Johnson No. 1 target in draft

Receiver talent strong, deep

By D. ORLANDO LEDBETTER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 04/20/07

NFL teams looking for wide receiver help had limited options in the draft last season.

Only one — Santonio Holmes — was taken in the first round. He went to the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 25th pick.

With Georgia Tech's Calvin Johnson leading a deep and talented group, teams can address their needs at the position in this draft April 28 and 29.

The Falcons, who have two second-round picks and three selections in Round 4, will have a chance to add some talent at the position.

"It is a strong group, and they all have certain talents and certain things they like," Falcons coach Bobby Petrino said. "I think what really separates them is what the teams are looking for — what your needs are and what type of guy fits into your scheme. But, certainly there will be a run on them. Once it starts, it will probably take off."

If the Falcons can't move up to get Johnson, they still have the 39th and 44th overall picks. South Carolina's Sidney Rice, Southern California's Dwayne Jarrett, East Carolina's Aundrae Allison and Virginia Tech's David Clowney all could be available.

"It sure looks like there are some very good receivers out there," Houston Texans coach Gary Kubiak said. "It looks like a very deep spot in the draft."

The Tennessee Titans are also in the market to add a pass receiving weapon for quarterback Vince Young.

"It's a very good year," Titans coach Jeff Fisher said. "We feel like at some point, we'll be able to get a player that'll help us."

Johnson's rare blend of size, speed and hands could lead to him being the No. 1 player taken in the draft by the Oakland Raiders.

Keyshawn Johnson, in 1996, was the last receiver selected with the top overall pick. Before Johnson, Irving Fryar was selected No. 1 overall in 1984.

"He's a special player, with all of the physical and athletic qualities he brings to the table in addition to great character, tremendous work ethic," ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said. "If there is a negative with him ... he doesn't have the huge hands that you would expect a 6-5, 240-pound receiver to have.

"He doesn't drop many. He separates. He ran that 4.35 [in the 40-yard dash] at the combine."

Another knock on Johnson is that for his athletic gifts, he should have been more productive in college.

"He didn't have a quarterback who could get him the ball on a consistent basis at Georgia Tech," Kiper said. "There were some games where he had minimal production. I said all year that he should be catching eight to 12 balls every game had he had a quarterback that could get him the ball.

"He was able to dominate in some games. Quiet in others. Only quiet because it wasn't his fault."

Some compare Johnson to the Oakland Raiders' Randy Moss, but not Kiper.

"He's a bigger, faster Larry Fitzgerald [of the Arizona Cardinals] is the way I would sum him up because Fitzgerald had great character, great work ethic, was not flashy," Kiper said. "He's not a guy that's going to be doing any dances or being about me. He's certainly a breath of fresh air."

After Johnson, Ohio State's Ted Ginn Jr., LSU's Dwayne Bowe and Southern Cal's Steve Smith are considered the top wide receiver prospects.

"We have a tremendous wide receiver [group] as well as some depth at that spot, at least for the first round and a half," Kiper said. "There are a lot of wide receivers in the first round and a half. Maybe nine by the middle of the second round will be off the board."

While the receiver position is strong, there are just two high-level tight end prospects, Miami's Greg Olsen and Delaware's Ben Patrick, of Savannah Jenkins High.