Prospecting: An inside look at Kenny Britt

by Ed Valentine on Jan 30, 2009 7:00 AM EST in New York Giants News

Will Kenny Britt of Rutgers be making catches like this one for the New York Giants next season?

We have spent considerable time already this off season discussing how our New York Giants should replace Plaxico Burress. I am sure will spend a lot more time on this topic before training camp.

Many of you have suggested drafting Kenny Britt of Rutgers to fill the void. One of the great things about the SBN Network is the number of college bloggers we have.

Luckily for us, SBN recently launched a Rutgers blog, Protect R Turf. I went to editor Anshey Bhatia for some input on Britt, and here is what he had to say.

Kenny Britt, 6'4, 215 lbs.
He's a Junior out of Bayonne, NJ (hard working, blue collar community from what I know of it), and is a favorite of head coach Greg Schiano.

hile he doesn't have blazing speed, he's fast "enough", has great hands and great size. Struggled a little bit early on in the season w/ some big time drops, but really came around the second half of the year as Rutgers rang off 7 straight wins to close out the season.

I would project him as a solid #2 receiver, great at making the short to mid range catches and good for an occasional long ball (with defenses being so much better in the NFL).

Solid route runner, found a way to get open consistently for Mike Teel, accumulating 1,371 and 7 TD's on 87 receptions - not too shabby, especially on a team with 2 other legit wide outs.

He's very physical - his physicality will help him tremendously (and already has). He uses his size to his advantage in order to get open and get in the mind of opposing CBs.

A pure wide receiver in every sense of the word. Doubt he'll play on special teams but who knows, maybe the coaches will try him out there a little bit to see what he can do.

Will probably need a season of learning to be able to make big time contributions to a team, but I think he'll get some playing time in 2009 if he's on a team that's not littered with WRs.

In terms of the Giants, my personal feeling on it is if they can get him in the second round, they should get him for sure. The Giants need a big time #1 receiver after Plax self-destructed, and I'm not sure if Britt can fit the bill in the short term (but maybe in the long term). I think they already have a receiver like that in Steve Smith (a solid #2, even if he lacks ideal size), but I might be selling Britt a little bit short.

He's got the size, hands, and pretty good speed. Plus, he's only 20. Some players get way better in the NFL, some wilt away under the pressure. Britt is a hard working, coaches favorite type of kid, so I would think he'll get better, a lot better. He can do it (make the leap from #2 to #1 receiver), but I wouldn't be shocked either way. One thing is for sure: I don't see this kid being a bust at all - he's been great and spectacular at times over his 3 years at Rutgers, even if he was playing against air he's been a great player (and sometimes against Big East D's it felt like he was playing against air). He will, barring injury, be at least a productive player in the NFL.

Thanks for input, Anshey. What do you guys think?

I will continue to go 'prospecting' occasionally as the April draft gets closer. Hopefully, some of the other college bloggers will be as cooperative and insightful as Anshey. By the way, be sure to stop over at Protect R Turf if you are a Rutgers fan.

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Comments

Rutgers, Hudson County,

Bayonne? A homey. Who was the last Giant from Hudson County? Rich Glover? Big Red was, so was Al Blozis. Time for another. I’d love to see the Giants sign this kid.

by blue gonz on Jan 30, 2009 7:31 AM EST reply actions

2nd round

If he is sitting there when the Giants pick in the 2nd round, I wouldn’t mind this at all.

by Ed Valentine on Jan 30, 2009 7:34 AM EST up reply actions

Agreed. This kid seems like a good fit. Can we reach out to the UNC blogger? It seems Nicks is popping up on a lot of the mock drafts.

by potroast on Jan 30, 2009 8:13 AM EST up reply actions

Pot

I will be reaching out to many of the college bloggers in the coming weeks. I do hope to get you something on Nicks.

by Ed Valentine on Jan 30, 2009 8:32 AM EST up reply actions

BAYONNE????

Oh holy crap, thats my hometown! He’s a Bee!

We gotta have this kid. I’ll buy his jersey the day after the draft. Bayonne represent!

So keep Plax, trade for Boldin, draft Britt. Put Hixon back to punt and kick returns, give Moss a bus ticket, and Manningham keep for depth.

Plax-Boldin-Smith-Britt-Manningham-Hixon, that’s a pretty nice looking group to me.

Giants fan from the womb to the tomb

by Jim Schmiedeberg on Jan 30, 2009 8:23 AM EST reply actions

Feeling a little greedy, are we?

by Ed Valentine on Jan 30, 2009 8:31 AM EST up reply actions

Nicks

Phenomenal talent. I’d put him as a better pro prospect than Britt, although he did have an injury this season (if i’m not mistaken) – always can raise red flags.

