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Not since 1949 has the NFL conducted a draft without having a wide receiver or tight end selected in the first round.
The odds of that happening April 26 aren’t strong but, strange as it might be given the proliferation of passing at all levels of football, it’s a poor draft class at both positions.
“This is the worst wide-receiver draft I’ve seen in my life,” one grizzled personnel man exclaimed. “Name me a first-rounder other than Ridley?”
The favorite to be the first wideout picked certainly is Alabama’s Calvin Ridley, a lithe route runner who took over for departed Amari Cooper as a true freshman in 2015 and averaged 74.7 receptions per season in an NFL-preferred, pro-style offense.
In a poll of 14 scouts requesting them to name their top five wide receivers in order, Ridley drew 11 first-place votes to win going away.
Ridley’s 65 points (5 for a first, 4 for a second and so on) easily outpaced Maryland’s D.J. Moore (40 points), SMU’s Courtland Sutton (30, one first),
Texas A&M’s Christian Kirk (24, one first), Oklahoma State’s James Washington (20) and Memphis’ Anthony Miller (13, one).
Following, in order, were LSU’s D.J. Chark (eight), Washington’s Dante Pettis (seven) and UCLA’s Jordan Lasley (three).
“Ridley is the only one worthy of a first-round pick,” said another executive. “There’s nobody in the top 15. He’s not as good as Amari Cooper, but that type.”
Over the years, coaches and scouts have come to classify wide receivers as 1’s, 2’s, 3’s, 4’s and 5’s. Five scouts said Ridley shouldn’t be considered a No. 1 receiver.
“Every offensive coordinator would love him but he doesn’t have the dominant triangle numbers (height, weight, speed) to really be a top-tier guy like Calvin Johnson or Julio (Jones) or A.J. Green,” one scout said. “His size bothers me.”
Not only does Ridley (6-0 ½, 190) lack size, he worked out like a late-round draft choice at the combine. The vertical jump (31 inches) and the broad jump (9-2) were stunningly ordinary. According to one scout whose team throws all kind of current-historical data into a computer to gather positional rankings, Ridley fell somewhere in the 80’s at wide receiver this year.
Ridley wasn’t eligible for the Senior Bowl because of his status as an underclassman but his collegiate coach, Nick Saban, attended for a day. In an interview with NFL Network, it was interesting that Saban would choose to compare Ridley with a player that hasn’t been in uniform in a decade.
“He reminds me of like Keenan McCardell but probably with more speed,” said Saban. “He’ll make a lot of plays in the league.”
Saban was serving as defensive coordinator at Cleveland under Bill Belichick in the early 1990s when McCardell’s career slowly picked up steam. Drafted in the 12th round by Washington in 1991, McCardell forged a distinguished 16-year career with the Browns, Jaguars, Buccaneers, Chargers and Redskins.
The craftiest of route runners, McCardell ranks 23rd all-time in receptions (883) and 33rd in yards (11,373).
At the 1991 combine, McCardell (6-0, 175) ran 4.55 with a vertical of 36 ½ and a broad jump of 10-2.
As good as McCardell was, he was almost never the guy during his career. Someone like Jimmy Smith, Keyshawn Johnson or Antonio Gates was always there to attract coverage. His lone Pro Bowl selection came in 1996.
If Ridley’s career would play out comparable to McCardell’s, would his employer be satisfied?
Yes, probably, but would that team care to expend a first-round draft choice on what essentially was an exceptional possession receiver?
Given the disappointment that teams have experienced drafting wide receivers in the first rounds of the last three drafts, there appears to be growing sentiment that a wideout better be really good to get in Round 1.
“If he’s not a walk-in-the-door No. 1 why do you take a guy high in the first round?” one executive said. “They’re out of spread offenses mostly. They don’t know how to run a route. They don’t have the timing. They don’t know how to get off the press.”
A whole bunch of teams got fat at the position in 2014. All five of the first-round picks have been good to outstanding. In draft order, they were Sammy Watkins (192 catches for 3,052 yards), Mike Evans (309-4,579), Odell Beckham (313-4,424), Brandin Cooks (280-3,943) and Kelvin Benjamin (184-2,641).
That draft also included Marquise Lee (171-2,166), Jordan Matthews (250-2,955), Davante Adams (237-2,811), Allen Robinson (202-2,848) and Jarvis Landry (400-4,038) in the second round.
It also started a trend in which six wide receivers in 2015, four in ’16 and three in ’17 were drafted in the first round. Other than Cooper (203-2,903), who has made one Pro Bowl, one could say all the others haven’t done the job.
So far, the best producers have been Jamison Crowder (192-2,240) in the fourth round and Stefon Diggs (200-2,472) in the fifth round from 2015, Michael Thomas (196-2,382) in the second round and Tyreek Hill (136-1,776) in the fifth round from 2016, and JuJu Smith-Schuster (58-917) in the second round and Cooper Kupp (62-869) in the third round from 2017.
“Some people are anti-wide receiver as far as drafting them too high,” said one executive. “I’m starting to side with them. There are a lot of good receivers that haven’t been drafted in the first round.”
The last draft minus a wide receiver in the first round was a decade ago. That year, leading prospects such as Devin Thomas, James Hardy and Malcolm Kelly hurt themselves to varying degrees off the field. When it came to Draft Day, teams let the first round pass before taking 10 off the board in the second round.
In what was one of his greatest maneuvers as general manager of the Green Bay Packers, Ted Thompson traded down six slots to No. 36 and made Jordy Nelson the third wideout off the board behind Donnie Avery and Thomas.
There were busts galore in that second round, including Limas Sweed, Dexter Jackson, Jerome Simpson, Thomas, Hardy and Kelly.
From that entire draft, three wideouts stand out: Pierre Garcon (604-7,568) in the sixth round, DeSean Jackson (548-9,487) 13 slots after Nelson in the second, and Nelson (550-7,848).
Obviously, it always comes down to evaluators making the proper choice.
Not having a tight end in the first round has become a common occurrence in recent years. Three went off a year ago but there weren’t any in 2011, ’12, ’15 or ’16.
In the five drafts since 1949 in which there wasn’t a wide receiver in the first round there always was at least one tight end. That list included Dustin Keller (30th pick) in 2008, Eric Green (21) in 1990, Milt Morin (14) in 1966, Pat Richter (seven) and Tom Hutchinson (nine) in 1963 and Monty Stickles (11) in 1960.
Only in 1949, when the 25-round affair was conducted on Dec. 21, did the 11-man first round slip by without an end of any kind.
If Ridley and the other wideouts all fall out of the first, don’t expect one of the tight ends to jump in and save opening night for the receivers. Half a dozen scouts projected little or no chance for a tight end to make the first round.
“Nothing much to write home about,” said one personnel man. “This might be worse than the receivers, and they’re bad.”
The 14 scouts gave South Carolina’s Hayden Hurst 12 first-place votes compared to one apiece for Oklahoma’s Mark Andrews and Penn State’s Mike Gesicki.
