NFL Rookie Report - JunkyardJake.com

#16) Marcus Easley,WR

4th Round (#107) (6'3" ,210) 40 Time=4.39
Easley didn’t make an impression until his senior year, but when he did finally break out, he did so to the tune of 48 catches for 893 yards. He’s still very inexperienced, and will need to develop his route running abilities, but Easley is a real intriguing player to watch given the shallowness of Buffalos receiver lineup, and the type of size/speed ratio he brings to the anemic Bills offense.
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#17) Dexter McCluster,RB

2nd Round (#36) (5'9" ,175) 40 Time=4.53
Diminutive, but surprisingly tough and ultra quick, McCluster has a chance of contributing as a runningback, wide receiver and a return specialist as soon as this year. He didn’t become a fulltime starter at Mississippi until his senior year, but his 1,169 rushing yards, 44 catches for 520 yards, and 11 touchdown statline underscore his versatility and potential.
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#18) Jermaine Gresham,TE

1st Round (#21) (6'5" ,261) 40 Time=4.66
It’s been over thirty years since the Bengals have drafted a tight end in the 1st round (Mike Cobb in 1977), and Cincinnati finally ended the dryspell with Gresham, who has the work ethic, size and athleticism to add a new dimension to their offense. Gresham is not known for his consistent deep speed, but he does run crisp short routes and effectively finds soft spots in zone coverage.
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#19) Jimmy Graham,TE

3rd Round (#95) (6'6" ,260) 40 Time=4.53
Played basketball for three years before turning to football his senior year to catch only 17 passes, so needless to say, Graham is an extremely raw prospect. That said, with the rare agility and speed Graham possesses for a player his height, he has as much upside as any tightend in this years draft class. Could make an impression in the redzone right away (5 of his 17 catches in 2009 were TDs), and has the skills and measurables to develop into an elite player.
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#20) Andre Roberts,WR

3rd Round (#88) (5'11" ,195) 40 Time=4.40
Underrated because of his size, and the fact that he primarily played for a small school against inferior competition, but Roberts shows the speed, acceleration and run instincts that should allow him to become an immediate contributor as a return specialist and a possible option at slot receiver.
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Other Rookies to Watch:

#21) Carlton Mitchell,WR

6th Round (#177) (6'3" ,215) 40 Time=4.46
The knock on Mitchell before the draft was his inconsistent hands, and his tendency to rely on body catching the ball more frequently than scouts would prefer. Fair enough, but when you consider Mitchell’s open field speed and surprising shiftiness for his size, it seems like the Browns could have found a 6th round steal.

#22) Brandon LaFell,WR 3rd Round (#78) (6'2" ,211) 40 Time=4.58
Lacks pure speed, but LaFell is big, physical and runs clean routes. Has struggled with drops, but this seems to be a focus problem, and not an issue with his hands. Has a great opportunity to lineup as Carolinas number two receiver given that disappointing Dwayne Jarrett does not appear to represent much of an obstacle.

#23) Aaron Hernandez,TE 4th Round (#113) (6'2" ,245) 40 Time=4.64
Plays more like a hybrid wide receiver/tight end than a prototypical tight-end. Lacks ideal size for the position, but runs smooth routes with the speed and acceleration to represent a real coverage nightmare for many linebackers. Shows soft hands, is very effective after the catch and his great leaping ability compensates for his relative lack of height.

#24) Mardy Gilyard,WR 4th Round (#99) (6'0" ,190) 40 Time=4.61
Despite his slight build and only average timed speed, Gilyard shows the qualities of a playmaker with his deceptive quickness, vision and shifty moves. Will need work on his route assignments, but could surprise this season on the receiver thin Rams. At the very least, Gilyard’s burst and elusiveness should get him on the field as a kick return specialist early on.

#25) Rob Gronkowski,TE 2nd Round (#42) (6'6" ,264) 40 Time=4.68
Gronkowski has terrific hands, is an effective, tenacious blocker, and plays with the physicality you love to see at the tight end position. Certainly his skills translate well in terms of football field effectiveness, but given the Patriots inclination to use multiple tight ends, and the fact that he missed all of 2009 with a back injury, Gronkowski’s potential fantasy value in 2010 is difficult to assess.

#26) Ed Dickson,TE 3rd Round (#70) (6'4" ,249) 40 Time=4.59
Consistent, durable and reliable player for Oregon over the past three years, who is best utilized in the passing game. Great hands, with the ability to make the tough catch, and possesses the speed, quickness and lateral movement to cause damage after the catch. Lands in a good situation with the Ravens, and has a chance to see significant time behind an aging Todd Heap if he can adapt to the pro game quickly.

#27) Anthony Dixon,RB 6th Round (#173) (6'1" ,233) 40 Time=4.65
Durable, workhorse back at Mississippi St., ending his college career as the school’s all-time leading rusher with 3,994 yards. Doesn’t represent a legitimate outside running threat, but has the vision to exploit inside running lanes, and shows surprising wiggle and nimbleness for his size. Dixon could easily supplant underwhelming Glen Coffee as Frank Gore’s backup with a strong preseason.

#28) Tim Tebow,QB 1st Round (#25) (6'3" ,236) 40 Time=4.71
The Broncos paid a surprisingly steep price for Tim Tebow, trading their second, third and fourth-round picks to Baltimore for the right to select him with the 25th pick of the 1st round. No doubt Tebow excelled as the QB of Floridas limited-read, quick strike offense, but some argue that his statistics were inflated by the system, and that his mechanics will need work. Obviously the team considers him to be the longer-term solution at quarterback, but it’s possible he spends this season observing from the sideline.

#29) James Starks,RB 6th Round (#193) (6'2" ,218) 40 Time=4.50
Former cornerback and quarterback who showed good potential at runningback before missing part of his junior season with a knee injury, and his entire senior season with a shoulder injury. Well worth a 6th round gamble by the Packers given his pure straight-line speed and excellent receiving skills.

#30) Mike Williams,WR 4th Round (#101) (6'1" ,221) 40 Time=4.53
Williams draft stock tumbled as a result of various personal indiscretions, but once you get past the potential character issues, he’s a big, strong receiver with soft hands and sneaky speed. Difficult to jam off the line, good leaping ability and potentially effective redzone weapon.