Wide Receiver and Tight End Preview
by Luke Paul Chandler
This week, Luke Paul Chandler analyzes the tight end and wide receiver classes of the 2008 NFL Draft.
By Luke Paul Chandler
Wide Receiver
While no great, surefire top 10 pick is in the class, it’s deeper top to bottom than previous years. Their could be as many as a dozen receivers taken on the first day of the draft, which is now only two rounds deep. Even into Day 2, teams could be able to grab players who will play extensively as rookies. The most NFL ready receiver may end up being Vanderbilt’s Earl Bennett, whose steady hands and cerebral approach to the game are flying under the radar.
As always with wide receivers, though, there are questions about their transition into an NFL offense. Usually the receivers who transition quickly are crisp route runners, which bodes well for Malcolm Kelly, Bennett and Jordy Nelson. Even with vertical passing attacks being all the rage in the NFL, downfield receivers like Mario Manningham, Early Doucet and Andre Caldwell will face a steep learning curve. Rounding off your routes and playing sloppy football, reminiscent of Steve Spurrier’s Florida alumni, will always make a tough transition to the pro game.
Top 10 (as of 3/29/08)
1. Limas Sweed, WR, Texas, 6′5, 219
2. Malcom Kelly, WR, Oklahoma, 6′4, 217
3. DeSean Jackson, WR, California, 6′0, 176
4. Earl Bennett, WR, Vanderbilt, 6′1, 202
5. Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan, 6′0, 185
6. Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State, 6′2, 218
7. Early Doucet, WR, Louisiana State, 6′0, 207
8. Harry Douglas, WR, Louisville, 5′11, 170
9. Adrian Arrington, WR, Michigan, 6′3, 195
10. James Hardy, WR, Indiana, 6′6, 220
Hands - Earl Bennett (Vanderbilt)
Route Running - Malcolm Kelly (Oklahoma)
Run After Catch - Devin Thomas (Michigan State)
Blocking - Limas Sweed (Texas)
Release - Mario Manningham (Michigan)
Quickness - Devin Thomas (Michigan State)
Against Man Coverage - James Hardy (Indiana)
Against Zone Coverage - DeSean Jackson (California)
Stud - Malcolm Kelly (Oklahoma) - Kelly’s a smart, tough receiver with steady hands. Some teams are unimpressed with his lack of great speed, but Kelly is a true technician; a dying breed in an era of speedsters at the position. He runs crossing patterns well, and is aggressive after the catch. He may max out as a high No. 2 or co-No. 1 receiver, but he’s going to have a solid future in the NFL.
Sleeper -Devin Thomas (Michigan State) - A former JUCO player with only one season of Division I football under his belt, Thomas is a huge gamble for whatever team drafts him. Thomas has a great size to speed ratio, and is a terror after the catch. He’s able to out-muscle smaller defensive backs at the line of scrimmage, and can change directions quickly. Thomas will need work on his route running at first, but he can be brought along slowly as a slot receiver, while working as a primary return specialist. Thomas may have the biggest upside of any receiver in this class.
Slipper - DeSean Jackson (California) - Jackson’s lack of size and consistent production is worrisome. He weighed in at a frail 169 pounds at the Combine, which is very light for the NFL. His route running and technique has not progressed much in the three years he played at California, and he will be easily beaten by press coverage. While his punt return skills are solid, he’s just not a great receiving prospect at this point. Add that to the fact that he is rumored to have some character concerns, teams may want to shy away from him.
Grade - B
Tight End
The NFL has become a league where it is mandatory to have a viable receiving threat at the tight end position. Tight ends rarely line up in-line like they did 20 years ago, but offensive game plans have altered enough to make the most of the new athletic tight end’s skills. Whether it is as a slot receiver, H-back or in-line, maximizing a tight end’s matchup can drastically alter a team’s passing attack. Martin Rucker and Fred Davis are the best deep receiving threats at the position, and could be best utilized in the slot.
This group certainly features many versatile players who can fill that role and be productive. Because of the high profile attention the position has gotten the past few years, teams may overdraft some of these players though. Very few are more than chip blockers, which the exception of Kellen Davis and Tom Santi. With many teams running to the left side, it has become more common practice to use a tight end as a backside blocker, rather than leading the charge.
Top Ten (as of 3/29/08)
1. Martin Rucker, TE, Missouri, 6′5, 255
2. Martellus Bennett, TE, Texas A&M, 6′7, 248
3. Fred Davis, TE, Southern California, 6′4, 250
4. Jermichael Finley, TE, Texas, 6′5, 236
5. John Carlson, TE, Notre Dame, 6′6, 259
6. Dustin Keller, TE, Purdue, 6′4, 240
7. Kellen Davis, TE, Michigan State, 6′6, 254
8. Jacob Tamme, TE, Kentucky, 6′5, 240
9. Gary Barnidge, TE, Louisville, 6′6, 234
10. Tom Santi, TE, Virginia, 6′5, 250
Best By Trait
Hands - Jacob Tamme (Kentucky)
Route Running - Martin Rucker (Missouri)
Run After Catch - Kellen Davis (Michigan State)
Blocking - Tom Santi (Virginia)
Release - Dustin Keller (Purdue)
Quickness - Fred Davis (Southern California)
Against Man Coverage - Kellen Davis (Michigan State)
Against Zone Coverage - Martin Rucker (Missouri)
Stud - Martin Rucker (Missouri) - Rucker’s soft hands and ability to work against zone coverage are second to none in this class. He will be the most productive pass catcher in this class. Rucker became a glorified wide receiver in Missouri’s spread offense last year, but was highly productive. He isn’t the most physical player though, and needs to be moved around frequently to get the best matchup. Even as a weak-side blocker, he’s below average and needs work on his game.
Sleeper - Jacob Tamme (Kentucky) - Lost in the attention given to Rucker and Davis is Tamme, who has the softest hands in the group. For a team that misses out on Rucker, Tamme is the closest thing to him. He does a lot of damage in the slot, and can find sweet spots against zone coverage. Because he has such good quickness in his breaks, he is especially dangerous after the catch. Injury concerns and lack of bulk have held him back in the past, but once in an NFL training regiment he should be fine.
Slipper - John Carlson (Notre Dame) - No player over the course of the season and postseason has fallen farther than Carlson. Carlson had the make up of a top 20 pick a year ago, but now is free falling. A combination of a horrendous quarterback situation at Notre Dame this year, along with terrible workouts has many teams wondering if he’s worth the hype. Carlson is being talked up by head coach Charlie Weis to his contacts still in the league, but not many are buying into it. Carlson has soft hands, but is not a great vertical threat or great blocker. He’s going to be relegated and cast into a number two tight end role early in his career, which is a far cry from his hype pre-senior year.
Grade - B+