2008 Draft Rankings: Wide receivers/tight ends

1. Limas Sweed, Texas, 6-3, 215. Terrific size and adequate speed (4.5 in the 40) make him a solid all-around prospect … has background in basketball and track … A wrist injury sidelined the last seven games last season, but he is now fully healthy … Went into last season with a streak of 33 straight starts … Finished with just 19 catches for 306 yards and three TDs because of injury.limassweed

2. Devin Thomas, Michigan State, 6-2, 218. Transferred to Michigan State in 2006 from junior college in Kansas … Finished with 79 catches for 1,260 yards and eight TDs last year … good size and excellent speed (4.4) … Can return kicks … Relative inexperience at big-time level a slight concern … might take time to develop.

3. DeSean Jackson, California, 5-9, 169. Biggest asset is speed (4.39 in the 40) … size an obvious concern, although teams will use example of Santana Moss as a comparison … Had a solid junior season with 1,069 yards and nine TDs, but tailed off in 2007, partly because of thumb problems … Excellent punt returner … durability an issue because of his size.

4. Malcolm Kelly, Oklahoma, 6-3, 224. Speed a question after running a 4.6 during a recent workout … Very physical receiver … Had 832 receiving yards and nine TDs last season … Raised some eyebrows with his criticism of Oklahoma during his workout, blaming his slow 40 time on a slow bad running surface.

5. Mario Manningham, Michigan, 5-11, 182. No questions about his ability, but off-field issues a problem … was arrested in 2007 for possession of Vicodin and marijuana … started 24 of the 34 games in which he played, and had 137 receptions for 2,310 yards (16.9-yard average) and 27 touchdowns, scoring 162 points. He added 176 yards on 31 carries and 17 yards on a punt return, amassing 2,503 all-purpose yards, an average of 73.62 yards per game … had some knee problems the last two years, but is healthy now.

6. Dustin Keller (tight end), Purdue, 6-2, 245. Good pass catching prospect who finished with 881 yards and seven TDs last season despite playing much of the season with a shoulder problem … solid, but not overpowering blocker … a converted wide receiver … excelled in individual drills at the scouting combine.

7. Jordy Nelson, Kansas State. 6-2, 217. Had a spectacular season in 2007, coming up with 122 catches for 1,606 yards and 11 TDs … Solid speed (4.54) … Could be a good sleeper pick … very good hands.

8. Early Doucet, LSU, 6-0, 210. Missed four games with a groin injury in 2007 but came back to produce 57 catches for 525 yards and five TDs … solid, not overwhelming size-speed ratio … good hands and willing to make the tough catch over the middle …durability a question.

9. James Hardy, Indiana, 6-5, 217. Height is greatest asset … good speed (4.54) … Arrested and changed with domestic battery in May, 2006 … suspended for two games for personal reasons in 2006 … had an exceptional year in 2007 with 79 catches for 1,125 yards and 16 TDs … character issues will hurt his stock.

10. Dexter Jackson, Appalachian State, 5-9, 182. A true burner with 4.38 speed … small frame could affect draft status … fastest receiver at the scouting combine … good punt returner … had 688 yards and eight TDs last year.

11. Martellus Bennett (tight end), Texas A & M, 6-6, 259. Very good size and can gain bulk in NFL weight program … had 587 receiving yards and four TDs … a bit slow (4.7), so limited receiving ability … solid blocker.

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