The 2014 NFL draft may end up being remembered for it's WR's. There is a ton of talent in this class. I'd be very surprised if there aren't at least 10 quality starters drafted this year. It's a loaded class and it starts right at the top. There have been 4 WR's projected as top 10 picks at some point. We have 8 WR's with a 1st Round grade. It's also a very deep class. There will be many WR's who are drafted after Round 1 that turn into quality starters and there will be quality WR's drafted in the 7th Round and undrafted.
1. Sammy Watkins - 6'1'' 4.43 40 - Clemson - 7.1 - Clearly the best prospect in this year’s WR class. Looks incredibly fast on film. Has big time play making ability and should step right in and be a #1 WR in the NFL. There really aren’t any glaring weaknesses to his game. Watkins did have a run in with the law in 2012 but this seems to be an isolated incident that is behind him now. Watkins should be a top 5 pick and be a productive player the moment he steps foot on the field.
2. Allen Robinson - 6'2'' 220 lbs 4.6 40 - Penn State - 6.65 - Robinson is the most impressive WR on film in this year’s class. A lot of teams and scouts are sleeping on him. The knocks on him don’t show up on the football field. His lack of elite top end speed will probably keep him from being a dominant player at the next level . That said he did show enough at the combine to prove he should be considered a top end prospect. I would be surprised if Robinson doesn’t become a solid starter in the NFL. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was productive right away and becomes a #1 down the line. He should be picked late in the 1st Round. Most mock drafts I’ve seen show him going lower. He will be a great value if picked after Round 1. This is one of the safest bets and sure things in this year’s draft.
3. Mike Evans - 6'5'' 231 lbs 4.52 40 - Texas A&m - 6.6 - Looks amazing on film. Incredibly gifted for his size and it is easy to see on film. Was a man among boys in College and he will not be that in the NFL. With the size and ball skills he has he will find a place in the NFL regardless. He may struggle to be a consistent player in the NFL. More of an athlete than football player. It’s not to say he doesn’t have the toughness to play at the next level he just hasn’t needed it to be successful. The jury is out as far as what kind of NFL player Evans will be. He will be a 1st Round pick and is well worth it if he goes to a team that doesn’t need him to be their #1 WR. Should be a great #2 but could bust in the wrong situation. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him find success on his 2nd or 3rd NFL team.
4. Odell Beckam Jr. - 5'11'' 198 lbs 4.43 40 - LSU - 6.45 - Beckam is a fast fluid athlete. He is one of the most polished WR’s in this year’s draft. He can run all the routes and make all the catches. Is an explosive Kick Returner. Doesn’t look quite as fast on film as his timed speed but does have big play ability. Shows good hands. Had some drops in traffic but competes for a lot of balls others would not get to. Made his share of plays in traffic as well. Not afraid to go over the middle. Can highpoint the ball. There are others in the draft with more upside but Beckam is a skilled player who should help a team immediately. He is well worth his 1st Round Grade.
5. Kelvin Benjamin - 6'5'' 240 lbs 4.61 40 - Flordia State - 6.4 - Rare size. Excellent ball skills for someone with his frame. Adequate enough speed to be considered an elite prospect at his size. Size is everything for Benjamin. He isn’t the most polished WR prospect in this draft. Another year of school would have served him well. May not be ready to play every down right away. Doesn’t look fast on film but still managed to get open and pull away from defenders. Lack of speed will be a bigger deal in the NFL but he is so big a QB can find a target in him even when he is covered. A load to tackle, especially in the open field. Will have to rely on his size in the NFL but may have enough speed and skill to be a top flight #1 WR. Benjamin will be a 1st Round pick and would be a good value late in that round. There is bust potential here but the upside is too high to ignore.
6. Brandin Cooks - 5'10'' 189 lbs 4.33 40 - Oregon State - 6.2 - Blazing speed doesn't always show up on film. Changes speed very well. Looks more quick than fast. Extremely productive in College on a team without many weapons playing in a good Conference. Very elusive, great runner in the open field. Doesn’t have the size to be an elite WR in the NFL. He should be able to contribute as a slot receiver right away. Cooks is a safer pick than Lee, Evans or Benjamin but lacks the upside. Some teams may prefer a safer pick so it wouldn’t surprise me to see Cooks picked higher than where he is projected. He should provide decent value regardless of where he is picked and would be a steal if he falls into the 2nd Round.
