NFL Rookie Wide Receivers’ Keeper Prospects: Part 2

There are always a few later round selections that put up solid numbers because while they may not have the elite talent, they do have the opportunity. Some of these guys have the elite talent, but there are other issues such as size or character that made them drop.

The Guys With Enough Opportunity to Warrant Keeper Consideration in Very Deep Leagues

Josh Morgan – San Francisco 49ers
40 Yard Dash Time: 4.46
Vertical Jump: 39″
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 220lbs
Drafted 6^th Round, 174^th Overall Pick
Receiving Yards: 214 & 2TDs

Josh Morgan has all the talent  in the world with the rare combination of speed, and size.  He spent his college career overshadowed by Eddie Royal at Virginia Tech, and inconsistant QB play made it difficult to evaluate either of these players. His draft day  stock dropped massively due to character and work ethic issues, but he seems to be adjusting okay to the NFL life style.

He’s currently sitting pretty as WR2 in Mike Martz’s 49ers offense.  This could mean big things for the young Morgan if he can  keep his head on straight.  With Isaac Bruce taking up the WR1, he’ll be splitting time with Bryant Johnson for most of this season.  However, with Bruce’s age getting way up there it wouldn’t be out of the picture to see him and Bryant Johnson start next year atop the depth chart.

Morgan’s worth a flyer next year in very deep leagues, and definitely worth a second look a couple years down the round when he, or if he, commits to football.

Chaz Schilens – Oakland Raiders
40 Yard Dash Time: 4.38 (on campus)
Vertical Jump: 43″ (on campus)
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 225
Drafted 7^th Round, 226 Overall Pick
Receiving Yards: <200

With a name like Chaz he has to make  this list.  He’s currently the WR2 on Oaklands Depth Chart but isn’t seeing WR numbers, but the opportunity is there.  He’s big, fast, and athletic however he seems to lack consistancy in route running and catching with his hands.  Great Measurables type guy, but needs a lot of work as a football player. He doesn’t quite seem to have the instincts yet, but was a nice late round flier.

Projects to the Drew Bennett, if he can really stay focused on improving. He should keep improving this year, and is a solid red zone target with his leaping ability.  Keep an eye out.

James Hardy – Buffalo Bills
40 Yard Dash Time: 4.47
Bench Press: 18
Vertical Jump 37″
Drafted 2^nd Round, 41^st Overall Pick
Height: 6’6″
Weight: 220lbs
Receiving Yards: 87 & 2 TDs

My God Mr. Hardy, would you please just develop. Hardy’s fast, tall, strong, and can jump.  He played at Indiana so there wasn’t the requisite hype, but Buffalo made a solid choice. James Hardy is currently occupying a starting wide-out role once the Bills get into the redzone, which is good news.

His  adjustments on the lob to the back corner  have been pretty terrible though. He’s got about a foot when you include his jumping ability, on some of these DBs but he’s failing to come down with the lob more often than not.

Hardy should add some weight, and with a couple years under his belt should be a damn good WR.  I have hardy as one of my top recievers out of this years class, 5 years from now.  Actually, I have him as number 1. Obviously, if he fails to add bulk and develop his route running he’s going to be a bust, but otherwise he’s got all the talent in the world and would make a great WR2 compliment to Lee Evans.

Obviously there are some other WR out there with opportunity to make an impact, and after the 2009 rosters are set it’ll be easier to see who’s going to get the chance to make an immediate impact. However, these three guys have already taken on Major roles in their teams passing attacks and while they aren’t as hyped as Royal, Avery and Jackson, they do possess very solid talent.  If they can keep their head on their shoulders, and adjust to the NFL lifestyle — they’ll be great. They all have boatloads of talent, and they can succeed in the NFL.

Part 1

Part III