By ARNE GREEN

Salina Journal

Not that long ago, it looked as if Jordy Nelson could have blown off the first day of this weekend's NFL draft and gone about his business without a care.

But now that the league has gotten a closer look at him, suddenly Saturday's coverage on ESPN (Salina cable channel 32) is must-see TV.

"I think ever since the season was over, I've done some things to help myself and I haven't done anything to hurt myself," said Nelson, Kansas State's All-American receiver from Riley. "The combine went well and the Senior Bowl went well, so I definitely helped myself there."

Once thought to be a long shot for Saturday's first two rounds, Nelson now projects as a solid second-round pick and could even find his way into the bottom of the first round, according to Vann McElroy, his agent.

"I think they had some facts on him that just were not accurate, and then he goes to the combine and has one of the fastest 40s (40-yard dash), specifically with his size," said McElroy, a former NFL safety, who also represents former K-State standouts Jon McGraw, Mark Simoneau and Yamon Figurs. "Then you parlay that over to the football field and watch film and watch his production and watch him run away from people and separate, and you start seeing why."

Nelson produced in record numbers last fall for the Wildcats, breaking single-season school records with 122 receptions for 1,606 yards, including 11 touchdown catches. And he never let it go to his head.

"The two factors I don't think people realize that these are becoming more and more important, but one is an obvious one," McElroy said. "He's probably, of the top 10 receivers, the only one who can return punts.

"So he certainly comes in immediately as a returner. And the other part is he's the number one character guy on the board."

McElroy, who knows a thing or two about receivers from his days in the NFL, said Nelson's lack of off-the-field issues are a big plus.

"Wide receiver is an ego-driven position," he said. "That position takes a lot of confidence, and sometimes that confidence can go over to craziness off the field.

"When you have a team like Cincinnati, where that has just been a nightmare for (coach Marvin) Lewis, he's deciding, 'You know, I thought I could bring them in and put them under my umbrella and work with them, but I've got to sleep at night. And you can go to bed at night knowing (Nelson) is going to do the things he's supposed to do."

What Nelson probably will do Saturday is sit in front of the TV at his parents' house in Riley with wife Emily and the rest of his family. But don't look for them to close down Nelson's Landing, their restaurant in nearby Leonardville.

"It'll be open," Nelson said. "A lot of people have been talking about coming up."

Typically, Nelson stayed close to home while preparing for the draft, working out with the K-State strength coaches.

"I really like what coach (Mike) Kent does in the weight room," said Nelson, who graduated in December. "That's what got me where I am today, so I don't see any reason to change anything.

"I have full trust in what they're doing."

Nelson said he gets most of his information from McElroy, but he did work out individually for the Washington Redskins, who told him they definitely want him in the second round.

"Saturday will be interesting," he said. "Everybody knows about draft day and how some players slip."

McElroy's not concerned.

"I think he's definitely a first-day guy, solid second round," McElroy said. "There's a good feeling for Washington, and he's had a lot of teams show a lot of interest.

"I've talked to a couple of teams that now have him in their top five receivers in the draft."

Nelson is taking a wait-and-watch approach.

"I'm pretty calm right now," he said Wednesday. "I'm sure Saturday there will be some nerves.

"And I'm sure once the phone rings, I'll be excited."