There were no "sure things" in this year's draft at the WR position, and that's probably a good thing, because then you can't have a bust (Charles Rogers, Peter Warrick etc.)
But out of the guys who got drafted, who will have the best pro career?
I'm not asking who the most talented is. I'm asking who'll have the best career.
I like Devin Thomas from Michigan State. I'm glad the Redskins grabbed him at #34. He has good separation speed, great hands and a great body for an NFL WR. The knock on him is his lack of experience and long-term college production. However, there have been tons of successful 3-4 year starters at the college level who never did anything in the pros. Thomas seems to have the fire and determination to use his ability, and with uncertainty at the Redskins WR position, he could be starting early in the season, getting a head start on some of the others.
Donnie Avery was the first WR selected, and the Rams have been looking for a speedy inside guy for some time. But considering his college program and his body type, it's uncertain whether he'll develop into a true starting receiver at the NFL level.
Malcolm Kelly was predicted to go as high as #11 in mock drafts, but the Redskins came back and grabbed him in the 2nd round after picking Thomas first. He has great size, but questionable knees and separation speed. That said, he's been known as a big-time playmaker and Zorn may be able to get him onto the field early in certain packages. Playing opposite Devin Thomas, the Redskins may have settled their starting receivers for a long time, if he plays up to his potential.
Limas Sweed was another 1st-round guy that slipped, and Pittsburgh is lucky to have him. He's a huge target at 6'5, and reminds some of Plaxico Burress, the successful receiver they let go of a few years ago. Sweed will have time to work his way onto the field with Santonio Holmes and Hines Ward as the starters, but he can get in work in 3 and 4-wide sets. He doesn't have great speed, but it's adequate for his large frame.
James Hardy was the other towering target selected on day 1. At 6'6, the Bills finally have a red-zone target. However, despite some great games, he also has been known to make bonehead plays and not give all-out effort to make plays he could potentially make. If he devotes himself to perfecting his craft, he could turn out to be a good starter though.
Mario Manningham is the dark horse of the group. As talented as he is and as much as he produced, his stock PLUMMETED to the point where he was picked on Day 2. He doesn't have great timed speed, and he has questionable character, but he could become the most productive member of this WR class.
Discuss... and give opinions on who's your guy.
