How Leonard Hankerson could fit with the Redskins

[Hitman21ST]

First off, let me start with Shutdown Corner's assessment of him:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shu...ysp_frm_woah=1

and his stats while at Miami:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player...layerId=236056

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Now for the meat and potatoes.

There have already been plenty of threads and info on receivers in Free Agency (VJax, James Jones, Sidney Rice, etc) and the top receivers in the draft (AJ Green, Julio Jones), so I'm not trying to turn this thread into one of them.

If we end up not re-signing Santana Moss, we will be in a serious hole at the WR position. We arguably already are, so losing Moss would put us that much behind the curve.

Hankerson isn't a #1 coming out of college, but he could make a viable #2 option. Assuming we pick up one of the aforementioned receivers in Free Agency or the draft, we will have a #1 going into next year. That would put us with the new guy, Anthony Armstrong, Terrence Austin, and Malcolm Kelly (who can't seem to escape the injury bug). Hankerson is a bigger receiver (6'3, 205) who has very reliable hands. He struggled his first season or two, but put together one of the best seasons for a receiver at Miami (72 receptions, 1156 yards, 13 TD). He set the record for single season touchdowns at the U, beating out Michael Irvin, Santana Moss, and Andre Johnson. He caught a touchdown in six straight games this past season.

He has decent speed, but he's not that explosive. The Redskins, though, don't need a speedy receiver, we have at least two (AA and BB, for the few snaps he lines up at receiver). What we need is a receiver of Hankerson's measurables. A sure-handed big player who can go up and grab the ball, and be trusted to make the catch.

Different sources have him ranked all over the place, but from what I've seen of him and comparing him to other receivers out there, he'll probably go in the third or fourth round, but could possibly go mid second.

If he makes it past the second round (if we draft a receiver with our first rounder) or to us in the second (if we pick up a Free Agent WR) I wouldn't be too upset if we drafted him. He would go well as our #2, and at least in the Senior Bowl, showed that he does a little better with a third guy in the slot, which is where AA would go.

Looking at what Kyle did with Andre Johnson in Houston, with the right coaches in the right offense, Hankerson could very well turn into a difference maker, good for 60+ catches and 1000+ yards, for the foreseeable future.

[terrifNick21]

My favorite wide receiver in the draft after Quintorris Jones. I would be THRILLED if they somehow drafted him via picks acquired in a trade. I see a baby T.O. in him, ability wise. I really, really like this guy.

[jflow78]

After just having the AJ Green vs Julio Jones discussion in one of the other threads, the first thing I appreciate about this guy is that it looks like he's super consistent.

It looks like his worst game this year was 3 receptions for 36 yards and 1 TD against Pitt. The rest were at least admirable. I wouldn't mind getting the guy, as long as he's not going too high.

I'd say if he's there in the 3rd or 4th definitely take a chance on him.

[Hitman21ST]

After just having the AJ Green vs Julio Jones discussion in one of the other threads, the first thing I appreciate about this guy is that it looks like he's super consistent.

It looks like his worst game this year was 3 receptions for 36 yards and 1 TD against Pitt. The rest were at least admirable. I wouldn't mind getting the guy, as long as he's not going too high.

I'd say if he's there in the 3rd or 4th definitely take a chance on him.

If we don't trade into the 3rd or 4th, I might look into taking him in the second (maybe trading down to get him later in the second)

[terrifNick21]

If we don't trade into the 3rd or 4th, I might look into taking him in the second (maybe trading down to get him later in the second)

Yeah, he's definitely a second round pick.

His hands are ginormous. Isn't blazing fast, but he's fast enough. He looks a lot bigger than his 6'1" 205 pound size would suggest.

I think he can be a good #1 in this league in the right situation.

[Hitman21ST]

He looks a lot bigger than his 6'1" 205 pound size would suggest.

He IS bigger than a 6'1" 205 lb.

He's 6'3" 205

[terrifNick21]

He IS bigger than a 6'1" 205 lb.

He's 6'3" 205

At the senior bowl, he measured in just over 6'1"

[Laxpunk2006]

He IS bigger than a 6'1" 205 lb.

He's 6'3" 205

I would take the measurements from the Senior Bowl over what Miami lists their players at. Colleges are notorious for adding on height/weight to prospects. ESPN gets their numbers from the colleges.

As far as Hankerson goes I haven't seen him play yet. I like what I've been reading but I'm not sure we have the luxury of spending a pick on a reciever. In addition to that I don't see how AA fits the slot at all. If anything we'll need to keep Moss or see if Austin is capable of it when we go to 3 WR sets. Playing the slot isn't as simple as being the third best WR on the team.

[grantarchy]

"What he does possess is a great overall understanding of how to play the receiver position; the little things and intangibles which make receivers great."

