2010 NFL Draft Preview - Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

Our ongoing NFL Draft Preview takes us to the remainder of the skill positions, wide receivers and tight ends. In one of the most talented draft classes ever, this seems to be one of the weaker position groups. So who does Brother Yohey tab to be the stars of tomorrow? Who do we think are some hidden gems? Let's find out!

While the punditry of the NFL Scouting Combine and the Draftniks have been knocking the WR's and TE's this has the potential to be an underrated class with some strong pro prospects. Let's get it on!

1. Dez Bryant (Ok. St)

Dez Bryant is the unquestioned #1 WR in this year's draft. He is a great combination of size and athleticism. His impact on the Cowboys this past season was seen once he was suspended by the NCAA for the seaon. OK State trudged along and kept their heads above water but if Bryant was in there they would have been a BCS Bowl contender; that is the amount of talent he has. Teams may shy away from him due to his speed, given he clocked in about 4.5 seconds doing the 40 yard dash so he may not be able to stretch the field as much but he will be an impact player for any team that takes him. A can't miss prospect

Reminds me of: Andre Johnson

Best fit: Jaguars, Bears, Browns, really any team!

Projection: Top 15

2. Golden Tate (ND)

The Biletnikoff Award winner this year intends to make a big impact in the NFL. Tate showed flashes of brilliance and the ability to shake off a defender and blow right past him down the field. Clausen's favorite target got a lot of exposure nationally this year and many NFL scouts have taken notice. Tate has some issues with not picking the ball out of the air and body catching and his size will take him out of the role of a #1 receiver who has a combination of size and speed. Tate will be the perfect slot receiver for a team and his return ability is a plus that he shares with Mardy Gilyard & Jordan Shipley.

Reminds me of: Steve Smith (Carolina)

Best fit: There is no bad fit

Projection: 16-25

3. Damian Williams (USC)

USC's top WR this season showed skills that thrilled scouts in the Emerald Bowl. He has great run after catch skills couple with the ability to catch the ball almost like a magnet. Williams was the deep threat for USC but won't transition to that in the NFL. He doesn't have the blazing speed many no. 2 deep threat receivers have and his elusiveness isn't optimal. Any team that takes Williams will get a slot/possession receiver and his talent will enable him to fit either role nicely.

Reminds me of: Antonio Bryant

Best fit: Rams, Bears, Jaguars, Chiefs, Dolphins

Projection: Mid 2nd

4. Demaryius Thomas (GT)

Thomas is best dubbed as Calvin Johnson Lite. He has great size at 6'3" and 225+ so he will give any defensive back in the NFL troubles. He has great speed to cut, streak and catch and go without any wasted motion. However, Thomas is overcoming an injury suffered earlier in February which will cause him to miss draft workouts. If Thomas was healthy and his picture was more rosy he would be rated higher, however, teams will have to go off his film from this past season. Isn't that how any team should truly judge a player though?

Reminds me of: Michael Crabtree

Best fit: Browns, Bears, Jaguars

Projection: 2nd round to middle 3rd (injury dependent)

5. Brandon LaFell (LSU)

At 6'3" 206 Lafell has the size and he was thoughf of as the top WR heading into the 2009 FBS season. However, glaring weaknesses were seen in his game regarding his ability to gain separation from defenders. Having issues with this in college is going to spell trouble in the NFL when the defenders are light-years better. For being a 4-year starter his stats aren't what you would expect: 175 catches, 2,517 yards and 25 TD's. He did show potential to warrant a top WR ranking heading into 2009 and he couldn't have lost all that but he wil have a lot to show.

Reminds me of: Lance Moore

Best fit: Bears, Jaguars, Bucs, Titans

Projection: 2nd to 4th rounds

Best of the rest: Jordan Shipley (UT) & Mardy Gilyard (UC). Both men were their QB's top target and show great potential due to their hands as well as return specialist skills. Their size may play into their draft statuses but they will help whomever selects them.

Rip Van Winkle Sleeper Special: Dexter McCluster (Miss). While the Yoders see him as a Darren Sproles-esque 3rd Down RB, Dex has shown an ability to catch the ball and exhibits great hands. He could be a Sinorice Moss/Roscoe Parrish type player for whomever takes him if he doesn't fit as an every down back.

TE's

1. Jermaine Gresham (OU)

Gresham was a dynamic player for OU and his loss this season hurt the Sooner offense. He was one of Bradford's top targets and showed what he can do in 2008 when he had close to 1,000 yards and 14 TD's. Gresham can get off the line quick and is a great route runner. His torn knee ligaments will weigh on team's minds and may put his draft status into the late first round but he will be a first round selction and will upgrade any teams receiving corps. His blocking hasn't been tested yet and his utilization will derive from that a lot in the NFL.

Reminds me of: Heath Miller

Best Fit: Bengals, Browns, Bills, Titans, Redskins

Projection: Late 1st

2. Rob Gronkowski (UA)

Although injuries caused him to miss this past season the kid has the necessary attributes to be a great TE. At 6'6" and 260+ he will be a load to move and will give safeties and LB's trouble in coverage. His hands are soft like a baby's bottom and his ability to block, although limited, was good to see in helping his status. The injuries will be a concern and have to be and this will cause him to slip in the draft, meaning Aaron Hernandez will more than likely go before him, although Hernandez is not better than him.

Reminds me of: Owen Daniels

Best Fit: Bengals, Browns, Bills, Titans

Projection: Early-late 2nd.

Aaron Hernandez Special Comment: The kid was dynamic at UF and he will be a servicable NFL player, but in the pure TE sense he is too small. He is only 6'2" and just over 220 lbs. He won't be a great blocking TE and is more Kellen Winslow than a true TE. He will be a split end or line up at TE but be a WR. Hernandez is a WR to me and that is why he doesn't get mention (except here).

Mr. Yoder I's Picks

-For me, the two potential steals at the WR position both come from the Big 12. Both Dezmon Briscoe (Kansas) and Danario Alexander (Mizzou) were productive throughout their careers. In this year's Border War Game, Briscoe and Alexander had one of the best combined WR performances in CFB history. Here's the numbers...

Briscoe: 14 catches, 242 yards, 2 TDs

Alexander: 15 catches, 233 yards, 1 TD

Those players had those performances in their team's biggest game of the season! A combined 29 catches for 455 yards! Granted Big XII defenses aren't spectacular, but both of these guys have great physical tools with their size and speed (think Marques Colston). Briscoe is 6'3 and Alexander is 6'5". Alexander had injury issues in college, but both players have special big play ability and could develop into #1 NFL WRs.

Mr. Yoder II's Picks

-Sometimes, the draft makes teams overthink the process. The prime example in this year's class could be Illinois WR Arrelious Benn. If Benn had been able to come out of school after his sophmore season, he'd be a sure first-round pick. But after playing on a terrible Illinois team, it seems as if Benn is being forgotten. His talent though is undeniable and could blossom in the right offense as an all-around player the likes of a Larry Fitzgerald, that's how special Benn's abilities are. On the TE side, another Big Ten pro prospect who might be overlooked is Wisconsin's Garrett Graham. While Graham doesn't have the natural receiving ability of Hernandez or Gresham, Graham has the best balance of incoming TE's in terms of catching and blocking.