With taller, athletic wide receivers becoming a premium in the NFL Draft (AJ Green, Julio Jones, Jonathan Baldwin this past draft), the 2012 Draft should be a dream for many NFL teams. While 2011 saw many smaller slot receivers in the early rounds - Randall Cobb, Jerrel Jernigan, Titus Young -this year's depth will be much taller. So without further adieu, here are next year's big targets.
South Carolina's Alshon Jeffery (6'4, 233, 4.50) may be the best of next year's class, though he will only be a true junior. Jeffery had a 46 catch, 763-yard freshman season, but became the go-to-man his senior season, as he caught 88 passes for 1,517 yards and 9 TDs. Jeffery caught my eye in an early season game against Southern Miss last season in the way he could catch sideline routes, the deep pass, and stepped up on third down. Doesn't have amazing speed, but Jeffery has soft hands and made top cornerback prospect Alabama's Dre Kirkpatrick look silly last year. Look for Jeffery to sneak into the top 10 after another great season in the SEC.
Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon (6'1, 207, 4.48) was a relative non-factor during his freshman season, as Dez Bryant stole the spotlight. However, without Bryant, Blackmon stepped up and had an amazing season, totaling a whopping 111 catches for 1,782 yards, and 20 TDs. Similar to Bryant in speed, size, and athletic ability, Blackmon is unmatched in college football in the way he can track the deep pass (similar to Randy Moss) and stepped up against good competition (see game against Prince Amukamura, the 19th pick of the 2011 Draft). Justin could have been a first round pick this year and almost surely will hear his name called within the first 15 picks next season.
Notre Dame's senior Michael Floyd (6'3, 227, 4.51) has had great seasons throughout his college career, but he broke out his junior year with 79 catches for 1,025 yards and 12 TDs. Injury-riddled in his first two seasons, Floyd stayed healthy this past year and has great hands and the ability to go up for the jump ball. Works the middle of the field with the slant route and can also be a downfield threat, though he is not a burner. Floyd looked the part of a first round pick from a talent and size perspective, but it is unknown how a DUI and team suspension on May 19th will affect his draft status.
Senior Jeff Fuller (6'3, 215, 4.49, Texas A&M) could develop into a solid late first round, early second round pick by the end of next season if he continues to be a presence like last season. Last year, Fuller put up 72 catches for 1,066 yards, and 12 TDs, a great improvement from his second to third season. A well-built physical possession receiver, Fuller can also stretch the field with decent, but unspectacular speed. He plays a similar style to the Saints' Marques Colston, who can go over the middle while working the sidelines.
Going into his junior season, Rutgers's Mohamad Sanu (6'2, 218, 4.54) has had two productive, but non-stellar seasons. Sanu had a great freshman year with 51 catches for 639 yards and 3 TDs, but his numbers dropped this past season, as he played with a struggling freshman quarterback. Sanu possesses the same type of ability of Anquan Boldin, but has to prove that he is worthy of a first round pick.
South Carolina's Alshon Jeffery (6'4, 233, 4.50) may be the best of next year's class, though he will only be a true junior. Jeffery had a 46 catch, 763-yard freshman season, but became the go-to-man his senior season, as he caught 88 passes for 1,517 yards and 9 TDs. Jeffery caught my eye in an early season game against Southern Miss last season in the way he could catch sideline routes, the deep pass, and stepped up on third down. Doesn't have amazing speed, but Jeffery has soft hands and made top cornerback prospect Alabama's Dre Kirkpatrick look silly last year. Look for Jeffery to sneak into the top 10 after another great season in the SEC.
Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon (6'1, 207, 4.48) was a relative non-factor during his freshman season, as Dez Bryant stole the spotlight. However, without Bryant, Blackmon stepped up and had an amazing season, totaling a whopping 111 catches for 1,782 yards, and 20 TDs. Similar to Bryant in speed, size, and athletic ability, Blackmon is unmatched in college football in the way he can track the deep pass (similar to Randy Moss) and stepped up against good competition (see game against Prince Amukamura, the 19th pick of the 2011 Draft). Justin could have been a first round pick this year and almost surely will hear his name called within the first 15 picks next season.
Notre Dame's senior Michael Floyd (6'3, 227, 4.51) has had great seasons throughout his college career, but he broke out his junior year with 79 catches for 1,025 yards and 12 TDs. Injury-riddled in his first two seasons, Floyd stayed healthy this past year and has great hands and the ability to go up for the jump ball. Works the middle of the field with the slant route and can also be a downfield threat, though he is not a burner. Floyd looked the part of a first round pick from a talent and size perspective, but it is unknown how a DUI and team suspension on May 19th will affect his draft status.
Going into his junior season, Rutgers's Mohamad Sanu (6'2, 218, 4.54) has had two productive, but non-stellar seasons. Sanu had a great freshman year with 51 catches for 639 yards and 3 TDs, but his numbers dropped this past season, as he played with a struggling freshman quarterback. Sanu possesses the same type of ability of Anquan Boldin, but has to prove that he is worthy of a first round pick.
