2016 NFL Draft - Top 10 Wide Receiver Prospects

The 2016 wide receiver class is filled with size, speed and some great red-zone targets. As is the case with every wide receiver class, how many of these guys will be able to continue developing their skills and stick in the NFL?

For this list I  looked at each player's 2015 and career statistics to make a preliminary group of 17 draft eligible QB's. From there I watched 3 game films for every WR on the list. One good game, one bad game and one average game. I wrote down each players' strengths and weaknesses and ended at this list.

This list is not meant to represent the order in which I think these players will be drafted, just how talented I think they are at the wide receiver position right now. 

1. Laquon Treadwell - Ole Miss

Laquon Treadwell is the best prospect of group in my opinion. I think he can be a legitimate number one receiver in the NFL from day one. He's got the size at 6'2", the hands (82 receptions in 2015) and the ability to be an impact receiver and a big red-zone threat at the next level. 
Predicted Draft Position: Round 1 - Los Angeles Rams

2. Corey Coleman - Baylor

Corey Coleman scored twenty touchdowns in 2016. That's two-zero. even in Baylor's high-scoring pass happy offense that is super impressive. Coleman has fantastic hands and is extremely advanced at route-running. He is going to make a very good slot receiver in the NFL.
Predicted Draft Position: Round 2 - Cleveland Browns

3. Tyler Boyd - Pittsburgh

Tyler Boyd has the best hands in college football and it isn't even close. He's an explosive play maker that can also make an impact in the return game. He's a little raw but I think he can develop into a good NFL receiver.
Predicted Draft Position: Round 1 - Minnesota Vikings

4. Aaron Burbridge - Michigan State

Aaron Burbridge is a big, physical receiver who uses his body very well to box out defenders. He doesn't have great speed and can't make many people miss, but with his hands and route-running ability I think he can play on the outside at the next level.
Predicted Draft Position: Round 4 - Detroit Lions

5. Sterling Shepard - Oklahoma

I think Sterling Shepard is the best route-runner on this list. He has slot receiver size, great hands and good enough speed to make an impact in the league.
Predicted Draft Position: Round 3 - Cincinnati Bengals

6. De'Runnya Wilson - Mississippi State

Aside from having the best name on the list, De'Runnya Wilson is also the tallest receiver at 6'4". Wilson is really good at using his size to his ability. He boxes out defenders and can just straight up jump over them if he needs to. He'll be a force in the red-zone in the NFL.
Predicted Draft Position: Round 3 - Atlanta Falcons

7. Michael Thomas - Ohio State

Michael Thomas is a prototypical pro receiver. He's 6'3", has good hands and good speed and runs good routes. The reason he isn't high on this list however is because he doesn't do one thing really well, he is just good at everything.
Predicted Draft Position: Round 2 - San Francisco 49ers

8. Josh Doctson - TCU 

You could say Josh Doctson is the fastest in the class and not that many people would disagree with you. He's a size/speed guy who has okay hands and only runs about three different routes. If he can consistently get past corners in the NFL he'll be a pretty good receiver.
Predicted Draft Position: Round 2 - Baltimore Ravens

9. Kenny Lawler - Cal

Kenny Lawler is kind of like Thomas where he just does every thing well. His best trait is his hands so if he can refine his route-running he can make contributions to a team.
Predicted Draft Position: Round 4 - Buffalo Bills

10. Tajae Sharpe - UMass

Tajae Sharpe led the nation in 2015 with 111 receptions.No one else even came close to that. He was the best receiver on a small-school team that liked to pass the ball. He needs to bulk and and play more physically to make it at the next level. But he has good skills and I think he will end up being a late-round steal.
Predicted Draft Position: Round 6 - Kansas City Chiefs

Other draftees:
Will Fuller - Notre Dame
He's a good receiver that doesn't have great size or great speed. Predicted Round: 4/5
Rashad Higgins - Colorado
A big, slow receiver with good hands and that makes plays in the red-zone. Predicted Round: 5/6

Life after Heath Miller

On Friday, February 19th Steelers Nation received some of the saddest news in recent memory. The 11-year Steeler and fan-favorite tight end, Heath Miller, decided to hang up his cleats and call it a career. While Miller's retirement will undoubtedly leave a hole in many Steelers' fans' hearts it might leave an even bigger hole in the Steelers' roster.

