NFL Draft 2008: Malcolm Kelly; Could the Oklahoma Receiver End Up with the Dallas Cowboys?

Most analysts are projecting Malcolm Kelly to go in the first round of this year's NFL Draft. This type of attention should be nothing new to Kelly who was a "Top 10" high school receiving prospect three years ago. Kelly, who had a fabulous career at Longview High in Texas, continued his success as an Oklahoma Sooner, catching 144 career passes for 2,285 yards and 21 touchdowns in his tenure at the Big 12 School. He went on to highlight an impressive 2007 season with a three touchdown performance against the Miami Hurricanes.

Talent wise, at 6-4, 220-lbs, Malcolm Kelly is hard to jam at the line, and his long arms and good hands making him an imposing target in the passing game. Deceptively fast because of his long stride, Kelly can close the gap on a defensive back in a hurry, and more often than not get behind him for big plays. Known for running crisp tight patterns, Kelly also does an excellent job reading the coverage, and can adjust his routes accordingly. A powerful runner after the catch, he can fight through arm tackles, making him a constant threat to turn a routine play into a game breaker. The negatives on Kelly are few, though the big frame receiver lacks an explosive first step off the line, and he had surgery for a torn knee cartilage following the 2007 Fiesta Bowl

As to where he will be taken in the Draft, Malcolm Kelly is a safe bet to go in the first round somewhere between the 10^th and 25^th pick overall. In that range of picks, the Buffalo Bills with the 11^th pick overall might just take him. The Bills, whose top three receivers, are all 5-10 and under, could make good use of a player with the size and skill set of Kelly. If he slips past Buffalo, the Dallas Cowboys at #22 could also provide a home for him. The Cowboys, who have two of their main receivers turning 35 this year, are definitely in the market for some youth at the position, and Kelly who hails from Texas, and who lists former Cowboy Michael Irvin as his favorite player, might be the perfect fit.

Sources:

www.NFLDraftScout.com