Underclassmen Watch: Receivers

Declared

Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers – Like Ray Rice a year ago, Rutgers’ best offensive player will be leaving for the NFL a year early. He’s a big, physical receiver that brings a unique skill set to the draft. Though he remains a little unpolished as a route runner, his potential is incredibly high and can be taught to be a great wide receiver. He’s also the kind of guy that loves to throw downfield blocks to help his running game. This dynamic wide receiver should be selected in the second round in April. Projected Round: 2nd.

James Casey, TE/RB, Rice - After spending four years playing pro baseball, Casey decided to retire and revive his football career. As a utility man for Rice, Casey played seven positions in his career. Some teams may look at him as a tight end or H-back, while others may think he fits into the evolving Wildcat position used heavily by the Miami Dolphins in the NFL. At 24, Casey is older than most rookies, but he’ll get a shot in the NFL as a mid-round prospect. Projected Round: 4th

Jeremy Childs, WR, Boise State - Boise State will be losing their leading receiver to the NFL one year early as Childs announced his decision to turn pro Tuesday. Childs isn’t particularly big or fast, but is a productive receiver, expected to go in the late rounds. The announcement was made through Coach Petersen, so Childs was not available to comment on his decision. Projected Round: 6th-Undrafted.

Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech - On Tuesday, Michael Crabtree announced that he will forgo his final two season of eligibility to enter the NFL Draft. This comes as no surprise because of how special a player Crabtree could be. While he’s not the physical freak that Calvin Johnson was, Crabtree’s production, hands, and route running are all superb. In only two years in a spread offense, scouts are concerned with polish and lack of a pro-style offense, which may bring up some question marks. Projected Round: Top 10 Selection.

Austin Collie, WR, BYU - Collie will leave BYU as its career leader in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns in three seasons at BYU. Because he left school for several years to serve a church mission, Collie will be 24 at some point this year. After a spectacular season, it was a good decision by Collie to leave rather than wait another year. He’ll bring nice size and soft hands to the draft as a third round prospect. Projected Round: 3rd.

Jared Cook, TE, South Carolina - After receiving the highest grade of any Gamecock, Jared Cook will forgo his final season of eligibility and make the jump to the NFL. He has a nice frame and is a good vertical target, rumored to run faster than a 4.4. While rumored times tend to be faster than advertised, if he breaks a 4.5, look for Cook to get plenty of looks in the first round. He’s nearly a lock to be selected on the first day as one of the first tight ends off the board. Projected Round: 1st-2nd.

Andrew Davie, TE, Arkansas - After spending several years as a baseball minor leaguer, Davie has decided it’s “now or never” if he’s going to make it in the NFL. He’s 26 years old and his time is nearing an end if he’s going to have a legitimate shot at playing pro football. He’s a good blocker and red zone target, but provides very little outside of that. Projected Round: Undrafted

Brian Hartline, WR, Ohio State - Junior wide receiver, Brian Hartline will forgo his final year of eligibility, joining teammate Beanie Wells as early entrants in the draft. This decision comes as questionable because of a down year where he hauled in only 21 passes on the year. His undeveloped frame and game also add to the skepticism. He’s a little skinny, but has good long speed and hands. Projected Round: 5th-6th.

Percy Harvin, WR, Florida - The Gators’ MVP from the BCS Championship game announced Thursday that he would be going pro. Harvin was the team’s multipurpose player who was able to take carries (659 rushing yards) and make plays on the outside (645 receiving yards). Some are comparing Harvin to Reggie Bush who was selected very high several years ago. I believe Harvin’s natural position in the NFL will be more of a wide receiver with occasional carries on trick plays and from the backfield. He’s also been known to be injury-prone and that may hinder his ability to go as high as Bush. Regardless, he’s still a 1st round selection, but has a couple question marks attached to his name. Projected Round: Top 15 Selection.

Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland - With advice from his Coach Ralph Friedgen and the Advisory Committee, Heyward-Bey is pleased enough with his stock to leave a year early. Bey is a speedy wideout that will surely impress at the combine. He doesn’t jump off the page because he’s misused at Maryland, but don’t the numbers deceive. He runs good routes and has soft hands, which should translate well. Projected Round: 1st-2nd.

Brandon LaFell, WR, LSU - In what comes as a surprise decision, LaFell will forgo his senior season to enter the draft. The Tigers’ leading receiver has heard that he could be selected as early as the late first round. He has a good combination of size and speed to accompany very soft hands. Unlike many receivers, LaFell isn’t afraid to go across the middle. In an impressive junior season, he proved that he doesn’t need to rely solely on his skill set to produce. He’s one of very few underclassmen that may use the three day span following the declaration deadline to withdraw his name. Projected Round: 2nd.

Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri - 6’1, 200 pound receiver Jeremy Maclin is headed pro. With quarterback Chase Daniel graduating, the thoughts of Maclin’s decision became easier, but not by much. As he announced in a teary-eyed press conference in Columbia, he’s going to miss leaving his teammates that he referred to as “family.” Maclin will leave as a first round prospect with great speed and good hands. Projected Round: 1st.

Andrew Means, WR, Indiana - Andrew Means has been a two-sport star for the Hoosiers with football and baseball. With Spring Training obligations with the Cincinnati Reds, he’s going to be unable to continue his college football career. He’s wanted to try playing both sports professionally and has entered into the 2009 NFL Draft. He’ll most likely go undrafted and making a roster will be difficult while having summers tied into baseball. Projected Round: Undrafted.

Hakeem Nicks, WR, UNC - After emerging from relative obscurity, Hakeem Nicks has caught the attention of scouts in the same light that Kenny Britt of Rutgers has. Nicks is a sure-handed, physical receiver that ended his season on the same high note that he played throughout. In his final game he tallied 8 catches for 207 yards and 3 touchdowns, which all but solidifies him as a second round prospect. After cementing his name in UNC history by breaking 14 school records, Nicks has decided to forgo his final year of eligibility to enter the draft. Projected Round: 2nd.

Kevin Ogletree, WR, Virginia - After tearing his ACL two years ago, Ogletree returned to lead Virginia in receiving. He’s a lanky receiver who has great quickness and speed. Having completed his degree in December, he’ll leave a year early. His numbers would still be affected by inconsistent quarterback play next year, which may have factored into his decision. Look for him to be a late round selection. Projected Round: 5th-7th.

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