1. Cordarrelle Patterson - 6'3" 205
This guy can flat out FLY. Not only is he my top WR prospect coming out this year, but he is my top special teams playmaker as well. One question you always have to ask yourself when scouting a player for the NFL is "Do they pass the eyeball test?" Patterson certainly passes with flying colors and I can say it was a pleasure to watch him play football this past Fall. The explosiveness out of his cuts and the speed on a go route separate him from any WR in this class by far. The athletic beast from Rock Hill, SC has all the tools to develop into a #2 Receiver/Punt Returner/Kick Returner. Can he be a #1 receiver? Absolutely, but in the NFL you have to put your aces in their places. Does anyone remember the super bowl when Jacoby Jones (who is clearly a #3 receiver behind Anquan Boldin & Torrey Smith) returned a kick for a touchdown AND catching a TD pass? This is the kind of playmaking ability that Patterson can bring to an offense. I know...I know...Jacoby Jones went to Lane College and Cordarrelle has proven himself against SEC competition but the value as a COMPLETE player is too high to make him a #1 Receiver. I'd probably imagine he'd get bored just catching passes anyway
2. Terrance Williams - 6'2" 200
Wait. No Keenan Allen??? NO. I love his talent and I honestly think he has the most "complete" receiver game out of this class but I base my scouting off injury history also. Terrance Williams doesn't miss games from injuries and from what I have researched he didn't miss a SINGLE game. If you haven't seen Terrance Williams play football then you are missing out. He routinely makes difficult catches look easy while also displaying natural hands. Terrance has the uncanny ability to track the ball in the air and pluck it at the highest point against the defender. His game reminds me a lot like Pierre Garcon's because of the smooth routes, phenomenal hand-eye coordination, and ability to get YAC. I honestly see Williams starting as a good #2 receiver and developing into a #1 by his 3rd year. Corners in the NFL are bigger and faster than ever so I expect the physicality of the game to slow his immediate production(look for him to get around 4-500 yds). Williams should be a sleeper 1st round pick because plenty of NFL teams lack playmakers at the wide receiver position.
3. Deandre "Nuke" Hopkins - 6'1" 214
If you have yet to see the video of Nuke catching 33 one handed passes in a row, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwB5J11. There are few players in this draft who pass the eye test as well as Hopkins. He is a an exceptional football player that seems to have superglue on his hands every time a ball is in his proximity. Because of his size some scouts will say that he won't produce much in the NFL, but all you have to do is put on the LSU tape and watch Nuke's magic. In a physical football game Hopkins routinely came up with the football in stride, at the highest point, and honestly looked like the 2nd best NFL prospect behind Barkevious Mingo. Jams at the line will not be an issue for Hopkins and I expect him to have a very long career as a #2 receiver. I say this because Nuke is one of the most fierce competitors at his position that I have seen in college football. He is very clutch in tight situations while also displaying composure and leadership on the sideline. Expect Hopkins to go somewhere in the early to mid 2nd round
4. Tavon Austin - 5'9" 175
You wana talk about the WOW factor? This kids brings it every time he touches the football and is the most electrifying player in the draft. If he gets more than two feet of room between himself and a defender...watch out. Austin is a BIG time prospect who has the ability to take it for 6 at any second. I don't think the game has seen a playmaker this versatile since Percy Harvin. Tavon is not as fast as Desean Jackson, but he is damn close!!! He can catch the ball out of the backfield, run the ball after lining up behind a fullback, play the slot position, play on the outside, return punts AND kickoffs! Expect Tavon to test very well at the combine and be a player who someone targets early in the 2nd round.
5. Keenan Allen - 6'2" 210
Keenan Allen just has the IT factor about him. All you have to do is watch his high school tape to see that he is destined to play in the NFL. One word to describe his game...SMOOTH. Keenan has great size for the position, runs polished routes, displays "field" speed, and is stronger than he looks. In fact, if he had no health issues then he would easily sit atop at #1 in this write-up. I actually see Keenan Allen being productive when he'll play on an NFL field but there is nothing about his prior history that tells me he can stay healthy. Personally as a GM I would only spend a 3rd round pick on Allen but look for him to get drafted between the late 1st and middle of the 2nd round.
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