2008 NFL Draft- Wide Receivers

While the wide receiver pool was not very deep in the 2008 draft, it was shocking to see no wide receiver drafted in the first round of the draft. The first receivers drafted will most likely end up as good number 2 receivers for NFL teams, but there are a few guys that will be good enough to carry the load as a number 1 receiver in the NFL.

The first receiver selected was former Houston wideout Donnie Avery, drafted by the St. Louis Rams. Avery could possibly be the fastest player in the draft this year, and the Rams were looking to give quarterback Marc Bulger a deep threat and Torry Holt some help at the receiver position. Avery had an outstanding senior season for the Cougars, catching 91 balls for a total of 1456 yards. In addition, Avery caught 7 touchdown passes. While Avery could have been a reach as the first receiver selected, he will give the Rams a much-needed deep threat to spread the field and a possible kick returner.

With the next pick in the draft, the Washington Redskins took Michigan State receiver Devin Thomas. Thomas had an outstanding junior season at Michigan State, catching 79 passes for 1260 yards and 8 touchdowns. Thomas should be a very good fit for the Washington offense as a number 2 receiver behind Santana Moss. He also gives young, developing quarterback Jason Campbell another weapon to use on opposing defenses. Thomas could end up being the number 1 receiver eventually for what could be a dangerous Washington offense.

Two picks later, the Green Bay Packers made another surprising pick in Kansas State wideout Jordy Nelson. The Packers, looking to bolster their offense as Aaron Rodgers replaces the legendary Brett Favre, took Nelson, who will give them a possession receiver. Nelson had an outstanding senior season at K-State, catching 122 passes for 1606 yards and 11 touchdowns. While Nelson is not very athletic or fast, he is a fairly tall receiver (6'3") who will be an excellent number 3 receiver for the Packers.

The next receiver selection was made by the Buffalo Bills at pick number 41. The Bills added Indiana wideout James Hardy. Buffalo was looking for someone to step in as their number 2 receiver and help Lee Evans carry the load of the Buffalo offense. Hardy is plenty big enough to shoulder some of the responsibility of producing for the Bills offense as he will be a giant target for young quarterback Trent Edwards. Hardy, standing at 6'7", will be a huge red zone target and possession receiver as the Bills offense continues to take steps in becoming one of the more dangerous offenses in the league.

One pick after Buffalo's selection, the Denver Broncos added a receiver of their own, drafting Virginia Tech speedster Eddie Royal. Royal does not figure to be able to play as a receiver much in the Broncos offense besides as a home-run hitter. However, despite this limited role at least in the beginning of his rookie year, Royal should be a very valuable punt returner for Denver. Also, Royal will allow the Denver offense to spread the field to give more options for young, cannon-armed quarterback Jay Cutler. Despite the limited role Royal may play in the offense, he could be a dangerous returner similar to that of Chicago's Devin Hester.

The Cincinnati Bengals took the next receiver off the board, Coastal Carolina's Jerome Simpson. Simpson will not ring a bell to the normal football fan. Playing at Coastal Carolina, Simpson did not play against any of the nation's top collegiate competition in college. However, he impressed the Bengals with his athleticism and speed, and if given some time, he could be a very good wideout in the Bengals wide open, pass heavy offense.

The Philadelphia Eagles made the electic DeSean Jackson (California) the next receiver taken off the board. Jackson was one of the most, if not the most exciting player in college football. He has the ability to take it to the house any time he touches the ball. Jackson is not a very big receiver, and therefore may struggle in the Eagles offense, especially in the beginning of his career, but his big play ability will be invaluable to Philadelphia. Jackson is another guy with return ability on the same level as Devin Hester. The Eagles may get the most immediate impact from a receiver in the draft, and Jackson has the potential to be an extremely good NFL player.

After Jackson was taken by Philadelphia, the Redskins took their second receiver of the draft, this time Oklahoma's ultra-talented Malcolm Kelly. Kelly is a very tall (6'3") receiver with the best hands in the draft. The reason Kelly slipped in the draft was injuries. He was plaqued by injuries throughout his career at OU. However, the Redskins have reason to believe that if Kelly can stay healthy, he can team with Devin Thomas to form one of the best wide receiver duos in the NFL. This pick also surrounds Jason Campbell yet another weapon to throw to. The Redskins are obviously trying to make sure Campbell has everything he needs to be their quarterback of the future.

The Pittsburgh Steelers made their second excellent selection of the draft, this time adding Texas wideout Limas Sweed. Sweed is another extremely talented player who was plaqued by injuries throughout his career. However, Sweed's height (6'5"), and altheticism could give the Steelers reason to believe that he could be one of the best receivers in the NFL, if he can stay healthy. As in the case with the Steelers selection of Rashard Mendenhall, they capitalized by selecting a player that slipped a bit in the NFL draft. With their draft class, Pittsburgh has the possibility of selecting the best running back and wide receiver in the 2008 NFL Draft.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made Appalachian State wideout Dexter Jackson the final wide receiver selected in the second round. Tampa Bay was looking to give aging Joey Galloway more help at the wideout position, and they hope the speedy Jackson is the answer to their number 2 receiver woes. Jackson is one of the fastest players in the draft, and at the very least, Tampa Bay is expecting an impact in the return game from Jackson this season. Once he makes the adjustment to playing in the NFL, Jackson has the potential to be an excellent slot receiver for Tampa.

The receivers drafted in the third round have the potential to be very solid NFL wideouts. Chicago took Vanderbilt wideout Earl Bennett, who is a very good route runner with great hands. The Arizona Cardinals then took the very talented Early Doucet from LSU. Doucet has the potential to be one of the best number 2 receivers in the NFL, and he will have plenty of time to develop in Arizona, as he will start behind Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin in the Cardinals offense. The next receiver taken off the board was Louisville's Harry Douglas. Like Bennett, Douglas is a very good route runner with good hands. The Atlanta Falcons gave future franchise quarterback Matt Ryan a very good slot receiver, as they look to rebuild their team. Douglas gives Atlanta a solid number 2 receiver behind Roddy White. The New York Giants took the next receiver off the board, Michigan's Mario Manningham. Had it not been for some well-documented off the field problems, Manningham could have been one the first receivers off the board. He is very talented, and gives Eli Manning yet another weapon in the Giants' quest to defend their Super Bowl Championship.

While there were no wideouts taken off the board in the first round, teams began to select wide receivers in bunches from the second round on. The Redskins and Steelers could end up being very happy by selecting Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly (Washington), and Limas Sweed (Pittsburgh). As well as the traditional wideouts, many teams decided to take the speedy deep threat and return specialist receivers, hoping they will have a similar impact to that of Devin Hester. While only a handful of the receivers have the potential to be game-breaking players, teams should get solid depth and production from those wideouts selected.

Next: 2008 NFL Draft- Tight Ends