Heath was the ultimate Steeler, a hard working, blue-collared grinder who did his job well and stayed out of the media. He was also perhaps the game's best two-way tight end. In the days of receiver/tight end hybrids like Rob Gronkowski, Jimmy Graham and Antonio Gates who catch more passes than then they do make blocks, Miller was unique. Heath was just as happy to throw a block to spring a running back as he was to catch a touchdown. He never put up huge offensive number but Heath was a large part of what the Steeler's did on offense. And now the question is how will they replace him.

As I see it there are three different ways to replace a player like Heath Miller; sign someone in free agency, select a player in the draft or use the guys already on the roster. I'm going to explore each of these options and see who the Steelers could bring in to help at tight end.


Free Agency

If there's one thing the Steeler's don't do it's spending a lot of money signing free agents. However in this case the team might be a little more willing to loosen their wallets. In the tight end free agent class there a few guys who I believe could adequately fill the hole left by Miller.

Jared Cook -  Good receiver tagged as an 'under performer.' Expensive at $8 mil, but would add an interesting weapon to an already potent Steelers' offense.

Jermaine Gresham - Good all around 27-year-old TE, still a little pricey at $3 mil.

Andrew Quarless - More receiver than blocker, 27 and about $2 mil.

Dwayne Allen - Best option for the team in my opinion. Good blocker and receiver, young at 25 and cheap at $1.75 mil.

Coby Fleener - Another good, young, cheap TE. Not exactly starting caliber though.

Rhett Ellison - 27, fantastic blocker doesn't do much else.

Clay Harbor - Average two way TE.

Zach Miller - Older at 31, but a good and productive two way player. Would be a good pick-up.

Tony Moeaki - Below average, dirt cheap.

Cook and Allen could probably come in and be the starter from day one. Fleener and Miller most likely would not be able to handle full time starting duties but they would be good complements to the TEs already on the team.


The Draft

The Steelers haven't had to draft a tight end in the early rounds since taking Miller 13th overall in 2005. This year's draft is severely lacking in tight end talent, with only a few players that could make it as future starters.

Hunter Henry (Arkansas) - The best in the class by far. Has good size, soft hands and blocks well. Could contribute from day one.

Austin Hooper (Stanford) - A good player that would have to work on refining a few areas of his game.

Nick Vannett (Ohio State) - Would probably need a year or so to develop before making any major contributions. but hey, the Steelers love taking former Buckeyes.

Henry would be able to compete for the starting job right out of training camp, but the team would most likely have to use their first-round pick in order to select him. Vannett has starting potential but would need time to develop before being a complete TE.


Already on the roster

Matt Spaeth - Maybe the best blocking TE in the game, not much for running routes and catching passes though.

Jesse James - Showed good flashes in his rookie year. Needs to continue to improve his blocking before he could be considered a starting caliber player.

Xavier Grimble - was unable to crack the roster after signing as an undrafted free agent last year.

Rob Blanchflower - An unimpressive former seventh round pick. Probably won't even make the team out of training camp.

James and Spaeth could probably combine to split tight end duties next season but that would leave the team very thin at that position. James might develop into a starter, but most likely won't be at that point by next season.


Conclusion

I don't think the Steelers will be able to replace Heath Miller by bringing in any one player. While Jared Cook could make a real impact on offense I think he is way out of the team's price range. In the end my favorite move would be signing the young Dwayne Allen to a long term deal. If not that than signing either Coby Fleener or Zach Miller to compliment the players already on the roster could also be a good option. I also like drafting either Hunter Henry in the first round or Nick Vannett in the third round. In any case I fully expect the Steelers to make a move to improve the position.

Heath Miller will leave a lasting legacy in Pittsburgh and it will be difficult to replace what he did for the Steelers, but eventually the team will find a solution. But for now, enjoy your retirement HEEEEEEEEATH.