It's a good year for receivers in the NFL Draft because there are a lot more second- and

third-round prospects than first-round prospects.

Why is that good? Fewer teams will be disappointed by drafting expensive first-round

receivers who do not pan out. The bust rate for receivers picked in the first round is

slightly under 50 percent, about equal to quarterback. Those two positions have a higher bust

rate than any others in the NFL.

Receivers taken in the second round don't really hit at any higher rate than those taken in

the first. But at least they don't come with the big financial commitment and expectations

that first-rounders bring.

There may be only two wideouts taken in the first round this year — Oklahoma State's

Dez Bryant and Notre Dame's Golden Tate.

Bryant looks like a boom or bust pick. He is a phenomenal physical talent, at 6-foot-2, 225

pounds. He draws comparisons to Dallas' Roy Williams, the seventh overall pick in 2004 (who

still hasn't fully established himself). He has been called a better version of Anquan Boldin.

Some even compare him with All-Pro Andre Johnson, although he's not as fast.

Bryant has not played football since Sept. 19 because he was suspended by the NCAA for

lying about his relationship with mentor Deion Sanders. He has had some maturity issues, the

latest example being he forgot to bring his cleats to his pro-day workout. He played solely

out of the spread offense in college.

It would not be a shock if Bryant went as high as No. 7 or dropped 10 picks later.

Like Bryant, Notre Dame's Tate left college a year early. Tate had 93 catches for 1,496

yards and 15 TDs as a junior. Tate, 5-10 and 194 pounds, is built like a running back and is a

strong slot-receiver prospect with big run-after-catch ability. He's probably a late

first-round pick.

Two tight ends — Williamsville's Rob Gronkowski and Oklahoma's Jermaine Gresham

— could creep into the bottom of the first round. Most draftniks rate Gresham a tad

higher. At worst, they're both second-rounders. Neither took a snap in 2009.

Gronkowski, 6-6, 265, sat out Arizona's season with a back injury. Gresham, 6-5, 261, tore

knee ligaments.

Gronkowski is an all-around talent who draws comparisons with Dallas Pro Bowler Jason

Witten.

"People forget he averaged over 17 yards a catch," said ESPN's Mel Kiper (he averaged 18.3

yards as a freshman). "You're looking at a guy who is great in the red zone as well, had a ton

of touchdown [10] receptions two years ago. But he had the back injury and was forced to miss

all this past year, so instead of being a one he's probably a two. I really like him."

Depth at tight end is pretty good, too. There could be eight tight ends worthy of being

taken in the first three rounds. After the first two, none are complete tight ends coming out

of college. Possible second-rounders include Brigham Young's Dennis Pitta, an excellent

route-runner and catcher; and Florida's Aaron Hernandez, who ran a 4.61 time in the 40. The

next group includes Southern Cal's Anthony McCoy, Oregon's Ed Dixon and Pitt's Dorin

Dickerson, who is an undersized H-back.

Another Western New Yorker who is a second-round talent is Buffalo's Mike Williams, the

former Syracuse wideout.

He's 6-2 and 221. He has power and explosiveness. There are few doubts about him on the

field. However, he was dismissed from the Syracuse team after seven games. Will that hurt him

and push him into the third or fourth round?

Behind Tate are Illinois' Arrelious Benn, Southern Cal's Damian Williams and Georgia Tech's

Demaryius Thomas. They're sure second-rounders. The next group off the board probably includes

Louisiana State's Brandon LaFell, Ohio's Taylor Price, Clemson's Jacoby Ford and maybe

Buffalo's Williams.