2008 NFL Draft Preview: Wide Receivers

Our Pre-draft rankings will differ from many you will read, mainly because we do  not try to project the order that players will be drafted. We prefer to project how they will rank in a couple years and who has the most upside. I also extended the list to include some unique names that have made some noise on the workout circuit.

1) James Hardy, Indiana – JR – 6-5.5/220/4.50
I will admit he is still a raw talent with a couple off-field issues, but I think he has a lot of upside based on his hands, height and hoops athleticism. Disappeared in some games but can be excused since he was the only receiving threat.

2) Malcolm Kelly, Oklahoma – JR – 6-4/215/4.50
Most polished of the WR prospects, could step in to any team as WR2 except Indy or NE. Height, speed an hands are all there but I am not sure he will get much better.

3) Jordy Nelson, Kansas State – SR – 6-2.5/217/4.63
It seems Nelson is not getting the love he deserves in most draft boards, and I just don’t see why not. Plus-size, big digits but average speed.

NFL Draft Preview: WRs

For clarity, THESE ARE MY RANKINGS!

I am not trying to project the order that these wideouts will be drafted. I prefer to project how they will rank in a couple years and who has the most upside. I also extended the list to include some unique names that have made some noise on the workout circuit.

1) James Hardy, Indiana – JR – 6-5.5/220/4.50
I will admit he is still a raw talent with a couple off-field issues, but I think he has a lot of upside based on his hands, height and hoops athleticism. Disappeared in some games but can be excused since he was the only receiving threat.

2) Malcolm Kelly, Oklahoma – JR – 6-4/215/4.50
Most polished of the WR prospects, could step in to any team as WR2 except Indy or NE. Height, speed an hands are all there but I am not sure he will get much better. Issues exist about his knees which kept him out of a couple games in 2007.

3) Limas Sweed, Texas - SR – 6-5/220/4.50
Wrist Injuries slowed him in 2007, but his athleticism is undeniable so it is valid for him to be higher on many boards. Few Texas WRs put up big numbers in school, so a first-round pick may be a risky situation.

4) Jordy Nelson, Kansas State – SR – 6-2.5/217/4.63
It seems Nelson (right) is not getting the love he deserves in most draft boards, and I just don’t see why not. Plus-size, big digits but average speed.

5) Early Doucet, LSU – SR – 6-0/213/4.53
Battled injuries this year and never put up huge numbers.

6) Devin Thomas, Michigan State – JR – 6-2/215/4.50
Devin was on NO radar at this time last year and exploded on the scene with 79-1260-T8. I have seen him at the top of a couple boards but there are just too many well-heeled prospects with good CVs…

more….(on Fantasy College Blitz)

Podcast: NFL Draft Preview

John, Drew and me sit down to discuss how we plan to cover the upcoming NFL Draft on April 26 on the first podcast of 2008.

Since we have seen Joe Flacco play about as often as anyone, we feel we have something to contribute to the conversation…