2014 NFL Combine Preview: Five More Wide Receivers to Watch
By Ben Nielsen
Nov 7, 2013; Waco, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners receiver Jalen Saunders (8) returns a kick-off in the second quarter against Baylor Bears defender Darius Jones (7) at Floyd Casey Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
School: Fresno State and Oklahoma
Watch to Watch: 40-Time, 3 Cone Drill, The Gauntlet
2013 Stats: 61 catches, 729 yards, 12 ypc, eight touchdowns
Met with Chiefs: Yes
Someone from this draft class is going to suffer from their being so many quality receivers available, and it may be Saunders who draws the short stick.
No pun intended.
Saunders is listed as 5-9, 160 pounds, and could be small than that. This is not something that’s going to bode well for him when being compared to plethora of bigger receivers in this draft. He’s also got an arrest for marijuana on his record, which doesn’t tend to help draft stock’s either.
What Saunders does have is a lot of speed and is a very strong athlete. NFL Draft Scout has him posting a sub-4.4 time in the 40-yard dash, and his video will show you he has a lot of quick moves to him. The need for Saunders to prove he is an elite athlete is going to be critical for him if he wants to say in the middle rounds.
Kansas City could use Saunders in a lot of different ways should they decide to select him. Saunders has experience returning kicks and punts, so he could be a very dynamic force in KC’s special teams right off the bat. Saunders should also work well in space as a slot receiver, where his size will be less of an issue.
One thing about Saunders compared to some of the other guys on this list is his potential upside is not very high. He can be weapon, but he’s a supplementary player. He’s not going to develop into a number one or two wide receiver like maybe Huff or Grant would.
If Kansas City takes Saunders then it will probably mean they’ve selected a wide receiver in the first round.