The Top Seven Rookie Wide Receivers

This is the last, best chance to check all the players based on their talent.  In this article, I will analyze some of the top rookie wide receivers, discuss their skills or abilities and try to decide which teams are a fit for their services.  Please keep in mind, there could be a few things that are unknown to the draft community at large.  For example, running back Chris Polk, at this time last year, was considered a top five running back until his non-selection in the NFL Draft due to injury concerns.  Here are my top seven wide receivers backs before the NFL Draft:

1.) Keenan Allen, WR CAL

If you are looking for them, Allen can have a lot of knocks against him.  His production was not close to several of the wide receivers I have him ranked above.  Allen, unfortunately, did not have a quarterback who could get him the ball with any type of consistency.  He has a knack for finding a soft spot in coverage and sitting down. Once the ball is in his hands, he looks more like a bigger Percy Harvin.  He runs with power, great balance, and downfield vision.  Since Harvin left town, Minnesota would be the best fit for him.  I think he is the safest wide receiver in his class if his injuries check out.

2.) DeAndre “Nuk” Hopkins, WR CLEM

If Hopkins had sub 4.4 40 speed, he would be the best wide receiver in his class, bar none.  The young wide receiver is the best in his class at route running.  While most receivers get separation using their speed, Hopkins uses technique (sells a great double move), and quickness to set up defenders by constantly changing direction. While his timed speed may not impress, he makes up for it in the open field.  His hands gobble up almost every throw and he fights for the ball on each play.  The body control, along with his quick feet, make him a difficult man to defend.  Hopkins would be a great fit for Pittsburgh or Houston.  He may never be a true fantasy WR1, but I am confident that he will produce 75-80 catches, 1,000-1,200 yards, and 7-9 touchdowns for the next six to eight years without fail.

3.) Cordarrelle Patterson, WR TENN

Patterson certainly has the buzz right now.  He is a physical freak and is as raw as any prospect ever considered in the first round of the NFL or your rookie draft.  I have concerns eluding to his inability to process information.  This young man does so many things well on the football field, though.  He takes great angles, shields defenders away from the ball and climbs the ladder to get to the ball at its highest point.  It’s the inconsistencies with his hands that cause hesitation as he can make an amazing catch on one play, then body catch his next target.  I love his use of juke moves to free himself in open spaces as he rarely doesn’t make the first defender miss. He seems to have a fifth gear of speed that is rarely seen.  Patterson may be  the next Randy Moss or he could be former Lions top ten pick Charles Rogers. He would do wonders for the Bills or Vikings passing attacks.

4.) Tavon Austin, WR WVU

Austin is one of the most explosive receivers in this draft (4.34 40 yard dash), but then again he is also one of the smallest at 5′ 8″ 174 lbs.  What separates him from the other receivers is his lateral agility which helps him start and stop without a loss in speed or stride.  In college, he ran a lot of plays out of the backfield, but I am not expecting him to carry the ball much in the NFL due to his size.  Austin is most dangerous in open space, has amazing body control and possesses arguably the best hands of his class.  He could take over the Harvin role in Minnesota, replace Wes Welker in New England or be a great WR2 to Andre Johnson in Houston.

5.)  Justin Hunter, WR TENN

Hunter is a tall receiver at 6′ 4″, but dropped a few pounds to get quicker at the Combine.  I don’t think it really helped him there.  He is an elusive runner who possesses the best body control of his class and can see the entire field in front of him.  I love the way he catches passes in stride which makes him very dangerous and able to take any reception to the house.  Hunter gets to the football at its highest point, has tremendous concentration on the ball and uses his frame to get separation from defenders. The wide receiver takes great angles, catches passes in triple coverage and is a master at making the spectacular one-handed catch.  Hunter would be a great selection by Baltimore to replace Anquan Boldin.

6.) Robert Woods, WR USC

Woods is a great receiver, but he is just not a physical one.  He reminds me a bit of former Ram Issac Bruce as they both tended to fall down at the first sign of contact.  Woods can adjust to poorly thrown balls either too high or too low for most receivers to snag and does a good job shielding the ball from defensive backs.  He can contort his body to make the difficult receptions and runs precise routes.  He does a great job of catching the ball away from his body and sees the entire field.  Once the ball is between those big mitts of his, it is hard to shake it loose.  His speed is deceptive as he would lull defenses to sleep at times and break out a huge play on a wheel route after running short to intermediate patterns. Woods would be downright scary playing a WR2 role with Andrew Luck in Indianapolis or with Robert Griffin III in Washington.

7.) Terrance Williams, WR BAY

Williams is my biggest faller in my wide receiver ranks.  The hard truth is he is more of a nine route (aka “go” route) runner than a complete receiver.  He plays bigger than he is (6′ 2″, but looks like a 6′ 4″ player).  Williams does a great job tracking the ball deep, has a great bucket catch and skies high for the football.  It is somewhat surprising, but he is a very good blocker which will get him on the field for more plays than most deep threats would be.  By using his quick feet, he can also break quickly away from defenders down the field.  Williams reminds me a bit of Sidney Rice and would be a good addition to Pittsburgh, Buffalo or Detroit in the second round or later.

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