You be the expert--rank the WRs

by tomas21 on Apr 23, 2009 2:39 PM CDT Comment 38 comments

Every mock drafter and talking head has ranked the prospects by position. Why should we be different?

1. Crabtree: He's head and shoulders above the rest.

2. Kenny Britt: To me he is Brandon Marshall. He has the strength to go over the middle and get off the line, has good hands, and was productive.

3. Jeremy Maclin: He's productive and athletic, but for some reason I see him struggling to make the transition to the pros more than Crabtree or Britt.

4. Percy Harvin: He's not smart. He smokes dope. But he is electric. He might not be a prototypical WR, but put him with a creative coordinator and I think he can be one of the biggest contributors of the class.

5. Hakeem Nicks: I worry about him being fat. And dumb. But he seems like he could be a borderline #1 ala Moose Muhammad.

6. Juaquin Iglesias: Very productive against tough competition. Was the most productive WR at the Senior Bowl. Based on his experience and route running ability, I think he'll make one of the quickest transitions to the NFL.

7. Brian Robiskie: Another WR with good fundamentals who should have a quick transition to the NFL game. I put him below Iglesias because Robiskie doesn't have the production that Iglesias did. Part of that, I'm aware, is due to QB play. Just the same, I like production.

8. Mohamed Massaquoi: Productive against high level competition. Has some drops, but seems like a complete WR who can do everything to a decent degree.

9. Derrick Williams: Yes, he's a Penn State WR. But I think he has some Eddie Royal traits, and Cutler did a pretty nice job with him.

10. Darrius Heyward-Bey: Troy Williamson version 2.0.

0 recs | Comment 38 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

so top ten

maclin— no recuring foot problems
crabtree— nervous about his foot (very iffy area to have problems for anyone), but huge talent
britt— just looks, acts, talks, and performs like an nfl wr (if it looks like a duck, quacks like…etc)
nicks— lil weight no big deal, but you cant teach hands and body control just pure wr
robiskie— good size and hands, speed and seperation may not be good enough
harvin— huge over all talent great production, does he have 2 brain cells? big head? durable?
heyward-bey— great speed, nice production, everyone scared he may not translate… where there is smoke…. maybe fire…..caution
murphy— i know i know florida, but really thinking his best football is ahead
williams— safe pick, not flashy, but will be guarantee 2 or 3 wr on a team for next decade easy, just flat out a football player
mohammed— did he make stafford look good or was it other way? unsure but doubtful both or either will live up to any hype, but tangibles make him a nice talent

best of rest
iglesias…..thomas….ogletree……knox…….collie

by Chisportfan on Apr 23, 2009 3:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree with most of your list

but the only change I would make is move DHB ahead of Williams and drop Iglesias to the bottom (I’m just not sold on his ability to be a #1 or 2)

"One time I went to a social gathering, I brought a bottle of Tanqueray and a shotgun and showed those motherf&#@ers the best time they ever had!"- Kenny Powers (Eastbound and Down)

"Why give 100% when 35 can still get you paid and laid."- Kenny Powers

by gridiron_assassin on Apr 23, 2009 4:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Theme of your post

So what you’re telling me is that you don’t want the Bears to draft a dumb, pot-smoking, prima-donna WR?

"I'm not so mean. I wouldn't ever go out to hurt anybody deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something." - Dick Butkus

by propheteer on Apr 23, 2009 4:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

he can be

a prima donna, just not a pot-smoking one. I don’t care about the pot other than those guys are more likely to be suspended, and pot tends to make people apathetic, and I don’t want apathetic football players.

i don’t know how much it matters how smart a WR is. probably a little, but not much.

DEJESUS!!!

by tomas21 on Apr 23, 2009 5:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You don't want pot smoking players?

You do realize 50% of this team probably does smoke weed?

by McRipper on Apr 23, 2009 8:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's the principle

that raises very legitimate concerns about his future. Although, I think it’s a no-brainer for the Bears to draft him if he fell that far. At that point it’s a very, very good risk.

"I'm not so mean. I wouldn't ever go out to hurt anybody deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something." - Dick Butkus

by propheteer on Apr 23, 2009 11:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well..

