College Eye for the NFL Guy: Anthony Gonzalez

NFL scouts think they know him, but they're wrong...

Anthony Gonzalez, Wide Receiver, Ohio State

WHAT NFL SCOUTS ARE SAYING:

ESPN.com ($): "Gonzalez doesn't make enough big plays for a prospect with his kind of speed, but he has the makings of an excellent possession receiver in the NFL. He runs great routes, fights for the ball while it's in the air and has excellent hands. Gonzalez could come off the board as early as the second round."

NFL Draft Countdown: "Was used as more of a possession receiver in college and often times worked out of the slot but his physical tools lead you to believe he could be much more...He reminds me a bit of Kevin Curtis...Probably best suited to be a #2 or #3 wideout at the next level...He'll never be a star but will be a valuable contributor."

PROBABLY GETTING DRAFTED:

Gonzalez is projected as a mid-second rounder almost everywhere.

GUY WHO WATCHED HIM FOR ~~FOUR~~ THREE YEARS IS SAYING:

This might have been a more shocking assertion a couple weeks ago, before Ted Ginn's stock started falling and Gonzalez's started rising, but it's Gonzalez, not the electric-fast Ginn, who is the best Buckeye wideout available in this year's draft. Sure, Ginn has more speed than anyone possible ever. He's been clocked at -3.5 seconds in the 40 yard dash. But I'm with Fanhouser Bruce Ciskie when he compares Ginn to a taller version of Viking bust Troy Williamson. He's still an athlete without much of a position.

Gonzalez, on the other hand, is a polished technician who runs great routes, has great hands, and is capable of going over the middle to make a tough third-down catch. Ginn does/has none of these things. And Gonzalez has proven himself capable of big plays, too:

And the guy has literally crazy work ethic. Dude sleeps in an oxygen tent. There are no character concerns here. Gonzalez is going to show up and be a great #2 receiver for ten years, and he's definitely worth a mid-to-late first round pick.