NFL draft analysis -- WR

There were 33 receivers drafted, and despite 2006 becoming a draft that was weak at WR, several teams filled holes by picking a receiver late in the draft. Many fell farther than projected, as teams looked to defense and other skill positions before drafting wideouts. Rookie receivers don't usually make good fantasy players, but there are exceptions... just not this year. Let's look at the top picks:

Santonio Holmes -- #25 pick to Pittsburgh -- The Steelers will have to avoid comparing him to Antwaan Randle El, who they lost to the Redskins in the offseason. Holmes is a little bigger, but not as elusive. He was the only WR chosen in the first round, and he should step in as the #3 receiver in Pittsburgh, but that doesn't mean that he'll get a lot of touches until he supplants Cedric Wilson in the starting lineup. Look for him about 40 receivers into your draft.

Chad Jackson -- #36 pick to New England -- Jackson fell 15-20 picks farther than most expected, and the Patriots jumped at the opportunity to grab him in the second round. He'll probably be the most productive of the rookies because he's already the second best receiver in New England. Jackson has the raw talent to be a star in the NFL, but probably could have used one more year of polish. If he breaks the starting lineup by the end of the season, he'll have nice numbers in 2007.

Sinorice Moss -- #44 pick to the New York Giants -- Moss is a great fit in New York, but not on your fantasy team. Besides being too small, he's in an offense where he'll be no better than the fifth option to catch passes. He will make major contributions as a kick returner, so if your league rewards for special teams touchdowns, the Giants just got a little better. If Amani Toomer can't stay healthy, Moss could crack the starting lineup, but won't give you great production.

Greg Jennings -- #52 pick to Green Bay -- This was an interesting pick for the Packers, who traded away Javon Walker on draft day. Jennings is a small receiver who isn't a burner, but can make plays in the open field. He adds help to the kick return team, but he'll start the season as the #4 WR in Green Bay. Jennings probably won't give you more than 20 catches this season, but he could improve greatly if given the chance in 2007.

Travis Wilson -- #78 pick to Cleveland -- The Browns reached for Wilson, although there were five WR picked in the third round, so he might not have made it to the fourth. Wilson is 6'2" 215lbs, but he doesn't do anything particularly well. He doesn't have breakaway speed, and he hasn't learned how to use his body in traffic. Cleveland doesn't have great receivers, so Wilson might play more than he should. If you pick him, it better be late in the draft, or you're in trouble.

Derek Hagan -- #82 pick to Miami -- Hagan will be the best receiver drafted in the third round. I've changed my tune on him a little since the preview article, because after watching film, he's developing into a physical red zone target. He has great hands and runs precise, crisp routes. With Daunte Culpepper in Miami, and Marty Booker standing between Hagan and a starting job, he could be the surprise producer of 2006. Most of the owners in your league won't know who he is... take advantage of that.

Brandon Williams -- #84 to San Francisco -- Williams is already the second best WR in San Francisco, and that's not good for the 49ers. He lacks size and speed to be a productive receiver, and unless he adds 15+ pounds to the 171 he's already carrying, bigger defensive backs will abuse him. That being said, he is a very smart player who knows how to get open, and he has very good hands in traffic. He won't add anything to your fantasy team in 2006, or probably ever.

Maurice Stovall -- #90 pick to Tampa Bay -- Stovall is an intriguing prospect because of his size, and the lack of depth at WR in Tampa. He doesn't have NFL speed, and he isn't particularly quick. He does run excellent routes, and should be a terror in the red zone. If Michael Clayton comes out of the gate awful again, the Bucs might throw Stovall in to see what he can do. You shouldn't follow suit, unless he's clearly their #2 guy.

Willie Reid -- #95 pick to Pittsburgh -- Reid will make the team, but probably only as a special teams player. He didn't produce anything at Florida State until his last season, and he's too small to be used as anything but a kick returner immediately. The Steelers have at least four receivers in front of him on the depth chart, so don't get too excited.

Others who were drafted:

Michael Robinson -- #100 pick to San Francisco -- He played QB in college, and he buried on the depth chart. Bad.

Brad Smith -- #103 pick to the New York Jets -- Smith is another college QB who doesn't have the speed to survive at WR.

Cory Rodgers -- #104 pick to Green Bay -- Too many WR in Green Bay and a 4.75 40-yd dash equals Arena League.

Jason Avant -- #109 pick to Philadelphia -- Good pick for the Eagles, but he'll be deep on the charts. He could surprise in the red zone.

Demetrius Williams -- #111 pick to Baltimore -- He'll get a chance as the #3 or #4 in Baltimore, but he needs to stay focused.

Will Blackmon -- #115 pick to Green Bay -- A converted cornerback, he's got a better chance at success than Rodgers.

Brandon Marshall -- #119 pick to Denver -- He won't get much playing time, but he could be a threat in the red zone. Think Clarence Moore.

Skyler Green -- #125 pick to Dallas -- Green is a great kick returner, and should be the #4 WR to start the season.

Domenik Hixon -- #130 pick to Denver -- Hixon might not make the team... yours or Denver's.

Marques Hagans -- #144 pick to St. Louis -- Hagans is yet another converted QB who ran a 4.64 40-yd dash. Not good.

Jeremy Bloom -- #147 pick to Philadelphia -- Great publicity, good story, bad idea.

Mike Haas -- #171 pick to New Orleans -- He had a great college career, but it ends there.

Jonathan Orr -- #172 pick to Tennessee -- Phenomenal athlete who won't get to play much.

Delanie Walker -- #175 pick to San Francisco -- Big receiver who has no speed.

Adam Jennings -- #184 pick to Atlanta -- Great value pick by Atlanta. Jennings is a burner who should be the Falcons #4 WR. A deep sleeper here.

Jeff Webb -- #190 pick to Kansas City -- Webb is a big WR who is buried in Kansas City. Might make an impact in 2007.

Ethan Kilmer -- #209 pick to Kansas City -- Great special teamer, bad fantasy guy.

Todd Watkins -- #218 pick to Arizona -- Good pick here; he should stick as a #5 WR and special teams player.

Bennie Brazell -- #231 pick to Cincinnati -- He's 6'3" 175 lbs... which means he'll get killed.

Devin Aromashodu -- #233 pick to Miami -- Good kick returner, nothing else.

Ben Obomanu -- #249 pick to Seattle -- Project player who could help Seattle in 2007.

David Anderson -- #251 pick to Houston -- Pass.

Kevin McMahan -- #255 pick to Oakland -- Mr. Irrelevent is a burner who might stick somewhere.