That alone makes me want him. We need more guys like that.

[Yeen80]

Hankerson? The "U" days in DC are coming to an end

[terrifNick21]

Hankerson? The "U" days in DC are coming to an end

Maybe for the ones already on the team.


There are two Canes I'd take in this draft. Hankerson and Graig Cooper late in the draft.

---------- Post added February-10th-2011 at 07:52 PM ----------

HurricaneSports.com and ESPN.com have him at 6'3"

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings...2011&genpos=WR

[Hitman21ST]

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings...2011&genpos=WR

Split the difference

---------- Post added February-10th-2011 at 11:14 PM ----------

As far as Hankerson goes I haven't seen him play yet. I like what I've been reading but I'm not sure we have the luxury of spending a pick on a reciever. In addition to that I don't see how AA fits the slot at all. If anything we'll need to keep Moss or see if Austin is capable of it when we go to 3 WR sets. Playing the slot isn't as simple as being the third best WR on the team.

A typical slot receiver is smaller and quicker, to exploit the matchups with linebackers and safeties. Anthony Armstrong fits that bill to a T. That's why Moss was so effective in the slot, he was able to beat the linebackers and safeties on his routes.

[The Tris]

A typical slot receiver is smaller and quicker, to exploit the matchups with linebackers and safeties. Anthony Armstrong fits that bill to a T. That's why Moss was so effective in the slot, he was able to beat the linebackers and safeties on his routes.

Except Armstong has demonstrated that he has the speed and play making ability to be a deep threat, which is the exact opposite a slot WR.

We would be taking his skill set and putting him in a position where they are being least effectively utilized.

[stevemcqueen1]

Except Armstong has demonstrated that he has the speed and play making ability to be a deep threat, which is the exact opposite a slot WR.

We would be taking his skill set and putting him in a position where they are being least effectively utilized.

Agreed. Armstrong should be a flanker in our offense, much like Greg Jennings is for the Packers. That's the kind of player he is.

In the slot you want a guy whose quicker as opposed to fast. Your speed guys are kind of precious which is usually why they play outside. Slot guys need to be able to build separation quickly but what they do after the first few steps isn't as important as it is for outside receivers. They just need to be tough and quick--Wes Welker.

I like Hankerson and I think the tutoring he received from Mark Duper is a nifty little anecdote. Hankerson seems like a really nice kid and he's got a Reggie Wayne-like build and set of talents. I don't think he's as smart, savvy, sure-handed, and skillful a route runner as Wayne was. But he's tough and has an excellent frame and solid athleticism. I could see him being a much better NFL player than he was in college and that's saying something because he had an excellent season.

---------- Post added February-11th-2011 at 03:34 PM ----------

Green and Julio Jones are rated higher than Smith. I'm a MD fan, but I think Baldwin with Pitt also rates higher.

I'd be OK with Hankerson or Torrey Smith in the 2nd if we go in another direction in the 1st. Somewhere along the line, we need a WR.

On athletic ability alone, I think Baldwin rates higher than Smith and Hankerson. But Baldwin strikes me as a complete prima donna and baby. I wouldn't touch him with a pole. We don't need his crap on our roster. I'd rank Smith and Hankerson way ahead of him. I probably wouldn't even put Baldwin on my board.

[Laxpunk2006]

Split the difference

---------- Post added February-10th-2011 at 11:14 PM ----------



A typical slot receiver is smaller and quicker, to exploit the matchups with linebackers and safeties. Anthony Armstrong fits that bill to a T. That's why Moss was so effective in the slot, he was able to beat the linebackers and safeties on his routes.

I completely agree with your analysis of what makes a good slot reciever but that isn't Anthony Armstrong. He is about an inch shy of average height for a reciever but he isn't "small" as far as height goes. He is also much more "fast" than "quick." How many routes have we honestly seen Armstrong run? He's a post/go guy. He has the long speed to get behind safeties which is rare in this league. That's why you see guys like Troy Williamson and Darius Heyward-Bey going top 10 when they can barely catch the ball.

Armstrong isn't a shifty guy by any means. I don't see him having the route running ability or the shiftiness to avoid the big hits he would take from linebackers going over the middle. I can't even recall him ever going across the middle this season though I'm sure he did once or twice.

Obviously this is a highlight reel of deep balls but it's obvious this is what he does best. Taking Armstrong out of a flanker role and moving him to the slot would be like shifting Landry back to FS after seeing how good he can be at strong. He could do it but it would be playing to his weakness rather than his strength. I see Armstrong as a Bernard Berrian or Donte Stallworth type more than a Moss or a Percy Harvin. Frankly he is much more similar to Randy Moss than Santana Moss.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLkxI...eature=related