Michael

Floyd

A former 1,000-yard receiver in Arizona, Floyd has been on the decline for quite some time. Assuming he gets another opportunity, Floyd’s next team will be his seventh in a span of four years.

This will be 29-year-old Floyd’s fifth team in the last four years. His career has taken a sharp downturn after fizzling out badly in Arizona. Over his last 26 games with the Patriots, Vikings, and Redskins, Floyd has amassed 24 catches for 220 yards and two touchdowns. He’s more name than game at this point. But Floyd lands in a theoretically prime spot to try and make a roster. The Ravens used first- and third-round picks on Marquise Brown and Miles Boykin to pair them with veterans Willie Snead, Seth Roberts, and Chris Moore. This receiver group is fluid.

Floyd spent training camp and preseason with the Saints but was an easy cut for them after catching one ball in exhibitions. Now 28, the former first-rounder is running out of chances in the NFL and is unlikely to be a difference-maker in D.C. He’s not a great fit with Alex Smith at quarterback.

At 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, Floyd is slightly bigger than Bowe, but Cosell thinks Floyd has “better quicks.” Cosell also believes he likes Floyd more than Oklahoma State’s Justin Blackmon. There’s a legitimate chance Floyd could come off the board before Blackmon.

Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd is not in the mix. The Vikes have all three players listed as equals on their draft board, with no favorite yet to emerge. Spielman hopes to have a decision by Wednesday after spending the weekend pouring over film with his staff. Although the team has fielded trade calls, Spielman plans to hold off until Thursday night to see what develops on that front.

The Cards do a commendable job of annually sticking to their board, and they had Floyd rated higher than OT Riley Reiff. Floyd was Arizona’s No. 2 receiver behind Justin Blackmon. While Whisenhunt says Floyd will be guaranteed nothing in terms of depth-chart landing spot, he should not struggle to beat out Andre Roberts for a starting job. Early Doucet will stay in the slot.

“He’s smoother ... separates on his routes better,” Casserly said of Blackmon. “I think his hands are better, though Floyd’s hands are good too. And I think his run after the catch is better.” We expect Blackmon to be drafted first, mostly because of Floyd’s off-field concerns. Both receivers could fall a bit further than most anticipate, however, because it’s the most talented position in the 2012 draft.

Floyd caught passes from Jimmy Clausen, but stood on his Combine forty time of 4.47. Floyd did complete a short shuttle time of 4.5 seconds, which would have placed him last among participating wideouts in Indianapolis. His versatility to line up from multiple spots at the line will appeal to NFL teams, and Floyd has a legitimate shot of being the first receiver selected on April 26.

Schefter doesn’t see it happening, but such a possibility isn’t considered crazy in NFL circles. However, while Blackmon has been connected as high as No. 3 to the Vikings, Floyd has yet to be credibly linked to any team picking in the top six. It’s possible, even likely, that some teams grade Floyd ahead of Blackmon, but the smart money remains on him being the second receiver off the board.

“I think the concern is the driving while intoxicated, and from everybody that I’ve spoken to that’s dealt with this kid, interviewed him, met with the coaches at the school, they don’t think there’s any issue,” Lande told ESPN 710 Seattle. “They say he’s a good kid, he’s a smart kid, this is not going to be an issue going forward.” Floyd is a smart, hard-working player, but it remains to be seen whether teams are “comfortable” enough to draft him in the top 15.