Hurst, who totaled 68 points, was followed by South Dakota State’s Dallas Goedert (42), Andrews (39) and Gesicki (31).
Rounding out the vote were Central Florida’s Jordan Akins (nine), Wisconsin’s Troy Fumagalli (7 ½), Miami’s Chris Herndon (six), Indiana’s Ian Thomas (five), Stanford’s Dalton Schultz (two) and Central Michigan’s Tyler Conklin (one-half).
RANKING THE RECEIVERS
WIDE RECEIVERS
1. CALVIN RIDLEY, Alabama (6-0 ½, 190, 4.46, 1-2): Third-year junior from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. “Ultra quick, fluid, explosive route runner,” one scout said. “Can run the whole (route) tree. Has vertical speed and excellent hands. Polished player. Average size and strength.” Didn’t test well at the combine. “He’s not dynamic but he knows how to get open and get deep,” another scout said. “Very competitive player. He’s a No. 2 receiver, and on a top team he’s a No. 3. Little bit of an overachiever, too. Ridley has less of a bust factor because of his ability to play multiple spots.” Finished with 224 receptions for 2,781 yards (12.4-yard average) and 19 TDs. “He’s probably more mature than Amari (Cooper) but you’ll get the same level of player,” a third scout said. “But he has to be complemented with a bigger guy. Biggest thing is the size on 50-50 balls. He wasn’t a big 50-50 winner in college. He’s just not a big, explosive guy.” Scored 15 on the 50-question Wonderlic intelligence test. “He really bothers me because he’s slight,” said a fourth scout. “When people get their hands on him he can’t get off. Now he played with a guy (Jalen Hurts) that can’t pass. But late in the season they were throwing the ball to those freshman receivers.” In his last three games – the Iron Bowl against Auburn and two playoff games – he caught merely 11 for 109 (9.9).
2. D.J. MOORE, Maryland (6-0, 212, 4.45, 1-2): Third-year junior. “He earns your respect because he has excellent hands, he’s fast enough, he’s big enough and he’s a really good route runner,” one scout said. “Plus, he doubles as an effective punt returner.” According to one scout, Moore “went to the combine and became a star” with a WR-leading broad jump (11-0) and a vertical jump of 39 ½. “I didn’t think he’d run that well,” another scout said. “I thought he’d be 4.6. He’s a good little player. Good hands. I just thought he was really slow. You didn’t see a whole lot of quickness and speed. More of a third receiver, to be honest with you. Not nearly as good as Mohamed Sanu.” Handicapped by playing with four or five QBs in 2017 but still posted a 1,000-yard season. Finished with 146 receptions for 2,027 yards (13.9) and 17 TDs. “He can go deep and catch over the shoulder,” said a third scout. “He’s really good at that. He will go over the middle and go get the football. He snatches it out of the air. Off the film he looks like a 6-2 or 6-3 kid.” Matched Ridley’s score on the Wonderlic. From Philadelphia.
3. COURTLAND SUTTON, Southern Methodist (6-3 ½, 219, 4.54, 1-2): Fourth-year junior. “He’s like what came out last year with (Corey) Davis and (Mike) Williams,” one scout said. “Big, physical guy still learning the position. He really is. He was a free safety in high school. He can high-point balls. He’s a really good athlete. He’s just going to be one of those big X receivers. The back injury (in 2014) is a little bit of a concern, which is why I think you’ll see him fall. In his heyday in the NFL he’ll be a solid No. 2.” Finished with 195 receptions for 3,220 (16.5) and 31 TDs. “For a big man he can make the acrobatic catch, the athletic catch, the tough catch,” a second scout said. “You don’t think there won’t be people that will put him in the slot to challenge the safety. Holy (bleep). How would you like to be a safety and have to cover a 4.55 guy that’s 6-3? If you’re tall and won’t extend, then you might as well be 5-11. But this kid is tall and has made some unbelievable one-handed catches.” From Brenham, Texas. “He’s going to take a lot of work,” a third scout said. “He don’t know (bleep) about running routes. The best kid ever, probably. Great kid. Has great hands but not the toughest guy.”
4. CHRISTIAN KIRK, Texas A&M (5-10 ½, 202, 4.50, 2): Third-year junior. “He’s a winning-type player,” one scout said. “Does something after the catch because he has a real strong build down low. He’s got really good quickness and can gain separation easily on the inside. I see him stepping in Day 1 as a No. 3 slot receiver and being that for the next six, seven years. I like Kirk over Ridley.” Finished with 234 receptions for 2,856 yards (12.2) and 26 TDs. “He fits Tom Brady’s offense,” another scout said. “He wants somebody that can get down 10, 12 yards quick and then be alert. He’s courageous and gets up the field.” From Scottsdale, Ariz. One of the top three return specialists in the draft. “He is a slot but he’s not special,” a third scout said. “He’s just not as dynamic as you had hoped. He’s really raw. Pretty good hands. I thought he’d be a little better after the catch.”
5. JAMES WASHINGTON, Oklahoma State (5-11, 213, 4.53, 2-3): Three-year starter led FBS in receiving yards (1,549) as a senior, averaging 20.9. Can he keep winning deep in the NFL with 4.53 speed? “He’s got a chance,” said one scout. “I think I see Chris Chambers a little bit. I know he didn’t run as fast but he’s got good length (32 3/8-inch arms). He can track it. Plays faster than he ran. Good timing, leaping (vertical of 39). He’s not dynamic after the catch.” Finished with 226 receptions for 4,472 yards (19.8) and 39 TDs. “He’s a running back playing receiver,” said a second scout. “He’s a little tight. Can’t run routes.” Hails from Stamford, Texas. “In college, he used his body against a lot of people to get separation,” another scout said. “He’s not going to do that. They’re going to cover him up … blanket him in the NFL. It won’t translate. He can be a No. 4, or maybe a No. 3 on a bad team.”
6. ANTHONY MILLER, Memphis (5-11, 200, 4.54, 2-3): Compared by two scouts to the great Antonio Brown (5-10, 183, 4.53), who was the Steelers’ sixth-round pick in 2010. ”Very similar traits coming out,” said one. “Every quarterback in the league would love to have him. He’s a ready-made NFL slot guy. Maybe has the biggest chip on his shoulder of anybody. Hellacious football player. He may not burn up a 40 clock but he’s quick and extraordinarily intelligent. He is a great blocker … he won’t be a guy that goes outside and runs away from people on the vertical stuff. His game is inside. He understands leverage, route concepts, how to adjust. He’s cocky, but in a very likeable way.” Led the top seven WRs on the Wonderlic with 26. Walked on at Memphis, his hometown team. “Oh, man, that is a football-playing dude,” another scout said. “He’s not the biggest, not the fastest, but this guy knows how to play. Tough as nails. One of the best run-after-the-catch guys I have ever done. He’s a great second-round pick.” Finished with 238 receptions for 3,590 yards (15.1) and 37 TDs. “He’s just a good little football player,” a third scout said. “Small, slow. Just made play after play for them in that system. Just not a lot of pro up side.”
