Top 5 WR Prospects To Look For In The Draft
By Josh Carter
With the draft soon approaching and many teams looking for upgrades or depth at the receiver position, this is the year to do so. Below are my favorite 5 receivers entering the draft. This was tough and I’d like to say off the bat that I think Baylor’s Terrence Williams, Texas A&M’s Ryan Swope, Tennessee’s Justin Hunter and USC’s Robert Woods are all my honorable mentions. I will also give you my choice for the best fit based on team needs, player stock (according to rankings from ESPN and NFL.com) and draft position.
1.Tavon Austin, West Virginia
December 29, 2012; Bronx, NY, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver Tavon Austin (1) is tackled by Syracuse Orange cornerback Wayne Morgan (2) during the third quarter of the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
SENIOR:1287 yds, 12tds,
JUNIOR:1185yds, 8tds
SOPHOMORE: 787 yards, 8tds
FRESHMAN: 151 yards, 1 td
Best Potential Fit: St. Louis Rams(probably will need to trade up)
The most versatile and high potential receiver in the draft, Tavon Austin has it all. He can come in and be a Wes Welker or Ty Hilton prototype slot receiver, a kick returner or become a Percy Harvin/Desean Jackson type outside guy who can run amazing reverses as well as burn defenders with his blazing speed. At best you get a full package skill position player here, at worst you get a great Ted Ginn like kick returner/#2 WR. The odds are in Austin’s favor if you ask me.
2. Keenan Allen, California
September 8, 2012; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen (21) scores a touchdown ahead of Southern Utah Thunderbirds defensive back Tyree Mills (6) during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. The California Golden Bears defeated the Southern Utah Thunderbirds 50-31. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
SENIOR: 737 yards, 6tds,
JUNIOR: 1343 yards, 6tds,
SOPHOMORE: 496 yards 5tds
Best Potential Fit: Minnesota Vikings(can potentially fall to them)
A great, productive and established receiver from Cal who broke Desean Jackson’s career reception record for the Golden Bears. Any team looking for a high ceiling and already skilled hands guy, Keenan Allen is the move.
3. Cordarrelle Patterson, Tennessee
Nov 10, 2012; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (84) scores a touchdown against the Missouri Tigers during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
JUNIOR YEAR: 778 yards, 5tds
Best Potential Fit: San Diego Chargers (can potentially fall to them)
Has great athleticism and a prototypical build of an NFL receiver. Hasn’t quite proved himself on tape with the level of success in his numbers seen from WRs like Deandre Hopkins, Tavon Austin, or Keenan Allen. Probably is someone who can use another year of school but has the measurables to potentially become the best receiver of the class under the right coach.
4. DeAndre Hopkins, Clemson
January 4, 2012; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (6) scores a touchdown after eluding the tackle of West Virginia Mountaineers defensive back Ishmael Banks (34) late in the fourth quarter in the 2012 Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports
SENIOR YEAR: 1405 yards, 18tds
JUNIOR YEAR: 961 yards, 5tds
SOPHOMORE YEAR: 626 yards, 4tds
Best Potential Fit: Houston Texans (Can potentially fall to them)
Great production and stepped in to fill Sammy Watkins’ void when his team needed him to. Was the only player ever in the ACC to record 50+ receptions his freshman and sophomore years. Hopkins has potential to be a top #1 WR in the NFL who has the skills now to definitely come in as a possible #1 or a great #2 threat. We saw during his career in Clemson that he’s a guy you can count on to step in if need be.
5. Quinton Patton, La Tech
Oct 13, 2012; Shreveport, LA, USA; Louisiana Tech Bulldogs wide receiver Quinton Patton (4) runs with the ball as Texas A
SENIOR YEAR: 1392 yards, 13 td
JUNIOR YEAR: 1202 yards, 11 td
Best Potential Fit: Pittsburgh Steelers (Can trade back in the first or up in the 2nd)
May be the value of the draft because of going to a mid major school. Quinton Patton was the weapon on his team that made them a cut above their competition. He’s proven that he can step up to greater competition during his game against a tough SEC foe in Texas A&M where he caught 21 passes for 233 yards and 4 touchdowns.