When evaluating wide receivers, it is important to consider all aspects of their games -- separation skills, ball skills, big-play ability and competitiveness/toughness.
Here's how we rank all draftable 2012 wide receiver prospects heading into invited to the 2012 NFL combine by skill set (non-seniors noted with an asterisk), as well as a look at recent measurement/timing averages, market trends at the position and Round 1 and 2 picks from 2011.
Separation skills
The challenge when evaluating a receiver's separation skills is to sift through potentially deceptive variables, including his supporting cast, offensive system, and the types of defensive coverage and level of competition he faces. While there's no exact formula, the two most critical ingredients are suddenness and savvy as they pertain to route-running. Can a receiver get open, or is he forced to make contested catches due to his inability to separate?
Top five in class
1. T.Y. Hilton, FIU
2. Keshawn Martin, Michigan State
3. Joe Adams, Arkansas
4. Devon Wylie, Fresno State
5. Jarius Wright, Arkansas
Ball skills
Looks the ball in and snatches it away from pads when at all possible. Shows the ability to pluck on the run, catch over the shoulder and adjust to the poorly-thrown pass. Makes the tough catches in traffic.
Top five in class
1. Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State*
2. Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina*
3. Rueben Randle, LSU*
4. Danny Coale, Virginia Tech
5. Juron Criner, Arizona
Big-play ability
Speed is the one skill that can set the elite apart from the good. Top-end speed allows receivers to eventually run away from most defensive backs, both as route-runners and after the catch. Stops and starts with fluidity, and consistently avoids tacklers in space.
Top five in class
1. Kendall Wright, Baylor*
2. Randle
3. Wylie
4. Stephen Hill, Georgia Tech*
T5. Travis Benjamin, Miami
T5. Patrick Edwards, Houston
Competitiveness/toughness
Gives a great effort in every aspect of the game. A relentless competitor who is unafraid of going over the middle and making the tough catch in traffic. Effective blocker for his position. Takes good angles to hit moving targets. Sustains blocks once in position.
Top five in class
1. Coale
2. Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma
3. Blackmon
4. Mohamed Sanu, Rutgers*
5. Junior Hemingway, Michigan
Rosario is the only prospect with a draftable grade to not receive an invite. Receivers who do not have draftable grades but received invitations: Ohio's Lavon Brazill, Missouri's Jerrell Jackson, Oregon State's James Rodgers, Connecticut's Kashiif Moore, Oklahoma State's Josh Cooper, Tennessee Tech's Tim Benford, Stanford's Chris Owusu.
The following are graphic representations of the receivers selected in Rounds 1 and 2 in 2011, as well as numbers of wide receivers selected in each round of the previous three NFL drafts. Most teams use this type of chart to study position trends when setting up their draft boards each year.
Todd McShay is the director of college football scouting for Scouts Inc. He has been evaluating prospects for the NFL draft since 1998. Scouts Inc.'s Steve Muench and Kevin Weidl contributed to this report.