2011 NFL Draft - Top 5 WRs

The-Mainboard.com 2011 NFL Draft Initial Top WRs

List is from NFL Draft aficionado, Neal Olson.

1. WR A.J. Green, Georgia
-I was surprised when I first saw Green slip to #6. I don't think badly of him at all, however just that talented of a draft class this year in my opinion. Green's best asset is definitely his size at the position. At 6'4 and 212 pounds, Green is an outstanding target for any quarterback. He has excellent leaping ability and shows a great tendency to go up and get the ball at the highest point. His hands are very reliable and arguably the best in this class, although Michael Floyd gives him a run for his money. In addition to this, he has the speed to not just be a possession receiver but can add big play ability to any offense. The biggest thing for Green to work on is that of any receiver his age, which is both route running and working in the weight room. His route running is above average but still needs some work which will come with time. He is still a bit skinny and just needs to gain a little strength to deal with the more physical corners on the next level. But neither concerns are major and will come within the next few years as he continues to develop.

2. WR Michael Floyd, Notre Dame
-Behind Green, there are a few that can make the case to be the second receiver off the board but as of right now I think it has to be Floyd. Like Green, Floyd as tremendous size measuring in at 6-3 and 220 pounds. He is more physical than Green and that is the one area where one can make the argument where he is better than Green. Floyd has an outstanding ability adjusting to the ball and attacking the ball at the highest point. Floyd demonstrated outstanding hands and that shouldn't be an issue with those thinking about drafting him. The two main areas where Floyd is not well received is the lack of top end speed and the durability concerns. I don't buy into the top speed argument as I think he has more than enough speed to do damage in the NFL but the durability concerns are something to look at closely throughout the year.

3. WR Jonathan Baldwin, Pittsburgh
-Baldwin has arguably the most impressive size of any receiver eligible to come out this year coming in at 6'5 and 230 pounds. He is arguably the most physically gifted receiver having a tight end body at the receiver position. Like Floyd and Green, Baldwin's best attribute is his size. He isn't going to lose to many jump balls and should be able to bail out his quarterback many times over his NFL career. He is a physical receiver who isn't easy to bring down. He has great leaping ability and makes it look easy grabbing balls out of the air and isn't afraid to leave his feet. When comparing Baldwin to Green, the thing that stands out is probably the top end speed. Baldwin is deceptively fast with long strides but isn't going to separate from secondaries often while Green has bigger play ability with being able to stretch the field more often.

4. WR Titus Young, Boise State
-In a very talented wide receiver class, I think Young is a different player than most. Guys like Jeff Fuller and Julio Jones are similar to the top guys in terms of possession receivers more or less. I don't think those two guys have done much to separate themselves as elite possession guys that warrant first round hype as of now. However Titus Young reminds me a bit of Dexter McCluster from last year and DeSean Jackson from California a few years ago. He is a dynamic playmaker who can excel in the return game, in the receiving game and can even run the ball if he is required to. He is an explosive athlete who can separate from defensive backs with ease if they don't respect his speed, he is also excellent at making guys miss. Although he is the smallest receiver on the list thus far, Young is a physical receiver who isn't afraid of contact. As one would expect, Young has great hands being a receiver and a returner so that shouldn't be an issue at the next level. With all of that said, he does need to refine is route running as he doesn't run to many advanced routes compared to others as being in a spread will do that to a receiver. He also doesn't have the leaping ability of the top group of guys but makes up for it in other areas. I am not sure that a team will take him in the first round, however with smaller guys becoming more of a valued commodity Young should garner the consideration to be selected that high as he is an excellent playmaker.

5. WR Jeff Fuller, Texas A&M
-Although this may surprise some, Fuller did enough for me to place him over Julio Jones. Fuller was the go to receiver for the Aggies and provided much help to Jerrod Johnson in the receiving game to complement Christine Michael. Fuller does an excellent job of using his hands instead of watching the ball go into his body and create miscues. He runs very good routes which isn't a surprise given who is father was and is extremely well taught in terms of shaking defenders loose. Although he doesn't have an excellent burst, he is deceptively fast and if opposing defenders don't take him seriously he can break free for a long gain or even breakaway for a touchdown like he did in the Texas game. He does do a good job of attacking the ball at its highest point and doesn't allow smaller defenders to get a good opportunity against him going for a jump ball. Although he is pretty polished as a receiver, his lack of top end speed may hurt him and the ceiling might not be enough to push him into the first round. He is a very good possession guy but his big play ability at the next level may be a red flag for teams that might select him in the first round. Even with that, I would be surprised to see him drop to low and at this point is a solid second round talent for me.

Tight End

1. TE Kyle Rudolph, Notre Dame
-In what is a very weak class for tight ends, Rudolph is certainly head and shoulders above the rest of the class going into the 2010 season. Rudolph is a monster target for any quarterback coming in at 6'6 and 240 pounds. In two seasons at Notre Dame he has run pretty good routes and has displayed great use of his hands as well. He attacks the ball as good as any tight end in the nation and his production should certainly be more than what it has been in two seasons. He is a good enough athlete at the position where he can be a mismatch type tight end in the NFL where he can outrun linebackers and be a huge asset in the intermediate passing game. On top of the passing game, Rudolph has shown the ability to be a plus run blocker as well. He uses his hands well and is strong enough to hold his own in the running game. The biggest knock on Rudolph going into the year is the lack of production. The concerns are warranted but I think this year he is going to be one of the go to targets for Crist and I would expect his production to increase dramatically as he asserts himself as the top Irish target outside of Floyd.