NFL Draft 2010 Player Profile: Arrelious Benn, Illinois Wide Receiver

Hometown: Washington, D.C.

Height: 6'2''

Weight: 220 lbs.

40 Time: 4.45 according to Rivals

Strengths: Prototype size, plays angry and aggressive, strong hands, talented route runner who can make quick cuts, fantastic YAC ability, can run the end-around, can catch balls over the middle.

Weaknesses: Limited statistical production, lacks top notch straight-line speed.

Comparisons: Andre Johnson, Terrell Owens

Discussion: Shocked everyone by going to Champaign-Urbana. Broke out just like everyone expected, running deep routes effectively and occasionally stopping to eat a defensive back alive, literally. He ate another human being. Poor 180 lb. DB never felt a thing. Everyone who has matched up against Benn will no doubt mention that tackling Benn is really not fun because 1) he wants to run you over and 2) he has the physical tools to do so.

Benn sports a positive attitude and hasn't engaged in the bitching and moaning that players disappointed with how their collegiate career went tend to engage in (at least he hasn't done this publicly). His production, which of course has been hamstrung by Juice Williams and Zook's lack of offensive cohesion, will hurt him in the draft because GM's don't like explaining to fans that they're choosing an underperforming wide receiver with no accolades from a 3-9 team.

The NFL game is changing - lanky, slower receivers with great hands are being replaced with Wes Welker-ish prototypes. Smash routes and wide receiver blocking are becoming the hot thing, popularized by the Patriots and Colts. What kinds of traits do you want for your new-style wide receiver? Aggressive, scrappy, do-everything...The exact characteristics that Benn brings to the table.

NFL Draft Probability: #2 WR Overall.

Most Mockers have him picked somewhere in the low first round to early in the second round. Here he is at the 21st pick going to the Bengals. This site lists him as the 2nd best wide receiver in the Draft and has him going 29th to the Jets, behind Dez Bryant. Mocking the Draft has Benn as the 5th best overall WR. And here's another mock with Benn as the 35th pick.