Going vertical: wide receiver has become land of the giants. Everywhere you look, big, fast and skilled wideouts are creating matchup nightmares—and redefining the position

Sporting News, The, Sept 22, 2003 by Kyle Veltrop

Michael Jenkins, Ohio State, 6-5/215. If he played in a pass-happy offense, Jenkins would have huge numbers. He has great body control, like Amani Toomer, and is capable of making the spectacular catch, Jenkins made the two biggest plays during the Buckeyes' national title run--a game-winning touchdown against Purdue and a 17-yard completion on fourth-and-14 in overtime against Miami in the Fiesta Bowl.

Reggie Williams, Washington, 6-4/225. Like Plaxico Burress, Williams is a big-play threat whose biggest weakness is a tendency to try to do B (run) before A (catch the ball).

Roy Williams, Texas, 6-4/210. Williams is sound in all facets of receiving, like Eric Moulds.

Michael Clayton, LSU, 64/197. He lacks bulk, but Clayton isn't afraid to take a hit--and he'll hang on to the ball because of his good hands and concentration, like Joe Jurevicius. And Clayton can go deep.

Fred Gibson, Georgia, 6-4/196. Like Chad Johnson, he has tremendous ability but is unpolished. Gibson always is dinged up, including a hamstring injury early this season. He needs to run better routes and show more in the middle of the field. Because of his athleticism, size and speed, Gibson is particularly dangerous on vertical routes and while working the sideline.

Larry Fitzgerald, Pitt, 6-3/225. "He has ball skills that I've never seen before," says Pitt offensive coordinator J.D. Brookhart, who compares Fitzgerald with Cris Carter, who actually gave tips to Fitzgerald when he worked as a Vikings ballboy. "When Larry runs a go route, he follows the ball like he doesn't have any vertebrae," Brookhart says. When Panthers quarterback Rod Rutherford releases the ball, Fitzgerald knows instantly, and exactly, where the ball is headed. Fitzgerald likens it to the way a top return man knows where a ball will land right when it leaves a punter's foot. "Whenever I make a drop, it's because of a lack of concentration, not because I misjudge it," says Fitzgerald.

Braylon Edwards, Michigan, 6-3/205. Like fellow Michigan product David Terrell, Edwards amazes--but also frustrates--with his talent. "On short to intermediate routes, he's very sloppy," says scout Todd McShay of The War Room. "He hasn't learned how to set up defensive backs. In college, he can get away with being sloppy. But I'm not sure he has enough of an understanding of getting open against guys who are equally talented." Edwards regularly visits the end zone, but he also regularly visits coach Lloyd Carr's doghouse.

Rashaun Woods, Oklahoma State, 6-2/195. Woods occasionally gets caught from behind, but Big 12 South rival Roy Williams says, "Rashaun Woods catches everything that's thrown to him. Sometimes (Josh) Fields just chucks it up in the vicinity of Woods. He knows that if he throws it in the area of Rashaun, then Rashaun will usually get it." Woods is a possession receiver, but one that opponents have to game-plan for, like Keyshawn Johnson.

Darius Watts, Marshall, 6-2/181. Watts is an example of a big receiver who does his best work in the slot, like Jerry Porter, because he can exploit small corners and snatch the ball out of the air, then turn upfield quickly. Watts needs to bulk up, but he's tough and will play through pain. "This is one impressive football player," McShay says. "Marshall has a good program, but Watts could have been a big-time player at a really big-time school."