NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock feels Penn State WR Derrick Williams has a chance to be a better player in the pros than in college.
Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune talked to Mayock, who felt Williams would be an ideal fit for Da Bears:
Trading for a star receiver such as Anquan Boldin might be unrealistic for the Bears. If the draft route is the best option, analyst Mike Mayock of the NFL Network has an idea of a player the Bears should target as a big-play receiver.
“The guy who sounds like that type of player is Derek Williams from Penn State,’’ Mayock said. “He’s probably a second-round player. He also has kick and punt return capabilities. He’s got very good speed. He probably has more athletic ability than his production at Penn State would show.’’
As dangerous as Devin Hester is on returns it became clear he was their best receiver last season, and risking his health on punts and kick returns may not be worth it anymore. Williams could come in immediately and fill that role. Whether he’ll ever be more than that I’m not quite sold on.
Scouts still question his top-end speed and toughness, but Tate is showing greater instincts and ball skills than ever before. The next step is to exceed expectations during a postseason all-star game and workouts to warrant first-day consideration.
2. Derrick Williams - Penn State
Williams became the first Nittany Lion under coach Joe Paterno to score a touchdown on a run, on a reception and a return in the same game. Don’t be surprised if Williams is the first receiver selected in April.
3. Quan Cosby - Texas
Cosby is more adept versus press coverage and is showing more consistency as a pass-catcher, but he needs to build on his 32 catches over the first five games and meet high expectations during pre-draft workouts to land in the middle rounds.
4. Manuel Johnson - Oklahoma
Johnson appears to be tough for his size and he’s doing a much better job of separating on intermediate and vertical routes. Juaquin Iglesias will be the first Sooner receiver selected next April, likely in the second or third round,but Johnson can secure his spot in the later rounds by keeping up his current pace.
5. Darius Passmore - Marshall
The 6-foot-1, 190-pound senior is running crisper routes and doing a better job of securing the ball in traffic. While he lacks elite speed, Passmore is quick and fluid enough to push for some playing time as a sub-package receiver in the NFL.
Mel discusses QB’s like Pat White, Thaddeus Lewis, and Todd Boeckman. Is there anything to discuss about Boeckman at this point? I think USC singlehandedly destroyed his NFL stock.
The Washington Post’s Steve Yanda writes about the University of Maryland’s All-American candidate wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey. Although he’s not a household name yet, the junior has the size and speed cornerbacks in the ACC dread and NFL scouts covet.
Coming off a very impressive 12-2 2007 season, including a 38-7 romp over prospect-laden Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl, the Missouri Tigers enter the 2008 season with a bevy of pro prospects on their roster. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Bill Coats runs down the Tigers with the best chance to make a splash at the NFL level.
Christopher Williams speculates on how Florida’s Heisman Trophy winning QB Tim Tebow’s style of play will translate to the NFL game. Like many, Christopher feels Tebow’s physical running style will land him on the injured list faster than Steve Smith punches out a teammate.