Where did you get this data? This is obviously subjective since I've seen Austin documented with over a 4% drop rate. But it is useful in a relative sense across WRs.
This is where you need to take the stats with a grain of salt. Dobson plays in Conference USA and Patton plays in the WAC (which amazingly still exists...check the schools playing in it next year, it is a hoot). It is a lot easier to catch a ball when you are running away from a slow 170 lb CB than it is to concentrate when you are battling to separate from Milliner.
Just another indicator that he may not be able to translate his elite skill set to commensurate production.
I think you are on the right track looking at drop rates. Another consideration I would submit is hand size. Just another data point (since anyone can have stone hands) but looking at your list:
Hopkins, Allen - 10"
Bailey - 9.9"
Patton - 9.4"
Woods - 9.3"
Austin, Wheaton - 9.1"
Patterson, Dobson - 9"
Sanders - 8.9"
Williams - 8.8"
Swope - 8.5"
Hopkins and Bailey are excellent at snatching the ball with their hands (Allen as well but I've seen less of him). Wheaton and Williams have smaller hands and catch with their body far too often. After dispatching Welker (who had degenerated to almost exclusively a body/low ball catcher) this offseason, I think the Pats need receivers with strong hands that can snatch the ball away from their body.
From a hands perspective, Hopkins is the guy to target in the early rounds. In the later rounds, you have:
Rodney Smith - 6'4", 225, 34.7" arms, 10.4" hands
I can't explain his middling production at Florida State. I just know that if you were going to build a WR, it would look like him. If he can find an opportunity with a good QB, I can see Smith being that guy you can't believe wasn't a first round pick.