7. D.J. CHARK, Louisiana State (6-3, 198, 4.41, 2-3): Fastest of the top 10 WRs. “He’d run 9’s, speed posts, deep shots every play I can,” said one scout. “If you like the deep ball, or least a guy that can at least scare the (bleep) out of the safety, he will be that guy. He will bring it every time to the lid of the coverage. He can run all day. If you try to make him into a possession guy, that’s not what he is.” Soldiered through an ordinary career at LSU playing with inferior quarterbacks, and then turned in unimpressive practices at the Senior Bowl. Then he exploded for an MVP award in the Senior Bowl game (5-160-1) before notching a fast 40 plus a 40-inch vertical jump at the combine. “People always saw him as a straight-line guy who could run but never could get the ball consistently there,” another scout said. “He’s had a huge rise since the season.” Finished with 66 receptions for 1,351 (20.5) and six TDs. “His No. 1 asset is vertical speed,” a third scout said. “He’s got to work on his route running and his strength.” From Alexandria, La.
8. DANTE PETTIS, Washington (6-0 ½, 187, 4.54, 3): Great punt returner, averaged 14.2 and scored nine TDs. “He’s a better kick returner than he is a receiver,” said one scout. “He is quick, quicker than fast. They didn’t run him deep that much. He doesn’t excite you as a receiver. He excites you as a returner. He played the slot there. Inconsistent ball security.” Finished with 163 catches for 2,256 yards (13.8) and 24 TDs. Highest Wonderlic of the top 20 WRs (32). Managed just 11 reps on the bench press. From San Clemente, Calif.
9. MICHAEL GALLUP, Colorado State (6-1, 199, 4.49, 3): Poor grades sent him to junior college for two seasons. “Excellent speed and deep separation,” said one scout. “Thing I liked most about him was run after the catch. Blocking was the only thing I had against him.” Struggled academically in Fort Collins, and the ability to grasp an NFL offense might hold him back. Wonderlic of 14. “We had him in the (interview) room,” said another scout. “He may have the best hands in the draft but he can only play one position.” Finished with 176 receptions for 2,685 yards (15.3) and 21 TDs. “Inconsistent,” a third scout said. “Has pretty high-end traits. Needs a lot of route technique work. He’s a little bit rigid but has the size, the speed, the production and the strength that you want.” From Monroe, Ga.
10. TRE’QUAN SMITH, Central Florida (6-2, 202, 4.51, 3-4): Fourth-year junior with the longest arms (33 3/8) of the leading WRs. “He started off a little slow but he’s not a sleeper anymore,” said one scout. “He ran like a scalded dog. He’ll catch in the middle and he will block. He may have been the best blocking wide receiver I saw. He’ll be there in the third day because nobody’s talking about him but will end up being a good, solid player.” Finished with 168 receptions for 2,748 yards (16.4) and 22 TDs. “Strong, physical,” a second scout said. “He’s a windup speed guy. Excellent downfield blocker. They used him more as a possession receiver. He was not the primary. No. 5 (Dredrick Snelson) was. He’s a nice project.” From Delray Beach, Fla.
11. DEON CAIN, Clemson (6-2, 206, no 40, 3-4): Pressed into duty as a true freshman in 2015 when future first-round pick Mike Williams was injured. He delivered on exceptional offenses quarterbacked by Deshaun Watson. Third-year junior. “He’s a straight-line vertical type receiver if you want to categorize him as something,” said one scout. “He has some potential. Obviously, he would have been better served to have come back for another year. His value will be depressed. Probably about a third-rounder. He’d go higher next year. He can run and push the top off a defense. He’s a legitimate flyer.” Finished with 130 receptions for 2,040 (15.7) and 20 TDs. “Fourth-rounder,” a second scout said. “That (run fast) is all he can do.” From Tampa.
12. DaeSEAN HAMILTON, Penn State (6-0 ½, 203, 4.54, 4): Crafty route runner excelled in Senior Bowl practices. “He’s not a tester but he is a good player,” one scout said. “He’s not going to run away from you or out-size you. But somehow, some way he gets open and he catches the ball. As far as I know, that’s how you play wide receiver. He was one of the better guys at the Senior Bowl. He really knows how to play.” Broke the Nittany Lions’ school record for receptions (214) and wound up second in yards (2,842). Averaged 13.3 and scored 18 TDs. “I was surprised he ran that fast at pro day,” said a second scout. “He just can’t get away from press and tight coverage, but he catches the (bleep) out of the ball.” Wonderlic of 27. From Fredericksburg, Va.
OTHERS: Equanimeous St. Brown, Notre Dame; Keke Coutee, Texas Tech; Daurice Fountain, Northern Iowa; Cedric Wilson, Boise State; J’Mon Moore, Missouri; Dylan Cantrell, Texas Tech; Marcel Ateman, Oklahoma State; Deontay Burnett, Southern California; Damion Ratley, Texas A&M; Jordan Lasley, UCLA; Justin Watson, Penn; Allen Lazard, Iowa State; Jester Weah, Pittsburgh; Antonio Callaway, ex-Florida; Auden Tate, Florida State; Braxton Berrios, Miami; Trey Quinn, Southern Methodist; Jaleel Scott, New Mexico; Simmie Cobbs, Indiana.
TIGHT ENDS
1. HAYDEN HURST, South Carolina (6-4 ½, 250, 4.64, 1-2): Spent 2013 as a minor-league pitcher for the Pirates before the “yips” sent him to the outfield for a second season. Returned to football as a walk-on in 2014 and redshirted. Toiled on special teams in 2015 before becoming a two-year starter. “He’ll be 25 starting this year (Aug. 24),” one scout said. “You’ll get seven years out of him. You get seven years out of somebody, that’s a pretty good player. Reminds me of Greg Olsen. He’s quicker and more maneuverable than (Mike) Gesicki.” Declared a year early. “He’s not the type of athlete where you sit there and go, ‘He is my No. 1 option on offense,’” another scout said. “He’s got to be your No. 3 or No. 4 option on offense. He can be your No. 1 tight end. His blocking game is still coming around. He does have all the intangibles for the position. He’s still just learning the game.” Finished with 100 receptions for 1,281 yards (12.8) and three TDs. “He’s OK,” a third scout said. “Not great speed. Good size. Doesn’t block. He can get open in the scheme but he’s not a threat.” Wonderlic of 21. From Jacksonville, Fla.
2. DALLAS GOEDERT, South Dakota State (6-4 ½, 255, 4.68, 1-2): Played nine-man football in Britton, S.D., before walking on. “He’s got some Jason Witten-like qualities,” said one scout. “People think of Witten now as an annual Pro Bowler but he slipped in the draft (third round, 2003). Goedert has the size, the athletic body control, the hands. He’ll improve as a blocker.” The most complete tight end in the draft, according to another scout. “Small-school product with immense size and soft hands,” a third scout said. “He’ll have to learn how to block more and be more explosive. He can go vertical. He’s going to have to learn to take the next jump to the pros but he’s got a lot to work with.” Wonderlic of 34, improving nine points from his first attempt. “I’m sure he can get better than he is (blocking) but he doesn’t have much interest in it,” a fourth scout said. “He’s got a brain where he should be able to block.” Finished with 198 catches for 2,988 yards (15.1) and 21 TDs.
