Time for what we can only hope is a quick turnaround between articles, this time with the most daunting position group of the draft class: wide receiver. Nine players marks the largest single position group in this crop by four, with linebackers and corners each boasting five prospects, meaning there are almost twice as many wide receivers to rank, and nearly twice as much room for error. Obviously, take our words here with a grain of salt; however, we're going to do our best to rank this crop, starting once more from the bottom.
9. Kyle Grimly, WR, Texas A&M: I don't even know where to begin assessing 6'3" 205 Grimly; everything about the former Aggie screams of a player who expects to get by based on his speed, but unfortunately, Grimly just isn't particularly fast. In fact, the Austin, TX native is a bit disappointing in most respects relevant to a speedy receiver's game: although he's among the most agile of the bunch, Grimly's endurance isn't especially impressive, and his hands are arguably the worst of the crop. I had Grimly much higher than this at first glance, but a second glance shot him to the bottom of the pile. Any GM who takes Grimly should expect a project, so hopefully he's ready to bust his ass on the practice field.
8. Julian McMorris, WR, University of Manitoba: I don't like to be so harsh, but learning and playing the game nearly exclusively in Manitoba through this point in his career has done 6'6", 245 lb McMorris no favors; his ratings are lackluster at best, with the only real exception being his blocking ability, which looks better than the rest of the crop. This spells trouble for young McMorris, the youngest receiver of the bunch, who hopes to be a true threat in the red zone at the wide receiver position. Maybe the former Bison could benefit from a switch to the tight end position (and perhaps he isn't the only one in this draft class who should consider it); expect McMorris to fall to late in the draft unless a needy GM can talk him into playing TE in the future.
7. Bryce Molnar, WR, Bucknell University: At 6'2", 220, Molnar is another former Bison who might want to consider a position change. The Washington D.C. native, like McMorris, has better blocking ability than most others in the crop, and he's one of the smarter members of the bunch to boot, so tight end might not be such a difficult jump for him, especially given his focus on possession as a receiver. Otherwise, an argument exists to move him to the opposite side of the ball, or even to keep him at wide receiver; however, that decision is one for the GMs of the DSFL to make. Expect Molnar to fall just like McMorris in the draft. Especially given his radio silence since he declared.
6. Jordan McCann III, WR, University of Florida: I originally had the 6'3", 205 McCann higher in the rankings than this; the former Gator is the fastest of the crop, and GMs in this league love to see speed at this position. However, after a second glance at the ratings, I shifted the Tampa, FL native toward the bottom of the list; while his speed is certainly impressive, even a receiver whose claim to fame is speed cannot survive on speed alone, and the other stats McCann needs to succeed (agility, hands, endurance) are lacking. If McCann starts making noise before the draft, he has a chance to improve his draft stock quite a bit; otherwise, only a GM blinded by speed will be likely to take him early, so he should slip come draft day.
5. Saba Donut, WR, University of Oregon: Honestly, I'm a bit disappointed that I've got Donut so low in these rankings, because I really do like his story. He and his brother, both former Ducks originally from Indianapolis, IN, are both players I'll be rooting for come the start of the season. However, the 6'2", 200 lb Donut, while his ratings are well balanced, isn't particularly impressive in any respect; the route runner is realistically just about the rough average of the class. Of course, that doesn't mean Donut shouldn't go sooner rather than later; despite his numbers, Donut has real potential to be a solid receiver in the NSFL in the future, so he's worth a flier for a team in need of a WR2, or even a team desperate for something resembling a WR1.
4. Jackson Valadez, WR, North Carolina State University: If Donut is the rough average of the class of WRs, the 6'2", 215 Valadez, a former member of the Wolfpack, is just slightly above that average. While the the Charlotte, NC native's ratings aren't that much higher than Donut's they are just slightly higher, and slightly more activity from the oldest member of the class means he's just that much more likely than Donut to go a hair earlier. Again, a team looking for a good WR2, or even desperate for a WR1, wouldn't be so wrong to take a serious look at Valadez early in the draft.
3. Action Jackosn, WR, University of Georgia: I'll admit that after the Bubba Thumper presser, I have a soft spot for the 6'4", 235 Jackson. That being said, my decision to rate him number three among this group does have justification, as I do believe the former Bulldog is one of the better prospects of this group. Jackson boasts solid hands and tremendous strength, so he'll no doubt pose a threat in the red zone; that being said, his agility and speed aren't up to snuff with the rest of the crop, so despite my belief that Jackson is one of the best athletes in this position group, I'm of the opinion that the native of Dickson, TN is another candidate to move to the tight end position, and given that he's arguably the best blocker of this group, he could really thrive in that role for a team shying away from the candidates already listed at that position. A GM would not be unwise to pick Jackson for either role though, and if he keeps making noise, he can be expected to go early in the draft.
2. Dexter Banks II, WR, University of Georgia: The other former Bulldog in the class, 6'2", 198 Banks figures to be a real factor at the wide receiver position from day one. Like McCann, he's lightning quick, but he has the agility, hands, and endurance to round himself out as a true threat working either on the outside or in the slot. The Savannah, GA native doesn't just boast high ratings; Banks is also clearly a hard worker, and it shows in his development over time. No doubt GMs with a need at WR will be considering Banks early, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him off the board in less time than it takes him to finish the forty meter dash.
1. Max Lovote, WR, Notre Dame University: I'm sure GMs reading this are still salivating over Banks, and most will probably have him as the top WR on their board, but I want to call attention to the former heart of the Fighting Irish, 6'3", 220 Lovote. The Columbus, OH native, despite lower speed than Banks, has better endurance and significantly better hands, leading the class in both, plus he can provide a chip block when necessary, something Banks is bound to struggle with. I doubt the possession receiver will be off the board before Banks, given his lower speed rating, but I do get the feeling he'll compete with Banks every step of the way to the top, so take note of this kid as a receiver who'll be off the board early.
