THE CREAM: A.J. GREEN, GEORGIA

Green missed the first four games of the 2010 season while serving an NCAA suspension for selling his bowl game jersey, a rules violation. Green said the suspension and missed games was a humbling experience. "Growing up I didn't have any adversity like that," he said. "That really humbled me and tightened my circle down to the people I need to be around and people who I need to distance myself from."

His performance didn't suffer once he got back on the field. Green still caught 57 passes for 848 yards and nine touchdowns in nine games, establishing himself as the No. 1 receiver in college football. At a position that often produces boom-or-bust results, Green is viewed as the closest thing to a slam dunk as an NFL receiver. He is ranked among the top overall prospects in the draft and is a lock to be a top-10 pick. Pro Football Weekly's evaluation of Green: "Extremely athletic, confident, competitive, instinctive playmaker who routinely hauls in acrobatic grabs and has potential to become a truly elite receiver and take the lid off a defense."

Green caught 23 touchdown passes and averaged 15.8 yards per catch in three seasons at Georgia. He has good size (6-4, 210 pounds) but also runs fluid routes. He also receives high marks for his body control and sure hands, traits that will help him catch passes in tight spots in the NFL. "I'm not going to settle for being an average receiver," Green said. "I take that to the heart to be one of the best. I want to be the No. 1 receiver out of school and be mentioned with the best."

THE CROP

1. JULIO JONES, ALABAMA

If Green is the No. 1 receiver in the draft, Jones should be designated 1A. Some predict Jones also could be a top-10 pick. He is a big, physical receiver who runs good routes and uses his strength to gain separation off the line. Scouts also praise his ability and willingness to block downfield. Jones created a buzz with his terrific workout at the NFL scouting combine, and he later revealed that he had a broken bone in his foot at the time.

2. TITUS YOUNG, BOISE STATE

Young doesn't have great size (5-11, 175), but he is very quick off the line. He had a productive career at Boise State, posting 150 catches and 19 touchdowns the past two seasons. Pro Football Weekly projects him as a second- or third-round pick. He reportedly ran a 4.41 in the 40 at his pro day, which was better than his showing at the combine.

3. JONATHAN BALDWIN, PITTSBURGH

Baldwin is a big target (6-4, 230) who is at his best going up and grabbing the ball at its highest point on throws down the field. He possesses what Vikings receivers coach George Stewart often refers to as a large "catch radius." Baldwin averaged 18.3 yards per catch in his college career, but he needs to improve his route running.

SLEEPER: JERREL JERNIGAN, TROY

Jernigan is not exactly a true sleeper, but he comes from a small school so he's not a household name. He is small (5-9, 185), but scouts say he has potential to be explosive playmaker in the slot and as a returner. He finished his college career with 3,128 receiving yards and also rushed for 892 yards on 132 carries. Pro Football Weekly writes that Jernigan has "elite top-end speed, creativity after the catch and the versatility to line up in multiple spots as well as impact the return game." Projected to go in Round 2 or 3.

PURPLE FEVER

The Vikings need to add some depth and playmakers at this position, especially if they lose Sidney Rice in free agency. Percy Harvin is an elite talent, but Bernard Berrian is coming off back-to-back disappointing seasons. The makeup of this position group could change considerably this offseason. It won't be surprising if the Vikings look to add a wide receiver in the early rounds.