Maclin – will prove the best receiver in the 2009 draft
Crabtree – amazing potential, but I am nagged that he might be a Mike Williams type bust
Britt – bright future and whose draft stock is zooming up
Nicks – nice skills inventory
Robiskie – overrated and in my opinion little more than the next Justin Gage
Harvin – BUST in the making whose skill set in college won’t translate to the NFL
Heyward-Bey – don’t see his game translating well to the NFL
Murphy – a good developmental pick in the mid-rounds
Williams – a 3rd rounder type wide receiver who has the potential to develop into a good receiver with investment of time
Mohammed – very difficult for the casual fan and draft “expert” to get arms around his game and whether it can translate nicely in the NFL

For those not bright enough to grasp the fundamental underpinning of an message board, please take note that "EVERYTHING I state is an OPINION."

by BLou on Apr 23, 2009 7:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I think

the draftniks could be shocked how long Robiskie lasts. I’m not sure why, but he’s become the darling of all draftniks, and they’ve converted him from a mid-round pick at the start of the off-season to a potential first rounder.

Maybe the draftniks will be right, but I could see him lasting until the 3rd round.

DEJESUS!!!

by tomas21 on Apr 23, 2009 7:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The only thing that was "wrong" with him

was his lack of top-end speed. He came on with a 4.5 at the combine, so there ya go.

I'M A MAN! I'M 22!

by ChiFan13 on Apr 23, 2009 9:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

And whether you think it matters or not he is smart. Coaches son and all that. One thing that sold me on him is multiple analysts have stated he’s good at coming back to the QB when the play/protection breaks down. That could be a tremendous skill next year with a new QB, lots of new pieces on the line, and the other wideouts we have. I think he will contribute more to our offense NEXT year than any receiver on the board. He may never be great but he can be a major contributor and that can start next year.

If God had wanted man to play soccer, he wouldn't have given us arms.- Mike Ditka

by Hurricanes becoming Bears on Apr 23, 2009 9:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, absolutely

He had a lot of little intangibles; he just never had the top-end speed. But, the combine proved otherwise. I’d definitely rather have Robiskie than Massaquoi.

I'M A MAN! I'M 22!

by ChiFan13 on Apr 23, 2009 10:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

We dont even need a speed guy

anyways. We have hester on the other side to take care of that. If we can get a good fundamental WR who knows how to do all the little things coming in thats great. Cause I dont know that our coaching staff is all that great at teaching those little things anyways.

"Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. "---George S. Halas

by Halas is God!!!!! on Apr 23, 2009 10:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Which is what I'm sayin

And he’s a coaches kid, so one would think he’d be more apt to listening.

I'M A MAN! I'M 22!

by ChiFan13 on Apr 24, 2009 9:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Robiskie doesn't impress me at all

If he is there in the 3rd round (which he won’t be) then I’d have good interest in him. But under no circumstances would I take him in the 1st round. And I sure in the heck don’t want him at #49, even though I doubt seriously we will have to worry about that because there will definitely be some team that picks him ahead of that. I look at Robiskie and see Justin Gage in a few years. I bet he does next to nothing his first couple of years in the league too.

For those not bright enough to grasp the fundamental underpinning of a message board, please take note that "EVERYTHING I state is an OPINION."

by BLou on Apr 23, 2009 8:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I have watched alot of OSU football and

Robiskie might suprise you because he has great hands. A QB with a strong arm such as Cutler to throw to him and the stats will be there.

by Bears fan 4-ever!!! on Apr 23, 2009 9:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're right about his hands

It’s the rest of his game however that I think is amazingly marginal. I see nothing special about Robiskie. Certainly nothing to the point where I would ever want to draft him in the 1st or 2nd round.

For those not bright enough to grasp the fundamental underpinning of a message board, please take note that "EVERYTHING I state is an OPINION."

by BLou on Apr 23, 2009 9:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd rather have Robiskie at 49

Over Byrd. He runs great routes and has great hands. He can win most jump ball matchups and he makes circus catches. The only knock I think against him is he doesn’t have top end speed, big deal.