7. Marqise Lee - 6'0'' 192 lbs 4.5 40 - USC - 6.1 - Overcame a lot to be where he is today. Marquis seems like the kind of player you want on your team. Alpha male from humble roots. Looks faster than timed speed on film. Quick off the line and good route runner. My problem with Lee is that his weaknesses will most likely translate to the NFL. His strengths may not. He has a lean frame and was banged up a lot his Jr year. He doesn’t have elite speed or strength. A great CB will likely shut him down. Lee’s stock appears to be slipping and that is understandable. A lot of players become work out warriors during this time of the year. Lee is not one of those. That doesn’t mean he can’t make it in the NFL but he does have some hurdles to overcome. Marquis is a 1st Round pick and I think the team that gets him will love him. In the right situation he has a chance to be an elite #2 WR. I don’t think he has what it takes to be true #1 NFL WR.
8. Davante Adams - 6'1'' 212 lbs 4.56 40 - Fresno State - 6.0 - Put up great production in a gimmicky offense in College. Was a playmaker showing great hands and ball skills. Was able to get open deep. Makes tough catches and has over the middle ability that should translate to the NFL. Lacks elite top end speed and it shows up on film. Adams may struggle to get separation at the next level. He seemed to get shaken up a lot on film. The production Adams put up in College is better than what I saw on film. That said I did see flashes that lead me to believe he has the ability to make a difference at the next level. Adams will probably be picked in the 2nd Round and I don’t think it would be a bad value.
9. Jordan Matthews - 6'3'' 212 lbs 4.46 40 - Vanderbilt - 5.9 - Elite measurables and superior production. Matthews is the SEC’s all-time leader in Receptions and Receiving Yards. That begs the question, why isn’t he a better prospect? He doesn’t look great on film. He had a ton of catches but doesn’t seem to have big play ability that will translate to the NFL. He is a fluid runner and runs good routes but he lacks the explosiveness of an elite WR. He would definitely benefit from bulking up. Matthews is an intriguing prospect due to his size and speed. He has a high ceiling and should be able to contribute even if he doesn’t reach it. He would be a solid pick in the 2nd Round. It wouldn’t surprise me to see a team fall in love with his upside and sneak into the 1st.
10. Donte Moncrief - 6'2'' 221 lbs 4.4 40 - Mississippi - 5.8 - Great combination of size and speed. Starter from Day 1 as a Freshman. Good route runner. Shows good hands but also has some drops. Had an outstanding combine. A better workout athlete than he looks on film. That isn’t to say he doesn’t look good on film because he does. He can be a scary player if he plays up to his workouts. WR’s with a 4.4 40 time, 39.5 inch Vertical at 6’2’’ and 220 Lbs are rare. Donte didn’t improve as a Jr. and that is troubling. You would think someone with his measurables would have been more productive. Moncrief may be a bit of a reach in Round 1. He has the upside to be a legit #1 WR so it wouldn’t surprise me to see him picked there.
11. Paul Richardson 6'0'' 175 lbs 4.4 40 - Colorado - 5.7 - Productive WR who was on a bad team. Looks good on film. Has good height and top end speed. Needs to bulk up. Has had injuries in the past and is probably too lean to stay healthy in the NFL. Fluid athlete who runs good routes and gets open. Has the ability to get open deep but needs to improve in this area. Has small hands 8 ¾ inches. Had some drops. Needs to be more aggressive catching the ball. Richardson could end up being one of the steals in this draft. His weaknesses can be corrected if he puts on muscle and improves his hands. Boom or Bust type prospect that might make you look brilliant if you get him in the 3rd or 4th Round or could make you look like a fool if you reach for him in the 2nd.
12. Martavis Bryant 6'4'' 211 lbs 4.42 40 - Clemson - 5.7 - Another player with an elite blend of height and speed. Martavis is very raw and has some characters issues. There are concerns he will struggle to pick up an NFL playbook. He wasn’t in the greatest situation in College. He is much more of a vertical threat than a bubble screen option. Playing opposite of Sammy Watkins didn’t seem to help his production. Doesn’t have great hands. Excellent vertical threat and plays up to 40 time(4.42). Was not used this way enough in College. Got open deep a lot of film. Martavis shouldn’t go high due to the red flags that surround him. He could end up being the steal of this year’s WR class due to his enormous upside as a deep threat.
