Illini’s Benn could be an impact player as a rookie. Wes Bunting
A look at some of the key points to come out of the wide receiver group after day two of the NFL Combine:
• One guy who’s going to need time to develop at the next level but really seems to “get it” is Connecticut wideout Marcus Easley. Easley is a one-year starter who at this time last year didn’t even have a scholarship to play at UConn. However, he seemed genuinely blessed about his opportunity to be at the combine and said he expects to run in the 4.3 range. At 6-2, 210 pounds, Easley runs extremely well on tape but needs some time to mature as a route runner. His combination of size, speed and maturity could make him one of the more intriguing wideouts in April.
• Kansas State wideout Brandon Banks wants his name added to the list of guys looking to break 4.24 in the 40 this year. He said he has already run a 4.24 in workouts and is hoping to better it with a 4.23. Asked what he can bring to an NFL offense, Banks said, “ I’m electric and can score a touchdown every time I get the ball into my hands.”
• One guy who needs to impress this week during the interview process is Norfolk State WR Chris Bell. Bell is a former five-star recruit who was kicked off the Penn State football team in 2008 after he was charged with threatening a teammate with a knife. However, he came off as someone who doesn’t seem to want to be here. I do believe there’s some upside to his game and that he has the skill set needed to make an NFL roster, but I also worry about Bell’s willingness to put in the work.
• I was impressed with Illinois wideout Arrelious Benn when he was asked about his drop in production last season. Benn didn’t throw anyone under the bus and instead accepted responsibility for his numbers and was mature about it. First and foremost, his lack of production wasn’t his fault, and he might make more of an impact than any wideout in this year’s draft because of his run-after-the-catch ability. He looks like a great fit in Baltimore at the end of the first round, and he’s meeting with the Ravens tonight.
• I found it interesting that Notre Dame wideout Golden Tate said the best cornerback he faced all season was Pittsburgh’s Aaron Berry. Berry is a solid college corner, but in terms of NFL potential, he looks like a guy who will struggle to make a roster. You can’t take anything away from Tate’s production last season, but he played a really soft schedule in terms of opposing defenses and corners, and I simply don’t think he’s the kind of player many are making him out to be.
• Finally, one guy who’s going to fall a bit because of his inability to work out this draft season is Minnesota wideout Eric Decker. However, when you listen to his his passion for the game and attention to detail, he comes off as someone ready to be a professional. He said he expects his left foot to be 100 percent by June and that he’ll be ready to go full tilt come training camp. Again, he might not be a top-75 pick, but he’s a player who looks like a potential No. 2 possession guy at the next level.
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Wes did his homework for needs on the mock draft.
Remember the NFP story about Dallas getting a trade offer for a player when Jerry jones mentioned a draft pick was out there to get?
Just Me
Oct 22, 2009
11:38 AM The trade offer for Bennett came from the Bengals, not the Patriots.
steven hecht
Oct 22, 2009
02:44 PM The Dallas Cowboy website states that Cincinnatti may have willing to trade a number one pick for TE Martellus Bennett.
The only two it could have been at that time were Bennet or Spencer. Spencer turned into a playoff monster and Bennet is solid in several team packages and with reps could really develop.
Wes had Cincy looking for a tight end from Miami in his early mock?
It matches their M.O. as well. Cincy often asks coaches to evaluate players, and they are much more likely to be needs oriented evaluations. Marv Lewis prefers not even doing contract talks at this time as he is focused on adding new bengals or retaining ones due contracts. This is all consistent with how the team operates.
The one item with this approach, a psotion coach always wants new blood for his and may boost a rating, or a need will make them pass up the better overall player. Marvin clearly wants to make sure he doesn't miss out on the BPA by going over other aspects of football business.
I've always wonder that it was Miles Austin, Mr. Murder. And why not? Seems plausible that Dallas and other teams may have known they had something in Austin, who just wasn't given the playing time to yet make his mark.
