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Williams, Edwards Lead '05 WR Class
By Gary Fitzgerald
Redskins.com
April 7, 2005



Braylon Edwards is certainly not lacking in confidence.
"I believe the NFL will be another stomping ground for me to showcase my talents and move among the elite," the 6-2, 209-pound wide receiver from Michigan said during the NFL Scouting Combine in February.


Braylon Edwards
Edwards, who some have compared to the Philadelphia Eagles' Terrell Owens, appears eager to become the next Owens, both in terms of production and swagger.

At Michigan, Edwards concluded a productive college career with 97 receptions for 1,330 yards and 15 touchdowns. Pro scouts rave about his strength and route-running ability.

Said Edwards: "The thing about it is, even though you're in the NFL now, you can't get caught up in the hype. You have to still prepare like you were that guy in college. That's how I'm going to approach it. I believe that guys who are successful look at it that way. They look at it as a business. They look at it as a chance to be great."

Edwards is expected to be a top 10 pick in the NFL Draft.

He likely won't be the only receiver taken in the top 10.



Mike Williams is another highly regarded wide receiver who will be among the top selections on draft day. The 6-4, 230-pounder sat out of college football last season after unsuccessfully trying to enter the 2004 draft following his sophomore season at USC.

That layoff appears to be the only negative for Williams, who caught 176 passes for 2,579 yards and 30 touchdowns in his two seasons at USC.

"It's something I had to live with," Williams said recently. "I wasn't going to sit around and cry or complain. I took advantage of the time to work out and be with my family.

"I definitely put myself in a situation physically and mentally with my work ethic to hopefully turn out better this year than possibly last year."

While Edwards seems to welcome comparisons to the NFL's elite, Williams hopes to be an original. That's not arrogance, that's confidence.

"When I establish myself, I want to establish me, not be a clone of anybody else," he said.

After Edwards and Williams, there are several receivers who could be drafted late in the first round or early in the second. Troy Williamson of South Carolina, Mark Clayton of Oklahoma and Roddy White of UAB all could be among the second-tier of receivers selected in the draft.

Williamson, a 6-2, 200-pounder, has been one of fast-risers of the 2005 NFL Draft after recording a 4.38 40-yard dash at the combine. In his senior season at South Carolina, he had 43 catches for 835 yards and seven touchdowns.

Clayton is only 5-10 and 185 pounds and some scouts say he lacks elite speed, but he has made a name for himself at the Senior Bowl and has displayed remarkable consistency. After an 83-catch, 1,425 yard, 15 touchdown showing in 2003, the Sooners focused more on the run in 2004 and Clayton produced 66 receptions for 876 yards and eight touchdowns.

White exploded on to the scene in 2004, hauling in 71 catches for 1,452 yards and 14 touchdowns for UAB. At 6-2 and 205 pounds, he has good size and moves well against defenders.

Some other prospects to watch in the NFL Draft: Chris Henry, West Virginia; Craphonso Thorpe, Florida State; Reggie Brown, Georgia; Steve Savoy, Utah; Matt Jones, Arkansas; Vincent Jackson, Northern Colorado; and Larry Brackins, Pearl River (Miss.) Community College.

Braylon Edwards is making one of the shortest trips in his meetings with teams before the NFL draft, but it's one he might enjoy the most. Edwards, who grew up on Detroit's near west side and played wide receiver at Michigan, is scheduled to visit the Lions today at their headquarters facility. Edwards is ranked as one of the top players in the draft, regardless of position, and isn't likely to be on the board when the Lions draft 10th overall April 23. The 49ers have the first pick and have begun preliminary negotiations with Edwards and two quarterbacks -- Alex Smith of Utah and Aaron Rodgers of California.
-- Detroit News