The Houston Texans have the No. 26 overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft, and many mock drafts have predicted that the Texans will drafting a wide receiver to play alongside Andre Johnson to serve as the team's No. 2 receiver. One name that has been consistently thrown out there has been South Carolina's Alshon Jeffery. Jeffery has a huge frame and an ability to high point the ball like few others in this upcoming draft.
Josh Norris of Rotoworld has done "extensive film study" and has emerged with a list of 10 players he believes "are receiving too much positive attention in media evaluations and mock drafts." Guess who shows up fourth on his overrated prospect list:
4. South Carolina WR Alshon Jeffery (6-3/229/4.63) - Simply put, Jeffery cannot separate. This was clear in his bowl game effort against Nebraska's Alfonzo Dennard, who repeatedly jammed Jeffery at the line of scrimmage. Dennard completely overmatched Jeffery downfield, as the receiver created no space against Nebraska's physical corner despite the Cornhuskers' tendency to give South Carolina's quarterback more than seven seconds to throw. Jeffery does not use his large frame effectively, either. Plenty of slow receivers make a living converting catches in traffic, but Jeffery loses way too many 50/50 balls for that to be the foundation of his game. Receivers with limited separation skills require confident, accurate quarterbacks willing to take chances in tight windows. 20 teams or more are without that kind of QB. Jeffery is the eighth best receiver in the draft, and a massive risk as a first-round pick.
The Texans pick 26th in the 2012 NFL Draft, and have been linked to other receivers such as Baylor's Kendall Wright and Rutgers' Mohamed Sanu.
For more on the Texans, head to Battle Red Blog, and for updates on the upcoming draft, go to Mocking The Draft.