7. Odell Beckham Jr. (LSU), Giants – The fast receiver from LSU impressed everyone at the combine, elevating his draft stock an estimate 10 spots in the first round when he was taken by the Giants with the 12th overall pick. Since the Giants let Hakeem Nicks and Brandon Myers go, the Giants need a #2 receiver. While Reuben Randle is slated to start, Beckham Jr.’s high draft spot and the team’s need to play well in 2014 could push him into the lineup fairly quickly. And with Eli Manning still averaging over 4000 yards and 24 TDs per year, there should be plenty of production to go around for Beckham Jr.
6. Jordan Matthews (Vanderbilt), Eagles – Matthews displayed incredible athletic ability at Vanderbilt and later at the NFL combine. He did not make it into the 1st round like many suspected – in part because of his lack of proven speed – but the Eagles were willing to take him 42nd overall. Matthews at 6’3″ and 212 lbs can fight and win a battle for almost any ball, and in Chip Kelly’s high-octane offense with Nick Foles passing efficiently, Matthews will have an opportunity not only to get incredible numbers just in slot duty, but could also get a starting nod if he beats out Riley Cooper or if Jeremy Maclin does not return to form.
5. Brandin Cooks (Oregon State), Saints – The fastest receiver of the 2014 draft, Cooks wowed people with his 4.31 40-time but his production was just as impressive. He led the NCAA in receiving in 2013 and was one of the more explosive players in college football. Leading up to the draft Cooks was considered a 2nd round pick, but his 40-time elevated him to 20th overall, where he was taken by the Saints. With Drew Brees, the league’s leading passer over the last 6 years, throwing him the football, Cooks is in the perfect position to show off his speed right out the gate. The only challenge may be for Cooks to see the ball as much as star TE Jimmy Graham or WR Marques Colston inevitably will.
COMMENTS