Larry Fitzgerald

Position :

Wide Receiver

School: Pittsburgh

Status: Sophomore

Height:

6-2½

Weight:

225

40-Yard Dash:

4.50 seconds (est)

Positives:

Larry Fitzgerald has fantastic size, strength, and hands, combined with adequate speed and tremendous athletic ability. He has great leaping ability, very strong hands, and he catches the ball well in traffic.

The thing that separates Fitzgerald from the other top receivers in this draft class is his almost unbelievable body control. It doesn't matter if he's leaping, twisting, or diving... he always has control of his body and has the ability to adjust to the ball while it's in the air.People often talk about the character of this kid as well. He's humble, has a great work ethic, he's a team player, and he has the drive to become a great player in the NFL. He also has immense confidence in his own abilities without the brash cockiness that can become a distraction.

Negatives:

He has decent speed, but he's not blessed with the blazing speed you normally associate with a wideout with his potential. Having just two years of college under his belt, he is also a little inexperienced and will need just a little polish at the next level.

Projection:

Larry Fitzgerald is one of those rare players that seem destined for greatness. He has been around the NFL game before, as a ball boy for the Minnesota Vikings, and he learned the game by watching stars such as Cris Carter and Randy Moss practice. In fact, he plays a very similar style as Carter did, and he should be very effective in the red zone.

He is a rare talent and a tremendous playmaker. Fitzgerald should be a top-five selection in the 2004 NFL Draft.