Can’t go wrong either way – I think Britt will be a great pick up in the 2nd round, especially if its with the G-men (Hometown pride goes a long way – look at Jay Alford).

by anshey on Jan 30, 2009 8:53 AM EST reply actions

Thanks, Anshey

And thanks again for the very even-handed assessment of Britt.

by Ed Valentine on Jan 30, 2009 9:06 AM EST up reply actions

A rookie WR wont be able to replace Plax

Now you can certainly argue we could use another big WR in the event Toomer leaves, but we cant rely on any rookie to understand Dr. Gilbrides genius or to meld with Eli in one year, especially since we’re in a win-now mode

So hope that Plax gets a lenient judge and a good lawyer

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Jan 30, 2009 9:28 AM EST reply actions

"...a lenient judge and a good lawyer...."

and?

by blue gonz on Jan 30, 2009 9:46 AM EST reply actions

Britt is a good kid

Hard working, tall with good hands. Thats a big perk.

http://www.walterfootball.com/pro2009kbritt.php
http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/profile_display.cfm?Prospect_ID=1679

Other guys to look at:
Nicks

Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland
Height: 6-2. Weight: 205.
Projected 40 Time: 4.33.
Projected Round (2009): 1-2.
1/8/09: As expected, Darrius Heyward-Bey has declared for the 2009 NFL Draft. If he runs a low 4.3, he could be taken in the first round.

1/4/09: Darrius Heyward-Bey had just 38 receptions, 553 yards and five touchdowns in 2008. His supporting cast was pretty pedestrian, so don’t judge him on those numbers.

Louis Murphy, Florida
Height: 6-3. Weight: 204.
Projected 40 Time: 4.33.
Projected Round (2009): 2-3.
1/4/09: Louis Murphy’s numbers will always be limited in Florida’s offense – 36 catches, 611 yards, six touchdowns – but his size, 40 and combine numbers will definitely get him noticed. Murphy will be on Al Davis’ radar in Round 2.

Ramses Barden, Cal Poly-SLO
Height: 6-6. Weight: 227.
Projected 40 Time: 4.55.
Projected Round (2009): 3-4.
1/4/09: Thanks to his impressive side, Ramses Barden had 67 receptions, 1,257 yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior.

10/19/08: The only Mustang of note, Ramses Barden has at least 131 yards and a touchdown in every game this season.

by ryanwk628 on Jan 30, 2009 10:19 AM EST reply actions

I'm very biased

I’m a huge RU fan so I’ve been wanting the G-Men to draft Britt even before Plax shot himself. One of the most impressive things I can remember about him was in 06, his true freshman year, when he started getting playing time he was only 18 but was one of the best and most physical players on the field. I know the reports say he does not have great speed but he beat a lot of guys deep at RU and w/ out Ray Rice he was the O this year. He also did play against guys like Revis & Jenkings who went to Pitt and South Florida who are NFL players. It is very tough for a WR to make an impact his rookie year but if the Giants don’t pick up a big WR in FA they should seroiusly consider drafting this kid in the second round

by Landeta on Jan 30, 2009 10:50 AM EST reply actions

kenny britt is a great man

HELLO HELLO MR WILPON. WE WANT THE MANSION NOT THE CONDO.

by kendynamo on Jan 30, 2009 11:56 AM EST reply actions

Not really worth it

The giants don’t need another “possible” solid No. 2 receiver. They have tried that with Steve Smith, SInorice Moss, and Manningham. Between Dixon and Smith they already have their “solid” No. 2 receiver. The Giants need to get creative with the money & draft picks they have to go out and get as close to a real No. 1 receiver they can get. The Giants time is now, they don’t have the luxury of bringing along solid No. 2 receivers.

by mymanren on Jan 30, 2009 1:45 PM EST reply actions

But

If they can’t pull off a deal for Boldin (the only real worthwhile WR option who could be a No. 1) this kid has the physical tools to be helpful.

by Ed Valentine on Jan 30, 2009 1:55 PM EST up reply actions

Eli needs a jump ball kind of guy

he can trust in 1 on 1.

by ryanwk628 on Jan 30, 2009 2:23 PM EST up reply actions

I think

he sold Britt a bit short. I see him as a #1 receiver.

by number_twentyone on Jan 31, 2009 1:14 AM EST up reply actions

How about someone 6'6, 220 Lbs, 4.47 40 time AND is already a GIANT

Here’a what SI thought of him in last years draft

POSITIVES: Large possession wideout with a lot of natural skill. Quickly gets off the line into routes, uses his frame as an advantage, and offers the quarterback an imposing target. Extends to make the reception away from his frame and effectively makes body-catches when necessary. Gets vertical in a crowd to out-muscle opponents for the difficult reception, while also showing the ability to catch the long throw in stride. Displays soft and strong hands. Effectively blocks downfield.

NY signed Micah Rucker 12/8/08 I’ve looked into him and like what I’ve heard from him and others. If he can match that description in a GIANTS uniform
I’d be THRILLED

by NY17NE14 on Jan 30, 2009 11:35 PM EST reply actions

Interesting

What were the negatives?

by potroast on Jan 31, 2009 8:06 AM EST up reply actions

I knew that question would be coming...

but I didn’t want to see the guy get CARBO’d before people even gave him a thought. Some it contradicts what the positives said. We’ll have to see in mini-camp (the staff must already know having evaluated him at the tryout before signing him) Might that effect Reese’s thinking in the draft??

NEGATIVES: Cannot run to the deep throw and shows minimal vertical speed. Long-strider and displays minimal sharpness running routes.

ANALYSIS: Rucker is a physical receiver who stood out at a lower level of competition. He’s been a tremendous red zone/third-down threat in college and offers the same possibilities at the next level. (He played at Eastern Illinois)

by NY17NE14 on Jan 31, 2009 8:48 AM EST reply actions