Friday, February 15, 2013

Bears Off-Season Report Part 4: WR

          Chicks dig the long ball; it's no different in the NFL. Teams like the Saints, Giants, Packers, 49ers and even the Ravens have invested team resources in WRs who have homerun speed. After years of sub par talent at the wideout position, Phil Emery traded for Brandon Marshall and drafted Alshon Jeffery. He's not finished yet. None of the Bears WRs have the homerun speed needed to stretch out a defense or scare opposing safeties. With players like Marshall and Jeffery, there should be mismatches down the field to take advantage of. There are a couple of big names on the free agent market, but considering other team needs, signing a Mike Wallace or Victor Cruz becomes cost prohibitive. Luckily for the Bears, this year is loaded with WR talent that will permeate through the first 5 rounds of the NFL Draft.


Here are the best deep threat WRs in this year's Draft:
  • Cordarrelle Patterson-TEN, 6'3: 200lbs: 4.40/40 Patterson has size, speed, and a physical preseance on the field. A part of and amazing WR core at TEN, he came in as a heralded JUCO player and produced for the Vols. Grabbed 46 REC, 778 YDS, and 5 TDs receiving. Had 2 TDs and 772 YDS returning. And finally 3TDs and 308 YDS rushing. Patterson still needs to work on his route running but he is a PLAYER. 1st Round Grade
  • Tavon Austin-West Virgina, 5'9: 180lbs: 4.35/40 Austin is small, very small...BUT his speed and agility are OFF THE CHARTS. 4.35 is a conservative estimate of his 40 time, many expect him to run a sub 4.30 at the combine. He's is every bit quick as he is fast. Amazing start and stop ability, great in space and highly, HIGHLY productive. Went for 114 REC, 1289 YDS receiving, 645 YDS rushing and 16 TDs. 1st round Grade
  • Marcus Wheaton-Oregon, 6'0: 185lbs: 4.45/40 Polished WR, has a quick step and gets down the field fast. Played in a fast tempo offense and increased his production every year. Impressed scouts with a great Senior Bowl. With a good combine, may get bumped to the 1st Round. 2nd Round Grade.
  • Justin Hunter-TEN, 6'4: 200lbs: 4.45/40 Another one of Tennessee's "Freaks" Hunter played sparingly his freshmen and sophomore year then exploded in 2012. Was stuck behind Da'Rick Rogers and Patterson on the depth chart until Rogers was dismissed this past September. Hunter is a smooth size/speed athlete, has a large catching radius, and produced in the SEC at all three WR positions. 2nd Round Grade.
  • Da'Rick Rogers-Tennessee Tech, 6'3: 200lbs: 4.45/40 Came out of high school as one of the top recruits in the entire country. Played as a true freshmen and tore up the SEC as a sophmore. Big, fast, physical, Rogers toy'd with DBs and Safeties in college. Consistently beat press, zone, and double teams. Rogers is a boss. Negatives; he's a drama queen that was kicked out of TEN last year. Transferred to Tennessee Tech and dominated as he should have. High Risk/PHENOMANAL Reward potential. 2nd Round Grade based solely on character concerns.
  • Stedman Bailey-West Virginia, 5'10 200lbs: 4.48/40 Bailey took advantage of the attention demanded by teammate Tavon Austin to the tune of 114 REC, 1622 YDS, and 25 TD's. West Virginia plays in a dismantled Big East but Bailey has dominated non-conference opponents LSU, OK, OK ST, Baylor, and Clemson. Shorter WR, very good on deep plays, attacks the ball, and plays with toughness. Like Justin Hunter, Bailey has played all three WR positions. Lacks the elite athletic ability of Tavon Austin, but so does just about every other WR. 2nd-3rd Grade
  • Marquise Goodwin-Texas, 5'9: 175lbs: 4.3/40 Goodwin competed in Track & Field for USA at the London Olympics. Had a pedestrian career at Texas, doesn't look good on film; then Goodwin showed up at the Senior Bowl and destroyed the competition. Like Austin, Goodwin is expected to run a sub 4.3 at the combine. 4th Round Grade
  • Tavarres King-Georgia, 6'0: 190lbs: 4.48/40 King had an ok career at Georgia. Quick first step, gets down the field fast, and displays solid athleticism. While his numbers weren't that impressive he did average 22 Yards/Play. Has a slight frame and will need to put on weight, didn't catch the pall with the consistency needed to be drafted in first two days of the draft. 4th Round Grade.
Best of the rest: Ace Sanders/South Carolina, Marcus Davis/Virginia Tech, Chris Harper/Kansas St, Denard Robinson/Michigan

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