2009 NFL Draft Wide Receiver Rankings (1 Viewer)

[Sigmund Bloom]

WR Rankings

Just to be clear, I'm ranking these players as wide receivers. Some bring extra value to the table as return men or novelty playmakers, and that will be reflected in their draft stock, but I'm not really factoring that into my rankings here.

 

[Blackjacks]

Not big on Maclin huh????

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Not big on Maclin huh????

Ive watched the four guys above him (Crabtree, DHB, Nicks, Dillard) play the game the way a wide receiver has to play to get open in the NFL. I've seen Maclin flash the speed, and make some athletic plays, but I haven't that many plays that make me say "That's what an NFL wide receiver looks like". I'm not saying it's not on him, I just prefer players who have already made habits of the things that a WR needs above and beyond pure speed or height or athletic ability.

 

[Jason Wood]

Always a good read Bloom!

Of course you know already where we disagree. I think you're way too hard on Kenny Britt, who I see as the 4th best prospect at the position, and equally I think you're way too in love with the physical skills of DHB, when the rest of his game isn't there. I haven't seen much of Dillard, so your love for him really intrigues me.

Props.

 

[moderated]

WR Rankings

Just to be clear, I'm ranking these players as wide receivers. Some bring extra value to the table as return men or novelty playmakers, and that will be reflected in their draft stock, but I'm not really factoring that into my rankings here.

I LOVE THIS.As far as FF is concerned return skills don't mean anything and most people don't seem to realize or acknowledge that guys like Percy Harvin will go higher in the actual NFL draft then they would of if they were strictly judged on their WR skills.

I like Harvin a lot as an NFL player, but he isn't a good traditional WR. He's never run normal WR routes and won't be a solid fantasy WR. No way he's the type who will put up 1,200 yards/8 TD's, he's going to be somewhat irrelevant for FF purposes yet many have him ranked very high.

Edited to add please don't use D.jackson as a counterpoint as he was actually a very good college WR who ran WR routes, not mostly gimmick routes like Harvin.

 

[Blackjacks]

Not big on Maclin huh????

Ive watched the four guys above him (Crabtree, DHB, Nicks, Dillard) play the game the way a wide receiver has to play to get open in the NFL. I've seen Maclin flash the speed, and make some athletic plays, but I haven't that many plays that make me say "That's what an NFL wide receiver looks like". I'm not saying it's not on him, I just prefer players who have already made habits of the things that a WR needs above and beyond pure speed or height or athletic ability.

Good reasoning and good write up.I will say this about Maclin as I am a Mizzou fan and have seen him play almost every game since he's been there and I will admit he did play in a gimmick offense that makes it hard to project him for the next level. However, his skills made it possible to play that offense. He is extremely quick, runs good routes (quick gimmicky routes but still good) and he is great in the open field. I also think he has very good hands. I can't remember one game thinking to myself "I can't believe Maclin didnt catch that ball in the ???? quarter. All in all I think he will be the best wr out of this class but I will admit alittle bit of homerism here as well. Great list and I'm also interested in seeing the kid from Rice a little more.

 

[moderated]

Not big on Maclin huh????

Ive watched the four guys above him (Crabtree, DHB, Nicks, Dillard) play the game the way a wide receiver has to play to get open in the NFL. I've seen Maclin flash the speed, and make some athletic plays, but I haven't that many plays that make me say "That's what an NFL wide receiver looks like". I'm not saying it's not on him, I just prefer players who have already made habits of the things that a WR needs above and beyond pure speed or height or athletic ability.

Good reasoning and good write up.I will say this about Maclin as I am a Mizzou fan and have seen him play almost every game since he's been there and I will admit he did play in a gimmick offense that makes it hard to project him for the next level. However, his skills made it possible to play that offense. He is extremely quick, runs good routes (quick gimmicky routes but still good) and he is great in the open field. I also think he has very good hands. I can't remember one game thinking to myself "I can't believe Maclin didnt catch that ball in the ???? quarter. All in all I think he will be the best wr out of this class but I will admit alittle bit of homerism here as well. Great list and I'm also interested in seeing the kid from Rice a little more.

