With the 2014 NFL Draft 12 days away, this may be one of the deepest drafts in recent memory at the wide receiver position.
With a draft class already headlined by Sammy Watkins, Mike Evans, Brandin Cooks, Marquise Lee and Odell Backham Jr. Teams can find either a potential number one receiver or land a solid number two in later rounds.
The wide receivers mentioned below fit into the category of being a potential top receiver or a complimentary one for an already established one.
- Cody Latimer (Indiana) – Perhaps the fastest riser among wideouts, the 6’2, 210 pounder Latimer—a projected third or fourth rounder—has been linked to last first-round teams in need of a wideout such as the defending Super Bowl champions Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Ravens. Last year at Indiana, Latimer caught 72 passes for 1,096 yards and nine touchdowns. Thanks to his unique combination of speed, skill and talent, Latimer could be a late first-round or top of the second round steal.
- Martavius Bryant (Clemson) – Thanks to the constant attention that former teammate Sammy Watkins drew at Clemson, Matravius Bryant may be the biggest beneficiary. Bryant, a 6’3 211-pound playmaker for the Tigers, projects as a number two wide receiver thanks to a solid 40-yard das time at the Scouting Combine. Along with Latimer, Bryant could sneak into the top 60 after catching 42 passes for 828 yards and seven touchdowns. While not as fast and gifted as Watkins, Bryant could help a team in need of a complimentary option in the passing game.
- Bruce Ellington (South Carolina) – Thanks to an impressive combine and blazing speed, former South Carolina wideout Bruce Ellington has the potential to be a top-notch slot and possession receiver. Despite being 5’9 and 197 pounds, Ellington caught 49 passes for 775 yards and eight touchdowns. Currently projected to go into either the third or fourth round, Ellington could jump into the late second and top of the third due to his versatility and possible use as a kick returner at the next level.
- Davante Adams (Fresno State) – The top target of projected first-round quarterback Derek Carr, Davante Adams could either sneak into the late first round or the top of the second round. A smooth route runner with hands and speed, Adams caught 131 catches for 1,718 yards and 24 touchdowns. While some may question the level of competition, Adams’s ability to run after the catch and line up outside, makes him a solid pick for the right team.
- Allen Robinson (Penn State) – A gifted wideout with a knack for yards after the catch and good hands, former Penn State wide receiver Allen Robinson has the skill set to be a mid first-round pick or a Day 2 steal. The 6’2, 220-pound Robinson caught 97 passes for 1,432 yards and six touchdowns. While there were some initial concerns about his ability to gain separation at the next level, Robinson displayed good speed at the combine and now figures to be a second-round target.
Other notables : Jordan Matthews (Vanderbilt), Paul Richardson (Colorado), Donte Moncrief(Ole Miss), Jared Abbredaris (Wisconsin), Devin Street (Pittsburgh), Brandon Coleman (Rutgers), Kain Colter (Northwestern), Michael Campanero (Wake Forest), Jarvis Landry (LSU) and Jeff Janis (Saginaw Valley State)
Robert D. Cobb Is the CEO/Founder/Senior Editor-In-Chief of the InscriberMag : Digital Magazine and a member of the PFWA(Pro Football Writers Association), please follow him on Twitter at @RC_TheInscriberMag
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