13. Bruce Ellington - 5'9'' 197 lbs 4.45 40 197 lbs - South Carolina - 5.6 - Ellington is a small slot WR with good speed. He had some great workouts at the combine. Had one of the top scores in the Vertical Jump(39.5’’), 20 Yard Shuttle(3.95) and 60 Yard Shuttle(11.12). Didn’t run a great 40(4.45) but looks faster on tape. Also played PG for the Basketball team. All indications are that he has great intangibles. Quick off the line. Didn’t put up great numbers in College. Doesn’t high point the ball despite leading the combine in the Vert. Needs to run cleaner routes. Not a great open field runner, could be more of a playmaker in space. He does have the physical ability to be better in these areas. Ellington is a raw prospect with upside. His size may downgrade him more than it should. He wouldn’t be a bad pick in the 2nd Round but could slide all the way into the 4th. He would be a great value in the 4th and I think he will end up being a solid #3 WR at the least.
14. Cody Latimer - 6'3'' 215 lbs 4.45e 40 - Indiana - 5.5 - How many WR's with elite size and speed can 1 draft have? Latimer also fits that bill. Latimer's draft stock is rising late in the process. He is a workout warrior who has impressed scouts with his workouts. Was injured and not able to participate at the combine. Doesn't look great on film but did put up good stats in College. He does look fast and strong on film, but is not a flashy player or an elite deep threat. Intriguing size/speed prospect. It wouldn't surprise me to see a team gamble on him with a high pick.
15. Kevin Norwood - 6'2'' 198 lbs 4.48 40 - Alabama - 5.4 - Good football player who has played in plenty of big games. Better player than athlete but measurables are good. Smooth runner and good route runner. Is not a burner. Wasn’t incredibly productive in College but Alabama isn’t known for their passing game. Lack of exposure in the passing game could be hurting his draft stock. On film Norwood looks like a solid enough player and good enough athlete to play in the NFL. I wouldn’t be surprised if he developed into a starter. I haven’t seen many high grades on Norwood. I don’t see any reason he shouldn’t go later than the 4th Round. Late Round Sleeper.
16. Josh Huff - 5'11'' 206 4.51 40 - Oregon - 5.3 - No doubt benefited from playing in Oregon’s wide open offense. Made a lot of big plays. Measurables are just average for the NFL. More quick than fast but has adequate speed. Runs good routes and has good hands. Good blocker. Can play Special Teams. Huff is a good character guy and doesn’t have a glaring weakness to his game. Could have maturity issues. If his head is on straight this is the kind of player you love drafting in the later rounds. He has enough toughness and competitiveness to contribute on Special Teams and has some upside as a WR. Huff would be a good value in the 4th Round or later.
17. Jarvis Landry - 5'11'' 205 lbs 4.77 40 - LSU - 5.3 - If you watch his highlight tapes he looks like an acrobatic playmaker, if you watch his game tape he doesn’t look fast enough to play in the NFL. He ran one of the slowest 40 times for a WR at the combine with a 4.77. He also had a pedestrian vertical jump of 28.5 inches. Has 1st Round skills but the athletic ability of an undrafted player. I think right in the middle is a fair grade for him. He is a good enough football player to find a way to make it in the NFL. He is polished enough to play right away for a team with a glaring need at WR. Landry will likely never put up huge number in the NFL but should be a useful player who has a long career. Landry should go in the 4th or 5th Round but I’ve seen him with as high as a 2nd Round grade. I think he will probably be taken a little too high.
18. Brandon Coleman - 6'6'' 225 lbs 4.56 40 - Rutgets - 5.3 - HUGE. I don’t like using the poor man’s analogy but Coleman is a poor man’s version of Kelvin Benjamin. He doesn’t look as good on tape but that could be because he went to Rutgers. He doesn’t look as fast on film but ran a better 40 time than Benjamin at the combine. He will be more reliant on his size at the next level. At his size that’s not a bad thing to rely on. Has the upside to be a top 5 WR in this draft. Isn’t a great athlete but is a good enough athlete for his size. Doesn’t have great hands. Most Scouts have a 3rd to 4th Round grade on him. I think he would be a reach in the 2nd Round but I think it’s a reach that would be worth taking. The team that gets him may be getting a real gem here.
