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The NFL draft is fast approaching and I will continue to give you my top 5 players by position, ongoing up until the draft. Also be sure to listen to Sports Trap Radio, Saturdays from 10am-2pm on ueradiolive.com and www.livestream.com/ueradiolive .
1. Justin Blackmon 6-1 207lbs Oklahoma St.
Strengths: Great combo of height, weight, and speed. Excellent hands, rarely drops a pass. Has great ability to get yards after the catch. Had elite production in his sophomore and junior seasons, after sitting behind Dez Bryant during his freshman year. Does a great job going up and catching the ball at it’s highest point. Is effective catching the ball all over the field.
Weaknesses: If he does have a weakness in his game, it’s his blocking in the run game. A player of his size and strength should be a better run blocker.
Grade: Top 10 pick
2. Michael Floyd 6-2 5/8 22olbs Notre Dame
Strengths: Strong hands, does a great job catching the ball in traffic,using his big body to shield defenders off. Is great in jump-ball situations as well. Does a good job getting yards after the catch. Arm tackles rarely bring him down.
Weaknesses: Ran a 4.47 – 40 at the combine, but doesn’t play that fast with pads on. Needs to improve on his route running, isn’t very explosive in and out of his breaks. Was arrested on three different occasions for driving while intoxicated at Notre Dame, so there are some decision making issues with him.
Grade: Mid first round
3. Kendall Wright 5-10 196 Baylor
Strengths: Nice route runner, elite speed, explosive in and out of his breaks. Ran a 4.4 – 40 at the combine, but plays much faster than that time in pads, which is what really counts. Good hands, uses his great vertical leap to go up and get balls players his size usually don’t get. Has Santonio Holmes type ability after the catch.
Weaknesses: Even though the Spread offense Baylor ran was complex, Wright didn’t run every route used in a pro-style offense.
Grade: Mid to Late 1st round pick
4. Rueben Randle 6-3 210lbs LSU
Strengths: Has great size for a wide receiver and presents the QB with a big target to throw to. Has the ability to make plays deep down field with his height, good hands and jumping ability.
Weaknesses: Needs to vastly improve his route running. He could be a steal in the late first-early second round if he perfects his craft as a receiver. Sometimes disappears in games if not involved early.
Grade: Early 2nd round
5. Alshon Jeffery 6-3 217lbs South Carolina
Strengths: Very productive player in the best conference in football. Finished his career as the SEC’s 2nd All-Time leading receiver with 3,042 yards. Has great hands, long arms, and nice leaping ability, and uses his body well to shade defenders and provide a clean target for the QB. Put up great numbers, even though he played with a mediocre QB in Stephen Garcia and had his best games against the best opponents, in the biggest games.
Weaknesses: Isn’t very explosive off of the line of scrimmage and needs plenty of improvement when it comes to running routes. Doesn’t have the top line speed you would want out of a #1 WR.
Grade: Early to mid 2nd round
Next 5: Marvin McNutt 6-3 215lbs Iowa, Ryan Broyles 5-10 192lbs, A.J. Jenkins 6-0 191lbs, Mohamed Sanu 6-1 1/2 215lbs, B.J. Cunningham 6-1 211lbs
Be on the lookout for my top 5 Tight Ends later on this week.
Brandon Pemberton of “Brandon On Sports” & “Sports Trap Radio”, for War Room Sports
Tags: All's Fair in Sports and War, Alshon Jeffery, Brandon On Sports, Brandon Pemberton, Justin Blackmon, Kendall Wright, Michael Floyd, NFL Draft, Rueben Randle, Sports Talk Radio, Sports Trap Radio, The War Room, War Room Sports, Wide Receivers