Michael Floyd, Top-Ranked Receiver in 2012 Draft He is helping the Fifth Down rank skill position players before the draft: 1. Michael Floyd, Notre Dame (6-2, 220) From the standpoint of on-field performance, I believe Floyd has the best all-around skills and talents among the receivers in this draft class. This is a talent-rich group, but none of the prospects in this class have all of the qualities that Floyd brings to the game. When evaluating the last two years of receiving talent, I believe the only receiver with more promise is A.J. Green. One of the factors that might have clouded the picture in the evaluation of this year's receiver class was the condition of Floyd's right knee. While Floyd was still healing, he had to gather his steps to accelerate. If he had to make a break to the quarterback, he could not get a great bend on the knee when he had to use his right leg to plant. However, after watching Floyd get completely healthy, I think his size, speed, burst and fluid athleticism raise his game to a level where he should make an instant impact in the N.F.L. He's a threat anywhere on the field, and he has the skills to play split end or flanker. What I like most about Floyd is his toughness. He rises to the occasion in coverage and does not shy away from contact to make a play. His height and muscular build make him a strong weapon on fade routes, and his quickness and athleticism make him dangerous in space on slants, screens and crossers. There are minor route and receiving techniques that he needs to fix in order to transition to the pro game. He does not consistently make the physical commitment to turn back to the ball on fade routes, and he will try to lean away from the defender, arch his back, and reach for the pass rather than attack it with his body shielding the opponent. Floyd also needs to show better awareness of the boundary and work on getting both feet inbounds rather than just one. Another reason I like Floyd's promise is that he has already demonstrated some skill at beating press coverage, and over time I think he will become excellent at it. He does a decent job of setting up routes before the break - especially to create space. He also knows how to use his arms to generate extra separation in tight coverage. After the catch, Floyd demonstrates a good initial burst. He also breaks tackles, and he can make a quick move to change direction. For a man of his size, he has the skill to elude the first or second defender in space. Although not as active or aggressive a blocker as he could be, Floyd has the physical tools to become an excellent support player in the run game. He had chances to make an effort on runs where he was the slot receiver curling inside to block a safety for linebacker, and he did not do it. He will have to approach all aspects of his job with a higher level of commitment in the N.F.L. I think he is capable of developing into a physical receiver like the Chiefs" Dwayne Bowe, but just a notch below Calvin Johnson in terms of out-of-this-world athleticism. There are a few players capable of approaching this kind of ability in this class, but none are as close as Floyd.