Monday, April 21, 2011
Posted: 5:07 p.m.
By Rob Michel
CSNPhilly.com Contributor
Its time to delve into the toy box of positions, and break down the top wide receivers in this years draft. The Eagles look to be set with youth at the position. DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and Riley Cooper give the Eagles a group of young talent at the position that was sorely needed in Philly for years.
But, if the Birds would be interested in a wide out later in the draft, they should have plenty of information on this years group -- Eagles receivers coach David Cullen ran drills for the incoming class at the Combine.
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This years group is interesting, because after the top two pick, there are plenty of questions on how the next tier of receivers will shake out. Many teams will look to how receivers will fit their system, and, from the third name on down, you could pull names out of a hat and have just as good of a chance at predicting the draft order.
A.J. Green, Georgia
The total package, Green should be the first wide receiver off the board. He is multidimensional and a weapon on every route on the receiver tree. The Bulldog game breaker is very fluid as he catches the ball. He goes up and gets the ball, catching it at the highest possible point, thus avoiding a common mistake of amateur receivers. Green is a quarterbacks best friend, staying in plays that break down and coming back to the ball. Once he gets the ball Green is special running after the catch. Expect big things.
Julio Jones, Alabama
Jones has dealt with massive hype from his days at Foley High School, about as far south as you can get in Alabama. Just like Ken the Snake Stabler, another Foley alum, Jones took his game to the University of Alabama and excelled. Not much stops Jones. Even with an injured foot at combine, Jones blew up the 40-yard dash with a 4.39. Face LSU and lockdown CB Patrick Peterson, how does 10 catches and a touchdown sound? An incredible talent in any position you put him in, Jones wont last long after Green, if he doesnt beat him to the Radio City stage.
Leonard Hankerson, Miami
The latest playmaker to come out of Miami, Hankerson passed The Playmaker in the Miami record books last season. Returning for his senior season, he broke Michael Irvins single-season record for scores in a season, putting up 13 TDs. Hankerson runs good routes, and is not afraid to go across middle. At 6-3 with a 4.43 40-yard dash, he has good size and speed for the position. One negative he showed was losing focus and having problems looking balls into his hands.
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Jonathan Baldwin, Pittsburgh
At 6-5 and almost 230 pounds, some see Baldwin and think Calvin Johnson. Baldwin focuses on another All-Pro receiver as his role model, though, in fellow Panther Larry Fitzgerald. But before Baldwin can achieve those comparisons, he will, by his own admission, have to improve his route running and ability to separate from defenders. Baldwin is fast, but is not as efficient in the route as he could be, and allows fast defensive backs to stay with him. If he can refine his game, he could become a true weapon. Hes a jump ball treat already.
Torrey Smith, Maryland
Smith is a burner that, with some receiving refinement, could reward a team if he slips in the draft. He has the speed to blow the top off a defense. The Terps all-time leader in all-purpose yards, Smith is a weapon in the return game. Hes got good body control, but is too often a body catcher, letting the ball get into his chest. Corners had to play off him a lot in college due to his elite speed, so hell need to adjust to tighter, more physical coverage in the pros.
Randall Cobb, Kentucky
While many see Cobb as a slot receiver at the next level, he opened eyes with a 4.46 40- yard dash at the combine. Cobb also helps his stock with special teams play, as both a kick and punt returner.
Other players to watch
Jerrel Jernigan, Troy; Titus Young, Boise State; Greg Little, North Carolina
Rob Michel produces SportsNite and The Orange Line for CSN. Before coming to Philadelphia, he worked at ESPN for six years, spending time on NFL Primetime and NFL Live. E-mail him at rmichel@comcastsportsnet.com.