I agree with this, Maclin actually played a lot as a normal WR and his route running may be a bit lacking but that's only because he wasn't needed to run many routes in college. He's shown he can play a traditional WR role if needed.I still like Crabtree better but Maclin should be a very solid WR in the NFL. Only thing that scares me is he's already had a devastating knee injury.

 

[crush304]

4. Jarett Dillard, Rice 5’10” 191

what round do you think he'll get drafted?

 

[awesomeness]

Darrius Heyward-Bey "making a catch that no other WR in this class (or few other WRs already in the NFL) could make."?

I've watched maybe 1-2 Maryland games, so besides that and the highlights he has on youtube i haven't seen him make any play that would warrant the comment that you gave about him. Do you know remember when it was that he made that catch because i would like to see it.

 

[Riffraff]

Darrius Heyward-Bey "making a catch that no other WR in this class (or few other WRs already in the NFL) could make."?

I've watched maybe 1-2 Maryland games, so besides that and the highlights he has on youtube i haven't seen him make any play that would warrant the comment that you gave about him. Do you know remember when it was that he made that catch because i would like to see it.

Might have been the one handed catch at the 1:30 mark of this highlight film. Not the coolest looking catch, but he did extend well to go after it and knock it back to himself.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Darrius Heyward-Bey "making a catch that no other WR in this class (or few other WRs already in the NFL) could make."?

I've watched maybe 1-2 Maryland games, so besides that and the highlights he has on youtube i haven't seen him make any play that would warrant the comment that you gave about him. Do you know remember when it was that he made that catch because i would like to see it.

The kinds of catches that make me say that are in his youtube reelHis ability to make catches like:

1:10-1:30

4:25-4:35

6:00

6:15

is rare. He's big, his 4.3 speed is legit and shows up in pads. He's a fluid athlete and a great leaper. He tracks the deep ball just fine and he's made his share of LONG TDs over his career to show that's the dimension he brings, and I think it translates. He's also a strong enough runner that he was used a lot on end arounds, and I think he'll get his share of YAC on short stuff and break a few into long TDs. He's not the most natural receiver, except sometimes when it's time to make a play that it takes his exceptional tools to make.

There just aren't that many wide receivers that can get behind the defense, have a size advantage and also be able to out-sky just about any safety for a ball. Those guys make plays that change the outcome of games.

 

[EBF]

This is a tough group to rank. DHB is probably the biggest enigma of them all. If he busts, we'll all look back and think we should've seen it coming since he was an underachiever in college. If he succeeds, we'll all look back and think we should've seen it coming since he's such a freakish athlete.

It will be interesting to see if the character concerns really hinder Harvin's NFL career when it's all said and done. All this talk about his personality in the last few weeks has piqued my curiosity. I found this interview with Harvin and Mayock on on YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzKgkHTpse4

It doesn't answer any questions, but it's nice to hear him saying the right things. I wonder if he's really a rotten person or if he's just a guy who's been spoiled by the special treatment his football stardom has afforded him since high school. I think I'm leaning towards the latter, although the failed drug test at the combine was a pretty boneheaded move.

 

[Couch Potato]

I've been a big fan of Nicks all along, place him as the 2nd most likely to have a big NFL career, and love the things Bloom says about him in his write up. Couldn't agree more.

As for DHB, it would scare hell out of me to draft him personally, but I want to pass along a conversation I had with a friend of mine this morning. He's a Raiders scout and involved in draft prep. I saw him at the gym this morning and asked him who is #2 on his WR list. He said, just like Bloom, DHB. I questioned whether he'd be worried about him being another Troy Williamson, and he said no, smiled, and said this guy is gonna be special. I'm having a hard time being a believer, but maybe I need to adjust because David (scout) and Bloom know a helluva lot more than me about these things. We'll see I guess.

And EBF, I do hope you're right about Harvin. I hope he has no issues and has a great career. Yeah, he worries me and I'd avoid him, but I want to be proven wrong by the kid. I wish him success.