3. MARK ANDREWS, Oklahoma (6-5, 254, 4.67, 2): Fourth-year junior. ”He’s real solid,” one scout said. “He’s one of those good No. 2 type tight ends. He blocks well enough. He catches the easy passes. He’s a chain mover. He’s not a stretch-the-field guy. He’ll play a lot.” Two-year starter with 112 receptions for 1,765 yards (15.8) and 22 TDs playing primarily detached from the formation in the Baker Mayfield offense. Said a second scout: “I like him because he can catch it.” From Scottsdale, Ariz. “Excellent receiver,” a third scout said. “He has size and knows how to position his body. Catches the ball well. He wouldn’t block me.”
4. MIKE GESICKI, Penn State (6-5 ½, 251, 4.57, 2-3): One of the main stars at the combine. Led TEs in the 40, vertical jump (41 ½), broad jump (10-9), short shuttle (4.10) and 3-cone (6.76). His arms (34 1/8) also were the longest at the position. “He’s the intriguing one after the workout but I didn’t like him that much on film because he was a strider,” said one scout. “He’s been a volleyball player. In high school he did everything. Hell of an athlete. He won’t block anybody. He’s that new type tight end.” Earned 12 letters in football, basketball and volleyball at Southern Regional High in Manahawkin, N.J. Scored 1,867 points in basketball and won the state dunk contest in 2014. “He has vertical catching ability but isn’t a very good route runner,” a second scout said. “Doesn’t block. Kind of a one-trick pony. Jump-ball guy.” Finished with 129 receptions for 1,481 yards (11.5) and 15 TDs. “I do not like this player,” a third scout said. “He’s a really good receiver that’s allergic to blocking. But it’s a passing league.”
5. JORDAN AKINS, Central Florida (6-3, 250, no 40, 3-4): Played four seasons as an outfielder as a third-round draft choice of the Texas Rangers, never advancing beyond Class A ball. Enrolled at UCF, backing up at WR and returning kickoffs in 2014 before his 2015 season was cut short by a knee injury. Moved to TE in 2016 and started 19 of 25 games over two years. “He’s got the most up side of the group,” said one scout. Fourth-year junior turned 26 Thursday. Knee injury prevented him from running the 40 at the combine; a hamstring stopped him at pro day. “I don’t think he can run,” one scout said. “He doesn’t play fast and he doesn’t play hard. He has good hands but nothing special. He won’t block. He won’t hit the floor if he fell out of bed. He’s an undersized guy so you’ve got to be able to at least wham block or stalk block. He wouldn’t do anything. He’s just a big target that has pretty good hands. Not a very good football player.” Finished with 81 receptions for 1,149 yards (14.8) and eight TDs. “He kind of just came on the scene,” said another scout. “Did some nice things at the Senior Bowl. Made some nice catches. He’s athletic.” Wonderlic of 15 was the lowest of the top 10 TEs. From Atlanta.
6. CHRIS HERNDON, Miami (6-3 ½, 251, no 40, 4): Underwent surgery in November for MCL damage so scouts won’t have a 40 time. “Still developing,” said one scout. “He’s got big-time up side. He can develop and do both (block and catch). He can be a starter eventually.” Rotated with David Njoku in 2015-’16 before taking over in ’17. Finished with 86 receptions for 1,048 yards (12.2) and seven TDs. “He’s an H-back type,” said another scout. “Looks like he can run.” From Norcross, Ga.
7. IAN THOMAS, Indiana (6-3 ½, 258, 4.76, 4-5): Played two years in junior college, hardly played for the Hoosiers in 2016 before starting 10 games in ’17. “Has not played a lot of football,” said one scout. “A good move guy. Very good athlete. He’s going to shine as a receiver first. He can be a matchup problem for linebackers. He will block. He has improved his strength. He’s tough. He’s been through a lot in his life to get to where he is. He has proven he can overcome adversity.” From Baltimore. “He’s got some intrigue about him because he’s got size, athleticism and growth,” a second scout said. “He could be top 50.” Caught 28 passes for 404 (14.4) and five TDs.
8. DALTON SCHULTZ, Stanford (6-5 ½, 244, 4.81, 5): Fourth-year junior, two-year starter. “He’s not flashy but he just does his job basically,” said one scout. “He’s not overpowering or anything. Above average to average in everything. He’s not in the class of those other big-time Stanford tight ends. If he’s a starter I’d be surprised.” Caught 55 passes for 555 yards (10.0) and five TDs. “Scrappy jack of all trades, master of none,” said another scout. “Kind of a poor man’s Rhett Ellison. Probably a better blocker than he is a pass catcher. Not explosive. They don’t feature him at all. He’s a better athlete than what he shows.” From South Jordan, Utah. Wonderlic of 32.
OTHERS: Will Dissly, Washington; Troy Fumagalli, Wisconsin; Deon Yelder, Western Kentucky; Tyler Conklin, Central Michigan; Durham Smythe, Notre Dame; Jordan Thomas, Mississippi State; Ryan Izzo, Florida State; David Wells, San Diego State; Nick Keizer, Grand Valley State;
Ethan Wolf, Tennessee.
THE SKINNY
UNSUNG HERO
Will Dissly, TE, Washington: A consensus choice as the best blocking tight end in the draft. “Somebody will take him late because he’s a blocking fool,” said one scout. “There’s no ‘Y’s’ (conventional tight ends) anymore. Everybody plays the spread.” Shifted from DE to TE late in the 2015 season. Adequate size (6-3 ½, 261), below-average speed (4.88) and 35 on the Wonderlic.
SCOUTS’ NIGHTMARE
Jordan Lasley, WR, UCLA: Fourth-year junior with 110 receptions for a 17.1 average and 14 TDs in 20 games (12 starts) the past two seasons. “He probably made more big plays than any receiver I saw this year,” said one scout. ”He’s a basket case, though.” Lasley (6-1, 204, 4.52) was suspended multiple times for various violations of team policy. “He’s got a lot of off-the field problems,” said the scout.
PACKERS’ PICK TO REMEMBER
Clyde Goodnight, E, Tulsa: Third-round pick in 1945, Don Hutson’s final season. In ’46, Goodnight (6-1, 195) and fellow Tulsa alum Nolan Luhn shared the team lead in receptions with 16. He improved to a career-best 38 in ’47, four behind Luhn, before leading again in ’48 with 28. Playing most of 1949-’50 with Washington, Goodnight finished with 112 receptions for 1,967 yards (17.6) and 15 TDs.
QUOTE TO NOTE
NFL scout: “We don’t pay much attention to pro-day times. At the combine we know it’s legit because they’re tested. Strength coaches say there are things you can take to make you faster on one day.”
