NFL Draft 2011: Ten Best NFL Wide Receiver Draft Prospects

The wide receiver class of the 2011 NFL Draft has a few players that can make an immediate impact in the NFL in their rookie season. With Michael Floyd returning to Notre Dame for his senior year there are now three wide receivers that will make an impact in 2011.

Justin Blackmon is a quality receiver out of Oklahoma State that will also remain in school but AJ Green and Julio Jones will make appearances on NFL fields in 2011. The following ten college wide receivers are the best of the NFL Draft class of 2011.

No.10. Leonard Hankerson: Miami Hurricanes

There is no substitute for height in a wide receiver and at 6' 3" tall Leonard Hankerson is the perfect big man at the wide receiver position in the NFL. He has the ability to get down field fast and is experienced at hauling in jump balls in end zone. Leonard Hankerson will be drafted in the third round of the NFL Draft.

No.9. Austin Pettis: Boise State Broncos

Austin Pettis is not the fastest wide receiver in the 2011 NFL Draft Class but he is one of the smartest receivers of the bunch. He is a meticulous route runner that has keen instincts to get back tho his quarterback when trouble arises. Pettis is another wide receiver that can climb the draft boards with a good showing at the NFL Combine. Austin Pettis will be drafted in the third round of the NFL Draft.

No.8. Vincent Brown: San Diego State Aztecs

The public and the NFL scouts are impressed with Vincent Brown as he heads to the NFL Combine in a matter of weeks. Vincent Brown had a career year in his senior year with San Diego State catching 69 passes for 1,352 yards.

Brown made a rare appearance on national television in the Poinsettia Bowl and lit up Navy for 165 yards and one touchdown. Brown will be a wide receiver that will climb the board as the hype machine of the NFL Draft gets in full motion. Vincent Brown will be drafted in the third round of the NFL Draft.

No.7. Marquis Maze: Alabama Crimson Tide

Playing opposite of Julio Jones is no easy task but Marquis Maze has made the most of it and as the NFL Draft preparations are in full swing many NFL scouts and analysts are noticing another sure handed receiver on the Alabama offense. Maze has excellent hands and was Greg McElroy's go to receiver in key situations. Maze will be niche player for a good team that gets their hands on him. He is a smart route runner and has deceptive speed. Marquis Maze will be drafted late in the second round of the NFL Draft.

No.6. Titus Young: Boise State Broncos

Titus Young is the definition of a possession receiver. He is listed at 5'10" and is in the mold of another great possession receiver Wes Welker. Young is not afraid to cross the middle on a slant and once he has the ball in his hands he has tremendous acceleration. The NFL Combine will not be how he is judged by the better NFL scouts. He has the intangibles that will carry over to the NFL. Titus Young will be drafted in the middle of the second round of the NFL Draft.

No.5. Greg Childs: Arkansas Razorbacks

Greg Childs is another wide receiver that will receive a lot of attention at the NFL Combine. he is the perfect height at 6' 3" tall and he played in a pro style offense with the Arkansas Razorbacks. Childs has great hands and is at his best when he is running down field and testing defensive backs. Childs must work on his route running before the NFL Combine. Greg Childs will be drafted in the early to middle second round of the NFL Draft.

No.4. Greg Salas: Hawaii Warriors

Hawaii did not have much exposure on television this season and it is a shame because Greg Salas will be a surprise when he is picked in the second round. Salas has back to back seasons of over one hundred catches and in 2010 he tallied 1,889 yards receiving.

Salas caught the eye of NFL scouts last season and the few college football fans that watched Hawaii shred Tulsa in the Hawaii Bowl. Salas went for 214 yards receiving and two touchdowns in the blowout win. Salas is 6'2" and tough to tackle in the open field. He is also one of the most reliable receivers in the 2011 wide receiver class. Greg Salas will surprise many by being drafted in the early second round of the NFL Draft.

No.3. Jonathan Baldwin: Pittsburgh Panthers

Jonathan Baldwin is a massive wide receiver that may end up playing in the NFL as a tight end. He is 6'5" and a wide body at 230 pounds. Baldwin is one of the slower wide receivers available in this draft class but he makes up for it with his tenacious ability to run after the catch.

Baldwin saw limited action as a wide receiver in the Pittsburgh Panthers offense at the end of the season but he showed plenty in the first half of the season to warrant a first round pick from a team looking for a tight end or third wide receiver. Jonathan Baldwin will be drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft by a team that made the NFL Playoffs.

No.2. Julio Jones: Alabama Crimson Tide

Julio Jones is a wide receiver NFL teams have been following for years. He is not afraid to battle for the ball in close quarters and he also has exceptional down field speed. Jones is not just a deep out runner with speed. He also can be used as a possession receiver over the middle. Jones can streak across the middle and turn it up field for big gains on short passes.

Jones collegiate numbers may not show his value but the Alabama faithful and NFL scouts have known he has been a major reason for their success over the last few years. Jones will fit in well with a run first type offense in the NFL. A team in the mold of the Tennessee Titans or Jacksonville Jaguars could be a perfect fit for Jones skill set. Julio Jones will be drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft.

No.1. AJ Green: Georgia Bulldogs

AJ Green is a machine and many NFL teams are drooling over the 6'4" 205 pound dynamic receiver. Green is already a polished route runner that will adapt to the NFL seamlessly. He has breakaway speed when he is one on one with a cornerback and is tough to tackle after the catch.

Mark Richt said in a released statement after Green made the decision, "A.J. has made an immeasurable impact on our team over the past three seasons and we wish him nothing but the best."

Green can only hurt himself at the NFL Combine and it will be interesting if he avoids the physical agility tests at the Combine to avoid any potential drop in value. Green is already solidly in as the number one wide receiver in the NFL Draft and many NFL scouts will be more focused on his maturity and mental thoughts of the position. AJ Green will be drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft and will be the first wide receiver drafted overall.

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Statistical sources:

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