1. Peter Warrick, Florida State, 5-10-5/8, 194 (4.57 time in the 40-yard dash): An electrifying big-play threat who is more quick than fast and probably dropped from the No. 1 overall spot in draft because of pedestrian 40-yard time. Just put the ball in his hands, though, and don't worry about his stopwatch speed because he plays so much quicker than he times. Exceptional athlete with rare body control and burst. Superb open-field running ability, will almost always add yardage after the catch. The fun always begins after the catch, because he will make the first defender miss and then slither through creases in the secondary. A lightning bug-type darter with burst and tremendous change of direction skills. Can redirect in a hiccup and create separation from corner. Lack of size shouldn't be a concern because he can beat initial jam at line of scrimmage, has great leaping ability. Can return kickoffs and punts and, if you draft him, you'll want to take advantage of every opportunity to get him the ball. Plays big in the big games. Biggest problem is frequent mental lapses, won't concentrate on the ball as he should, because he is always thinking run before catch.

2. Travis Taylor, Florida, 6-0-7/8, 200 (4.46): Strong offseason workouts skyrocketed underclass wideout up draft boards, now a likely top 15 selection. Probably more polished receiver and more technically sound than Warrick, and flashed better speed in workouts than scouts thought he had. Nice size, will catch the ball too close to his body at times, but uses shoulders to fend off corners. Strong runner after the catch, will break some tackles in the secondary. Uses his hands well to push off and create cushion. Won't hesitate to come over middle, actually works well between the hashes. Probably picking nits, but he could use a little more economy of motion and fluidity out of his cuts. Will throttle down at times instead of bursting out of a move. Career really blossomed when he discovered he had eyesight problem two years ago and got contacts. Likes pressure, as indicated by 20 catches in last two bowl appearances. Very mature, is married with a child, solid character guy.

3. Plaxico Burress, Michigan State, 6-5-3/8, 231 (4.57): It seems only Bill Gates has lost more in the market the last few weeks. Has blown off three interviews with NFL teams and been late to one more. One top 10 team has vowed they won't even consider him now. Even before problems with punctuality, had started to slip in estimation of some scouts who feel he lacks quickness. Big body, huge frame and basketball-type reach, but rarely runs precise routes and freelances way too often. Size will create matchup problems for defensive coordinators league-wide, likes to run the deep post and can muscle right through the double-team. Will make the acrobatic catch, but also drops some easy balls. Some ability on double-move routes. Needs to concentrate on the finer points of the game and quick taking his skills so much for granted. A better work ethic wouldn't hurt, either, and some scouts actually feel the ego blow he'll take if he drops out of top 10 will eventually help him.

4. Sylvester Morris, Jackson State, 6-3, 216 (4.49): Had a terrible combine, but has recovered well in private workouts and consistently run under 4.5 on campus for scouts. Actually doesn't play as fast as his stopwatch time, still pretty raw and will need work. Didn't drop a ball at Senior Bowl but hands still a bit inconsistent. Gets sloppy and lackadaisical at times in route running, tends to round off his cuts. Will have to be more precise, improve recognition skills and ability to make route adjustments if he is to succeed at next level. Some burst over the top but not especially quick in close areas. Big hands and long arms make him an even bigger target, a tough guy to overthrow. Will come over middle but also works sidelines well. Good run after catch skills. A bi of a long-strider who must learn to chop his steps. Solid character who wants to be good and seems like he'll pay the price.

5. Jerry Porter, West Virginia, 6-2-1/4, 221 (4.38): Tough player to evaluate because he has such limited exposure to wide receiver position. Recruited as quarterback, played some wideout early in career, then switched to safety for junior and first half of senior seasons. Played just six games at wide receiver in '99 and caught 15 passes for 311 yards and four scores. Tremendous workout warrior, off the charts in nearly every test. Has consistently run under 4.4 and had vertical jumps in the NBA range. Can accelerate in just a step or two and has the size to muscle defenders off the ball. Very long arms and strong hands, a good jumper. Lacks some consistency and still has a lot to learn about playing wide receiver. That said, could still go in first round and is no worse than an early second-round pick. Has turned some teams off in interviews last two weeks with a self-centered attitude.

6. Dez White, Georgia Tech, 6-1-1/4, 216 (4.41): Nice combination of size and speed. Built like a tailback, could probably stand to lose 5-6 pounds. Exploded on scene in '98 with huge season, then tailed off in '99 when defenses began accounting more for him. Very fluid, almost effortless style, doesn't seem like he's at full throttle but will run right past a cornerback. When he puts the pedal to the metal, can separate deep from the corner and he adjusts well to the long pass. Will make the tough, acrobatic catch and run between the hashes. Could be used on kickoff returns as a rookie. Not the purest receiver around, will fight the ball into his hands at times, especially on the short and intermediate passes. Hard to ignore his big-play abilities.

7. Todd Pinkston, Southern Mississippi, 6-2, 169 (4.49): Biggest concern is his frail-looking frame and fear he won't hold up physically to NFL pounding. If he weighed 185, might be a first-round pick because he has superior pass-catching skills. As it is, won't get out of the second round. Actually pretty durable at college level. Plays up to his speed and has good body control. Makes the tough catch, fearless when running through traffic. Excellent concentration on the ball, will rarely double-catch or bobble a pass. Played primarily in the slot where he generally drew just single coverage. Always gives solid effort. Lack of bulk probably eliminates him as possible kickoff return man.

