If USC’s Marqise Lee declares for the 2014 NFL Draft, he can be expected to be a 1st or early 2nd Round pick
The 2014 NFL Draft is going to be loaded with talent this offseason. USC junior wide receiver Marqise Lee could be one of those dynamic players in the draft.
Listed at 6’0, 195lbs, and a junior at USC, Lee has created a very good statement for himself in an NFL draft. He is draft eligible, but has yet to say whether he is declaring for the 2014 draft in May, even after being hampered by a nagging knee injury this year. UCLA head coach Jim Mora, Jr. has said the ability he can achieve is similar to Marvin Harrison, who was an 8-time Pro Bowler.
Lee has been one of the biggest weapons for USC this year, totaling 44 receptions for 604 yards and two touchdowns. In his 3-year career at USC, the wide receiver has totaled 235 receptions for 3,468 yards and 27 touchdowns. He averages no less than 13.5 yards per catch in college, and his best year came in 2012 with 1,721 yards and 14 touchdowns.
If Lee decides to declare for the draft, he can be drafted mid to late first round, or early second round at the deepest. He is a dangerous deep threat receiver, but a knee injury could hamper his career in the NFL.
Teams like the Oakland Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, Washington Huskies and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are all possibilities to draft a wide receiver in the first round.
This upcoming draft in 2014, unlike 2013, will be heavily centered on drafting high ranking quarterbacks in the first 10 picks. Players like AJ McCarron, Johnny Manziel, a possible Marcus Mariota and Teddy Bridgewater, are all very good possibilities for a top 10 pick. The Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars are the frontrunners for the top pick, and both are struggling on offense in the quarterback position.
Lee’s dominance over defense is solely credited on his athleticism and speed. Lee is a strong deep threat, and if he can work on his routes and technical skills, Lee can be a valuable asset to a struggling NFL team in playmakers.
This is all speculation, as Lee has yet to think about declaring for the draft. He is only focused on the Saturday night game against the rival school UCLA. Lee does not know if this will be his last game in front of his fellow USC fans in the Coliseum, currently airing on ABC.
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