 

[EBF]

What's appealing about DHB is that if he hits, he could hit HUGE. He probably has the highest ceiling of any player in this draft for PPR purposes. I think he and Harvin are the best raw athletes of all the skill position prospects in the draft. You could also put Mike Thomas in there, but he's under 5'8" and that presents a little bit of a problem. Size isn't everything, but it's something.

 

[awesomeness]

Darrius Heyward-Bey "making a catch that no other WR in this class (or few other WRs already in the NFL) could make."?

I've watched maybe 1-2 Maryland games, so besides that and the highlights he has on youtube i haven't seen him make any play that would warrant the comment that you gave about him. Do you know remember when it was that he made that catch because i would like to see it.

The kinds of catches that make me say that are in his youtube reelHis ability to make catches like:

1:10-1:30

4:25-4:35

6:00

6:15

is rare. He's big, his 4.3 speed is legit and shows up in pads. He's a fluid athlete and a great leaper. He tracks the deep ball just fine and he's made his share of LONG TDs over his career to show that's the dimension he brings, and I think it translates. He's also a strong enough runner that he was used a lot on end arounds, and I think he'll get his share of YAC on short stuff and break a few into long TDs. He's not the most natural receiver, except sometimes when it's time to make a play that it takes his exceptional tools to make.

There just aren't that many wide receivers that can get behind the defense, have a size advantage and also be able to out-sky just about any safety for a ball. Those guys make plays that change the outcome of games.

Those catches he makes aren't nearly as impressive as the ones Michael Crabtree is making, or Hakeem Nicks can make imo. First the good, his catches at 4:25 and 6:00 are nice to see, particularly at 6:00 because as he stretching out and contorting his body in an awkward position, he catches the ball with his hands and even holds onto it as he is hit and he brings the ball down. If he caught the ball like that all the time i'd be a lot more optimistic about his prospects. But he didn't make very many catches like that which is concerning.

The catches he makes at 1:00 and 6:15 aren't all that impressive imo. For the first one, he shows his length by putting his hand up but instead of cradling it with his one hand he kind of tries to hit it down to himself so he can then cradle it against his chest. Considering the ball is shaped like an elipse, he won't be as fortunate with the ball bouncing pretty perfectly for him like it did there. Same sort of deal with his catch at 6:15, but he's even more lucky with the bounce he got.

Looking at that entire highlight clip, he seems to use his hands to catch the ball only if the ball is coming at him above his chest, if the ball is coming at him from anywhere else, instead of catching it with his hands he tries to cradle it against his chest. Kenny Britt seems to do that as well from what i can remember.

Compared to a guy like Crabtree, he is just light years ahead in catching the ball. Check out his catches in this highlight clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aJZsjImymc

1:18 - Crabtree jumps up, stretches out, contourts his body and has the prescence of mind to keep both feet in.

2:00 -Defender all over Crabtree, stretches his arms out from his chest making a very tough grab and does a sensational job at getting both feet in.

2:05 - Texas defender with an arm on him, makes a full length dive catching the ball with one hand and bringing it into his body.

2:39 - Similar to his catch at 1:18 except only able to get one foot in.

3:55 - Poorly thrown ball low and to the side. Crabtree stretches out snags the ball with his hands and brings it in to his body before he hits the ground.

I know you weren't hating on Crabtree at all or 2nd guessing that he's going to be a stud, i'm just trying to say i don't think Crabtree would have had much of a problem in making any of those catches that Hey-Bey made. It's nice to see a guy like Crabtree who just attacks the ball on screen and everything. I don't know how anyone can doubt that he's going to be a very very good NFL player.

Also Bloom, do you know of any players who in their college careers weren't much of hand catchers but developed the trait while they were in the NFL? I haven't paid much attention to incoming rookie classes, or more specifically whether or not they caught the ball with their hands on a consistent basis, until last year so i don't know the answer and am wondering how long the list is.

 

[Raider Nation]

Nice read as always, Bloom.

