In 2014, 12 receivers went in first two rounds and it might be double digits again. The well is full.
Spotlight player
Dorial Green-Beckham
There is no more complicated player in this draft than Green-Beckham. From his well-documented and multiple off-the-field issues, to the fact that he hasn’t played a game since 2013, to the fact he requires large amounts of refinement about the way he plays wide receiver. But, if you want to roll precisely on the positive, just have a look at some of his highlights. He is too big and too fast to cover with one guy. It cannot be done. So, Missouri would routinely tease the safety away and then just throw it up and allow him to go get it – which he would regularly do even as a freshman and sophomore. He is so big that he is one of those players that is like 7-11 – always open. If you squint, you can see Terrell Owens. The fact is, you can’t teach 6’5. 240, with 4.4 speed who can take the top off any coverage.
Seldom does someone come along that could be the best receiver of a class on one hand, yet perhaps a player available on Day 2 of the draft on the other hand. If you are willing to take a chance on a player like this who has considerable baggage, it could represent value of the highest order. There are certainly franchises that would not take him at any price. In five years, he is possibly the type of guy to make teams wonder why they passed on him so many times. But, that is the draft game at its best.
The best
Kevin White, West Virginia
It is difficult to say which of the top 3 – White, Parker, and Cooper is the clear No. 1, but White is absolutely the most jaw-dropping and perhaps the one with the highest ceiling. If one of this trio turned into a superstar in three years, you would be wise to consider White for that job. He is really special in terms of doing what football is all about – changing the game by defying the X’s and O’s and just winning with dominance in size and speed. He is very good, but you do wonder if he is as versatile at all aspects of his game as Parker or Cooper.
Sleeper
Jamison Crowder, Duke
Perhaps available in the Rounds 3 or 4, the ACC all-time catch leader is very small (5’8, 185) and not particularly jaw-dropping with his 40-time (4.56 at combine). But, he is so productive as Duke’s primary weapon in the offense all over the field in terms of catching and making defenders miss in space. He is a devastating return man who can change the game in that capacity as well in the blink of an eye. He has great hands, is so competitive and tough, and flashes with productivity on a constant basis.
Best of Texas
Antwan Goodley, Baylor
The state didn’t produce many pass catchers this season, but Goodley is well known in these parts for his big moments – especially in 2013. Goodley is a thick wide receiver who made the jump from running back and still looks like he is better suited for the RB position at times with his frame and even his approach. He is a bit older, but he has a certain amount of intrigue due to his skill set and productivity and with some return skills could catch on with special teams and depth at WR this season somewhere in the NFL.
Bob Sturm’s top 10
Rk., player College Noteworthy
1. Kevin White West Virginia 6-3 215 Oozes with superstar upside
2. Devante Parker Louisville 6-2 209 Also in top class, most rank 3rd
3. Amari Cooper Alabama 6-0 211 Safest pick at the top, how high is ceiling?
4. Dorial Green-Beckham Missouri 6-5 237 Highest ceiling, lowest floor
5. Nelson Agholor USC 6-0 198 Needs refinement, but flashes very high
6. Jaelen Strong Arizona St 6-2 217 may lack burst, still big and impressive
7. Rashad Greene Fla. St 5-11 182 Productive, but ordinary measureables
8. Brashad Perriman UCF 6-2 212 Fast — 4.25 — riser after combine
9. Devin Smith Ohio St 6-0 196 Amazing one-trick pony: deep threat
10. Phillip Dorsett Miami 5-9 185 Diminuative with electric speed