The odds of that happening April 26 aren’t strong but, strange as it might be given the proliferation of passing at all levels of football, it’s a poor draft class at both positions.
“This is the worst wide-receiver draft I’ve seen in my life,” one grizzled personnel man exclaimed. “Name me a first-rounder other than Ridley?”
The favorite to be the first wideout picked certainly is Alabama’s Calvin Ridley, a lithe route runner who took over for departed Amari Cooper as a true freshman in 2015 and averaged 74.7 receptions per season in an NFL-preferred, pro-style offense.
In a poll of 14 scouts requesting them to name their top five wide receivers in order, Ridley drew 11 first-place votes to win going away.
Ridley’s 65 points (5 for a first, 4 for a second and so on) easily outpaced Maryland’s D.J. Moore (40 points), SMU’s Courtland Sutton (30, one first),
Texas A&M’s Christian Kirk (24, one first), Oklahoma State’s James Washington (20) and Memphis’ Anthony Miller (13, one).
Following, in order, were LSU’s D.J. Chark (eight), Washington’s Dante Pettis (seven) and UCLA’s Jordan Lasley (three).
“Ridley is the only one worthy of a first-round pick,” said another executive. “There’s nobody in the top 15. He’s not as good as Amari Cooper, but that type.”
Over the years, coaches and scouts have come to classify wide receivers as 1’s, 2’s, 3’s, 4’s and 5’s. Five scouts said Ridley shouldn’t be considered a No. 1 receiver.
“Every offensive coordinator would love him but he doesn’t have the dominant triangle numbers (height, weight, speed) to really be a top-tier guy like Calvin Johnson or Julio (Jones) or A.J. Green,” one scout said. “His size bothers me.”
Not only does Ridley (6-0 ½, 190) lack size, he worked out like a late-round draft choice at the combine. The vertical jump (31 inches) and the broad jump (9-2) were stunningly ordinary. According to one scout whose team throws all kind of current-historical data into a computer to gather positional rankings, Ridley fell somewhere in the 80’s at wide receiver this year.
Ridley wasn’t eligible for the Senior Bowl because of his status as an underclassman but his collegiate coach, Nick Saban, attended for a day. In an interview with NFL Network, it was interesting that Saban would choose to compare Ridley with a player that hasn’t been in uniform in a decade.
“He reminds me of like Keenan McCardell but probably with more speed,” said Saban. “He’ll make a lot of plays in the league.”
Saban was serving as defensive coordinator at Cleveland under Bill Belichick in the early 1990s when McCardell’s career slowly picked up steam. Drafted in the 12th round by Washington in 1991, McCardell forged a distinguished 16-year career with the Browns, Jaguars, Buccaneers, Chargers and Redskins.
The craftiest of route runners, McCardell ranks 23rd all-time in receptions (883) and 33rd in yards (11,373).
At the 1991 combine, McCardell (6-0, 175) ran 4.55 with a vertical of 36 ½ and a broad jump of 10-2.
As good as McCardell was, he was almost never the guy during his career. Someone like Jimmy Smith, Keyshawn Johnson or Antonio Gates was always there to attract coverage. His lone Pro Bowl selection came in 1996.
If Ridley’s career would play out comparable to McCardell’s, would his employer be satisfied?
Yes, probably, but would that team care to expend a first-round draft choice on what essentially was an exceptional possession receiver?
Given the disappointment that teams have experienced drafting wide receivers in the first rounds of the last three drafts, there appears to be growing sentiment that a wideout better be really good to get in Round 1.
“If he’s not a walk-in-the-door No. 1 why do you take a guy high in the first round?” one executive said. “They’re out of spread offenses mostly. They don’t know how to run a route. They don’t have the timing. They don’t know how to get off the press.”
A whole bunch of teams got fat at the position in 2014. All five of the first-round picks have been good to outstanding. In draft order, they were Sammy Watkins (192 catches for 3,052 yards), Mike Evans (309-4,579), Odell Beckham (313-4,424), Brandin Cooks (280-3,943) and Kelvin Benjamin (184-2,641).
That draft also included Marquise Lee (171-2,166), Jordan Matthews (250-2,955), Davante Adams (237-2,811), Allen Robinson (202-2,848) and Jarvis Landry (400-4,038) in the second round.
It also started a trend in which six wide receivers in 2015, four in ’16 and three in ’17 were drafted in the first round. Other than Cooper (203-2,903), who has made one Pro Bowl, one could say all the others haven’t done the job.
So far, the best producers have been Jamison Crowder (192-2,240) in the fourth round and Stefon Diggs (200-2,472) in the fifth round from 2015, Michael Thomas (196-2,382) in the second round and Tyreek Hill (136-1,776) in the fifth round from 2016, and JuJu Smith-Schuster (58-917) in the second round and Cooper Kupp (62-869) in the third round from 2017.
“Some people are anti-wide receiver as far as drafting them too high,” said one executive. “I’m starting to side with them. There are a lot of good receivers that haven’t been drafted in the first round.”
The last draft minus a wide receiver in the first round was a decade ago. That year, leading prospects such as Devin Thomas, James Hardy and Malcolm Kelly hurt themselves to varying degrees off the field. When it came to Draft Day, teams let the first round pass before taking 10 off the board in the second round.
In what was one of his greatest maneuvers as general manager of the Green Bay Packers, Ted Thompson traded down six slots to No. 36 and made Jordy Nelson the third wideout off the board behind Donnie Avery and Thomas.
There were busts galore in that second round, including Limas Sweed, Dexter Jackson, Jerome Simpson, Thomas, Hardy and Kelly.
From that entire draft, three wideouts stand out: Pierre Garcon (604-7,568) in the sixth round, DeSean Jackson (548-9,487) 13 slots after Nelson in the second, and Nelson (550-7,848).
Obviously, it always comes down to evaluators making the proper choice.
Not having a tight end in the first round has become a common occurrence in recent years. Three went off a year ago but there weren’t any in 2011, ’12, ’15 or ’16.
In the five drafts since 1949 in which there wasn’t a wide receiver in the first round there always was at least one tight end. That list included Dustin Keller (30th pick) in 2008, Eric Green (21) in 1990, Milt Morin (14) in 1966, Pat Richter (seven) and Tom Hutchinson (nine) in 1963 and Monty Stickles (11) in 1960.
Only in 1949, when the 25-round affair was conducted on Dec. 21, did the 11-man first round slip by without an end of any kind.
If Ridley and the other wideouts all fall out of the first, don’t expect one of the tight ends to jump in and save opening night for the receivers. Half a dozen scouts projected little or no chance for a tight end to make the first round.
“Nothing much to write home about,” said one personnel man. “This might be worse than the receivers, and they’re bad.”
The 14 scouts gave South Carolina’s Hayden Hurst 12 first-place votes compared to one apiece for Oklahoma’s Mark Andrews and Penn State’s Mike Gesicki.
