Your thoughts on Percy Harvin

[midwestpatsfan]

I keep going back and forth on this guy. One day I watch his tape and I love his speed, his versatility in the running and passing game and think that he could be a fun weapon for Belichick and Brady.
Other days I think to myself that he played on a loaded team in a non pro style offense where most teams were focused on Tebow leaving Harvin to go crazy. I also sometimes have a hard time figuing out what his position is. Is he a WR that can also run, or is he a Kevin Faulk type player that can play WR.

I am not in love with anyone at 23 right now. All the guys I like would be considered reaches at 23, but not sure if Harvin is a guy I could add to the mix at 23. I need help to decide.

 

[alvinnf]

I keep going back and forth on this guy. One day I watch his tape and I love his speed, his versatility in the running and passing game and think that he could be a fun weapon for Belichick and Brady.
Other days I think to myself that he played on a loaded team in a non pro style offense where most teams were focused on Tebow leaving Harvin to go crazy. I also sometimes have a hard time figuing out what his position is. Is he a WR that can also run, or is he a Kevin Faulk type player that can play WR.

I am not in love with anyone at 23 right now. All the guys I like would be considered reaches at 23, but not sure if Harvin is a guy I could add to the mix at 23. I need help to decide.

This guy has great game speed. Someone will see it and want to utilize it. Other people have run fast and have speed and so on, but Mr. Harvin is electric, his game speed is evident. He definately has first round talent. It is somewhat overshadowed by the fact that he was a complimentary piece in college, that could keep him out of the first round. But, you never know.

 

[spacecrime]

First round is better utilized for DLine and Oline than WRs unless you can get a Randy Moss or Jerry Rice

 

[stinkypete]

I would take Harvin at #23 unless someone like Tyson Jackson or Maualuga were available. He'd be a fantastic complimentary piece to the 2009 team. If he is coachable enough, he could learn to block and take over Faulk's role long term.

Usually 3rd down RBs/#3 WR types aren't considered 1st round players, but Faulk's role is that important to the offense and Harvin could be a good candidate.

 

[mayoclinic]

First round is better utilized for DLine and Oline than WRs unless you can get a Randy Moss or Jerry Rice

Probably correct. While Harvin has great open field ability, if I went WR at #23 I'd rather go with Hakeem Nicks, who is more of a pro style flanker. But I think we avoid WR that high in the draft.

 

[MetalBleachers]

I, too, go back and forth on him. Chad Jackson looked great at Florida, too.

Where does Harvin fit? does he take reps from Welker? Is he enough of a burner to take the opposite side of the field from Moss? (Not according to his combine.) If he's another Reggie Bush, does that make him a dangerous weapon who's only on the field a quarter of the time?

Another good point brought up here: who else makes #23 worthwhile?

I wouldn't be too upset if the Pats took him, but he'd have to perform in order to convince me.

 

[MetalBleachers]

Probably correct. While Harvin has great open field ability, if I went WR at #23 I'd rather go with Hakeem Nicks, who is more of a pro style flanker. But I think we avoid WR that high in the draft.

:agree: Lots of talent at WR. It's specific talent (possession WR, KR, speedster) but someone who could be found early on Day Two who could contribute in 2009.

 

[JSn]

I came here after tripping over the bit about him and BB at "harvinzone.com"

I think he'd be an interesting pick-up @ #34. Depends if we get the roster even more settled before the draft, though it's tough to imagine how we could. Maybe a Taylor signing, even short-term, buys us some breathing room at OLB. Hm.

Any links to GOOD video of this guy in action?

 

[DW Toys]

I keep going back and forth on this guy. One day I watch his tape and I love his speed, his versatility in the running and passing game and think that he could be a fun weapon for Belichick and Brady.
Other days I think to myself that he played on a loaded team in a non pro style offense where most teams were focused on Tebow leaving Harvin to go crazy. I also sometimes have a hard time figuing out what his position is. Is he a WR that can also run, or is he a Kevin Faulk type player that can play WR.

I am not in love with anyone at 23 right now. All the guys I like would be considered reaches at 23, but not sure if Harvin is a guy I could add to the mix at 23. I need help to decide.

He is rated #25 by some sources so it is not a reach. BB loves versatility so a Faulk type who can start at the #3 WR and is still 5' 11" tall is not a bad think. I am not sold on him yet but BB knows the kid. He would be allowed that same leverage the first year or so because of Randy and Welker. You can't cover them all. People say nyet on a TE. I say James Casey and you can spread all four and still keep a back in. It is a copycat leqague and Casey in the Clark role would be a DC nightmare. Now you have Harvin running free.
It would be exciting.
DW Toys

 

[Gator Mike]

Any links to GOOD video of this guy in action?