One comment though. In about three years, you'll look back on this list and ask yourself why you didn't have Barden ranked higher. Small school, blah blah blah. Once this kid adjusts to game speed at this level, he will be unstoppable, especially on fade routes and jump balls in the red zone. Nobody will ever line up against him who will be his physical equal. I've compared him to Megatron "without the speed"... I know that's like saying "she's Denise Milani without the ####," but Barden's game won't be primarily predicated on speed.

I'm praying that he's still around for the Raiders at the 71st overall pick in round 3, after we address line needs in rounds 1 & 2.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Hey Bloom,

Great stuff! I know he'd be way down the list, but are your thoughts on Michael Jones?

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Hey Bloom, Great stuff! I know he'd be way down the list, but are your thoughts on Michael Jones?

Great size/athleticism combo, but couldnt catch a cold at the Texas vs the Nation practices.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Hey Bloom, Great stuff! I know he'd be way down the list, but are your thoughts on Michael Jones?

Great size/athleticism combo, but couldnt catch a cold at the Texas vs the Nation practices.

Well it is hot in Texas.....Thanks Bloom! Can't wait for the TEs.

 

[Holy Schneikes]

I've been a big fan of Nicks all along, place him as the 2nd most likely to have a big NFL career, and love the things Bloom says about him in his write up. Couldn't agree more.As for DHB, it would scare hell out of me to draft him personally, but I want to pass along a conversation I had with a friend of mine this morning. He's a Raiders scout and involved in draft prep. I saw him at the gym this morning and asked him who is #2 on his WR list. He said, just like Bloom, DHB. I questioned whether he'd be worried about him being another Troy Williamson, and he said no, smiled, and said this guy is gonna be special. I'm having a hard time being a believer, but maybe I need to adjust because David (scout) and Bloom know a helluva lot more than me about these things. We'll see I guess.And EBF, I do hope you're right about Harvin. I hope he has no issues and has a great career. Yeah, he worries me and I'd avoid him, but I want to be proven wrong by the kid. I wish him success.

I'm honestly not slamming you or doubting you at all, and I honestly appreciate the tidbit. That said, I always wonder about info like this. If I'm the owner of a particular team, and one of my scouts is telling random schmos (again, no offense intended, just an indication of someone outside the team framework) who the #2 WR on his list is, he's fired immediately. So what I wonder is, why is he telling you this? Is he lying? Is he telling the truth but not very smart? Is he not stupid and telling the truth but the team just doesn't care if the the world knows what it's board looks like? Is he telling you assuming you won't post it on one of the most active football sites on the internet? What's the deal?

 

[One]

I've been a big fan of Nicks all along, place him as the 2nd most likely to have a big NFL career, and love the things Bloom says about him in his write up. Couldn't agree more.

As for DHB, it would scare hell out of me to draft him personally, but I want to pass along a conversation I had with a friend of mine this morning. He's a Raiders scout and involved in draft prep. I saw him at the gym this morning and asked him who is #2 on his WR list. He said, just like Bloom, DHB. I questioned whether he'd be worried about him being another Troy Williamson, and he said no, smiled, and said this guy is gonna be special. I'm having a hard time being a believer, but maybe I need to adjust because David (scout) and Bloom know a helluva lot more than me about these things. We'll see I guess.

And EBF, I do hope you're right about Harvin. I hope he has no issues and has a great career. Yeah, he worries me and I'd avoid him, but I want to be proven wrong by the kid. I wish him success.

 

[Jason Wood]

Tate and Harvin got tagged for weed. Probably won't hurt either too much, but it's worth noting.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft09/news/story?id=4087941

 

[Andy Dufresne]

By way of comparison, can someone in the know rank these guys compared to last year's guys?

Are the top four this year better than anyone taken in the top 4 last year? (I guess we know Eddie Royal can play, but you get the picture...)

 

[Rodeojones]

.

 

[Jason Wood]

By way of comparison, can someone in the know rank these guys compared to last year's guys? Are the top four this year better than anyone taken last year? (I guess we know Eddie Royal can play, but you get the picture...)