9. Kyle Grimly, WR, Texas A&M: I don't even know where to begin assessing 6'3" 205 Grimly; everything about the former Aggie screams of a player who expects to get by based on his speed, but unfortunately, Grimly just isn't particularly fast. In fact, the Austin, TX native is a bit disappointing in most respects relevant to a speedy receiver's game: although he's among the most agile of the bunch, Grimly's endurance isn't especially impressive, and his hands are arguably the worst of the crop. I had Grimly much higher than this at first glance, but a second glance shot him to the bottom of the pile. Any GM who takes Grimly should expect a project, so hopefully he's ready to bust his ass on the practice field.
8. Julian McMorris, WR, University of Manitoba: I don't like to be so harsh, but learning and playing the game nearly exclusively in Manitoba through this point in his career has done 6'6", 245 lb McMorris no favors; his ratings are lackluster at best, with the only real exception being his blocking ability, which looks better than the rest of the crop. This spells trouble for young McMorris, the youngest receiver of the bunch, who hopes to be a true threat in the red zone at the wide receiver position. Maybe the former Bison could benefit from a switch to the tight end position (and perhaps he isn't the only one in this draft class who should consider it); expect McMorris to fall to late in the draft unless a needy GM can talk him into playing TE in the future.
7. Bryce Molnar, WR, Bucknell University: At 6'2", 220, Molnar is another former Bison who might want to consider a position change. The Washington D.C. native, like McMorris, has better blocking ability than most others in the crop, and he's one of the smarter members of the bunch to boot, so tight end might not be such a difficult jump for him, especially given his focus on possession as a receiver. Otherwise, an argument exists to move him to the opposite side of the ball, or even to keep him at wide receiver; however, that decision is one for the GMs of the DSFL to make. Expect Molnar to fall just like McMorris in the draft. Especially given his radio silence since he declared.
6. Jordan McCann III, WR, University of Florida: I originally had the 6'3", 205 McCann higher in the rankings than this; the former Gator is the fastest of the crop, and GMs in this league love to see speed at this position. However, after a second glance at the ratings, I shifted the Tampa, FL native toward the bottom of the list; while his speed is certainly impressive, even a receiver whose claim to fame is speed cannot survive on speed alone, and the other stats McCann needs to succeed (agility, hands, endurance) are lacking. If McCann starts making noise before the draft, he has a chance to improve his draft stock quite a bit; otherwise, only a GM blinded by speed will be likely to take him early, so he should slip come draft day.
5. Saba Donut, WR, University of Oregon: Honestly, I'm a bit disappointed that I've got Donut so low in these rankings, because I really do like his story. He and his brother, both former Ducks originally from Indianapolis, IN, are both players I'll be rooting for come the start of the season. However, the 6'2", 200 lb Donut, while his ratings are well balanced, isn't particularly impressive in any respect; the route runner is realistically just about the rough average of the class. Of course, that doesn't mean Donut shouldn't go sooner rather than later; despite his numbers, Donut has real potential to be a solid receiver in the NSFL in the future, so he's worth a flier for a team in need of a WR2, or even a team desperate for something resembling a WR1.
4. Jackson Valadez, WR, North Carolina State University: If Donut is the rough average of the class of WRs, the 6'2", 215 Valadez, a former member of the Wolfpack, is just slightly above that average. While the the Charlotte, NC native's ratings aren't that much higher than Donut's they are just slightly higher, and slightly more activity from the oldest member of the class means he's just that much more likely than Donut to go a hair earlier. Again, a team looking for a good WR2, or even desperate for a WR1, wouldn't be so wrong to take a serious look at Valadez early in the draft.
3. Action Jackosn, WR, University of Georgia: I'll admit that after the Bubba Thumper presser, I have a soft spot for the 6'4", 235 Jackson. That being said, my decision to rate him number three among this group does have justification, as I do believe the former Bulldog is one of the better prospects of this group. Jackson boasts solid hands and tremendous strength, so he'll no doubt pose a threat in the red zone; that being said, his agility and speed aren't up to snuff with the rest of the crop, so despite my belief that Jackson is one of the best athletes in this position group, I'm of the opinion that the native of Dickson, TN is another candidate to move to the tight end position, and given that he's arguably the best blocker of this group, he could really thrive in that role for a team shying away from the candidates already listed at that position. A GM would not be unwise to pick Jackson for either role though, and if he keeps making noise, he can be expected to go early in the draft.
2. Dexter Banks II, WR, University of Georgia: The other former Bulldog in the class, 6'2", 198 Banks figures to be a real factor at the wide receiver position from day one. Like McCann, he's lightning quick, but he has the agility, hands, and endurance to round himself out as a true threat working either on the outside or in the slot. The Savannah, GA native doesn't just boast high ratings; Banks is also clearly a hard worker, and it shows in his development over time. No doubt GMs with a need at WR will be considering Banks early, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him off the board in less time than it takes him to finish the forty meter dash.
1. Max Lovote, WR, Notre Dame University: I'm sure GMs reading this are still salivating over Banks, and most will probably have him as the top WR on their board, but I want to call attention to the former heart of the Fighting Irish, 6'3", 220 Lovote. The Columbus, OH native, despite lower speed than Banks, has better endurance and significantly better hands, leading the class in both, plus he can provide a chip block when necessary, something Banks is bound to struggle with. I doubt the possession receiver will be off the board before Banks, given his lower speed rating, but I do get the feeling he'll compete with Banks every step of the way to the top, so take note of this kid as a receiver who'll be off the board early.