NFL Draft 2007: The Top 15 WRs

It’s now time for the fastest of the fast and the quickest of the quick. We’re taking a look at the best wide receivers available in the 2007 NFL Draft and where they are projected to go in the upcoming draft. Here are the sure-handed fellas who will be catching passes in the league for years to come.

1. Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech (6’4” 235lbs) – Johnson is far and away the cream of the crop at WR, if not the entire draft. Johnson’s impressive 40 at the combine may not be his most impressive attribute. Johnson has fantastic ball skills and his college highlight reel will leave you speechless. This top prospect won’t escape the top 5 of this draft.

2. Ted Ginn, Ohio St (6'0" 180lbs) – Ginn gets the number 2 nod because he is electric on the field. Though he may disappear for stretches, he is a threat to score every time the ball is in his hands. His lethal return skills give him an edge over Meachem and Jarrett, who are both more polished receivers. Ginn should be gone in the top 15 selections.

3. Robert Meachem, Tennesee (6’2” 205lbs) – Meachem is a complete receiver. He does everything from running crisp routes underneath to burning defenders deep. He is also a threat after the catch and his breakout junior year proved he’s ready to carry the load. Expect Meachem to be drafted in the mid-first round.

4. Dwayne Jarrett, USC (6’5” 215lbs) – Jarrett is a huge mismatch for almost any defensive back. Jarrett uses his height extremely well to shield defenders and should be just as successful in the NFL in the red zone. He lacks elite speed, but runs good routes and has great hands. Jarrett and Meachem will compete to be the third receiver taken in this draft.

5. Dwayne Bowe, LSU (6’3” 215lbs) – Bowe gets the nod over Sidney Rice because he’s a more polished receiver than Rice. Bowe showed consistent improvement at LSU and will be a reliable receiver at the next level. He lacks elite speed but, like Jarrrett, finds ways to get open. Bowe will be a mid-to-late first round selection.

6. Sidney Rice, South Carolina (6’4” 202lbs) – Rice had a brilliant, though short, career with the Gamecocks. He posted nearly identical numbers in both his seasons at SC. Rice has great body control and is eerily similar to Jarrett. Rice should be a sure mid-to-late first rounder and may turn out to be a real steal for the team that drafts him.

7. Jason Hill, Washington St. (6’2” 205lbs) – Hill may have been a first round pick after posting solid sophomore and junior seasons, but an inconsistent senior season dropped him from a lot of teams radars. He answered some questions about his lack of speed by running a 4.3 40yd dash at the combine. He still has the potential to be an impact receiver. Expect Hill to be the first wide receiver taken in the second round.

8. Anthony Gonzalez, Ohio State (6’0” 195lbs) – Gonzalez was overshadowed by Ted Ginn at OSU, but he could flourish into a solid number 2 wideout at the next level. Gonzalez put up almost identical numbers to Ginn in 2006, but lacks the homerun ability to be a stud wide receiver. He does run good routes and has solid hands. He’ll be an early-to-mid second round selection.

9. Steve Smith, USC (6’1” 195lbs) – Smith has the potential to be a fantastic player in the NFL. He polished his skills over four seasons at USC and improved each season despite being overshadowed (literally) by Dwayne Jarrett. Smith is quick and is a crafty route-runner. He’ll be taken in the second round (hopefully by Carolina…I’m still hoping for the Steve Smith tandem).

10 Craig Davis, LSU (6’1” 200lbs) – Davis falls into the same area as Gonzalez and Smith. He is a solid possession receiver who runs well, but won’t blow by everyone. Another player who stayed in school and improved each season. Davis made some big plays for LSU and that will help him find a home early in the third round.

11. Jacoby Jones, Lane (6’4” 210lbs) – Jones should be the biggest beneficiary of Marques Colston’s success last season. Jones runs a 4.4 40yd dash and was also a threat as a return man. He’s a big target who should find success at the next level if he can acclimate to the tougher competition. Jones should be a successful third round selection for a team that can give him some time to develop.

12. Yamon Figurs, Kansas State (5’11” 175lbs) – Figurs figures to be this year’s answer to the Devin Hester phenomenon. Figurs has wowed scouts with his abilities as a return man, and though he has work to do as a receiver, he could find a niche as a Dante Hall type player for any number of teams. This electrifying return man will be gone by the middle of the third round.

13. Joel Filani, Texas Tech (6’3” 220lbs) – Filani may come from a pass happy offense which inflated his numbers, but his size and athleticism will get him into the NFL. A sizeable target, he ran a decent 40 at the combine and is a great red zone threat. Although he may not ever develop into a number one receiver, he’ll be a smart selection in the mid-to-late third round.

14. Johnnie Lee Higgins, UTEP (6’0” 180lbs) – Higgins was a solid receiver who exploded onto radar screens with a tremendous senior season. He lacks ideal bulk, but Higgins makes up for it with decent speed and a good vertical leap. Higgins has a chance to be a serious slot threat and will be another mid-to-late third round pick.

15. Mike Walker, UCF (6’2” 195lbs) – Walker is a fearless player who makes catches everywhere on the field. He put up very good numbers in his collegiate career and should continue to develop in the NFL. He doesn’t have amazing speed, but he’s well rounded and consistent. Walker could lead a bunch of receivers off the board in round 4.


The Best of the Rest
Aundrae Allison, East Carolina (6’0” 190lbs) – great athleticism, could be a steal
David Clowney, Virginia Tech (6’1” 180lbs) – good skills, lacks stats to back it up
Matt Trannon, Michigan State (6’6” 230lbs) – great potential with his size and skill
Brandon Myles, West Virginia (6’1” 185lbs) – potential homerun threat, lacks bulk
Steve Breaston, Michigan (6’1” 180lbs) – another dangerous return man, decent in the slot
Courtney Taylor, Auburn (6’2” 205lbs) – solid player with run for improvement
Rhema McKnight, Notre Dame (6’2” 210lbs) – solid and consistent, durability questions
Dallas Baker, Florida (6’2” 205lbs) – catches lots of touchdowns, but poor workouts
Chansi Stuckey, Clemson (6’0” 190lbs) – former QB, crafty route runner, good hands
Paul Williams, Fresno State (6’2” 200lbs) – little known, but potential to make an impact


Next Week: The Top 15 Cornerbacks who will have to match up with these guys