Obviously that's going to be subjective, but I have the ESPN 2008 and 2009 draft rankings handy and Scouts assigns a grade to each player. If you're not a fan of Scouts grading system [and I'm not to be honest], this data may not make for a very realistic comparison. But it was readily available and is, at least, one apples to apples comparison to get the conversation going.*** In 2008, Scouts had 20 WRs ranked in the overall 150, this year they have 21*** Crabtree is rated 3rd overall, with a 96 grade vs. Limas Sweed rated 22nd overall, with a 92 grade*** Maclin is rated 11th overall, with a 95 grade vs. Devin Thomas rated 24th overall, with a 91 grade*** Heyward-Bay is rated 22nd overall, with a 91 grade vs. DeSean jackson rated 26th overall, with a 90 grade*** Percy Harvin is rated 25th overall, with a 90 grade vs. Malcolm Kelly rated 28th overall, with an 89 grade*** Hakeem Nicks is rated 27th overall, with a 89 grade vs. James Hardy rated 34th overall, with an 88 grade*** Kenny Britt is rated 34th overall, with an 88 grade vs. Jordy Nelson rated 47th overall, with an 86 grade*** Brandon Tate is rated 53rd overall, with an 83 grade vs. Mario Manningham rated 53rd overall, with an 83 grade*** Derrick Williams is rated 56th overall, with an 82 grade vs. Eddie Royal rated 69th overall, with an 80 grade*** Pat White is rated 69th overall, with a 78 grade vs. Early Doucet rated 71st overall, with a 79 grade*** Mohamed Massaquoi is rated 73rd overall, with a 77 grade vs. Andre Caldwell rated 73rd overall, with a 78 grade

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Darrius Heyward-Bey "making a catch that no other WR in this class (or few other WRs already in the NFL) could make."?

I've watched maybe 1-2 Maryland games, so besides that and the highlights he has on youtube i haven't seen him make any play that would warrant the comment that you gave about him. Do you know remember when it was that he made that catch because i would like to see it.

The kinds of catches that make me say that are in his youtube reelHis ability to make catches like:

1:10-1:30

4:25-4:35

6:00

6:15

is rare. He's big, his 4.3 speed is legit and shows up in pads. He's a fluid athlete and a great leaper. He tracks the deep ball just fine and he's made his share of LONG TDs over his career to show that's the dimension he brings, and I think it translates. He's also a strong enough runner that he was used a lot on end arounds, and I think he'll get his share of YAC on short stuff and break a few into long TDs. He's not the most natural receiver, except sometimes when it's time to make a play that it takes his exceptional tools to make.

There just aren't that many wide receivers that can get behind the defense, have a size advantage and also be able to out-sky just about any safety for a ball. Those guys make plays that change the outcome of games.

While I have my concerns about DHB (including the bolded above), I think it's important to remember that the QB play at MD has been vomit-inducing his entire career. I don't mean "inconsistent" - which is how I've heard some draft gurus describe it - I mean awful, damn near about 100% of the time. A receiving squad of Jerry Rice, Raymond Berry, Don Hutson, and John Mackey all in their primes would struggle to post numbers trying to catch all of those wounded ducks from Jordan Steffy & Chris Turner.I still have visions of Vernon Davis dancing in my head so maybe it's just a bit of extra paranoia on my part that gives me pause, but I'm just a little worried that DHB may flame out - he looks more athlete than football player to me.

 

[EBF]

By way of comparison, can someone in the know rank these guys compared to last year's guys? Are the top four this year better than anyone taken in the top 4 last year? (I guess we know Eddie Royal can play, but you get the picture...)

Just based on what I thought of them entering the league, I think I'd take all five of this year's probable first round WRs over my top 2 WRs last year (Kelly, Thomas). It's a good class. They won't all succeed, but this is a strong group.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

By way of comparison, can someone in the know rank these guys compared to last year's guys? Are the top four this year better than anyone taken in the top 4 last year? (I guess we know Eddie Royal can play, but you get the picture...)

Just based on what I thought of them entering the league, I think I'd take all five of this year's probable first round WRs over my top 2 WRs last year (Kelly, Thomas). It's a good class. They won't all succeed, but this is a strong group.

