2008 NFL Pre-Draft Wide Receiver Rankings

 

With the 2008 NFL Draft so close, there are still very differing opinions as to which wide receiver is the best one. This draft class, like with the 2008 Running Back class, boasts several potential stars whom could come in and make both an impact for the NFL and for fantasy football. My preference for both my NFL and fantasy football rankings has always been for bigger WR’s than small one’s with better speed so you can judge this accordingly. When it comes time for our free fantasy football mock draft software to be unveiled, I will be keeping a close eye on the top 3 on my list as I believe they could each come in and while not be studs right away, be better contributors than many mediocre WR’s in the NFL now with starting jobs. As I stated in my fantasy football blog on our fantasy football forums, there are 30-40 WR’s selected in the NFL Draft on average. After the draft I’ll be doing a complete series of fantasy football articles on them and every other position with fantasy implications just like I have in year’s prior.

 

 

1) Devin Thomas, Michigan State, 6’2”, 216 lbs: Is nearly the prototype for size and speed (4.40 in the 40) at the position for the NFL level. Has the strength to defeat the jam at the line and get down the field. Played special teams and was very effective returning kicks in college. A junior college transfer with only year at the Division I level, his biggest drawbacks are his lack of experience at the big college level and his unpolished game. He needs to work on running NFL style routes. But for only one season at a big time college, he was dominant, flashed playmaking ability, and has all the tools to be successful in the NFL. Here’s a fantasy football prediction for you: I will not be surprised at all if Thomas turns out to be the best fantasy WR in this draft a couple of years from now. A coaching staff will need to be patient with him, but he has the makings of being great.

 

2) Malcolm Kelly, Oklahoma, 6’4”, 227 lbs: Has the physical size teams dream about in a starting WR. Strong attacking the ball in the air, Kelly has great hands, wins most battles for contested passes, and isn’t afraid of going over the middle and taking a hit. The knocks on him are that he lacks great speed (a very disappointing 4.68 in his recent pro-day workout) and isn’t a sharp route runner. But I seem to recall the same things being said about Dwayne Bowe in the 2007 NFL Draft reports and that certainly didn’t prevent him from being the most productive rookie WR last season. While his recent pro-day results will likely cost Kelly some in where he gets drafted, teams will regret passing up on him because of a poor 40 time.

 

3) Limas Sweed, Texas, 6’4”, 216 lbs: Hard to imagine that Sweed wouldn’t be tops on this list if not for a wrist injury that cut his senior season short after only 6 games. Has outstanding size, and a good bit of speed (4.50 in the 40) to go along with great hands. As much size as he possesses, Sweed isn’t always as physical as you’d expect for a bigger WR. As much an athlete as a football player, Sweed practices hard, plays hard, and doesn’t have the huge ego problems of some other WR’s both in this class and in the NFL. Not the fastest WR, but a sure-handed one who has the ability to become dominant in the NFL.

 

4) Mario Manningham, Michigan, 5’11 ¾”, 181 lbs: A great athlete with speed and sharp route running skills, Manningham combines playmaking ability with a dancer’s ability to contort and adjust his body to catch passes. While he doesn’t have elite timed speed numbers (4.44 in the 40 at his recent pro-day workout) he possesses a second gear in the open field that allows him to outrun defenders. His lack of size though is a concern and he may have real problems getting off the jam at the line of scrimmage if he doesn’t add some muscle to his slender build. Another concern is his attitude and character, as both have been questioned. A recent report about failed drug tests in college will likely shy teams away from using a high pick on Manningham in the NFL draft.

 

5) DeSean Jackson, California, 5’9”, 169 lbs: If Jackson were 4 inches taller and 40 lbs heavier, he’d be the #1 WR on this list both for NFL purposes and in terms of how he’d stack up against the others in the rookie WR fantasy football rankings. Jackson is an exciting playmaker with great speed (4.35 in the 40), hands, and run after the catch ability. Was an explosive punt returner in college and should be at the pro level too right away. But the lack of size and physicality to his game raise concerns about whether he’ll be as good a WR as he will be a special team’s threat. Maybe he surprises and becomes like a Steve Smith or a Santana Moss, but those are the exceptions to the size limits at the WR position, and not the rule. There are also some concerns about his attitude.

 

6) James Hardy, Indiana, 6’6”, 217 lbs: His size alone screams “red zone threat!” While he timed out at 4.47 in the 40, Hardy doesn’t play up to that speed and neither is he as aggressive off the line of scrimmage as his size would indicate. An excellent athlete (he played 2 seasons of basketball in college); Hardy still has some refining to do to his game for him to make the contribution at the NFL level his raw physical skills suggest. There are also concerns about his character and his draft stock may suffer a bit from it. But there’s no doubting he could be an intimidating presence right away near an opponent’s goal line.

 

7) Early Doucet, LSU, 6’0”, 203 lbs: Possessing a solid overall set of skills, Doucet lacks any traits that “wow” you. Not exceptionally fast (4.59 in the 40) or big, Doucet plays with toughness and has a solid work ethic and attitude. His route running is good, but not great, and the biggest concern to me is that he never stepped up his own play when finally given the chance to be his team’s #1 WR in college as a senior. Many are higher on him than I am as I don’t think he possesses any traits that would make him a great NFL WR.

 

8) Donnie Avery, Houston, 5’11”, 182 lbs: A speedster (4.40 in the 40) with great elusive capabilities, Avery lacks the physical size and strength to be an every down starter and projects more as a slot WR than a starter at the NFL level. Very dangerous after the catch, Avery doesn’t possess the best hands and body catches too often. He also is undisciplined as a route runner and shows little willingness as a blocker. Still, he’s one of those guys who plays even faster than his timed speed and that’s rare. Has increased value because of his projected kickoff return abilities.

9) Jordy Nelson, Kansas State, 6’2 ¾”, 218 lbs: This converted DB had an outstanding senior season catching 122 passes for 1,606 yards and 11 TD’s. Although not really a burner, Nelson is fast enough (4.50 in the 40) to be a legitimate starter in the NFL. Has shown some skills returning punts and has the type of attitude and character coaches dream for. The knock on Nelson is that he is a bit raw, is still learning the position, and needs to get better at running his routes and setting up defenders when he cuts in and out of his breaks. But that’s where good coaching comes in. With that, Nelson could become a lot better as a professional WR than a few others ahead of him on this list.

 

10) Andre Caldwell, Florida, 6’0”, 204 lbs: Some think Caldwell (the younger brother of NFL WR Reche Caldwell) can turn into a good NFL starting WR. He has decent enough size, great speed (4.37 in the 40), runs good routes, and has good hands. But something about him makes me dubious. He’s had some injury issues and hasn’t produced the big numbers you’d think when you hear he’s Florida’s all time leading receiver (it’s got to be in catches as he’s played 5 college seasons and his yardage and TD numbers don’t blow you away in any form). Maybe it’s the image of his brother failing to live up to hype that the name evokes in my mind, but I’m just not sold on Andre Caldwell being a guy I’ll be talking much about in any of my fantasy football podcasts in 2008 or beyond.

 

Others to keep an eye on:

 

Earl Bennett, Vanderbilt: Very productive WR with mediocre size/speed numbers and just doesn’t show any special abilities to become a great NFL WR.

 

Adarius Bowman, Oklahoma State: Big, strong and physical, Bowman lacks speed and his hands are inconsistent.

 

Harry Douglas, Louisville: Small speedster can make plays, but lacks the size and hands to be a legitimate starter in the NFL.