You'll hear quite often that this is considered one of the better draft classes for receivers in recent memory. Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel found plenty of support for that belief in his annual polling of NFL personnel men. "It's the year to draft a pass catcher," he says.
"Ten years from now, when we add up the production of this entire class, I would expect the numbers would be very strong," says Browns GM Phil Savage. "Are there a couple Hall of Famers in here? Perhaps."
Depth at wide receiver, of course, doesn't necessarily mean there will be more first-rounders than usual. Panthers direct of college scouting Don Gregory, for example, says "If you do your homework, you can find [capable wide receivers] in the fourth round."
McGinn compares the draft to some of the more memorable receiver drafts in recent history, including 1978 (James Lofton, Wes Chandler, John Jefferson), 1988 (Michael Irvin, Tim Brown, Sterling Sharpe) and 1996 (Keyshawn Johnson, Terry Glenn, Marvin Harrison, Eric Moulds).
Of the 17 personnel men McGinn polled, 15 named Clemson's Sammy Watkins as the draft's top receiver. The battle for second place was a little closer (Mike Evans and Odell Beckham).
The article also notes that a whole lot of recent top 10 picks at the position (which is where Watkins and Evans will likely be selected) have flopped. David Terrell or Troy Williamson, anyone?
But it looks like a good year to be looking for a wide receiver, both for NFL teams and dynasty teams eying upcoming rookie drafts.
--Andy Richardson