It would not be a reach to say others wanted Austin, but he already had his breakout games and by then Jerry knew he had struck paydirt and wouldn't let nim go. Bennett and Spencer were the two players most likely to have upside and were not getting the reps(Bennett) or bloomed late in the season(Spencer).
Spencer was a monster in December. Bennett always got good plays in on limited reps. Hard to replace a guy like Witten.
Tuna Parcells said the best matchup in the game is not the third wideout because most teams now invest into their third corner. The second tight end forces a defense to honor the run game with a base defense, so you can match him up on runstoppers and get some solid execution out of it.
Dez Bryant is gonna be a MONSTER.
Looks like a slightly bigger TO....hopefully w/o the "me first" baggage & throwing your teammates under the bus. Also a more physical Larry Fitzgerald who has that leaping ability & long arms to go up for the ball.
Bryant doesn't have elite speed but he's huge, physical, explosive, & can jump up for balls a la Fitz. Looking at him return punts & with his real success there you could see why I think he's gonna be one of the better more productive & successful YAC runners from a BIG wideout. He NATURALLY KNOWS how to put on a move against any would be tackler & has quick, clean, explosive cuts.
I like him better than Crabtree where IMO if it were me I DEFINITELY would have taken Oher...that's a whole other topic. With Oher even before the pick & the season unfolded (meaning this isn't hindsight) I saw Oher as the more COMPLETE talent at his position when you compare both prospects succeeding in reaching their full potential. A man of his size & NATURAL OL abilities & gifts just don't come along often. Even before the Draft it was obvious Crabtree isn't a homerun hitter....he has exceptional hands & is more of a reliable possession WR to get you that 1st down or TD in the RZ. More of a specialist in short passes with some YAC to attacking the intermediate area downfield. If I'm drafting for a #1 WR, & at a top 10 pick that's what your doing, then he needs to have that dynamic explosiveness + THAT HOME RUN CAPABILITY. That's my prereq.
Bryant is said to only have good speed but it's that combination of dominant power, explosiveness, return ability like YAC & crisp cuts that will get him in the open field to add to his YAC average & totals + also take it the house TD's for 6. If this kid can stay out of trouble & listen to his Coaches to polish his route running & this guys gonna be a BEAST.
I see Bryant having more potential of being a legit #1.
Crabtree is a borderline #1 to me just because of that limited home run threat & more explosion for the YAC. He still might end up there but I see him more as an ELITE #2.
Here's the thing....IMO we still need speed & that home run threat to complete our WR's positions as a whole. Meaning that even after the Crabtree selection WE STILL NEED a deep, home run blazer to finish our WR's core. That guy who stretches the D, keeps the other side from stacking 8-9 in the box vs Gore & Co., & that Defenses LEGITIMATELY FEAR & HAVE TO GAME PLAN FOR. You shouldn't have to look for that in the prospect you drafted as your #1 WR, he should also possess that ability.
Crabs is a Niner now so I fully support him. But as a psuedo GM I would have passed until a more sure #1 worthy of a top 10 (to 15) came along & he had the complete package to include that speed & gamebreaking ability. To me it's important that a #1 WR has that capability. He also should be unguardable 1 on 1.
Whoever decides to draft Eric Decker is going to get a hell of a productive player. He produced game after game with no quarterback, no running game, no other receiving options, a collection of offensive coordinators, and the ineptitude of Tim Brewster as his head coach.
Decker just gets open, catches every ball, and makes plays.
you having Dwyer as the #1 back looked even worse today. ready to reevaluate?
Hey Wes, so with Jacoby Ford running a 4.28 in the 40, should we pencil him in at the 8th spot going to the Raiders?
Whoever decides to draft Eric Decker is going to get a hell of a productive player. He produced game after game with no quarterback, no running game, no other receiving options, a collection of offensive coordinators, and the ineptitude of Tim Brewster as his head coach.
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Feb 26, 2010
04:38 PM
I love how in the scouting report Bunting says Bell has some "character issues." Yeah, I guess you could call pulling a knife in a teammate a character issue.