The almighty coiffed one, Mel Kiper, Jr., released his latest 2012 NFL Mock Draft, and as many folks have done, he has the 49ers drafting a wide receiver. I apologize if you think we're discussing the wide receiver a little too much. We'll have plenty more discussion on other positions, but it's a position the 49ers will likely pursue to an extensive degree (at least, according to Captain Obvious).
In this case, he has the 49ers selecting LSU wide receiver Reuben Randle. The 6'4, 208 Louisiana product led the team in receiving in 2011 with 53 receptions for 917 yards and eight touchdowns. Kiper discussed him as follows:
Randle could be a steal. This is a guy who, in a more dynamic passing offense, could have been far more productive. Obviously, the combine will tell us a lot, but Randle could be preferred over Alshon Jeffery of South Carolina, because he has the length, but will be a lot quicker into and out of his breaks because he's got a leaner frame. He's better suited to beat opposing defenses over the top. The Niners need a big target in the passing game outside of Vernon Davis, and Randle could be that guy.
Randle has some serious size, which would be a great addition to a 49ers wide receiver corps that is not exactly the biggest out there.
The NFL combine gets going in a couple weeks and all the big names in draft prognostication recently released updated positional rankings. These rankings are constantly changing, but they give us a base line now as we await the NFL Combine and March Pro Days. While most of the free world makes draft projections, we'll stick with Mike Mayock, Scouts Inc (via ESPN) and NFL Draft Scout (via CBS Sports).
I've posted the top ten except for Mayock, who only listed his top five. It is worth noting that in his previous ranking, Mayock had Wake Forest WR Chris Givens in over Rueben Randle.
Based on these various rankings, do you see anything drastically off with them? It is interesting to note that Scouts Inc has T.J. Graham as their number ten receiver and 80 overall, while NFL Draft Scout has him ranked number 29 and 219 overall. It just goes to show how differently two people can view a single player. Or one doesn't know nearly as much and just sort of stuck him in somewhere. Either works.
Mike Mayock
1. Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State
2. Kendall Wright, Baylor
3. Michael Floyd, Notre Dame
4. Rueben Randle, LSU
5. Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina
Scouts Inc.
1. Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State
2. Michael Floyd, Notre Dame
3. Kendall Wright, Baylor
4. Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina
5. Rueben Randle, LSU
6. Mohamed Sanu, Rutgers
7. Nick Toon, Wisconsin
8. Joe Adams, Arkansas
9. Brian Quick, Appalachian State
10. T.J. Graham, North Carolina State
NFL Draft Scout
1. Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State
2. Kendall Wright, Baylor
3. Michael Floyd, Notre Dame
4. Mohamed Sanu, Rutgers
5. Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina
6. Rueben Randle, LSU
7. Stephen Hill, Georgia Tech
8. Nick Toon, Wisconsin
9. Juron Criner, Arizona
10. Dwight Jones, North Carolina