Hurst, who totaled 68 points, was followed by South Dakota State’s Dallas Goedert (42), Andrews (39) and Gesicki (31).
Rounding out the vote were Central Florida’s Jordan Akins (nine), Wisconsin’s Troy Fumagalli (7 ½), Miami’s Chris Herndon (six), Indiana’s Ian Thomas (five), Stanford’s Dalton Schultz (two) and Central Michigan’s Tyler Conklin (one-half).
RANKING THE RECEIVERS
WIDE RECEIVERS
1. CALVIN RIDLEY, Alabama (6-0 ½, 190, 4.46, 1-2): Third-year junior from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. “Ultra quick, fluid, explosive route runner,” one scout said. “Can run the whole (route) tree. Has vertical speed and excellent hands. Polished player. Average size and strength.” Didn’t test well at the combine. “He’s not dynamic but he knows how to get open and get deep,” another scout said. “Very competitive player. He’s a No. 2 receiver, and on a top team he’s a No. 3. Little bit of an overachiever, too. Ridley has less of a bust factor because of his ability to play multiple spots.” Finished with 224 receptions for 2,781 yards (12.4-yard average) and 19 TDs. “He’s probably more mature than Amari (Cooper) but you’ll get the same level of player,” a third scout said. “But he has to be complemented with a bigger guy. Biggest thing is the size on 50-50 balls. He wasn’t a big 50-50 winner in college. He’s just not a big, explosive guy.” Scored 15 on the 50-question Wonderlic intelligence test. “He really bothers me because he’s slight,” said a fourth scout. “When people get their hands on him he can’t get off. Now he played with a guy (Jalen Hurts) that can’t pass. But late in the season they were throwing the ball to those freshman receivers.” In his last three games – the Iron Bowl against Auburn and two playoff games – he caught merely 11 for 109 (9.9).
2. D.J. MOORE, Maryland (6-0, 212, 4.45, 1-2): Third-year junior. “He earns your respect because he has excellent hands, he’s fast enough, he’s big enough and he’s a really good route runner,” one scout said. “Plus, he doubles as an effective punt returner.” According to one scout, Moore “went to the combine and became a star” with a WR-leading broad jump (11-0) and a vertical jump of 39 ½. “I didn’t think he’d run that well,” another scout said. “I thought he’d be 4.6. He’s a good little player. Good hands. I just thought he was really slow. You didn’t see a whole lot of quickness and speed. More of a third receiver, to be honest with you. Not nearly as good as Mohamed Sanu.” Handicapped by playing with four or five QBs in 2017 but still posted a 1,000-yard season. Finished with 146 receptions for 2,027 yards (13.9) and 17 TDs. “He can go deep and catch over the shoulder,” said a third scout. “He’s really good at that. He will go over the middle and go get the football. He snatches it out of the air. Off the film he looks like a 6-2 or 6-3 kid.” Matched Ridley’s score on the Wonderlic. From Philadelphia.
3. COURTLAND SUTTON, Southern Methodist (6-3 ½, 219, 4.54, 1-2): Fourth-year junior. “He’s like what came out last year with (Corey) Davis and (Mike) Williams,” one scout said. “Big, physical guy still learning the position. He really is. He was a free safety in high school. He can high-point balls. He’s a really good athlete. He’s just going to be one of those big X receivers. The back injury (in 2014) is a little bit of a concern, which is why I think you’ll see him fall. In his heyday in the NFL he’ll be a solid No. 2.” Finished with 195 receptions for 3,220 (16.5) and 31 TDs. “For a big man he can make the acrobatic catch, the athletic catch, the tough catch,” a second scout said. “You don’t think there won’t be people that will put him in the slot to challenge the safety. Holy (bleep). How would you like to be a safety and have to cover a 4.55 guy that’s 6-3? If you’re tall and won’t extend, then you might as well be 5-11. But this kid is tall and has made some unbelievable one-handed catches.” From Brenham, Texas. “He’s going to take a lot of work,” a third scout said. “He don’t know (bleep) about running routes. The best kid ever, probably. Great kid. Has great hands but not the toughest guy.”
4. CHRISTIAN KIRK, Texas A&M (5-10 ½, 202, 4.50, 2): Third-year junior. “He’s a winning-type player,” one scout said. “Does something after the catch because he has a real strong build down low. He’s got really good quickness and can gain separation easily on the inside. I see him stepping in Day 1 as a No. 3 slot receiver and being that for the next six, seven years. I like Kirk over Ridley.” Finished with 234 receptions for 2,856 yards (12.2) and 26 TDs. “He fits Tom Brady’s offense,” another scout said. “He wants somebody that can get down 10, 12 yards quick and then be alert. He’s courageous and gets up the field.” From Scottsdale, Ariz. One of the top three return specialists in the draft. “He is a slot but he’s not special,” a third scout said. “He’s just not as dynamic as you had hoped. He’s really raw. Pretty good hands. I thought he’d be a little better after the catch.”
5. JAMES WASHINGTON, Oklahoma State (5-11, 213, 4.53, 2-3): Three-year starter led FBS in receiving yards (1,549) as a senior, averaging 20.9. Can he keep winning deep in the NFL with 4.53 speed? “He’s got a chance,” said one scout. “I think I see Chris Chambers a little bit. I know he didn’t run as fast but he’s got good length (32 3/8-inch arms). He can track it. Plays faster than he ran. Good timing, leaping (vertical of 39). He’s not dynamic after the catch.” Finished with 226 receptions for 4,472 yards (19.8) and 39 TDs. “He’s a running back playing receiver,” said a second scout. “He’s a little tight. Can’t run routes.” Hails from Stamford, Texas. “In college, he used his body against a lot of people to get separation,” another scout said. “He’s not going to do that. They’re going to cover him up … blanket him in the NFL. It won’t translate. He can be a No. 4, or maybe a No. 3 on a bad team.”
6. ANTHONY MILLER, Memphis (5-11, 200, 4.54, 2-3): Compared by two scouts to the great Antonio Brown (5-10, 183, 4.53), who was the Steelers’ sixth-round pick in 2010. ”Very similar traits coming out,” said one. “Every quarterback in the league would love to have him. He’s a ready-made NFL slot guy. Maybe has the biggest chip on his shoulder of anybody. Hellacious football player. He may not burn up a 40 clock but he’s quick and extraordinarily intelligent. He is a great blocker … he won’t be a guy that goes outside and runs away from people on the vertical stuff. His game is inside. He understands leverage, route concepts, how to adjust. He’s cocky, but in a very likeable way.” Led the top seven WRs on the Wonderlic with 26. Walked on at Memphis, his hometown team. “Oh, man, that is a football-playing dude,” another scout said. “He’s not the biggest, not the fastest, but this guy knows how to play. Tough as nails. One of the best run-after-the-catch guys I have ever done. He’s a great second-round pick.” Finished with 238 receptions for 3,590 yards (15.1) and 37 TDs. “He’s just a good little football player,” a third scout said. “Small, slow. Just made play after play for them in that system. Just not a lot of pro up side.”
