The 2010 wide receiver class has a solid group of well-built wideouts at the top end who have the ability to develop into legitimate starting-caliber receivers in the NFL. However, there are also some intriguing prospects in the backup/depth-caliber department who might not have the necessary skill set to play on the outside at the next level but can become mismatch-type players from the slot in sub package situations.

In order to break down each prospect, the National Football Post will again be using our own numerical grading scale, focusing on evaluating prospects’ potential in terms of “starter caliber,” “dirty starter caliber,” “possible starter caliber,” “backup/depth caliber” and “free agent caliber.” The full grading scale is listed below with explanations of each grade.

Here’s our initial look at the 2010 wide receiver class:

NFP Numerical College Grading Scale

Starter Caliber

8.0 Starts first game as a pro…a prospect who possesses rare physical attributes that have an obvious impact on the game…will instantly become one of the best players at his position in the NFL.

7.5 Becomes a starter in his rookie season…a prospect who possesses physical attributes that will create mismatches and have an obvious impact on the game…will become a premier player in the league.

7.0 Starts in first game as a pro…a prospect who possesses physical attributes that will create mismatches vs. most opponents…a featured player on a team.

6.9 Becomes a starter during his rookie year…a prospect who possesses physical attributes that will create mismatches vs. most opponents…a featured player on team.

6.8 Becomes a starter in his rookie year…becomes a solid NFL player who has no real weakness…can’t be exploited or consistently taken out of games.

Dirty Starter Caliber

6.7 Contributes first year and starts second year…must be able to get on the field and make a contribution as a rookie…expected to start his second year in the league.

<strong>6.6 Contributes first year but may need time to become a starter…has the ability to become a starter and will be expected to assume a starting role.

6.5 Clean player who is inconsistent in his play due to character, alertness or competitiveness…has all the physical tools needed to become a starter…if he overcomes his deficiencies, he will be a star in the league…if he doesn’t, he’ll be a complete failure…NO middle ground.

Possible Starter Caliber

6.4 Has one deficient area of his playing skills or physical attributes but should be able to overcome it and contribute to a team…has the potential to become a starter based on his abilities.

6.3 Has one deficient area of his playing skills or his physical attributes that will be difficult to overcome but will contribute in spite of it…has the potential to become a starter based on his abilities.

6.2 Has one deficient area of his physical attributes that he can never overcome but has been productive and has the potential to be a starter in the NFL despite his shortcomings.

6.1 A clean prospect who will need time and development in order to contribute…physically, this player has all the tools to be a starter in the NFL but has not yet developed the necessary skills due to level of competition, offensive or defensive schemes, injury, grades or lack of playing time…true developmental player who has the potential to become a starter.

6.0 An underachiever who has exhibited a deficiency in some area of his play...has the abilities to become a starter but hasn’t played up to them…has a problem with football instincts, character and/or competitiveness…boom-or-bust prospect.

Backup/Depth Caliber

5.9 Has a deficient area of his playing or physical skills that he should overcome and contribute as a backup and spot player only.

5.8 Has a deficient area of his playing of physical skills that will be difficult to overcome but will contribute as a backup and spot player only.

5.7 Has a deficient area of his physical skills that cannot be overcome but has been productive and can contribute as a backup and spot player only.

Free Agent Category

5.6 Free agent with speed, character and competitiveness.

5.5 Free agent with athletic ability, character and competitiveness.

5.4 Free agent with size, character and competitiveness.

5.3 Free agent at a high level of competition with size, speed or athletic ability.

5.2 Free agent with size or speed.

5.1 Free agent with character and competitiveness.

5.0 Camp body.

4.0 Reject…no qualities for professional football.

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