Prospect Position Rankings
Offense
QB, RB, WR, TE, G, OT, C
Defense
DT,DE, LB, DB/FS/SS
Special Teams

Prospect Position Rankings
Offense
QB, RB, WR, TE, G, OT
Defense
DL, LB, DB, FS/SS
Special Teams

Last 7 NFL Drafts
Year – Total – 1st RD
2018 – 33 – 2
2017 – 32 – 3
2016 – 31 – 4
2015 – 35 – 6
2014 – 33 – 4
2013 – 28 – 3
2012 – 33 – 4
Total- 225 – 26
.11% WRs Drafted In 1st RD
Average 32 Drafted Per Year
2018 Position Grade – B

 

 

 

 

 

Alex Wesley, 6-0 185, Sr, Northern Colorado
Shannon Smith, 6-4 225, Sr, West Georiga
Deonte Harris, 5-9 170, Sr, Assumption
Trinity Benson, 6’0 183 Sr, East Central (OK)
Johnathan Boone, 6’3 190, New Mexico State
Taronn Selby, 5’10 175 Sr, Delaware State
Malik Taylor, 6’2 211, Ferris State
Neil O’Connor, 5’11 190, New Hampshire

Top Wide Receivers
1. Deebo Samuel, 6’0 210, Sr, South Carolina
Samuel shined during the Senior Bowl, displaying all the natural gifts he possesses when he is healthy. He could enter the NFL and never get hurt or continue to miss time with nagging injuries that derail him from being a consistent and dominant performer every week. One of the most explosive players in college football, Samuel has a ton of play-making ability. Unfortunately, this phenomenal offensive asset has been plagued by injuries since arriving on campus in 2015 at South Carolina. Samuel when healthy is equally valuable at both receiver and as a kick returner. He broke his leg against Kentucky last season costing him the final 10 games, yet he still was tied for the team lead with six touchdown receptions. With his superb speed and ability to score in a variety of ways, if he can manage to stay in one piece, the ceiling is unlimited on his potential. Natural softs hands to cradle the football, but those hands can be incredibly commanding when plucking it one handed out of mid-air. Explodes off the top of his route, making precise cuts. A special talent.

2. D.K. Metcalf, 6’4 230, Ole Miss
Trust your eye, has been the advice always given when breaking down players, and it is hard for me not to be extremely high on Metcalf. His teammate A.J. Brown is considered also considered a No. 1 prospect by a large margin over any other receiver in the country, but it is Metcalf that consistently impresses me the most, when breaking down this up-coming draft class at receiver. Metcalf has a big long frame, with the speed to get underneath any football thrown his way. It is very evident he has another gear that kicks in once the pursuit commences. Excellent timing and concentration when high pointing the football. Metcalf makes the spectacular look routine. A fantastic stiff arm also resides in his arsenal of receiving tools. He plays quick and has the size and physical prowess to win the reception.This means nothing but still must hold some resemblance to the situation. The last great offensive skill player to be drafted out of Ole Miss was Eli Manning in the first-round of the 2004 NFL Draft. Rebels receiver Mike Wallace was a third-round pick in 2009 and has had a good career but not great. This leads me to the 23rd pick overall in the 2016 NFL Draft (Laquon Treadwell). C’mon D.K. and A.J.! Do not be a bust…

3. Kelvin Harmon, 6’3 214, Jr, NC State
It could become a heated argument if we were to debate a receiver who fights and attacks the football than Harmon (N’Keal Harry is close). He dazzles at making the acrobatic catch with his well proportioned frame. Harmon also possesses that amazing knack for hauling in off target passes. Harmon averaged nearly 16-yards per catch and his lower body strength is just as impressive as his physical traits when high-pointing for a catch. He reminds me a lot of Pittsburgh Steelers JuJu Smith-Schuster but thicker and maybe not as fast. Easily could be the best receiver in this draft class. Wow he is a weapon in the waiting.