7. D.J. CHARK, Louisiana State (6-3, 198, 4.41, 2-3): Fastest of the top 10 WRs. “He’d run 9’s, speed posts, deep shots every play I can,” said one scout. “If you like the deep ball, or least a guy that can at least scare the (bleep) out of the safety, he will be that guy. He will bring it every time to the lid of the coverage. He can run all day. If you try to make him into a possession guy, that’s not what he is.” Soldiered through an ordinary career at LSU playing with inferior quarterbacks, and then turned in unimpressive practices at the Senior Bowl. Then he exploded for an MVP award in the Senior Bowl game (5-160-1) before notching a fast 40 plus a 40-inch vertical jump at the combine. “People always saw him as a straight-line guy who could run but never could get the ball consistently there,” another scout said. “He’s had a huge rise since the season.” Finished with 66 receptions for 1,351 (20.5) and six TDs. “His No. 1 asset is vertical speed,” a third scout said. “He’s got to work on his route running and his strength.” From Alexandria, La.
8. DANTE PETTIS, Washington (6-0 ½, 187, 4.54, 3): Great punt returner, averaged 14.2 and scored nine TDs. “He’s a better kick returner than he is a receiver,” said one scout. “He is quick, quicker than fast. They didn’t run him deep that much. He doesn’t excite you as a receiver. He excites you as a returner. He played the slot there. Inconsistent ball security.” Finished with 163 catches for 2,256 yards (13.8) and 24 TDs. Highest Wonderlic of the top 20 WRs (32). Managed just 11 reps on the bench press. From San Clemente, Calif.
9. MICHAEL GALLUP, Colorado State (6-1, 199, 4.49, 3): Poor grades sent him to junior college for two seasons. “Excellent speed and deep separation,” said one scout. “Thing I liked most about him was run after the catch. Blocking was the only thing I had against him.” Struggled academically in Fort Collins, and the ability to grasp an NFL offense might hold him back. Wonderlic of 14. “We had him in the (interview) room,” said another scout. “He may have the best hands in the draft but he can only play one position.” Finished with 176 receptions for 2,685 yards (15.3) and 21 TDs. “Inconsistent,” a third scout said. “Has pretty high-end traits. Needs a lot of route technique work. He’s a little bit rigid but has the size, the speed, the production and the strength that you want.” From Monroe, Ga.
10. TRE’QUAN SMITH, Central Florida (6-2, 202, 4.51, 3-4): Fourth-year junior with the longest arms (33 3/8) of the leading WRs. “He started off a little slow but he’s not a sleeper anymore,” said one scout. “He ran like a scalded dog. He’ll catch in the middle and he will block. He may have been the best blocking wide receiver I saw. He’ll be there in the third day because nobody’s talking about him but will end up being a good, solid player.” Finished with 168 receptions for 2,748 yards (16.4) and 22 TDs. “Strong, physical,” a second scout said. “He’s a windup speed guy. Excellent downfield blocker. They used him more as a possession receiver. He was not the primary. No. 5 (Dredrick Snelson) was. He’s a nice project.” From Delray Beach, Fla.
11. DEON CAIN, Clemson (6-2, 206, no 40, 3-4): Pressed into duty as a true freshman in 2015 when future first-round pick Mike Williams was injured. He delivered on exceptional offenses quarterbacked by Deshaun Watson. Third-year junior. “He’s a straight-line vertical type receiver if you want to categorize him as something,” said one scout. “He has some potential. Obviously, he would have been better served to have come back for another year. His value will be depressed. Probably about a third-rounder. He’d go higher next year. He can run and push the top off a defense. He’s a legitimate flyer.” Finished with 130 receptions for 2,040 (15.7) and 20 TDs. “Fourth-rounder,” a second scout said. “That (run fast) is all he can do.” From Tampa.
12. DaeSEAN HAMILTON, Penn State (6-0 ½, 203, 4.54, 4): Crafty route runner excelled in Senior Bowl practices. “He’s not a tester but he is a good player,” one scout said. “He’s not going to run away from you or out-size you. But somehow, some way he gets open and he catches the ball. As far as I know, that’s how you play wide receiver. He was one of the better guys at the Senior Bowl. He really knows how to play.” Broke the Nittany Lions’ school record for receptions (214) and wound up second in yards (2,842). Averaged 13.3 and scored 18 TDs. “I was surprised he ran that fast at pro day,” said a second scout. “He just can’t get away from press and tight coverage, but he catches the (bleep) out of the ball.” Wonderlic of 27. From Fredericksburg, Va.
OTHERS: Equanimeous St. Brown, Notre Dame; Keke Coutee, Texas Tech; Daurice Fountain, Northern Iowa; Cedric Wilson, Boise State; J’Mon Moore, Missouri; Dylan Cantrell, Texas Tech; Marcel Ateman, Oklahoma State; Deontay Burnett, Southern California; Damion Ratley, Texas A&M; Jordan Lasley, UCLA; Justin Watson, Penn; Allen Lazard, Iowa State; Jester Weah, Pittsburgh; Antonio Callaway, ex-Florida; Auden Tate, Florida State; Braxton Berrios, Miami; Trey Quinn, Southern Methodist; Jaleel Scott, New Mexico; Simmie Cobbs, Indiana.
TIGHT ENDS
1. HAYDEN HURST, South Carolina (6-4 ½, 250, 4.64, 1-2): Spent 2013 as a minor-league pitcher for the Pirates before the “yips” sent him to the outfield for a second season. Returned to football as a walk-on in 2014 and redshirted. Toiled on special teams in 2015 before becoming a two-year starter. “He’ll be 25 starting this year (Aug. 24),” one scout said. “You’ll get seven years out of him. You get seven years out of somebody, that’s a pretty good player. Reminds me of Greg Olsen. He’s quicker and more maneuverable than (Mike) Gesicki.” Declared a year early. “He’s not the type of athlete where you sit there and go, ‘He is my No. 1 option on offense,’” another scout said. “He’s got to be your No. 3 or No. 4 option on offense. He can be your No. 1 tight end. His blocking game is still coming around. He does have all the intangibles for the position. He’s still just learning the game.” Finished with 100 receptions for 1,281 yards (12.8) and three TDs. “He’s OK,” a third scout said. “Not great speed. Good size. Doesn’t block. He can get open in the scheme but he’s not a threat.” Wonderlic of 21. From Jacksonville, Fla.
2. DALLAS GOEDERT, South Dakota State (6-4 ½, 255, 4.68, 1-2): Played nine-man football in Britton, S.D., before walking on. “He’s got some Jason Witten-like qualities,” said one scout. “People think of Witten now as an annual Pro Bowler but he slipped in the draft (third round, 2003). Goedert has the size, the athletic body control, the hands. He’ll improve as a blocker.” The most complete tight end in the draft, according to another scout. “Small-school product with immense size and soft hands,” a third scout said. “He’ll have to learn how to block more and be more explosive. He can go vertical. He’s going to have to learn to take the next jump to the pros but he’s got a lot to work with.” Wonderlic of 34, improving nine points from his first attempt. “I’m sure he can get better than he is (blocking) but he doesn’t have much interest in it,” a fourth scout said. “He’s got a brain where he should be able to block.” Finished with 198 catches for 2,988 yards (15.1) and 21 TDs.