That confirms my feelings as well.

 

[Couch Potato]

I've been a big fan of Nicks all along, place him as the 2nd most likely to have a big NFL career, and love the things Bloom says about him in his write up. Couldn't agree more.As for DHB, it would scare hell out of me to draft him personally, but I want to pass along a conversation I had with a friend of mine this morning. He's a Raiders scout and involved in draft prep. I saw him at the gym this morning and asked him who is #2 on his WR list. He said, just like Bloom, DHB. I questioned whether he'd be worried about him being another Troy Williamson, and he said no, smiled, and said this guy is gonna be special. I'm having a hard time being a believer, but maybe I need to adjust because David (scout) and Bloom know a helluva lot more than me about these things. We'll see I guess.And EBF, I do hope you're right about Harvin. I hope he has no issues and has a great career. Yeah, he worries me and I'd avoid him, but I want to be proven wrong by the kid. I wish him success.

I'm honestly not slamming you or doubting you at all, and I honestly appreciate the tidbit. That said, I always wonder about info like this. If I'm the owner of a particular team, and one of my scouts is telling random schmos (again, no offense intended, just an indication of someone outside the team framework) who the #2 WR on his list is, he's fired immediately. So what I wonder is, why is he telling you this? Is he lying? Is he telling the truth but not very smart? Is he not stupid and telling the truth but the team just doesn't care if the the world knows what it's board looks like? Is he telling you assuming you won't post it on one of the most active football sites on the internet? What's the deal?

Hey there HS,I gotta clarify. My buddy wasn't telling me who is #2 on the Raiders list. He was telling me who is #2 on his own personal list. Wasn't giving up anything the team is doing. In fact, he's been clear since early March he can't tell me any specifics on team planning, only his own personal thoughts and impressions. He's a scout, but he's a little fish in the pond.

 

[Crimson King]

Bloom, great read as always. I am intrigued by Dillard due to his refined positional skills and am also wondering where you see him being drafted (What round)? Do you have any concerns about his slight frame? That seems to be the only thing that really gives me pause with him. He looks like a toothpick.

 

[Tick]

I've been a big fan of Nicks all along, place him as the 2nd most likely to have a big NFL career, and love the things Bloom says about him in his write up. Couldn't agree more.As for DHB, it would scare hell out of me to draft him personally, but I want to pass along a conversation I had with a friend of mine this morning. He's a Raiders scout and involved in draft prep. I saw him at the gym this morning and asked him who is #2 on his WR list. He said, just like Bloom, DHB. I questioned whether he'd be worried about him being another Troy Williamson, and he said no, smiled, and said this guy is gonna be special. I'm having a hard time being a believer, but maybe I need to adjust because David (scout) and Bloom know a helluva lot more than me about these things. We'll see I guess.And EBF, I do hope you're right about Harvin. I hope he has no issues and has a great career. Yeah, he worries me and I'd avoid him, but I want to be proven wrong by the kid. I wish him success.

I'm honestly not slamming you or doubting you at all, and I honestly appreciate the tidbit. That said, I always wonder about info like this. If I'm the owner of a particular team, and one of my scouts is telling random schmos (again, no offense intended, just an indication of someone outside the team framework) who the #2 WR on his list is, he's fired immediately. So what I wonder is, why is he telling you this? Is he lying? Is he telling the truth but not very smart? Is he not stupid and telling the truth but the team just doesn't care if the the world knows what it's board looks like? Is he telling you assuming you won't post it on one of the most active football sites on the internet? What's the deal?

Hey there HS,I gotta clarify. My buddy wasn't telling me who is #2 on the Raiders list. He was telling me who is #2 on his own personal list. Wasn't giving up anything the team is doing. In fact, he's been clear since early March he can't tell me any specifics on team planning, only his own personal thoughts and impressions. He's a scout, but he's a little fish in the pond.

