The RedZone: Draft Preview- WR’s

[Philadelphia Freedom]

Dateline: 4/15/05
by Linus Scrimmage and the Tank D’Season (Immortal Ramirez)

Not quite the same class as last years but there is some potential in the bunch. Here we will look at 30 or so (sorted alphabetically) that could make an impact over time.

Player Name - College (Height) Weight, 40 Time [NFL Draft Result]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
:Browns Braylon Edwards - Michigan (6' 2 7/8") 211lbs, 4.48 [WR1 - 1.03 to Cleveland]
The physical tools are there but drops some catchable balls. Many feel he will be the top WR taken and possibly the top player in the draft.

:Vikings Troy Williamson - South Carolina (6' 1 3/8") 203lbs, 4.38 [WR2 - 1.07 to Minnesota]
Overshadowed by playing in a run first system but has above average size and very good speed. Projects as #1 type WR at the pro-level.

:Lions Mike Williams - USC (6' 4 5/8") 229lbs, 4.59 [WR3 - 1.10 to Detroit]
Not great speed but size is tremendous. May be a little rusty after not playing in 2004 but could an elite NFL WR (or maybe TE depending on who you talk to).

:Jaguars Matt Jones - Arkansas (6' 6") 242lbs, 4.37 [WR4 - 1.21 to Jacksonville]
No writeup from Linus or Tank (oops)

:Ravens Mark Clayton - Oklahoma (5' 10 3/8") 193lbs, 4.43 [WR5 - 1.22 to Baltimore]
Little and quick. Could be a good field stretcher in the mold of Santana Moss.

:Falcons Sharod "Roddy" White - U.A.B. (6' 1 1/4") 207lbs, 4.45 [WR6 - 1.27 to Atlanta]
Speed and size is excellent. Used mostly as a deep threat in college so he could use some work on his route running. Good upside and could be an impact pro.

:Eagles Reggie Brown - Georgia (6' 1 5/8") 196lbs, 4.49 [WR7 - 2.03 to Philadelphia]
Good potential but inconsistent. Has good hops and strength but speed is average. Could be a solid number 2 WR if he plays to his potential.

:Bears Mark Bradley - Oklahoma (6' 3 1/8") 201lbs, 4.4 [WR8 - 2.07 to Chicago]
Blazing speed and good size. Was a number 2 WR in college who had a strong senior season to elevate his pro stock. Will likely be a late day 1 selection.

:Bills Roscoe Parrish - Miami (5' 9 3/4") 168lbs, 4.4 [WR9 - 2.23 to Buffalo]
Quick and shifty but lack of size could be an issue. Likely a slot guy who can contribute as a return man at the Pro level.

ackers Terrence Murphy - Texas A&M (6' 7/8") 202lbs, 4.45 [WR10 - 2.26 to Green Bay]
Nice speed and playmaking ability but not particularly big and suffers from occasional concentration lapses. Projects to a solid #2 at the pro level.

:Chargers Vincent Jackson - Northern Colorado (6' 4 3/4") 241lbs, 4.55 [WR11 - 2.29 to San Diego]
Another guy over 76 inches. Has good hands and hops but is not a great route runner. Lack of top flight competition and exposure a concern but seems to be moving up the boards.

:Titans Courtney Roby - Indiana (6' 1/8") 189lbs, 4.33 [WR12 - 3.04 to Tennessee]
Fast guy that works hard and can stretch the field. Not a huge guy but could be a good fit in the slot or on the outside to try and stretch defenses.

:Bengals Chris Henry - West Virginia (6' 4") 197lbs, 4.42 [WR13 - 3.19 to Cincinnati]
Tall and fast but has character and maturity issues that could give teams pause. High risk/ reward here based on talent but tempered by personality.

:Titans Brandon Jones - Oklahoma (6' 1 3/8") 210lbs, 4.43 [WR14 - 3.33 to Tennessee]
Solid size and speed. Good possession WR but does not get much after the catch. Could be another solid slot guy who can contribute on the special teams.
Jerome Mathis - Hampton (5' 11 1/4") 181lbs, 4.31 [WR15 - 4.13 to Houston]
Decent size and excellent speed. Still somewhat raw and untest based on level of competition. Has the potential to surprise some people since he is still somewhat unheralded.

Craphonso Thorpe - Florida St. (6' 7/8") 188lbs, 4.4 [WR16 - 4.15 to Kansas City]
Speed and good athletic ability mean upside but injuries could be an issue (broken leg in 2003) since his senior year was not that great.

Chase Lyman - California (6' 2 5/8") 217lbs, 4.49 [WR17 - 4.17 to New Orleans]
Solid size but issues with injuries are a concern. If he gets and stays healthy he could be a steal on the second day of the draft.