3. MARK ANDREWS, Oklahoma (6-5, 254, 4.67, 2): Fourth-year junior. ”He’s real solid,” one scout said. “He’s one of those good No. 2 type tight ends. He blocks well enough. He catches the easy passes. He’s a chain mover. He’s not a stretch-the-field guy. He’ll play a lot.” Two-year starter with 112 receptions for 1,765 yards (15.8) and 22 TDs playing primarily detached from the formation in the Baker Mayfield offense. Said a second scout: “I like him because he can catch it.” From Scottsdale, Ariz. “Excellent receiver,” a third scout said. “He has size and knows how to position his body. Catches the ball well. He wouldn’t block me.”
4. MIKE GESICKI, Penn State (6-5 ½, 251, 4.57, 2-3): One of the main stars at the combine. Led TEs in the 40, vertical jump (41 ½), broad jump (10-9), short shuttle (4.10) and 3-cone (6.76). His arms (34 1/8) also were the longest at the position. “He’s the intriguing one after the workout but I didn’t like him that much on film because he was a strider,” said one scout. “He’s been a volleyball player. In high school he did everything. Hell of an athlete. He won’t block anybody. He’s that new type tight end.” Earned 12 letters in football, basketball and volleyball at Southern Regional High in Manahawkin, N.J. Scored 1,867 points in basketball and won the state dunk contest in 2014. “He has vertical catching ability but isn’t a very good route runner,” a second scout said. “Doesn’t block. Kind of a one-trick pony. Jump-ball guy.” Finished with 129 receptions for 1,481 yards (11.5) and 15 TDs. “I do not like this player,” a third scout said. “He’s a really good receiver that’s allergic to blocking. But it’s a passing league.”
5. JORDAN AKINS, Central Florida (6-3, 250, no 40, 3-4): Played four seasons as an outfielder as a third-round draft choice of the Texas Rangers, never advancing beyond Class A ball. Enrolled at UCF, backing up at WR and returning kickoffs in 2014 before his 2015 season was cut short by a knee injury. Moved to TE in 2016 and started 19 of 25 games over two years. “He’s got the most up side of the group,” said one scout. Fourth-year junior turned 26 Thursday. Knee injury prevented him from running the 40 at the combine; a hamstring stopped him at pro day. “I don’t think he can run,” one scout said. “He doesn’t play fast and he doesn’t play hard. He has good hands but nothing special. He won’t block. He won’t hit the floor if he fell out of bed. He’s an undersized guy so you’ve got to be able to at least wham block or stalk block. He wouldn’t do anything. He’s just a big target that has pretty good hands. Not a very good football player.” Finished with 81 receptions for 1,149 yards (14.8) and eight TDs. “He kind of just came on the scene,” said another scout. “Did some nice things at the Senior Bowl. Made some nice catches. He’s athletic.” Wonderlic of 15 was the lowest of the top 10 TEs. From Atlanta.
6. CHRIS HERNDON, Miami (6-3 ½, 251, no 40, 4): Underwent surgery in November for MCL damage so scouts won’t have a 40 time. “Still developing,” said one scout. “He’s got big-time up side. He can develop and do both (block and catch). He can be a starter eventually.” Rotated with David Njoku in 2015-’16 before taking over in ’17. Finished with 86 receptions for 1,048 yards (12.2) and seven TDs. “He’s an H-back type,” said another scout. “Looks like he can run.” From Norcross, Ga.
7. IAN THOMAS, Indiana (6-3 ½, 258, 4.76, 4-5): Played two years in junior college, hardly played for the Hoosiers in 2016 before starting 10 games in ’17. “Has not played a lot of football,” said one scout. “A good move guy. Very good athlete. He’s going to shine as a receiver first. He can be a matchup problem for linebackers. He will block. He has improved his strength. He’s tough. He’s been through a lot in his life to get to where he is. He has proven he can overcome adversity.” From Baltimore. “He’s got some intrigue about him because he’s got size, athleticism and growth,” a second scout said. “He could be top 50.” Caught 28 passes for 404 (14.4) and five TDs.
8. DALTON SCHULTZ, Stanford (6-5 ½, 244, 4.81, 5): Fourth-year junior, two-year starter. “He’s not flashy but he just does his job basically,” said one scout. “He’s not overpowering or anything. Above average to average in everything. He’s not in the class of those other big-time Stanford tight ends. If he’s a starter I’d be surprised.” Caught 55 passes for 555 yards (10.0) and five TDs. “Scrappy jack of all trades, master of none,” said another scout. “Kind of a poor man’s Rhett Ellison. Probably a better blocker than he is a pass catcher. Not explosive. They don’t feature him at all. He’s a better athlete than what he shows.” From South Jordan, Utah. Wonderlic of 32.
OTHERS: Will Dissly, Washington; Troy Fumagalli, Wisconsin; Deon Yelder, Western Kentucky; Tyler Conklin, Central Michigan; Durham Smythe, Notre Dame; Jordan Thomas, Mississippi State; Ryan Izzo, Florida State; David Wells, San Diego State; Nick Keizer, Grand Valley State;
Ethan Wolf, Tennessee.
THE SKINNY
UNSUNG HERO
Will Dissly, TE, Washington: A consensus choice as the best blocking tight end in the draft. “Somebody will take him late because he’s a blocking fool,” said one scout. “There’s no ‘Y’s’ (conventional tight ends) anymore. Everybody plays the spread.” Shifted from DE to TE late in the 2015 season. Adequate size (6-3 ½, 261), below-average speed (4.88) and 35 on the Wonderlic.
SCOUTS’ NIGHTMARE
Jordan Lasley, WR, UCLA: Fourth-year junior with 110 receptions for a 17.1 average and 14 TDs in 20 games (12 starts) the past two seasons. “He probably made more big plays than any receiver I saw this year,” said one scout. ”He’s a basket case, though.” Lasley (6-1, 204, 4.52) was suspended multiple times for various violations of team policy. “He’s got a lot of off-the field problems,” said the scout.
PACKERS’ PICK TO REMEMBER
Clyde Goodnight, E, Tulsa: Third-round pick in 1945, Don Hutson’s final season. In ’46, Goodnight (6-1, 195) and fellow Tulsa alum Nolan Luhn shared the team lead in receptions with 16. He improved to a career-best 38 in ’47, four behind Luhn, before leading again in ’48 with 28. Playing most of 1949-’50 with Washington, Goodnight finished with 112 receptions for 1,967 yards (17.6) and 15 TDs.
QUOTE TO NOTE
NFL scout: “We don’t pay much attention to pro-day times. At the combine we know it’s legit because they’re tested. Strength coaches say there are things you can take to make you faster on one day.”
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