From Deseret News archives:
NFL Draft has plenty of WR depth
Sure, he was dominant in his junior season with the Spartans. He caught 79 passes for 1,260 yards and scored eight touchdowns. He also has great size and speed at 6-foot-2, 216 pounds and runs the 40-yard dash in 4.42 seconds.
He looks like he could provide an offense with instant explosion. But he also only played Division I football full-time for one year, and the defensive backs he overpowered in the Big Ten will be replaced by NFL players who are just as strong and fast as he is.
There's no way of telling if Thomas will be great. No one knows if he'll put together a breathtaking rookie season like Randy Moss, or if he'll be a big-time bust like Matt Jones or Troy Williamson.
"It has the biggest mortality rate of any position percentage-wise," said Gil Brandt, the former personnel director for the Dallas Cowboys who's now a draft analyst for nfl.com. "So buyer beware."
The draft's big four at receiver Thomas, Jackson, Kelly and Sweed each have their positive and negative attributes. Thomas, some people fear, was a one-season wonder at Michigan State. Jackson is the fastest of the receivers, but he's only 169 pounds. Kelly has great size, but ran an extremely slow 40 at his pro day. Sweed produced several big plays at Texas, but missed half of the 2007 season with a wrist injury.
Another receiver, Indiana's James Hardy, projects to be a first- or second-round pick. He's built like a tight end at 6-5, 217 pounds. NFL teams, however, can't help but be concerned with some off-the-field issues he dealt with in college.
"I mean, the guy at Cal is 169 pounds. Is he going to be big enough? He's certainly fast as (heck)," Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden told reporters at the NFL owners meetings last month. "The guy at Indiana (Hardy) is big. Every film you pick up there's another touchdown. Is he fast enough?"
Overall, the depth of quality receivers in this year's draft is the best it's been in several years. Teams will be able to find solid targets well into the second day of the draft. The depth at tight end isn't as great, and there probably won't be one selected in the first round.
Recent comments
I have to agree. This kid broke all 3 major receiving categories at...
Brian | April 24, 2008 at 10:08 a.m.
I think you are over looking James Hardy from Indiana,
he played...
Dan Burns | April 24, 2008 at 8:27 a.m.
- I-84 crash closes lanes in Canyon 9:36 a.m.
- Suicide bomber kills 3 in Pakistan 9:25 a.m.
- Somali pirates hit oil tanker 9:23 a.m.
- China executes 9 in ethnic riots 9:22 a.m.
- Iran accuses hikers of espionage 9:21 a.m.
- DC sniper's execution nears 9:20 a.m.
- Stocks jump after G-20 pledge 9:20 a.m.
- Agassi: Lies he 'can't live with' 9:07 a.m.
- Germany celebrates fall of Berlin Wall 8:46 a.m.
- Brazil student expelled for dress 8:33 a.m.
- TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
- Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
- Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
- Water wars in Snake Valley
- Lambert crossed line by miles
- Cougars' execution flawless
- Teenager is critical after stabbing
- Utes pound winless Lobos
- BYU 186, Wyoming 17?
- TCU moves into 4th place in BCS
- Gay advocates trek to LDS office
221 - House passes health care bill
206 - Lobo suspended
173 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
152 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
130 - Provo company innovating engines
103 - RSL rallies to advance
103 - Thousands protest health bill
103 - Utes pound winless Lobos
89 - BYU cuts Women's Research Institute
88
Fresno State appears excited to have BYU coming to the Save Mart Center...
Here are a few leftovers from Beckerman from the "5 questions" interview.
Hey, Zoobies. No one is on here saying we are going to dominate TCU,...
...whiners and complainers without specific examples of wild accusations....
I am a little wary about this bill, but come on people. It isn't the end of...
Is it just me or is Screech from Saved by the Bell now playing QB for the...
When Vegas claims the water is for homes, they mean for growth. These homes...
I wish society was caring enough to say "I am happy that there is a wonderful...
Ok, if you do not care if the state recognizes your marriage, then you are...
If you don't like the lack of a salary cap in baseball, then let your wallet...
How does a story like this even make it into our news? I can hardly think of...
How do these type of people get in control? What a bunch of loons, and yet...