19. Devin Street - 6'3'' 198 lbs 4.55 40 - Pittsburgh - 5.25 - Street is yet another player with a good blend of size and speed. He doesn't have the elite size/speed combo of other prospects but he has the frame to put on weight and needs too. Suffered a lot of nagging injuries in College. Durability will be an issue at the next level. Has good hands and looks a little faster than his 40 time on film. Street is a decent prospect who will probably be picked in the late rounds. Has the upside to start in the NFL.
20. Shaq Evans - 6'1'' 213 lbs 4.51 40 - 5.2 - Shaq was a solid College player. He wasn’t really a standout and his production took a slight dip his Senior year. I’m not sure how well he translates to the NFL. There is nothing wrong with him he has pretty good size, decent speed, above average hands. He is a clean route runner and has adequate quickness. He’s just not a special player. He may have plateaued. Shaq is a decent prospect who projects to be a solid backup. He may be polished enough to play a role as a rookie. He also has some value as a return man. Shaq shouldn’t go any higher than the 4th Round.
21. T.J Jones - 6'0'' 188 lbs 4.48 40 - Notre Dame - 5.2- Similar to Shaq Evans in that is a solid prospect with no real elite qualities. Was productive in College but the numbers don't jump out at you. Fluid route runner but gets knocked off his route easily in press coverage. Ran a good 40 time at the combine but doesn't look fast on film. Jones will be a solid late round pick and does have the ability to contribute in the NFL, but will likely not be a difference maker.
22. Ryan Grant - 6'0'' 199 lbs 4.64 40 - Tulane - 5.2 - Grant has decent size but lacks ideal speed. Looks faster than his 40 time on film. Smooth runner who shows good double moves. Could be a more refined route runner. Has great hands. Grant isn't a polished product and doesn't have elite measurables but he is a solid football player who has room to improve. Potential late round sleeper.
23. Quincy Enunwa - 6'2'' 225 lbs 6'2'' 225 lbs 4.45 40 - Nebraska - 5.2 - Enunwa is another big strong WR prospect with good top end speed. He doesn't play up to his speed on film but looks good. Doesn't show great hands. Was a team captain and has 4 years of experience despite being only 21. Lacks the fluidity that you would like for a WR. Quincy is another WR that should be drafted low with a chance to make an impact in the NFL.
24. Matt Hazel - 6'1'' 198 lbs 4.5 40 - Coastal Carolina - 5.15 - Hazel has enough size and speed to be a top WR in the NFL. Was productive in College but played in a small conference. Has a quick release off the line and can get open deep. Is slightly undersized but could probably add some bulk. Has smaller hands and arms than you would like. Hazel will probably be drafted late but has some upside.
25. Jeremy Gallon - 5'7'' 185 lbs 4.49 lbs - Michigan - 5.1 - Diminutive WR who lacks the top end speed you want from someone with his size. Was a great College player. Had a great game against Notre Dame and set the Big 10(which has 12 teams) record for receiving yards in a game with 369 vs Indiana. Runs good routes and looks fast and quick on film. Looks like a very good player who should be able to play in the NFL despite his limitations. Gallon will go late in the draft and is a late round sleeper.
26. Robert Herron - 5'9'' 193 lbs 4.48 40 - Wyoming - 5.1- Small WR with decent upside. Stood out at the Senior Bowl practices. Doesn’t have great top end speed(4.48) but has good speed for a late round prospect. Looks fast and quick on film. Has good hands. Productive player in College. Herron may lack the strength and toughness needed to go over the middle at the next level. Took some hard hits in College. Injuries and ball security are concerns. Doesn’t appear to be a game changer but is worth a look in the 5th or 6th Round.
27. Jared Abberderis - 6'1'' 195 lbs 4.5 40 - Wisconsin - 5.05 - Abberderis had a nice College career and tore up top prospect Bradley Roby. Good route runner with good hands. Top competitor who gives great effort. Good blocker. Ran a good 40 time at the combine but looks slow of film. Does not look like someone who will be able to beat NFL CB's off the line or down the field. Is not strong, only put up 4 reps at the combine, least of any WR. Abberderis is a mixed bag physically who doesn't look like an NFL WR same with film but he was a productive college player and will probably be drafted late. He concussion issues in the past.