4. N’Keal Harry, 6’4 216, Jr, Arizona State
Love the fight in Harry above all else. This is one physical receiver who relishes in being an aggressive ball catcher. He battles and wins the fight for the reception. His concentration is impressive as well when high pointing the football. It is a combination of physicality and ballet watching his body contort to the football and defender. Zero gimmick in game. He comes back to the football and does a nice job making life easier on his quarterbacks. In two seasons (25 games) at Arizona State he has complied 1,801 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. His 140 career receptions already rank tied for 10th in Sun Devil history. His 82 catches, in 2016, tied for third in ASU single-season history. Expect a heavy dose of this 6-foot-4 and 225-pound in the Arizona State offense this year. My personal favorite receiver up to this point in the draft process.

5. A.J. Brown, 6’1 225, Jr, Mississippi
Brown set the single-season record for receiving yards (1,252) at Ole Miss and tied the school record for touchdown receptions (11), in 2017. He possesses all the intangibles that NFL teams covet when sizing up and elite wide out prospect. Brown has superb size, along with the speed and toughness to catch the football all over the field. In only two seasons of college football, he is well versed in locating the football in the air and knows how to use his 6-foot-1 and 225-pound frame to shield the ball from defenders. Playing along side teammate D.K. Metcalf make the duo the most lethal in the nation.

6. Hakeem Butler, 6’6 225, Jr, Iowa State
Butler broke Iowa State’s single-season records for receiving yards (1,318) and yards per catch (22.0), while tying the Cyclones record for 100-yard receiving games in a season (six). Randy Moss wore No. 18. A.J. Green wears No. 18 and so does Butler whom he resembles in many ways when watching him at Iowa State. Long strides with deep speed and to pay close attention to detail when securing the catch. Despite his length, Butler shows good change of direction. This is a guy who should be able to stretch the field at the next level. The height and speed are there to cause defenses fits.

7. JJ Arcega-Whiteside, 6’3 225, Sr, Stanford
Arcega-Whiteside tied NFL Hall-of-Fame receiver James Lofton for the all-time mark for touchdowns in a single-season (14). Gifted with intelligence as much as athleticism, his internship with former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, last summer, speaks volumes to the intellectual underneath the helmet and pads. He has a thick frame, shows the adjustments needed to make a tough catch. Arcega-Whiteside is a solid option and should be drafted no later than round-three of the NFL Draft, but he lacks the polish of some of the others ranked higher who have some immense skills.

8. Anthony Johnson, 6’2 207, Sr, Buffalo
Johnson looks to join the ranks of other MAC receivers who have been drafted by the NFL. Tennessee Titans Corey Davis (first-round) and Detroit Lions Kenny Golladay (third-round), were both drafted last season from the MAC. Johnson should find himself drafted somewhere in the vicinity when the NFL Draft approaches next April. Love his hands, he plucks the ball out of the air, leaving little room for error. Johnson excels at being ready for the football. Once the football is released, he does a great job at being in position for the reception. Also, high points the football very well. Johnson is a total package wideout.

9. Marquise Brown, 5’11 168, Jr, Oklahoma
The master of misdirection. Watching Brown could cause whiplash if you’re not prepared. Brown has that next gear that very few possess. The former JUCO receiver chose Oklahoma over TCU, Tennessee and USC. He played in all 13 games for the Sooners and started eight and finishing with 1,095 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Brown lacks an ideal frame, weighing around 170-pounds, additional bulk will be needed. In the 2017 NFL Draft, Richie James (5-foot-9 176 pounds) went in the seventh round, showing size can hamper the draft value. Another comparable player is Reggie Davis from Georgia who went undrafted in 2017, who is vying for the punt return job for the Atlanta Falcons. Fun to watch, exceptional ability, just needs to add some weight.

10. David Sills V, 6’4 201, Sr, West Virginia
West Virginia fans are going to enjoy watching No. 7 Will Grier locate No. 13 Sills downfield, all season. The Mountaineers witnessed Sills capture 18 touchdown passes last season and expectations are even higher in 2017. He has a long frame with solid speed. Love the way he catches the ball on the move without missing a beat, and my money is on Sills to shine during the gauntlet drill at the NFL Scouting Combine. Very fluid in his route running, plays the ball nicely to win the catch. Shows knack to catch the ball in traffic. A little of a one-trick pony, but feel he has not shown the route tree dominance required to be considered with the players listed above.

