2016 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Wide Receivers

Wide Receivers

1. Corey Coleman

• Height: 5’11
• Weight: 194
• College: Baylor
• Class: Junior (Redshirt)

Coleman is an explosive playmaker as an outside receiver. The 2015 Biletnikoff Award winner, which is the award given to the best collegiate receiver, Coleman is ranked number one on my board because of his ability to make the big play. Decent size for a receiver, not a physical monster by any stretch of the imagination, but has enough build to transition to the NFL.

Combine Results

• 40 time: 4.40s
• Bench: 17
• Vertical Jump: 40 ½ inches
• Broad Jump: 10’9

Most analysts have Treadwell as the clear top receiver in the 2016 class, but I believe in Coleman’s ability to stretch the field while still being able to make plays in the short to intermediate passing game.

Some of Coleman’s shortcomings are mental which causes red flags to be raised for a few organizations, but his high ceiling is what makes him the top receiver in the draft.

Coleman is a projected mid-first round pick, and would have to fall to the Browns later in the first round to be considered a good pick by Cleveland. Even with Coleman’s talent and potential, Cleveland would not be a good fit for Coleman because the of the Browns’ position in the draft.

NFL Comparison

Best Case Scenario – Emmanuel Sanders

Worst Case Scenario – John Brown

 

 

2. Laquan Treadwell

• Height: 6’2
• Weight: 221
• College: Ole Miss
• Class: Junior

Laquon Treadwell is the most physical receiver in the draft. As previously stated, the majority of analysts have Treadwell as the best receiver in the draft, but problems with drops, route running, and average speed leave me unimpressed. What you see is what you get with him, a solid pass catcher that can line up both inside and out using his physicality to get open. The problem with his “physical dominance” in college is that the NFL is a different animal, and every cornerback is just as physical as Treadwell.

Combine Results

• 40 time: 4.64s
• Bench: 12
• Vertical Jump: 33 inches
• Broad Jump: 9’9

With all that said I still believe Treadwell will transition well to the NFL and be a solid receiver for many years. Whoever drafts him should expect immediate production; the only reason I don’t have him listed as the top receiver is his potential. Treadwell is projected to fall somewhere in the middle picks of the first round, and would be a reach for the Browns at 8, but would be a great addition and a significant upgrade for Cleveland’s receiving corps.

NFL COMPARISON:

Best Case Scenario – Anquan Boldin

Worst Case Scenario – David Boston

 

3. Will Fuller

• Height: 6’1
• Weight: 186
• College: Notre Dame
• Class: Junior

Will Fuller is a speed demon, plain and simple. Fuller is the kind of receiver that stretches the field and allows other receivers to find open space in the middle of the field. A dynamic playmaker, Fuller is second all time on Notre Dame’s receiving touchdown list. Shows the ability to go up and snatch the ball out of the air, and has an extra gear down field that allows him to create space.

Combine Results

• 40 time: 4.32s
• Bench: 10
• Vertical Jump: 33 ½ inches
• Broad Jump: 10’6

It’s worth noting that Fuller was clocked at 2.51 seconds at 20 yards, which means he accelerates to top speed very quickly and that should translate well to the NFL. Fuller’s shortcomings include: untimely drops, thin frame at the receiver position, and question marks surround his ability to make plays in the middle of the field. Fuller is projected in the late first round or early second round. He would be a great fit for Cleveland as a playmaker on the outside, and would fall to the Browns in a range that would make him worth the pick.

NFL Comparison

Best Case Scenario – DeSean Jackson

Worst Case Scenario – Ted Ginn

4. Josh Doctson

• Height: 6’2
• Weight: 202
• College: TCU
• Class: Senior (Redshirt)

Doctson left TCU as the school’s all time leading receiver. A tall lanky receiver that needs to add bulk to his frame if he wants to excel in the NFL, Doctson has all the ability in the world to be a star. At TCU, Doctson played in the spread so he will have to adjust to an NFL playbook, but has enough raw athleticism to ease the transition.

Combine Results

• 40 time: 4.50 seconds
• Bench: 14
• Vertical jump: 41 inches
• Broad jump: 10’11

Doctson showed struggles with concentration catching balls over the middle of the field, as well as mediocre route running which raises red flags. If he can overcome those problems and add some weight to his frame he will be a productive receiver in the league.

The Browns could end up drafting Doctson as he is projected as a late first to early second round pick and would be a solid fit on the team.

NFL Comparison

Best Case Scenario – Joe Horn

Worst Case Scenario – Michael Jenkins

 

5. Michael Thomas

• Height: 6’3
• Weight: 212
• College: The Ohio State University
• Class: Junior (Redshirt)

Michael Thomas out of The Ohio State University is a physical beast. Great size for the receiver position, and possesses raw athleticism. More of a work in progress prospect than a NFL ready made guy. Thomas was Ohio State’s best receiver this past season and arguably was the best receiver on the national championship team two seasons ago.

Combine Results

• 40 time: 4.57 seconds
• Bench: 18
• Vertical jump: 35 inches
• Broad jump: 10’6

Thomas is still figuring out how to be a complete receiver and has much to improve on. Route running and mental focus are huge downsides to his game, but with the right team he could flourish. He is projected as a second round pick; Thomas could potentially be a good fit for the Browns, but not in a good position to be drafted by the Browns because if they take him high it would be a reach and he most likely won’t fall to the third round.

NFL Comparison

Best Case Scenario – Marques Colston

Worst Case Scenario – Roy Williams