Quote:
Originally Posted by SkinsFanSince91
We should solidify the defense in the first round. Wide outs are tempting, but hardly yield great results in the first round. Plus, this year's WR class is deep, and we can find talent in later rounds.
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Prime examples are Devin Thomas, Jordy Nelson, and Adarius Bowman. They are all big, quick, aggressive, and play-making wide outs that can develop into the " #1" WR.
Especially Devin Thomas. Here is what ESPN's Scouts Inc. had to say about in their report. Pay attention to the last sentence.
Devin Thomas
WR | (6'2", 217, 4.51) | MICHIGAN STATE
Scouts Grade: 89
Strengths: Possesses adequate-to-good height with a sturdy build for a wide receiver. Very smooth and fluid. Displays outstanding hands. Can consistently catch over his head. Strong hands to pluck in traffic. Can snatch the ball on the run with very little wasted motion. Is a treat after the catch. Does not possess elite initial burst but he does display a second gear to run away from defenders once he gets going (see: 2nd quarter vs. Wisconsin). He is a silky-smooth runner with excellent vision and body control. Sees the entire field and shows the change-of-direction ability to make sharp cuts without losing speed. Is strong and will drag some defenders for extra yards after the catch. Was effective in the times we saw him take handoffs in the backfield and might have a future as a kick return man in the NFL. Has bulk and strength to sustain blocks when he?s in position. Also flashes a mean streak.
Weaknesses: More dangerous after the catch than he is as a vertical route runner. Lacks ideal experience at the highest collegiate level. Still needs polishing as a route-runner. Rounds off many of his routes. Not crisp enough to consistently separate from tight man-to-man coverage. Needs to improve his array of release moves versus press coverage at the line of scrimmage. Takes a bit too long to reach top speed. Doesn?t always sell routes on play-action runs. Can sustain his blocks once locked on but takes some poor angles and doesn't always get in good position. Effort as a blocker is inconsistent.
Overall: After proving his explosiveness and versatility by averaging 105.5 all-purpose yards at Coffeyville CC in 2005, Thomas enrolled at Michigan State. He played 10 games in his first season in East Lansing, but finished with just six receptions, 90 receiving yards and one touchdown. He broke out as a junior last season, playing in all 13 games and delivering 79 catches, eight TDs and a Big Ten-best 1,260 receiving yards for a Spartans offense that relied heavily on the run. He added 177 rushing yards on 27 carries and starred as a return man, averaging 29.1 on 39 kickoff returns. Compared to most prospects, there?s very little information to go off of when evaluating Thomas. He only played one year at the FBS level, and as an underclassman entry he was not able to compete in a post-season all-star game. His inexperience and lack of exposure naturally creates some doubt. However, the more film we study of Thomas the more impressed we are with his overall physical tools. He possesses the size, athleticism and hands of a future starter in the NFL, which is why we graded Thomas out in the second round. He will fit best in a West Coast system, where his run-after-catch ability will be maximized.