NFL Combine 2013: Tavon Austin, Cordarrelle Patterson Lock Themselves Into The First Round

Nearly across the board, the 2013 NFL Draft draft is deep on talent but shallow on what would widely be considered elite talent. The Combine is an opportunity for those on the fringes of a first round likely to be light on offensive skill players to make a name for themselves.

Tavon Austin and Cordarrelle Patterson did just that, showing off blazing speed to go with intriguing college production. Patterson may have catapulted into the top of the first round, while Austin will almost certainly sneak into the first round as a Percy Harvin/Randall Cobb receiver who can also run the ball and return kicks.

Forty times have helped more than a few receivers hit the jackpot in the past. Patterson may be picked among the first ten picks in the draft, which would be insane based on a single season of productive Division I football and his physicality, but teams are desperate to get a Julio Jones or Calvin Johnson and Patterson is the closest thing to it. Teams will be tempted to bite on him early in the first round, and I would not be surprised

Austin, as mentioned, leans closer to Harvin and Cobb, who were excellent prospects in their own rights and have had productive careers already. Teams who want one of their own will have to consider Austin, and I could see the Patriots in particular having a ton of interest if he makes it that far.

Your thoughts on wide receivers at the combine?