2010 NFL Draft, Wide Receiver Big Board

[scpanther22]

Agree?

Eric Decker, Minnesota. 6’3”, 217 pounds, 4.52 40.

Summary: Big, sure-handed former baseball player and highly respected team leader. Polished route runner with good feet and shoulder balance, looks smooth despite being pretty crisp. Catches the ball very well in traffic and almost likes getting hit right away. Tough and strong, though not real elusive, as a runner. Exceptional run blocker when he attacks, better than many tight ends, and he gives great effort down the field. Missed several games with a foot injury that has limited his ability to workout pre-draft, and he has had other ailments that have sidelined him in the past; durability is a big question. Doesn’t always ratchet up the intensity in his blocking and has the rep of being able to be taken off his game (ask Jack Ikegwuono). Lacks deep speed and has only one gear. Not real quick off the line and can be troubled with press coverage.

NFL Comparison: A less lithe young Muhsin Muhammad,

Brandon LaFell, LSU-- Big, physical, long-limbed receiver with good strength and body control. Can make the tough catch in traffic. Uses his hands well to get separation and overpowers corners. Very tough to tackle after the catch. Does not get off the line real quickly, and his speed is not sudden. Takes long strides out of his cuts and often slows to catch the ball. Coming off an injury and his production was all over the map at LSU. Reminds me a great deal of Dwayne Jarrett, both the potential that made Jarrett a 2nd round pick and the disappointment that followed because he can’t get separation and his bullying of DBs that dominated in college doesn’t work in the NFL. LaFell is a better worker, however. Will be drafted in the 50-75 overall range.

Read more: http://www.realgmfootball.com/src_feature/362/20100420/2010_nfl_draft_wide_receiver_big_board/#ixzz0lhgvfMR4

[Urrymonster]

I really like Decker, and would be delighted if we get him. He might be around for our 3rd round pick...

[nagai]

I'm not usually one that gets annoyed with speed but Decker is SLOW, like slower than his 40 time indicates. Look at his tape, he pretty much never gets any separation in the college level. I've seen him shove CB's before just to get that small window. Sorry, but I'm not a fan.

[Urrymonster]

I'm not usually one that gets annoyed with speed but Decker is SLOW, like slower than his 40 time indicates. Look at his tape, he pretty much never gets any separation in the college level. I've seen him shove CB's before just to get that small window. Sorry, but I'm not a fan.

Not so sure about that. He will not blaze past people, but I see him getting plenty of separation through his cuts and route running. I think a lot of people get frustrated when the receiver can't leave the corner for dead on a streak...

What I do see is him being able to find holes in zones in the middle of the field and incredible body control when going for the ball. He also does what Jarrett does not, which is uses his body to prevent the defence from knocking him off his route and holds them at bay when going for a catch. He is MUCH more aggressive in using his body than Jarrett.

Only downside to him that I personally see, is that he can't break tackles, or make people miss in the open field. However he rarely caught the ball in stride from what I saw, constantly having to adjust his body to bring in a pass that was off target, or having to nearly stop because the pass was under thrown.

He will not be a big play maker, but he could be a great chain mover and is a very good worker. He also will be a target in the red zone, which with our running game, would be huge as it will stop them stacking the line so much.

[DynastyRTR]

If we go BPA in the 2nd and Mardy Gilyard gets gone before we pick in the 3rd, I'd like us to pick up either Taylor Price, Jeremy Williams, or Eric Decker.

[jramsey4]

I like Decker and all but I am really sick of all these slow a$$ WR. I at least want one good WR (aside from Smith) with some speed. At least with one of our 1st 2 picks. Roberts would be nice in the 4th.

Then get one of the Williams' (Kyle or Jimmy) later to be a possession receiver. Or better yet Pick up Long (Louisville) and AJ Jackson (Cal PA) as UDFA.

[nagai]

Well, obviously Decker can get some separation with cuts in the college level, but I'm just not sure he can do that in the pros. Any nfl CB can catch up with him even if he gains a small window after a cut. It's not like he's a creative route runner either, just smooth, so I can't really see him faking anyone out, creating more space.