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WR Profiles
By: John McMullen
At wide receiver, the key to the 1999 NFL Draft are two underclassman, Florida State's Peter Warrick and Ohio State's David Boston. If these two decide to come out, it will make a weak WR draft look strong, if they return to their respective college campuses, this could be the weakest group of receivers in years. Either way, there will be no Randy Moss types heading to the NFL in 1999. Here's the top 10:
- Peter Warrick Florida State 6-0 190
This junior will be the most complete receiver in the draft if he decides to come out a year early. He has above average speed, great first step acceleration & excellent quickness. He runs routes extremely well and has read defenses better than his quarterbacks this year. Warrick has great body control, can leap and adjust to make the dramatic, game changing catch. A big play athlete who can change the game with his hands, feet and even throwing the option. Obviously at Florida St., Warrick has gotten a lot of experience in a pro style offensive attack and should be ready to contribute at the pro level almost immediately.
- Torry Holt North Carolina State 6-0 190
Holt has great speed and above average to good size. A burner with an excellent work ethic (a true rarity), Holt has a number of qualities that will continue to improve. Runs solid routes and shows good effort on every play either running out his pattern or blocking downfield. Has above average strength and can break tackles. Runs well with the ball after the catch. A deceptive long strider who can run by you on deep balls. Good return man although he lacks some feel and is not a natural. Holt has really moved up this year and could be the number one guy if Warrick and Boston return to college.
- David Boston Ohio State 6-3 205
Another junior who may have designs in coming out is Ohio St.'s Boston. Boston has the prototypical size that is "in" now in the NFL which gives him an edge on Warrick. He is the total package as far as receivers go with great size and physicality along with above average speed, a great first step and excellent separation ability. Has the size and body control to be a dominant red zone receiver and a menacing downfield blocker. Interestingly, Boston broke all of Cris Carter's receiving records at Ohio St. and that should be the receiver Boston patterns himself in the NFL. Obviously Boston doesn't have Carter's hands or strength at this stage but he does have the natural body size and control to be a chain moving touchdown machine a la Carter.
- D'Wayne Bates Northwestern 6-1 215
Bates along with Holt are the only top receivers with true home run speed and he could jump up the board and be the first receiver chosen if he continues to show no ill effects from a 1997 ankle injury. He has above average height and soft hands. Is tough going over the middle and he has excellent athletic ability to run after the catch. Bates is a solid downfield blocker and has the ability to get deep. Can also throw the option pass. Bates is a bit of a sleeper because Northwestern has reverted back to its woeful ways but NFL scouts know how dangerous Bates has been and along with Holt is the only other sure fire first round NFL pick at wide receiver because both Warrick and Boston may return to college.
- Peerless Price Tennessee 5-11 177
Price is a small framed guy who is an explosive runner with big-play ability. He has excellent hands but loses concentration and doesn't have the consistency you would like. Another home run guy who has helped the Volunteers prove they weren't just Peyton Manning and a bunch of other guys. Needs to bulk up and improve his strength to be a top guy. Loses a little bit because people thought so much of Manning, they didn't give Price the credit he deserved. In 1998, he has proven that he is an upper echelon college receiver.
- Na Brown North Carolina 6-0 186
North Carolina's move the chains go-to-guy. A well-rounded WR with size & skills for NFL. Great route runner who creates separation with his body. Brown isn't very fast but does get in and out of his cuts very well. Plays tall for his size and gets open by adjusting well when the ball is in the air. A good physical player who can run after the catch and fight for yards after the catch. Certainly not a gamebreaker but could develop into an excellent slot receiver in the NFL.
- Kevin Johnson Syracuse 5-10 188
A true burner, Johnson's great speed makes him a dangerous deep threat anytime he is on the field. Has below average NFL hands and has to learn to concentrate on catching with his hands to overcome his bad habit of body catching. Johnson's a poor downfield blocker but an above average route runner with big play potential on every snap. Generates great separation with that speed and his ability to accelerate in and out of cuts on a dime. Johnson's far from a complete receiver but could be an immediate 4th receiver in the NFL who stretches the field.
- R.Jay Soward USC 5-11 175
Another junior who may make the leap. Soward is certainly the most feared WR in the pass happy Pac-10 and that alone is an impressive feat. He is the typical burner, great athlete who is lightning fast but a very slight build. He has excellent return skills and is a potential game breaker but would probably be a better prospect next year if he stayed and bulked up another 10 to 15 pounds. Soward really doesn't have the bulk or size to be an everydown receiver in the NFL but he could turn into a third down / returner homerun type.
- Leander Stevens North Carolina 6-4 213
A huge target with good hands and great concentration on the football. Can go over most defensive backs to make the catch. Has great quickness off the line and is almost impossible to jam at line of scrimmage. Stevens loves to go over the middle and may be the most physical WR in the draft. Stevens is a big menacing target who could be a big time NFL slot receiver if he improves his hands, route running and blitz recognition.
- Troy Edwards Louisiana Tech 5-10 194
Productive, productive, productive, that's the three words that describe Edwards. His level of competition is always a question mark but after he lit up Nebraska, how many questions could be left. Has decent size and strength with a nasty attitude. Edwards should be a nice mid round sleeper pick for anyone.
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