YouTube - WR Percy Harvin Highlights Florida 2008

 

[VJCPatriot]

If you're looking for a nontraditional receiver, I'd rather go with Pat White in the 3rd or 4th round than Harvin in the 1st round. Considering the number of snaps he'll get and the fact that Harvin can't be a down the field guy, he's not worth a 1st round pick. I'm not sold on Nicks or DHB, but I'd take those two ahead of Harvin, but not before pick #34.

PS Has everybody forgotten that Harvin is a Florida receiver? Just thought I'd point that out. Florida receivers tend to look wonderful at the college level but nothing special in the pros.

 

[patchick]

This guy has great game speed. Someone will see it and want to utilize it. Other people have run fast and have speed and so on, but Mr. Harvin is electric, his game speed is evident.

True, but...his highlight-reel moments all seem to happen after the ball is in his hands. I don't see him creating a lot of separation running routes.

 

[DW Toys]

If you're looking for a nontraditional receiver, I'd rather go with Pat White in the 3rd or 4th round than Harvin in the 1st round. Considering the number of snaps he'll get and the fact that Harvin can't be a down the field guy, he's not worth a 1st round pick. I'm not sold on Nicks or DHB, but I'd take those two ahead of Harvin, but not before pick #34.

PS Has everybody forgotten that Harvin is a Florida receiver? Just thought I'd point that out. Florida receivers tend to look wonderful at the college level but nothing special in the pros.

You are probably right. I don't have an idea on #23. Maybe it is best to trade out. I thought Maulauga but a two down MLB is not ideal. I thought Matthews but I think #23 is too early for basically a one year in service guy and can he play middle? I don't like any of these WR as a first rounder other than Crabtree, Macklin and Harvin to some extent. I think Robiske is the new "It" guy. He was a third rounder a few weeks ago. I would rather see a Collie in round four and service our other needs. To many flaws in these other WR.
Everytime I see Bey I think of Chad Jackson!
DW Toys

And Florida scares me too. Louis Murphy? No way!

 

[primetime]

If you're looking for a nontraditional receiver, I'd rather go with Pat White in the 3rd or 4th round than Harvin in the 1st round. Considering the number of snaps he'll get and the fact that Harvin can't be a down the field guy, he's not worth a 1st round pick. I'm not sold on Nicks or DHB, but I'd take those two ahead of Harvin, but not before pick #34.

PS Has everybody forgotten that Harvin is a Florida receiver? Just thought I'd point that out. Florida receivers tend to look wonderful at the college level but nothing special in the pros.

I agree with everything you're saying here, though honestly I wouldn't be surprised if the Patriots went with Pat White in the late 2nd. Randle El was a 2nd round pick and White's faster and a better QB than Randle El was coming out of college. Can he catch? He chose to work out as a QB at the combine (where many said he was the most impressive QB), but I assume he'll do both at his pro day. You take him, he saves a roster spot as the emergency QB and he can slot in as a #3/4 receiver in a rotation with Lewis and Aiken (amongst other possibilities).

The thought of Harvin (and Pat White) in a Miami Wildcat offense, though, scares me a little.

And you're right about Florida receivers. Ike Hilliard and Jabar Gaffney have had solid if unspectacular careers, but beyond that I can't think of any who have been anything more than mediocre in recent years. Not that it really means much, I guess.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Harvin is a Florida receiver - and we all know how recent guys from that school usually translate to the NFL - I would pass and after the Chad Jackson fiasco I would say BB will do the same

 

[JMarr]

The Kevin Faulk comparisons/projections need to stop. Harvin was an electrifying player in college who made SEC defenses look like high schoolers at times. Granted, no one is as versatile as Faulk, but I've heard nothing to indicate that Harvin's got a lot of football smarts or that he has any blocking skills. Can anyone see Harvin being able come in on 3rd down and protect Brady if his number's not called on a screen, or bruising between the tackles to pick up a few yards? How about being an effective RB on any down if needed?

He isn't worth spending a high pick on IMO. He projects to be more of a WR type and there are too many other talented WRs available fit more into the Pats' system.

 

[Gator Mike]

At the risk of overstating the obvious...

It all depends on how the Pats view him. If they think he's the next Steve Smith and he's on the board at #23, then I'm guessing he'll receive a lot of consideration.

If they question his durability and his ability to adapt to their offense, then they probably won't pick him.

Everyone has their own views and without trying to pick a lot of nits, I'll just say this... He's the most electrifying Gator player I've seen in the 20 years I've been watching Florida football.

 

[tanked_as_usual]

FL WR ......... *shudder*

 

[Seneschal2]

Well, as GM of the Vikings, I have to say our fanbase wants a playmaker. So we'll study the position carefully (while ignoring all those mocks of Harvin at #22), and continue to focus on players I like better, such as Heyward-Bey, who just so happens to be visiting this week.

 

[p8ryts]

Florida wide receivers, NO< NO< NO<NO< Never again.