2011 NFL Draft: Wide receiver class getting weaker by the day

by Dan Kadar on Jan 12, 2011 1:47 PM EST in 2011 NFL Draft

Before the process of players declaring or returning to school began, the expected wide receiver class looked stellar.

News is out that Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon is returning to school for his junior season.

He joins the growing list that includes Notre Dame's Michael Floyd, Oklahoma's Ryan Broyles and Arizona's Juron Criner as underclassmen deciding to play another year of college football.

Greg Childs of Arkansas and DeVier Posey of Ohio State are also expected to stay in school. There has been no word about Texas A&M's Jeff Fuller.

So what was expected to be a great class is now pretty bad once you get past A.J. Green (Georgia), Julio Jones (Alabama) and Jonathan Baldwin (Pittsburgh).

No NFL team may be hit harder by the lacking wide receiver class than the St. Louis Rams. If they keep the 14th pick, Green and Jones will almost certainly be gone. Baldwin may not warrant that high of a pick.

Both Blackmon and Floyd would have been in play for the Rams and now they may have to settle in a later round for a receiver that doesn't have No. 1 upside.

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What about the Smith from Maryland?

Theodore Bridgewater Bandwagon

by TheRealSlimShady on Jan 12, 2011 1:50 PM EST reply actions

the latest he goes now will be the Rams 2nd round pick, but I am likely to put him higher

by durst on Jan 12, 2011 1:54 PM EST up reply actions

I think that’s going to be a hot debate between now and the draft. I’m not sure I see him as a true No. 1.

Mocking the Draft: Talking NFL Draft all year.

by Dan Kadar on Jan 12, 2011 2:11 PM EST up reply actions

Oh, I DONT think he is a true #1, most of those speed guys aren't but... I DO think he is going between 25 -50

other tall, lean, speed guys drafted in the 1st round include:
2009 Darrius Heyward-Bey
2007 Ted Ginn
2005 Troy Williamson
2002 Donte Stallworth
2002 Ashley Lelie

by durst on Jan 12, 2011 3:57 PM EST up reply actions

Mike Wallace and Desean Jackson weren’t in the first round. (even though they are wayyy better than those guys listed)

Theodore Bridgewater Bandwagon

by TheRealSlimShady on Jan 12, 2011 4:06 PM EST up reply actions

I wasn't trying to say ALL fast guys go in the first (Knox, Ford, ect) but just saying there is a history of guys who don't project to be true #1 WRs going in the first round

by durst on Jan 12, 2011 4:15 PM EST up reply actions

looking at that list

makes me think that speed WRs aren’t the greatest idea in the first round.

by Sheffieldbengal on Jan 12, 2011 5:48 PM EST up reply actions

He is in the draft though right?

Theodore Bridgewater Bandwagon

by TheRealSlimShady on Jan 12, 2011 4:05 PM EST up reply actions

yes

Site Moderator on MockingtheDraft, AnaheimCalling, and Coltzilla.

Lead organizer of the annual 7-round live mock draft at MtD

by TheAngelsColts on Jan 12, 2011 4:05 PM EST up reply actions

good job Manraj7 for getting Smith in the 3rd round of out community mock

makes up for the Kaepernick pick (haha)

by durst on Jan 12, 2011 1:55 PM EST reply actions

I really hope though, the Colts pick up Denarius Moore in the 2nd

by Ty46 on Jan 12, 2011 2:12 PM EST reply actions

as a Vol and Colts fan

I believe Moore will probably be available in the 4th.

by BlueVol03 on Jan 12, 2011 5:03 PM EST up reply actions

Jeff Maehl

thats my dude for a nice slot WR for my team

Blackmon is the next superstar, like Dez Bryant

I guess Torey Smith shoots up the boards after the combine, just like DHB

by Archie Barberio on Jan 12, 2011 2:24 PM EST reply actions

Sure its a weaker class now but i don't think it is in any way a Bad class.

Site Moderator on MockingtheDraft, AnaheimCalling, and Coltzilla.

Lead organizer of the annual 7-round live mock draft at MtD

by TheAngelsColts on Jan 12, 2011 2:26 PM EST reply actions

+1

by Yankees10 on Jan 12, 2011 2:35 PM EST up reply actions

can't call it a "bad" class with 2 potential superstars, one who may be the # 1 pick and the possibility of 4 x 1st rounders

by durst on Jan 12, 2011 3:39 PM EST up reply actions

Wow

I think it was a good choice, developing another year could really help, and another season even close to this one will make him a top 10 pick easily.

by DBroncs1414 on Jan 12, 2011 3:27 PM EST reply actions

Where is that kid from Troy projected?

They have one WR that looks nice, but I can’t think of his name.

A lot of Panther fans, at the moment, are like a guy that just had his heart shattered. Like a guy whose girlfriend just cheated on him, and then left him. Pissed off!! And now trying to snatch up anything that moves.

Be careful... You might bring home something out of desparation, and find out in the morning you made a BIIIIIIG mistake!

by Steve785 on Jan 12, 2011 3:28 PM EST reply actions

his name is Jerrel Jernigan

He is a boarderline 1st. Probably 2nd round and partly because I only see probably 2 WR going in the first round.

Site Moderator on MockingtheDraft, AnaheimCalling, and Coltzilla.

Lead organizer of the annual 7-round live mock draft at MtD

by TheAngelsColts on Jan 12, 2011 3:34 PM EST up reply actions

thanks

Be careful... You might bring home something out of desparation, and find out in the morning you made a BIIIIIIG mistake!

by Steve785 on Jan 12, 2011 3:52 PM EST up reply actions

Niles Paul

with these underclassman not declaring this senior out of Nebraska could start to move up some teams boards.
He didnt always stand out this year but Nebraska were more of a threat on ground with Martinez at QB. He has good size and speed and can see him being picked in the mid to late rounds.

"The Holy Writ of Gloucester Rugby Club demands: first, that the forwards shall win the ball; second, that the forwards shall keep the ball; and third, the backs shall buy the beer." - Doug Ibbotson

by SteveUK on Jan 12, 2011 4:50 PM EST reply actions

He'll likely have a very good combine.

He’s a freak athlete and has great size. I wish him the best, but I don’t know if I see him being successful. His lack of numbers aren’t all the system’s fault. He has small hands, drops easy passes, and has a serious case of fumblitis. He’s also had character issues. He has all the physical tools, but I don’t think the mental side is there. He’ll probably get drafted higher than he should based on his workout numbers.

Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!

And go Shawn Watson and Barney Cotton! Seriously, leave Lincoln. Now.

by Omaha Sun on Jan 12, 2011 5:44 PM EST up reply actions

Sorry to highjack

but Pat Devlin?

Kellen Moore is awesome
Katie Mcgrath is our savior
My dream draft
1. Jake Locker QB UW 2. Jimmy Smith CB Colorado 3. Casey Mathews OLB Oregon. 4a. Owen Marecic FB/LB/ST Stanford 4b. Sione Fua NT Stanford 5. Titus Young WR Boise State 6a.Clay Nurse DE/OLB Illinois (depending on combine/proday) 6b. Chase Beeler C Stanford 7a. BPA 7b. BPA

by manraj7 on Jan 12, 2011 6:40 PM EST reply actions