28. John Brown - 5'10'' 179 lbs 4.34 40 - Pittsburg State - 5.0 - It's hard to put a grade on Brown. The game film of him avaiable online is limited to a punt return and team highlights. He looks very fast on film. Brown killed it at the combine and will likely be drafted. It wouldn't surprise me to see him go fairly high but it's hard to give him a high grade with so little film.
29. Bennie Fowler - 6'1'' 217 lbs 4.52 40 - Michigan State - 5.0 - Fowler has a good blend of size and speed but was not productive in College. Doesn't look great but does look like he has upside. Has enough top end speed. Made some great catches. Isn't the competitor you would like but if a team can change that he could be a late round sleeper.
30. Tevin Reese - 5'10'' 163 lbs 4.46 40 - Baylor - 5.0 - Tevin is very fast and looks great on film. That won't translate to the NFL due to his lack of size. Does not look big or strong enough to play in the NFL. Durability could be an issue in the NFL. Broke his wrist in 2013. Resse needs to add size. If he does he could be a late round sleeper.
31. Josh Stewart - 5'10'' 178 lbs 4.69 40 - Okalahoma State - 4.9 - Very limited physically. Stewart's draft stock plummeted after the combine. He ran a devastating 4.69 in the 40. That simply isn’t fast enough for someone of his size. When you watch him on film you see a good football player but once you know about his lack of speed you can easily see it. I do think his lack of speed is a big concern but I don’t think it will keep him out of the NFL. He still has value as a returner and may be able to contribute on Special Teams. Stewart may end up going undrafted. I still have a 6th-7th Round grade on him. He is a potential Undrafted Sleeper.
32. Marcus Lucas - 6'4'' 218 lbs 4.6 40 - Missouri - 4.8 - Strong possession WR who will probably be drafted late. Lucas has some upside and looks decent on film. Could get even bigger. Willing to go over the middle. Didn't put up great production despite playing in a wide open offense. Not a red zone threat despite his size. Only had 3 TD's his Sr. season and 11 for his college career. Lucas should be drafted late due his size/speed and should be able to contribute at some point.
Unrated
Mike Davis - 6'0'' 197 lbs 4.51e 40 - Texas - Decent size. Looks decent on film but looks like a below average athlete for the position. Production was not elite in College but played against much better competition than a lot of his peers. Missed the combine and could have benefited from having good workouts. Should be drafted late.
Jeff Janis - 6'3'' 219 lbs 4.42 40 - Saginaw Valley State - Big strong fast WR from a small school. There is no film available for him which is too bad, I would have liked to have seen it. He was very productive in College and will probably be drafted. I can't really put a ranking on someone I haven't seen play.
Mike Campanaro - 5'9'' 192 lbs 4.46 40 - Wake Forest - Small slot receiver who has a chance to get drafted late. Looks quick enough on film but isn't an elite athlete or great route runner.
L'Damian Washington - 6'4'' 195 lbs 4.46 40 Missouri - L'Damian was not a productive player in College and looks slow on film. Played Special Teams. He did run a good 40 time at the combine and has good size so he will probably be drafted late.
Kain Colter - 5'10'' 198 lbs N/A 40 - Northwestern - College QB trying to make the transition to WR at the next level. He is a good enough athlete to make the transition but most players that try this are unsuccessful. Ankle injury forced him to miss off-season.
Solomon Patton - 5'8'' 179 lbs 4.39e 40 - Florida - Small WR with good speed. Suffered a broken left arm late last season and missed the combine. Will probably go undrafted and could play a dangerous role player in the NFL one day.
Isiah Burse - 5'10'' 188 lbs 4.58 40 - Fresno State - Burse was used somewhat like a RB in a gimmicky offense in College. Is a decent return man. Did not run a great 40 time but looks fast and quick on film. May not be drafted but should find a way to make a team.
Walter Powell - 5'11'' 189 lbs 4.63 40 - Murray State - Small school prospect who may make a team as an udrafted rookie. No film available.
