Alshon Jeffery breakdown

Alshon Jeffery is my number 5 ranked receiver entering the draft this year. If it wasn't for the ejection in the Capitol One Bowl I think he would be higher on my draft board. I have him going in the mid second round right now but he should go higher due to his potential on the field. Keep in mind the ejection came after his altercation with Nebraska corner Alfonzo Dennard, Dennard since has been arrested for assaulting a police officer. This somewhat makes Jeffery less of a "bad egg" in the sense that the person he was locked up with clearly has some anger issues which may have brought out the worse in Alshon during the game. Jeffery is listed at 6' 4" 229 pounds and is a beast in one on one match ups. I feel as if his size will create match up issues for many pro corners this season. He is actually coming off a down season in 2011 compared to his 2010 campaign for the Gamecocks. In 2011 he accounted for 49 receptions, 762 yards, and 8 touchdowns. In 2010 he had his best collegiate year with 88 receptions, 1,517 yards, and 9 touchdowns. Having a down year last season will qualify him as a sleeper in this year's draft. If I had to compare him to a current NFL wide out I would say Brandon Marshall is as close as they come. Alshon was used as a deep threat in South Carolina but also caught a lot of screen passes as he showed ample ability to break tackles and pile up yards after catch. Jeffery will become an immediate threat on the field for any team willing to draft him, I would be shocked if he fell out of the top 50. 

Possible Landing Spots:

Round 2 Pick 33 Rams
If the Rams don't get Justin Blackmon with the 6th overall pick I think they will wait and possibly grab Jeffery with the first pick in the second round. The Rams also have the 7th pick in the second round (39 overall) which they may use on Jeffery if they feel he would last that long. They need to add a big play threat for Sam Bradford as they install a new vertical passing offense this season.

Round 2 Pick 37 Browns
If the Browns decide to go with Trent Richardson in the first round I believe Jeffery would compliment him by posing an outside threat for opponents opening up the middle of the field for Richardson to dominate. If the Browns add these two skilled players, Colt McCoy may give ownership reason to believe he can be a legit starting QB in the NFL.

Round 2 Pick 42 Dolphins
The Dolphins traded Brandon Marshall to the Bears this off season and now lack a true number one wide out. If they draft Tannehill 8th overall then it would make a lot of sense to add a weapon on the outside. This move would would be done to create chemistry similar to that of A.J. Green and Andy Dalton. 

Round 2 Pick 49 Chargers
If the Chargers don't grab a receiver in the first round (Michael Floyd, Kendall Wright, or Stephen Hill) then Jeffery should fall no further than the 49th overall selection. Jeffery would help fill a huge need for Phillip Rivers as the Bolts lost Vincent Jackson to the Bucs this offseason.

Thanks for reading my breakdown on Alshon Jeffery. I hope your excited as I am about this weekend's draft.

Alex Wiesner