The 2012 Senior Bowl kicks off this week and some of the nation's top seniors will look to improve their stock and make themselves a little bit of money. With scouts, coaches, GMs, and media members present in Mobile this week, the Senior Bowl represents an excellent opportunity for players to showcase their talents.
Here are some of the top prospects at receiver.
Juron Criner WR 6-4 / 215 Arizona
At 6'4, 215 pounds, Criner has prototypical size for an NFL wide receiver and with 10 1/2 inch hands, possesses the biggest mitts of any player on the Senior Bowl roster. Apparently having big hands can somehow transfer to catching the football? It's science. Criner followed up his 82 catch, 1233 yard 11 TD 2010 season with 75 catches for 956 yards and 11 TDs in 2011. He'll be someone to keep an eye on and if he has a big week he could see his stock jump from the present 3rd round or so grade on him.
Juron Criner NFL Draft prospect notes - Mocking The Draft | Juron Criner, Arizona, CBSSports.com
Jeff Fuller WR 6-4 / 220 Texas A&M
Another big wide receiver target at 6'4, 220, the son of the former NFL defensive back of the same name, Fuller has the size, speed, and measureables that NFL teams love. He has no known off-field issues and grew up around the game. He followed up a strong junior season where he caught 72 passes for 1066 yards and 12 touchdowns with a 63 catch, 709 yard and 5 touchdown performance in his senior season. He'll look to boost his stock this week.
Jeff Fuller NFL Draft prospect notes - Mocking The Draft | Jeff Fuller, Texas A&M, CBSSports.com
Dwight Jones WR 6-4 / 225 North Carolina
Dwight Jones is a bona-fide first-round wide receiver and likely the top pass-catcher in Mobile with Kendall Wright pulling out due to injury. Jones caught 79 passes for 1119 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Tar Heels this year and his size, speed, and separation ability set him apart as a prospect. If he's still around in the 2nd round, he'll be a steal.
Dwight Jones NFL Draft prospect notes - Mocking The Draft | Dwight Jones, North Carolina, CBSSports.com
Marvin McNutt WR 6-4 / 215 Iowa
McNutt, apart from having an awesome last name (and first name, for that matter), is a former high-school quarterback that received scholarships for baseball, football, and basketball. He chose football at the next level and and as a top-50 recruit went to Iowa. He made the switch to receiver in his sophomore year and has improved every season. He snagged 78 passes for 1269 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2011 and is making his way up draft boards.
Ranking the 2012 Wide Receivers - Mocking The Draft | Marvin McNutt, Iowa, CBSSports.com
Sleeper:
Brian Quick WR 6-5 / 220 Appalachian State
Small school receiver with size and length (officially listed as 6'3, but with an 81.25 inch wingspan (Calvin Johnson has 82" wingspan, for comparison). Lower level of competition and pretty raw as a prospect, but could be a nice target in the later rounds.
2012 Senior Bowl: Mocking The Draft | Brian Quick, Appalachian State, CBSSports.com
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As it pertains to the Seahawks - I don't really have a sense of whether or not this front office would be looking at wide receiver in this year's Draft. I'm of the personal opinion that you can never have too many playmakers on offense and tend to think that the Seahawks are anything but set in that positional group, but with other holes they make look elsewhere this season.
For more on the 2012 Senior Bowl, make sure you check out SBN's Mocking the Draft. For more on the Seahawks, head over to Field Gulls.