"The phone's for you, I think it's the Devil."

by Acreman20 on Apr 23, 2009 9:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Byrd is a good talent though

I just think Robiskie would fill a much bigger need

"The phone's for you, I think it's the Devil."

by Acreman20 on Apr 23, 2009 9:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I doubt we have to worry about Robiskie

Seems to me that he will be gobbled up by another team before #49 pick rolls around. Which is fine by me. I wouldn’t mind Robiskie at #99 or in the 4th round, but under no circumstance do I want him at #49. We will have to agree to disagree on his NFL potential. I just don’t see it being anything beyond a Justin Gage type, or in other words a mid-round type value. Gage was a 5th round pick and took a few years to develop into something worthwhile.

For those not bright enough to grasp the fundamental underpinning of a message board, please take note that "EVERYTHING I state is an OPINION."

by BLou on Apr 23, 2009 10:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I really think Crabtree is going to prove to be the best.

Maclin, Britt, Nicks, Harvin, Heyward-Bey, Robiskie, Iglesias. Mohammed scares me because of drops. We have seen enough of those the last decade (or year for that matter.) I think Iglesias will be the sleeper and do very well. You never know until they get out there with the talent though.

by Bears fan 4-ever!!! on Apr 23, 2009 9:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Crabtree worries me

There is certainly a ton to like about Crabtree. But when I really examine Crabtree I see eery similarity to former USC “can’t miss” wideout Mike Williams drafted by Detroit. Williams was a colossal bust, and I see lots of similarities between their college stories. Plus Crabtree played in a ultra-wide open version of the spread offense at Texas Tech.

For those not bright enough to grasp the fundamental underpinning of a message board, please take note that "EVERYTHING I state is an OPINION."

by BLou on Apr 23, 2009 9:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Except Crabtree

isn’t fat and unmotivated. There were lots of concerns about Williams ability to translate to the NFL since he was almost TE size (I think he was close to 250 pounds), that’s why he fell to #10. There are not such concerns about Crabtree.

DEJESUS!!!

by tomas21 on Apr 24, 2009 9:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maclin is going to be an excellent wide receiver in the NFL

To me he is the clear cut best and most certain wide receiver pick in this draft. He is raw in some elements of his game, but I really like his game a lot. And the offense they ran at Missouri will serve him well as he tries to transition to the NFL game. The team who grabs Maclin will be very, very happy with the ultimate results.

For those not bright enough to grasp the fundamental underpinning of a message board, please take note that "EVERYTHING I state is an OPINION."

by BLou on Apr 23, 2009 10:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I like Robiskie

I’ve said it on here once before…Big 10 receivers get under-rated before the draft because the conference is so run-heavy.

It’s a fact!

by TCBullfrog on Apr 23, 2009 11:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The problem is Robiskie has one noteworthy skill, and that is good hands

His speed, route running and ability to gain yards after the catch is all suspect. A lot of NFL scouts don’t think he will be able to gain separation from defensive secondaries either.

I wouldn’t mind taking a flyer on Robiskie in the 3rd or 4th round. But somebody will gobble him up a lot sooner than that. Another team can have him.

For those not bright enough to grasp the fundamental underpinning of a message board, please take note that "EVERYTHING I state is an OPINION."

by BLou on Apr 24, 2009 8:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

All the problems that you listed are the most overrated things. I got news for you, every NFL team scout could give two shits about forty time or route running. Hands is number 1, instincts number 2. I get sick and tired of everyone looking at little parts instead of the big picture. Can he catch? Can he get open? Can he score in the red zone? everything else is insignificant.

Think With Your Dipstick Jimmy!

by ifuwannacrownem on Apr 24, 2009 8:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have a ?

How fast were M.Harrison, and I. Bruce when they came into league?

If you live in Chicago you are a bears fan, if you move from chicago you stay a bears fan, if you move to chicago you will be a bears fan.

by chi-town on Apr 24, 2009 9:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

don't know to be honest

I didn’t follow mock drafts when I was ten years old.