8. Laveranues Coles, Florida State, 5-11-1/4, 192 (4.45): True straight-line burner with incredible burst and ability to simply explode past defenders. Will have cornerbacks backpedaling from the time he breaks the huddle. More fast than quick and, having played wideout for only two full seasons, former high school running back still doesn't look instinctive at times. Will run after the catch but not nearly as elusive as teammate Peter Warrick, lacks some lateral quickness. Will track ball in flight and makes better adjustments than you might think. Will shut down motor when being double-covered but then surprises people by selling the backside or complementary route. Aggressive and explosive player who can turn a game around. Dismissed from school after the infamous Dillard's department store caper with Warrick and had some previous indiscretions as well. Moody and erratic at times but seems to have been straightforward with most teams in discussing his off-field problems. Still, at least two teams we know have taken him off their draft board because of character issues.

9. Dennis Northcutt, Arizona, 5-10-3/8, 175 (4.45): Played a lot of positions early in career before settling in at wide receiver. A little smaller than you'd like, but not as anemic-looking as Pinkston. Solid player with a big heart and nice feel for the game. Rarely seems to take a big hit. Big, soft hands and will extend to make the tough catch in traffic. More quick than fast, a darting and shifty runner who doesn't play up to his 40-yard stopwatch time. More explosive in intermediate range than when running deep and catches a lot of balls in the 15-yard area. Lacks the top-end second gear to run past people. Loves to compete and plays the game like he really enjoys it. Has returned punts and kickoffs and should at the next level as well.

10. R. Jay Soward, Southern California, 5-9-½ 177 (4.37): Next to Peter Warrick, might be most natural playmaker in wide receiver group. Explosive off line and reaches top speed in only a few strides. When he kicks it into top gear, no one is going to catch him. From 1996-98, scored 27 times on only 186 "touches," and averaged nearly 50 yards per touchdown play. Very small target who isn't physically strong and is too easily knocked off routes. Had problems with fumbling early in career and doesn't always put the ball away. Will bobble some easy catches. Not a big effort guy, seems to coast through some games. Past off-field problems and dubious attitude, went through three agents already. Rare talent who won't go as high as he should because some teams are scared off by his temperament.

Darrell Jackson might regret coming out of school early for the draft.(Allsport)

11. Darrell Jackson, Florida, 5-11-3/4, 197 (4.51): Good size and hands, but probably should have stayed in school for another season. Decent 40-yard times but doesn't play up to his speed. Seems to play best against zone coverages, could struggle versus "press" looks because he doesn't get off the line of scrimmage quickly and is susceptible to being jammed. Not a big-play threat but plays with enthusiasm and wants the ball in pressure situations. Runs nice, tight routes and can snatch the ball out of the air. Has some punt return ability.

12. Danny Farmer, UCLA, 6-2-7/8, 216 (4.63): His ordinary speed means he will last longer than he should in draft. Superior athlete and top-notch, tireless competitor who starred on Bruins' volleyball team. Strong, powerful body and knows how to use it to get position and separation. Despite lack of burst, somehow seems to run past lots of corners when ball is in the air. Good run after catch skills and works very tight and precise routes. Long arms and jumps well. Plays a lot on instinct and awareness, has knack for uncovering against zones. Always on balance and will not waste any steps. Probably will struggle versus man-to-man coverage. Not as quick as Denver Broncos star Ed McCaffrey but cut in same mold and definitely more athletic. Perhaps best downfield blocker in wide receiver class. Might be able to play some as H-back in the NFL.

Others: Ron Dugans (Florida State), Anthony Lucas (Arkansas), Windrell Hayes (Southern California), JaJuan Dawson (Tulane), Muneer Moore (Richmond), Chafie Fields (Penn State), Sherrod Gideon (Southern Mississippi), Chris Coleman (North Carolina State), Larry Foster (LSU), Trevor Gaylor (Miami, OH), Gari Scott (Michigan State).

Rising: The player who has scouts scrambling to work him out is Avion Black of Tennessee State. He was recently declared ineligible for his senior season by the NCAA and entered into the draft pool. Keep your eye on Black, because he figures to be drafted in the low second or certainly the third round based on workouts. He has good size and the scouts we talked to who had worked him out last week got him consistently in the mid-4.3s to low-4.4s. Black is not very polished yet but has explosiveness. He averaged 34.2 yards per kickoff return in 1999 and ran three back for touchdowns.

Declining: Texas standout Kwame Cavil has run times in the 4.6 range and, despite solid credentials, the lack of speed has sent him into a spiral and could drop him deep into the middle rounds. Mareno Philyaw of Troy State was a guy scouts were onto even toward the end of the season. But he hasn't run well, suffered a shoulder injury and has not been impressive.

Intriguing: Chris Cole of Texas A&M blistered the 40 at the combine and has a rare size and speed combination. Former long-jumper and triple-jumper is still learning the game and is very raw, but his triangle numbers (height-weight-40 time) should earn him a look. Virginia Tech's Ricky Hall has terrific size, only runs in the mid-4.5s, but can return punts and is fluid athlete. He is coming off a broken foot that must he checked.

Sleeper: He struggles to crack the 4.6 barrier, but Drew Haddad of Buffalo University is a solid possession receiver who caught 85 passes last season. He reminds some people of Wayne Chrebet and has the same kind of natural feel for the game.

Specialists: Stanford star Troy Walters is too munchkin-sized (5-feet-6-1/2, 171) to make it in the NFL as a wideout, but his explosiveness as a punt and kickoff return specialist give him at least a shot of being drafted. Purdue wideout Chris Daniels couldn't run out of sight in a week, but is a tremendous possession receiver who consistently moves the chains on third down.