by Imran Tahir, 1/11/08.   Malcolm Kelly has, as expected, declared for the 2008 Draft. The 6’4,” 220 lb. Kelly is truly one of the elite prospects in this year’s Draft. In addition to possessing reliable hands, Kelly is very adept at shedding tacklers and is an absolute weapon in the Red Zone. During a 2007 season that saw him constantly face double-coverage while fighting nagging injuries, Kelly still managed to average almost 17 yards/catch, while recording 9 TD’s in the process (his 21 career TD catches rank him 2nd on the Sooners’ all-time list, behind current Baltimore Ravens WR Mark Clayton). It is worth noting that towards the end of this past season, Kelly suffered a deep thigh bruise which, in addition to forcing him out of the Fiesta Bowl against West Virginia, may delay Kelly’s ability to participate in substantive pre-Draft workouts until the latter part of March. Nevertheless, NFL GM’s will tell you that players with Kelly’s talent don’t come around often, and thus, the Sooner wideout solidly projects as a 1st Round pick.

by Jared Donnelly, 1/3/08.   Kelly has great size and speed and really knows how to use them. Unlike Mike Williams from USC, he is not afraid of his own size at 6-4 and 217 pounds. He might not be the quickest or even the most athletic guy out there at this position, but so what? He meets the ball instead of letting it come to him and that is something that can help out just about any QB in the league. We saw that this season with Plaxico and Eli in NY. In my mock, I have him at 17 to Minnesota and I think that’s the perfect spot for him and for Tarvaris Jackson. However, he could go as high as 11 to Buffalo where he would provide a number two to relieve Lee Evans and Burress-esque target for young Trent Edwards.