Jordy Nelson: Hidden Gem In Round 4?

[lex]

He's 6'3, pretty physical, has good speed, catches with his hands and can do returns.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6B_VmbiR7o

Check out him beating Talib who is slotted for the 1st or 2nd. Notice how the announcer says he has 4.3 speed. Most sites estimate him at a 4.5-4.6. So theres a big range there. Ill be interested to see what he does at the combine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ek0ANQ8bRfo&feature=related

[TheReverend]

I'm not so sure I'm sold about his ability to get seperation in the NFL, but looks like a smart returner that knows how to set up blocks... probably could learn to get very smart at finding holes in the zones. Worth a 4th rounder imo.

[lex]

I'm not so sure I'm sold about his ability to get seperation in the NFL, but looks like a smart returner that knows how to set up blocks... probably could learn to get very smart at finding holes in the zones. Worth a 4th rounder imo.

I agree, however, he is 6'3 so body position and strength can compensate for that. Thats what I made note of him catching with his hands. Without seperation, catching with the hands becomes that much more important.

[BlitzingDog]

Nelson has decent speed, I think he will go before round 4.

[Requiem]

There are at least 15 better wide receivers than him in this year's class. Pass.

[BlitzingDog]

Im not sure about that, and I can't say I am sold on Nelson, but he should work out well, and I bet he goes in rd 3.

Jerome Simpson, WR, Coastal Carolina. I like that guy!

[SoCalBronco]

I'd love to have him....would be great at 4 if he lasts that long.

[lex]

Here's another video I thought was worth posting. Check out the concentration.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXqfbAksg_k

[elsid13]

He seem to have enough speed, and runs well with the ball in his hand. Good drive, hip movement, body angle is good and cutting ability. My only concern is most of highlights he had a clean release off the line, and I wonder how he will do with press coverage.

[lex]

I'd love to have him....would be great at 4 if he lasts that long.

Its hardly an exact science but this is what Im going by:

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/players.php?genpos=WR&draftyear=2008&sortorder=tsxpos&order=ASC

[mattob14]

There are at least 15 better wide receivers than him in this year's class. Pass.

There may well be 15 better receivers this year, but if we elect to go a different route in the early rounds, we could do a lot worse than Nelson in the 4th. With his size, strength, and hands, he should be more pro-ready than the other WR's at that point and offes a little bit of explosiveness. My biggest problem with him is he seems to bring a lot of the same things to the table that we already have in Marshall and Sheffler. We'd still need a burner to stretch defenses.

[elsid13]

There may well be 15 better receivers this year, but if we elect to go a different route in the early rounds, we could do a lot worse than Nelson in the 4th. With his size, strength, and hands, he should be more pro-ready than the other WR's at that point and offes a little bit of explosiveness. My biggest problem with him is he seems to bring a lot of the same things to the table that we already have in Marshall and Sheffler. We'd still need a burner to stretch defenses.

See I disagree about that. Denver runs a WCO passing attack and what that needs are Big WRs that can go across the middle and get the YAC and block in running game. Most of the big play are catch and run type.

Would a guy with speed help yes, but with Dinger gone I expect will we see less 3 WR sets and more 2 WR action.

[mattob14]

See I disagree about that. Denver runs a WCO passing attack and what that needs are Big WRs that can go across the middle and get the YAC and block in running game. Most of the big play are catch and run type.

Would a guy with speed help yes, but with Dinger gone I expect will we see less 3 WR sets and more 2 WR action.

You're right in that our scheme will continue to emphasize the shorter routes and highlight bigger, stronger receivers. But, with Cutler's arm and ability to throw the deep ball, we'd be crazy not to add a legitimate deep-ball threat at some point, even if it waits until next off-season. Even if he never develops into anything more than a 3rd receiver, and possibly a returner, a true deep threat like Donnie Avery would cause all kinds of problems for opposing defenses.

[lex]

You're right in that our scheme will continue to emphasize the shorter routes and highlight bigger, stronger receivers. But, with Cutler's arm and ability to throw the deep ball, we'd be crazy not to add a legitimate deep-ball threat at some point, even if it waits until next off-season. Even if he never develops into anything more than a 3rd receiver, and possibly a returner, a true deep threat like Donnie Avery would cause all kinds of problems for opposing defenses.

You have Paul Raymond and Dexter Jackson who have estimated 40s in the 4.3s and are projected to go later in the draft. One of the reasons they are projected to go later is because theyre not as proven due to the level of competition and also perhaps because of finer points. Raymond was productive in the Ivy league and Jackson had 3 catches for 90 something yards in that upset at Michigan. But if 80% of our offense is a horizontal passing game that is associated with the WCO, then it seems silly to take someone so high purely for the purpose of stretching the field when there are other fast, smallish guys later who can get behind the safeties and catch the ball if open.