Mike Lombardi, former Raiders GM, insists that Al Davis won't be able to pass up DHB due to his speed, and has been slotting him with the Raiders in all of his mock drafts.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

I've been a big fan of Nicks all along, place him as the 2nd most likely to have a big NFL career, and love the things Bloom says about him in his write up. Couldn't agree more.As for DHB, it would scare hell out of me to draft him personally, but I want to pass along a conversation I had with a friend of mine this morning. He's a Raiders scout and involved in draft prep. I saw him at the gym this morning and asked him who is #2 on his WR list. He said, just like Bloom, DHB. I questioned whether he'd be worried about him being another Troy Williamson, and he said no, smiled, and said this guy is gonna be special. I'm having a hard time being a believer, but maybe I need to adjust because David (scout) and Bloom know a helluva lot more than me about these things. We'll see I guess.And EBF, I do hope you're right about Harvin. I hope he has no issues and has a great career. Yeah, he worries me and I'd avoid him, but I want to be proven wrong by the kid. I wish him success.

I'm honestly not slamming you or doubting you at all, and I honestly appreciate the tidbit. That said, I always wonder about info like this. If I'm the owner of a particular team, and one of my scouts is telling random schmos (again, no offense intended, just an indication of someone outside the team framework) who the #2 WR on his list is, he's fired immediately. So what I wonder is, why is he telling you this? Is he lying? Is he telling the truth but not very smart? Is he not stupid and telling the truth but the team just doesn't care if the the world knows what it's board looks like? Is he telling you assuming you won't post it on one of the most active football sites on the internet? What's the deal?

Hey there HS,I gotta clarify. My buddy wasn't telling me who is #2 on the Raiders list. He was telling me who is #2 on his own personal list. Wasn't giving up anything the team is doing. In fact, he's been clear since early March he can't tell me any specifics on team planning, only his own personal thoughts and impressions. He's a scout, but he's a little fish in the pond.

Mike Lombardi, former Raiders GM, insists that Al Davis won't be able to pass up DHB due to his speed, and has been slotting him with the Raiders in all of his mock drafts.

I had DHB #7 in my mock over a month ago, but Im going a different direction.

 

[One]

I've been a big fan of Nicks all along, place him as the 2nd most likely to have a big NFL career, and love the things Bloom says about him in his write up. Couldn't agree more.As for DHB, it would scare hell out of me to draft him personally, but I want to pass along a conversation I had with a friend of mine this morning. He's a Raiders scout and involved in draft prep. I saw him at the gym this morning and asked him who is #2 on his WR list. He said, just like Bloom, DHB. I questioned whether he'd be worried about him being another Troy Williamson, and he said no, smiled, and said this guy is gonna be special. I'm having a hard time being a believer, but maybe I need to adjust because David (scout) and Bloom know a helluva lot more than me about these things. We'll see I guess.And EBF, I do hope you're right about Harvin. I hope he has no issues and has a great career. Yeah, he worries me and I'd avoid him, but I want to be proven wrong by the kid. I wish him success.

I'm honestly not slamming you or doubting you at all, and I honestly appreciate the tidbit. That said, I always wonder about info like this. If I'm the owner of a particular team, and one of my scouts is telling random schmos (again, no offense intended, just an indication of someone outside the team framework) who the #2 WR on his list is, he's fired immediately. So what I wonder is, why is he telling you this? Is he lying? Is he telling the truth but not very smart? Is he not stupid and telling the truth but the team just doesn't care if the the world knows what it's board looks like? Is he telling you assuming you won't post it on one of the most active football sites on the internet? What's the deal?

Hey there HS,I gotta clarify. My buddy wasn't telling me who is #2 on the Raiders list. He was telling me who is #2 on his own personal list. Wasn't giving up anything the team is doing. In fact, he's been clear since early March he can't tell me any specifics on team planning, only his own personal thoughts and impressions. He's a scout, but he's a little fish in the pond.

Mike Lombardi, former Raiders GM, insists that Al Davis won't be able to pass up DHB due to his speed, and has been slotting him with the Raiders in all of his mock drafts.

Kinda like Lombardi insisted with Vernon Gholston and Oakland last year?Oh and BTW, Lombardi was a personnel employee, never a GM.Just sayin.

 

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Ah, my bad on Lombardi's former position.