March 12, 2008
1. Malcolm Kelly - Oklahoma 6-4/217
Malcolm wants the ball and demands attention from secondary's, those two qualities added together equal a number one receiver within a few years. His size and his hands are what gets him my top spot in this class.
2. Limas Sweed - Texas 6-5/215
Huge and athletic, he has a world of up-side. He does what few tall receivers do and he will jump to get the ball at it's highest point. The only draw back is his confidence in his hands, when there is no time to think it out, he's money but when it's a jump ball he struggles to secure it. Up-side is great but confidence is required at the wide receiver position.
3. Mario Manningham - Michigan 6-0/184
Mario has a wealth of talent and his ability to catch the ball cleanly with is hands is perhaps his best quality. He knows how to box out defenders and fights for jump balls but his attitude needs to be adjusted, being "me first" may be needed at wideout but definitely not needed on the sideline.
4. James Hardy - Indiana 6-7/220
James has some incredible playmaking ability downfield and showed he has more than just a fly route in his bag at the combine.
5. Early Doucet - LSU 6-1/210
Early has big play written all over him but it's the dirty work he does that makes him a great wideout. He has no problem going up for the ball in traffic and loves to run the ball as a gadget back. His size makes him a highly sought after commodity and his size will also help him adjust fairly quickly at the next level.
6. Lavelle Hawkins - Cal 5-11/185
Courage, balance and versatility, the more film I watch on Lavelle the more he impresses. He has incredible concentration in crowds and is fearless so I will wait for the numbers to come in on him but he will be rising in the rankings.
7. DeSean Jackson - Cal 6-0/172
DeSean is a playmaker in the purest sense, you need only get him the ball and a little space and fireworks are likely but his size will be a concern in the pros.
8. Devin Thomas - Michigan State 6-2/214
Devin will adapt quickly to the