Fred Gibson - Georgia (6' 4") 196lbs, 4.55 [WR18 - 4.30 to Pittsburgh]
Very tall with loads of athletic ability. Not particularly tough or physical and injuries are a concern. Could blossom or bust at the NFL level.

Roydell Williams - Tulane (6' 3/4") 188lbs, 4.48 [WR19 - 4.35 to Tennessee]
Very tough over the middle but not extremely fast. Unheralded player who will probably project to a possession type WR at the pro level.

Airese Currie - Clemson (5' 10") 186lbs, 4.57 [WR20 - 5.04 to Chicago]
No writeup from Linus or Tank

Larry Brackins - Pearl River Community College (6' 4 3/8") 205lbs, 4.54 [WR21 - 5.19 to Tampa Bay]
Great size and leaping ability but his lack of credentials (only 2 years JC experience) means lots of downside to go with great upside potential. Probably a day two guy that could shine with the right coaching.

Rasheed Marshall - West Virginia (6' 0") 190lbs [WR22 - 5.38 to San Francisco]
No writeup from Linus or Tank

:Jaguars Chad Owens - Hawaii (5' 7") 183lbs,4.65 [WR23 - 6.11 to Jacksonville]
No writeup from Linus or Tank

:Bengals Tab Perry - U.C.L.A. (6' 2 1/2") 229lbs, 4.46 [WR24 - 6.16 to Cincinnati]
No writeup from Linus or Tank

:Rams Dante Ridgeway - Ball St. (5' 11 1/8") 212lbs, 4.58 [WR25 - 6.18 to St. Louis]
Led the nation in 2004 in yards and catches per game. Reliable and able to get open but lacks size and great speed. Looks like a good possession WR but not a #1.

ackers Craig Bragg - U.C.L.A. (6' 5/8") 196lbs, 4.45 [WR26 - 6.21 to Green Bay]
Quick, experienced and with good hands. However, with his lack of speed and size his upside might be limited. Looks like a good fit as a slot guy with Day 2 potential.

:49ers Marcus Maxwell - Oregon [WR27 - 7.09 to San Francisco]
No writeup from Linus or Tank

:Buccaneer Paris Warren - Utah (6' 0") 213lbs, 4.68 [WR28 - 7.11 to Tampa Bay]
No writeup from Linus or Tank

:Cardinals LeRon McCoy - Indiana, PA (6' 1") 211lbs, 4.41 [WR29 - 7.12 to Arizona]
No writeup from Linus or Tank

:Jets Harry Williams - Tuskegee (6' 3") 180lbs [WR30 - 7.26 to NY Jets]
No writeup from Linus or Tank

:Buccaneer J.R. Russell - Louisville (6' 3") 206lbs, 4.51 [WR31 - 7.39 to Tampa Bay]
Good size and leaping ability. Occasionally sloppy routes and drops catchable balls, looks like a solid #2 in the NFL.

UNDRAFTED WR's
------------------------------------------------------
Jason Anderson - Wake Forest (6' 3") 195lbs, 4.6
Tall receiver with good body control and decent hands. Not considered fast or tough but his size will likely make him a day 2 guy.

Tony Brown - Tennessee (6' 1/4") 199lbs, 4.45
Decent measurables but is not explosive and does not run great routes. Could be a Day 2 steal if he gets into the right situation.

Josh Davis - Marshall (6' 3/8") 191lbs, 4.56
Not particularily big or fast but very productive based athletic skills and instincts. Projects as a solid number 2 WR in the NFL.

Charles Frederick - Washington (5' 10 3/4") 194lbs, 4.76
Lack of size is a hindrance but he has great natural athletic ability. Hands are somewhat questionable but could contribute early on the special teams. Likely a WR #2 or #3 in the NFL.

Geoff McArthur - California (6' 1") 200lbs, 4.6
Productive and physical but injuries are a concern and lacks top flight speed. Could be a solid WR#3 in the pros.

Lance Moore - Toledo (5' 9 1/4") 177lbs, 4.46
Little guy who could excel as a return man in the Pros. Stats look better than some because of the offensive system at Toledo. Might have more impact on the special teams than on offense.

Steve Savoy - Utah (5' 10 7/8") 182lbs, 4.65
Good hops but not great size or speed. Interesting prospect who only played football at Utah for 2 years but is 23 years old. Has upside but will need time and coaching.

[Preds]

Article updated to reflect the results of the 2005 NFL Draft. Players have been marked with who they were picked by, and at what pick. All players have also been re-sorted by when they were selected.

[The Immortal Ramirez]

Thanks for the updates. Didn't know where to put Matt Jones (is he a QB/TE/WR)...no one knew. So we, um, forgot to put him in one...