Think With Your Dipstick Jimmy!

by ifuwannacrownem on Apr 24, 2009 10:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am just saying that they were not great speed guy's they just did it right

If you live in Chicago you are a bears fan, if you move from chicago you stay a bears fan, if you move to chicago you will be a bears fan.

by chi-town on Apr 24, 2009 11:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

word

they just knew how to play the game. alot of WR don’t have the total package coming into the league. but we have a good WR coach in Daryle Drake who can coach these guy’s up. If he can do to one of these guy’s what he did for Hines Ward and Mark Bradley, we’ll be good.

Think With Your Dipstick Jimmy!

by ifuwannacrownem on Apr 24, 2009 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Route running

is not something overlooked by NFL scouts.

DEJESUS!!!

by tomas21 on Apr 24, 2009 9:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

His

route running is not suspect, he’s one of the best route runners in the draft. He does have some concerns about his athleticism compared to other guys, but he runs clean routes and has great hands.

DEJESUS!!!

by tomas21 on Apr 24, 2009 9:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's what I've heard as well

I hadn’t heard someone criticize his route running before.

by TCBullfrog on Apr 24, 2009 5:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Separation

This is always the toughest to gauge as a scout. Even speed doesn’t guarantee success if the WR is deliberate in and out of his breaks. That’s why a lot of teams are high on Robiskie; he’s more polished overall then any receiver not named Crabtree.

"I'm not so mean. I wouldn't ever go out to hurt anybody deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something." - Dick Butkus

by propheteer on Apr 24, 2009 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not going to worry about Robiskie because he won't be there at #49

Again, I think the guy will be a disappointment in the NFL. But that isn’t going to be a problem for the Bears. Maybe Minnesota will take him.

For those not bright enough to grasp the fundamental underpinning of a message board, please take note that "EVERYTHING I state is an OPINION."

by BLou on Apr 24, 2009 12:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

As long as we get the pick right... that's all I care about.

We all have formed opinions base on what the experts tell us. It all means jack squat 3 years from now. Just get the pick right please!

The only player in recent years that I was crossing my fingers for was Devin Hester… because I saw him score a gazillion TDs in college when he was a human highlight reel. When we got him, I nearly creamed in my pants.

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.

by SackMan on Apr 24, 2009 12:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I love this site

the different point of views is awesome!!! It is not a bunch of people saying what the experts say. lots of good opinions. and always something to talk about. glad I joined !

If you live in Chicago you are a bears fan, if you move from chicago you stay a bears fan, if you move to chicago you will be a bears fan.

by chi-town on Apr 24, 2009 12:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I just noticed this fanpost

So much of this will depend on where these guys end up. It’s tough to get a good feel on ranking them.

Crabtree – The most talented WR in the draft; I might be the only person not concerned about his foot.

Maclin – He would be even with Crabtree if I wasn’t so concerned he’d be going to 6 – 10, second place in the AFC West Oakland, the city soon to take over Chicago’s title of “Where receivers go to die.”

Heyward-Bey: !HOMER ALERT! Recent mock drafts have had this guy going to the Giants. That would be an exceptionally dangerous fit for the rest of the NFC. If he were to end up on a team with a not-so-good quarterback though, like the Jets or Vikings, he would rank below Hakeem Nicks.

Nicks – I like the Muhammed ceiling comparison made by tomas21. That would make him the best receiver we have, right? I personally feel there is a big dropoff after this guy.

Britt – What happened to this guy? It’s like Rutgers fell off the earth this past season. He still had a successful season, but I don’t know if he can be a #1 in the NFL. Certainly has the talent and past production to warrant a pick at #49. Part of me sees this guy vaulting up the draft boards and thinks of Jay Cutler somehow becoming a consensus top-15 pick despite doing nothing but lose in college, like the draft-hive-mind just decided “We need a 3rd quarterback” or in this case “We need another wide receiver to spice up the board”. So a team drafting him in the first round shouldn’t expect greatness.

Harvin – http://coldhardfootballfacts.com/Articles/11_2710_The_biggest_gamble_in_the_2009_draft.html – if that doesn’t turn on the red light, I’m not sure what to tell you. Seriously, that’s astounding. For an activity like this, that constitutes large sample size.

Insert clever and witty remark slash pun here!

UMD 8/04 - 5/08: Go Terps!

by ES46NE10 on Apr 25, 2009 6:48 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs