Top-heavy class of wide receivers gives Steelers some options

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By Alan Robinson

Cordarrelle Patterson of Tennessee is a “height, weight, speed freak,” according to NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock. Patterson is a natural talent at wide receiver who probably won't last much past the midpoint of the first round.

The Steelers, at No. 17, fit right there.

Patterson, at 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, is a couple of inches taller than Mike Wallace and a few pounds heavier, even if he isn't as fast — who is? Asked at the NFL Scouting Combine to name his three biggest strengths, Patterson said, “Speed, catching and scoring.”

For a wide receiver, it's hard to argue with that.

Patterson is talented enough to have rushed for more than 300 yards last season in addition to catching 46 passes, and he has the look of a game-changing offensive talent who could make Ben Roethlisberger miss Wallace a whole lot less.

But Patterson played only one season at Tennessee after transferring from Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College, and questions persist about him making the jump from junior college football to the NFL with only a year in between. He is not a polished route runner.

“I didn't expect to be a one-year-and-done, but we had the coaching change, and everything was getting a little crazy, so I wanted to get out of there,” Patterson said. “I expect to come in as a rookie and be a good rookie and be a Pro Bowler.”

There also are questions whether Patterson is even the best receiver coming out of Tennessee. Teammate Justin Hunter is more of a raw talent, but some scouts wonder if he might have a better NFL career.

Keenan Allen of California has been projected as a first-rounder, but there are worries about his speed. He ran a reported 4.7 in the 40-yard dash at his personal pro day, a concern in a sport where cornerbacks can run considerably faster.

Read more: http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/3826943-74/catches-patterson-steelers#ixzz2QpW61gD1

The number of top receivers in this draft is the argument that many were using as to why the Steelers shouldn't match the offer to Sanders. But we have to remember ... Troy Edwards and Limas Sweed were highly touted receivers coming out of college.

Edwards won the Fred Biletnikoff Award, which is given to the best college wide receiver.

Sweed also was regarded as one of the best receivers coming out of college. Here's a quote from his QB, Colt McCoy:

"I think he gets overlooked a lot because he's a great receiver -- he has such great hands."

Here's a few examples that are typical of Sweed's scouting profile coming out of college:

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A true possession receiver that is going to go over the middle and make all the catches…Is an enormous target with good strength…Has been a very consistent target and is a team leader…A clutch player…Will move the chains…Is a good blocker and displays good technique…Above-average athleticism…Good character.

http://walterfootball.com/pro2008lsweed.php

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Entering his final season, Sweed was rated the best receiver in college football and one of the nation's top 25 draft prospects by ESPN.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/historical/437036

Lets look at the receivers who have been drafted in the first round since 2000.

2000
Peter Warrick
Plaxico Burress
Travis Taylor
Sylvester Morris
R. Jay Soward

2001
David Terrell
Koren Robinson
Rod Gardner
Santana Moss
Freddie Mitchell
Reggie Wayne

2002
Donte' Stallworth
Ashley Lelie
Javon Walker

2003
Charles Rogers
Andre Johnson
Bryant Johnson

2004
Larry Fitzgerald
Roy Williams
Reggie Williams
Lee Evans
Michael Clayton
Michael Jenkins
Rashaun Woods

2005
Braylon Edwards
Troy Williamson
Mike Williams
Mat Jones
Mark Clayton
Roddy White

2006
Santonio Holmes

2007
Calvin Johnson
Ted Ginn Jr.
Dwayne Bowe
Robert Meachem
Craig Davis
Anthony Gonzalez

2008
none

2009
Darrius Heyward-Bey
Michael Crabtree
Jeremy Maclin
Percy Harvin
Hakeem Nicks
Kenny Britt

2010
Demaryius Thomas
Dez Bryant

2011
A.J. Green
Julio Jones
Jonathan Baldwin

2012
Justin Blackmon
Michael Floyd
Kendall Wright
A.J. Jenkins

Sure you might get the next Calvin Jonson, Larry Fitzgerald, or Andre Johnson. Maybe even the next Reggie Wayne, Julio Jones, or A.J. Green. But you also might get the next bust like the countless ones that are on that list.

I just don't see receiver being such a great need that we take the chance on one with a first-round pick, especially with history showing that the odds are highly against drafting someone who will actually be a top NFL receiver. You want your No. 1 pick to make an impact, not just be a role player at best.