Top 10 WRs/TEs in the NFL Draft

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Apr 14, 2010

Top 10 WRs/TEs in the NFL Draft

Dez Bryant

Despite missing the final 10 games of his junior season due to NCAA violations, Bryant is by all accounts in great shape -- he has been described as "shredded" -- and his sticky hands and athleticism make him a top-notch prospect. The knocks on Dez are generally that he's raw and needs to work on his footwork to be an elite NFL receiver.

Golden Tate

Tate won the 2009 Biletnikoff Award -- given to the nation's top receiver -- after a 1,496-yard, 14-TD season in Notre Dame's pro style offense. The undersized receiver has compared himself to the Panthers' Steve Smith and Percy Harvin of the Vikings, citing his speed and hands despite a small frame.

Demaryius Thomas

Thomas broke his left foot while training for the combine, completely derailing his push to become the top receiver taken in the draft. But Thomas, a 1,000-yard receiver at Georgia Tech last season, says he's almost back to full strength, and his size, strength and 25.1 average yards per reception last year have scouts excited for him to heal.

Damian Williams

Williams has neither blazing speed nor eye-popping athleticism, but he's a proven playmaker from an elite college program, and he's creative with the ball after the catch. He has reliable hands (he caught 70 passes in '09) and is a well-rounded receiver who will likely come off the board on the draft's second day.

Arrelious Benn

Illinois' Benn has prototypical NFL receiver size, strength, speed and leaping ability, while his experience in the return game makes him dangerous with the rock in his hands anywhere on the field. Still, his lack of precision route-running gives scouts pause.

Jermaine Gresham

Oklahoma's top tight end missed the entire 2009 season after blowing out his knee before the Sooners' first game of the year. Gresham is athletic and fast, rare for a tight end who weighs in at over 260 lbs. His knack for getting in the end zone has given him a playmaking reputation, but his health and blocking remain question marks.

Brandon LaFell

11 of LaFell's 57 catches last season were touchdowns, proving the Tiger wideout has potential. LaFell has athletic frame and good hands, but lapses in focus sometimes lead to drops in college, and he doesn't have top-end speed for the position.

Aaron Hernandez

Hernandez became a favorite target of Gators QB Time Tebow in 2009, catching 68 passes for 850 yards and 5 scores. He has good hands and natural athleticism, but NFL scouts worry his lack of size for a tight end could make him a blocking liability. Still, Hernandez is a playmaker, as he proved with his production in college.

Marshawn Gilyard

Mardy Gilyard was one of the most productive receivers in college football in '09, finishing the season with 87 receptions, 1,191 yards and 11 touchdowns while helping lead the Bearcats to a BCS bowl game. The athletic wideout is a nightmare to tackle after the catch, but is small for the pro game and doesn't block well.

Rob Gronkowski

At 6-6, 264 pounds, Gronkowski fits the mold of a prototypical NFL tight end. But the Arizona big man has durability issues -- he missed part of 2008 and all of 2009 with injuries. He's a top-notch blocker and can make catches in traffic, but he's by no means elusive and has average speed.