If you read my prior article on wide receivers in the draft, you know that I believe an upgrade at WR is more important than an upgrade at any other position. I am also a firm believer that you can’t judge a wide receiver on numbers alone). Nevertheless, the numbers are not irrelevant. Scouts look at the numbers to double check their findings from film review. Thus, here are the numbers from the combine for the best wide receivers in the draft.
|
Name |
Combine |
Weight |
Arm |
Hands |
Combine |
Bench |
Vertical |
Broad |
20-Yard |
|
Keenan Allen |
6’2” |
206 |
32 ¾” |
10” |
DNP |
DNP |
DNP |
DNP |
DNP |
|
Cordarrele Patterson |
6’2” |
216 |
31 ¾” |
9” |
4.42 |
DNP |
37 |
128 |
DNP |
|
Tavon Austin |
5’8” |
174 |
30” |
9 ⅛” |
4.34 |
14 |
32 |
120 |
4.01 |
|
DeAndre Hopkins |
6’1” |
214 |
33 ⅜” |
10” |
4.57 |
15 |
36 |
115 |
4.50 |
|
Robert Woods |
6’0” |
201 |
31” |
9 ¼” |
4.51 |
14 |
33.5 |
117 |
4.47 |
|
Justin Hunter |
6’4” |
196 |
33 ¾” |
9 ⅜” |
4.44 |
DNP |
39.5 |
136* |
4.33 |
|
Da’Rick Rogers |
6’2” |
217 |
32 ¾” |
9 ½” |
4.52 |
10 |
39.5 |
132 |
4.06 |
|
Markus Wheaton |
5’11” |
189 |
32 ¾” |
9 ⅜” |
4.45 |
20 |
37 |
120 |
4.02 |
|
Terrance Williams |
6’2” |
208 |
31 ¼” |
8 ¾” |
4.52 |
11 |
32.5 |
119 |
4.32 |
* Combine record
I have this list in order, based on my opinion. While I have Austin as the 3rd best wide receiver, I don’t believe he is the 3rd best for the Rams. I readily acknowledge his skills and potential impact in the NFL. At the same time, I don’t believe he will have that impact on the Rams. We need a number 1 wide receiver before we can get a luxury “joker” type wide receiver. A joker is a guy who has something unique about him that causes matchup problems. Tavon Austin has unique speed and quickness, but what good is that if he is the guy the other team double teams. I also see potential health and durability problems if the undersized “joker” is your number 1. 5’8, 174 pounds may work in college, but it won’t last long as a number 1 option in the NFL.
I really wanted to see Keenan Allen run at the combine. Now, we will only know pro-day numbers, and it is always difficult to compare numbers from a pro-day to the combine. Keenan Allen stated in an interview that he is shooting for a 4.40 forty time. I have to believe he will get that at the pro-day. I hope we also get a vertical result and 20-yard shuttle time.
I still believe Keenan Allen is the best wide receiver over all, at this time, in the draft. Patterson may turn out to be better in the long wrong, but that is a “may”. Given his surprise “knee” issue at the combine, I have concerns whether the Rams can draft Keenan Allen at 16. A PCL knee problem that occurred in October should have been resolved by now. I suspect the PCL “tweak” is really a control issue by the agent. He wanted his client to perform only in a situation where the player has control. If true, that bothers me. A true competitor should want to prove his worth at all times. True competitors compete, they don’t hide. The combine is awesome because the NFL controls the variables, and the numbers are comparable. I will wait for the pro day to see how this “knee” issue resolves and to see the results before I state a final opinion on Keenan Allen.
The primary issue for most Rams fans will be whether Keenan Allen is that much better than the options that will be available at pick 46. Furthermore, what about the other options at pick 16 and 22 (the best TE, a starting offensive tackle, a stud guard, or a starting safety). Arguments over this pick are fair. Please let me know your thoughts.