BTW, here is what the PFW pro prospects preview says about him:

"Played quarterback as a prep. Also lettered in basketball, setting school career records for blocks, steals and assists and lettered in track, winning the Kansas Class 3A state titles in the 100 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters and long jump and setting the Class 3A division records in the 100 meters (10.63) and 200 meters (21.64). Aspires to be a coach."

I wonder how big 3A is. I guess it doesnt matter. A 10.6 is a 10.6. But in any case, it seems like he has speed but maybe not the acceleration in the first 50 meters. In any case, if he can win balls with body position, attacking the ball, and film study, Id be thrilled, especially for a mid round pick.

[mattob14]

I'd be fine with Jackson and Raymond. In fact, I'd be fine waiting a year to address the 3rd receiver, it's more of a luxury than a necessity anyway. But if we could grab someone like Avery in the 3rd who is a proven deep-threat and return man, that'd be a nice addition to the offensive arsenal. We'll never go to a Raider-like vertical passing game, but we need to take advantage of Cutler's ability to get the ball downfield. If we can modify the offense for Plummer to the point where we ran that same bootleg 60% of the time, we can add some speed on the outside and let Cutler get the ball downfield 2-3 times a game. If we can establish the run game again and work off of the play-action, the deep ball becomes even more important.

[mattob14]

You have Paul Raymond and Dexter Jackson who have estimated 40s in the 4.3s and are projected to go later in the draft. One of the reasons they are projected to go later is because theyre not as proven due to the level of competition and also perhaps because of finer points. Raymond was productive in the Ivy league and Jackson had 3 catches for 90 something yards in that upset at Michigan. But if 80% of our offense is a horizontal passing game that is associated with the WCO, then it seems silly to take someone so high purely for the purpose of stretching the field when there are other fast, smallish guys later who can get behind the safeties and catch the ball if open.

BTW, here is what the PFW pro prospects preview says about him:

"Played quarterback as a prep. Also lettered in basketball, setting school career records for blocks, steals and assists and lettered in track, winning the Kansas Class 3A state titles in the 100 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters and long jump and setting the Class 3A division records in the 100 meters (10.63) and 200 meters (21.64). Aspires to be a coach."

Who's profile is this?

[lex]

Who's profile is this?

Nelson's


Raymond is the Ivy League champ in the 60 meters.

[lex]

I'd be fine with Jackson and Raymond. In fact, I'd be fine waiting a year to address the 3rd receiver, it's more of a luxury than a necessity anyway. But if we could grab someone like Avery in the 3rd who is a proven deep-threat and return man, that'd be a nice addition to the offensive arsenal. We'll never go to a Raider-like vertical passing game, but we need to take advantage of Cutler's ability to get the ball downfield. If we can modify the offense for Plummer to the point where we ran that same bootleg 60% of the time, we can add some speed on the outside and let Cutler get the ball downfield 2-3 times a game. If we can establish the run game again and work off of the play-action, the deep ball becomes even more important.

See I disagree somewhat. It seems like the WR/ST has a lot of UFA caliber players on it. With that in mind, the lower end of the draft allows us to actually upgrade over what we have in terms of depth at WR.

[mattob14]

See I disagree somewhat. It seems like the WR/ST has a lot of UFA caliber players on it. With that in mind, the lower end of the draft allows us to actually upgrade over what we have in terms of depth at WR.

And that's why I'd like someone like Nelson in the 4th. I want to take a WR this year and we probably need 2 (a deep threat and a more well-rounded player who could start). Address one of those this year and we can wait a year on the other. If we can find a way to add both this year, all the better, I just think that'll be tough with all of our needs this offseason.

[lex]

And that's why I'd like someone like Nelson in the 4th. I want to take a WR this year and we probably need 2 (a deep threat and a more well-rounded player who could start). Address one of those this year and we can wait a year on the other. If we can find a way to add both this year, all the better, I just think that'll be tough with all of our needs this offseason.

See though, in my mind, Im half anticipating Walker being gone. I dont know if you are as well but that might reconcile why I see the benefit of taking two WRs.

[mattob14]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Walker gone this offseason, but if so, I'm hoping we add another pick. That pick could go to another WR. I wouldn't be upset by any means if we picked two WR's, so long as it doesn't come at the expense of OT, DT, LB, or RB (where I think we have to take advantage of the depth this year).

[Master___Pain]

Jordy Nelson would be a steal in the 4th. What ever team drafts him is going to have a helluva a football player on their hands.