The Next Ten Rookie Wide Receivers (8-17)
This is the last, best chance to check all the players based on their talent (this includes intangibles). In this article, I will analyze some of the rookie wide receivers, and discuss their overall skill set. As last year’s draft bears witness, there are a lot of things that are unknown to the draft community. At this time in 2012, running back Chris Polk was considered a top five rookie running back in dynasty leagues until his non-selection in the NFL Draft – this revealed he had more health concerns than were originally known.  For the first seven rookie wide receivers, click here. Today, I cover the next ten rookie wide receivers based on talent before the NFL Draft:
8.) Stedman Bailey, WR WVU
Bailey reminds me a bit of former first rounder and current Tennessee Titan Kendall Wright. He gets great separation when he is running routes, uses fantastic body control and knows where he is on the field at all times. The former Mountaineer is very shifty against defenders, has a deadly spin move and isn’t afraid to hurdle a would-be tackler to get away.  Bailey is physical enough to break away from defenders on one play and block them down the field on the next. He is a very explosive athlete with a good center of gravity and leg drive. This wide receiver may drop into the third round of the NFL Draft, but don’t let him go past your second round in your rookie drafts.
9.) Quinton Patton, WR LA TECH
Patton is a very physical wide receiver and is one of the best blockers in this class. He catches the ball at its highest point, shields the defensive back from the ball and comes down with the catch in traffic.  The wide receiver has amazing body control he uses to contort himself to poorly thrown passes, even the low ones. He has deep speed and gets his arms extended to pluck the ball out of the air, all while running in stride. Like most wide receivers, he looks great in open space and he reads coverage well enough to get open.
10.) Markus Wheaton, WR ORE ST
Wheaton is one of the few wide receivers who truly attacks the football in the air and uses his explosion to create separation. He was used mostly lined up in the slot, but also carried the ball on a few reverses a game to keep the defense honest. He is very quick/agile and he takes good angles to avoid defenders. He can contort himself to make difficult catches whether they are well over his head or almost touching the ground. Wheaton is a willing blocker and has the physicality/toughness of much bigger wide receiver. He is still considered an underrated prospect.
11.) Aaron Dobson, WR MARSH
Dobson has some amazing highlight reels out there filled with one-handed catches that blow your mind – those kind of catches will get you to remember him, but he is more complete player than that. The former Marshall receiver high points the ball and is able to fight off physical coverage. He is a bigger receiver at 6′ 3″ 205 lbs, but is quick for his size. Dobson, at times, struggles with concentration. When he is on, the wide receiver uses his soft, strong hands to come down with most passes thrown his way. He needs to work some on his route running; however, he sells a good double move and will sky for the ball.  I’m excited to see him work with an NFL quality quarterback.
12.) Chris Harper, WR KAN ST
Harper reminds me a lot of Anquan Boldin as he possesses that same physicality and toughness rarely found in wide receivers. He is a thicker, more powerfully built athlete who looks more like a short tight end than a wide receiver. He seems to catch nearly everything thrown to him as well as it doesn’t matter if the ball is a yard above him or on his cleats. Harper tracks the ball well and uses his body to keep defenders away from his body. He is a strong blocker so he may see the field more than most rookies this season.
13.) Da’Rick Rogers, WR TEN TECH
Rogers is another one of those troubled wide receivers. I am hopeful that he will put it all together and stop being a knucklehead. He does a great job at catching the ball at its highest point and shows enough speed, good vision, and lateral agility to get open against man and zone coverage. Rogers does a good job reading blockers and can avoid being tackled with excellent body control.
14.) Marquise Goodwin, WR TEX
Goodwin is as raw an athlete you will find in the draft in any year.  The former Olympic long jumper is extremely fast in a straight line as his 4.27 40 demonstrates. He excels when a coaching staff uses him in the return game or in screen plays or wheel routes as these get him in space. Goodwin is extremely dangerous in space.  The world-class sprinter uses the sidelines as an extra blocker and can make contested receptions between defenders. He is an explosive runner with good vision, but only decent hands. Goodwin has a lot to work on, but has the gifts to become an NFL starter in a year or two.
15.) Ryan Swope, WR TEX A&M
Swope was another pleasant surprise at the Combine as he ran under a 4.4 40. He has good hands and adjusts well to the ball in the air with great body control. He snags the ball out the air at its highest point despite having a defender in his hip pocket. He is willing to run crossing patterns over the middle and does a good job protecting himself from big hits.  Swope takes good angles, sees the field well, and uses his quickness to gain extra yardage. I’m not convinced he will be a special receiver, but if he can get some chemistry with an all-pro quarterback, he could end up being a strong WR3 for your dynasty team.
16.) Tavarres King, WR GA
King is a smooth athlete as he glides in and out of his breaks. He does a great job of tracking the ball deep down the field. I like the way he sets up defensive backs with his stutter step, then throws out a spin move or two. Despite being double or triple covered, King keeps his eyes focused on the ball and does not let the defenders know with his arms that he is making a play for the ball until the last second. I was impressed with the concentration he had in traffic. King may never be a true WR1, but he could excel as a possession receiver or slot receiver in the NFL.
17.) Conner Vernon, WR DUKE
Vernon is one of the best route technicians in his class.  He can get in and out of his breaks quickly and has great hands that make him very valuable. What he makes up in football smarts, he loses in athletic ability and speed. Vernon shields defenders from the ball with his body and can get physical with press corners. He will need a quarterback in the NFL to trust him and anticipate where he will be for him to be effective.
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