11. Ahmmon Richards, 6’1 190, Jr, Miami (FL)
Miami has one of the top receiving talents in the country, in Richards. Watching No. 82 make a dynamic reception after dynamic reception is par for course for the 2016 Freshman All-American. Richards battled injurie s last season, robbing him of the opportunity to add to his 24 catches for 439 yards and three touchdowns. His freshman season he led the Canes with 934 receiving yards and ranked second with 49 receptions. Richards largest assets are his hands and ability to make the acrobatic catch, along with an attention to route detail, beyond his playing years. Staying healthy in 2018, should boost his draft stock near the very top of the 2019 NFL Draft Prospects available.

12. Parris Campbell, 6’1 208, Sr, Ohio State
Prior to the kickoff of the 2017 college football season, no receiver causes me more excitement and concern when trying to settle in on his 2018 NFL Draft worth. Campbell has all the tools. He has the speed, he has size and all plays at a big-time program at Ohio State. He averaged 14.6 yards per carry on 40 receptions last season and 13.2 yards per carry on the 10 rushes he had in the Buckeyes offense. The focal point of the Ohio State passing attack should revolve around him, only increases his production, in his final season for the Buckeyes. He does run a little upright and the open space he enjoys in college will greatly diminish in the NFL. Great straight line speed, but question what happens once the giant openings are gone once he leaves Ohio State.

13. Riley Ridley, 6’2 200, Jr, Georgia
Ridley does not wow you in one area, but his overall game is very impressive. He wins his routes early and is a very polished and savvy collegiate receiver. The brother of Atlanta Falcons first-round selection Calvin Ridley, Riley is going to be counted on at Georgia to fill the void of Javon Wims, who is currently with the Chicago Bears. Amongst the current group of receivers listed, Ridley with likely encompass the breakout player tag, since his statistics should dwarf his average of 13 receptions and 228 yards per season, the last two years with the Bulldogs.

11.Stanley Morgan Jr., 6’0 195, Sr, Nebraska
11.Terry McLaurin, 6’1 205, Sr, Ohio State
12.Bryan Edwards, 6’3 216, Jr, South Carolina
13.Tyre Brady, 6’2 208, rSr, Marshall
14.Emanuel Hall, 6’2 200 Missouri
15. Andy Isabella, 5’10 190, Sr, UMass
16.Chase Claypool, 6’3 228, Jr, Notra Dame
17.K.J. Hill, 6’0 198, rJr, Ohio State 6’0″
18.Collin Johnson,6’5 220, Jr, Texas
19.JonVea Johnson, 5’11 188, rSr, Toledo
20.Jamarius Way,6’3 215, Sr, South Alabama
20.Jovon Durante, 5’11 168 Jr, FAU
21.Damarkus Lodge, 6’1 199, Sr, Mississippi
22.DeAndre Thompkins, 5’11 187, rSr, Penn State 5’11
23.Demetris Robertson, 6’0 185, Jr, California
24.Terry Godwin, 5’11 185, Sr, Georiga
25.KaVontae Turpin, 5’8 155, Sr, TCU
26.Terry Wright, 5’11 180, Sr, Purdue
27.Teddy Veal, 5’11 189, rSr, Louisiana Tech
28.Nywan Murray, 5’11 190, Sr, Florida State
29.Stephan Louis, 6’2 217, rSr, NC State
30.Chris Platt, 5’10 173, rSr, Baylor
31.Gary Jennings, 6’0 210, Sr, West Virginia
32.Trevon Brown, 6’1 211, rSr, East Carolina
33.Jaylen Smith, 6’4 223, Sr, Louisville
34.Tyrie Cleveland, 6’2 205, Jr, Florida
35.Jauan Jennings, 6’3 205, Sr, Tennessee
36.Hunter Renfrow, 5’10 180, Sr, Clemson
37.Nick Westbrook, 6’3 215, Jr, Indiana
38.Jalen McCleskey, 5’10 171, Sr, Oklahoma State
39.Felton Davis III, 6’3 195, Sr, Michigan State
40.Diontee Johnson, 5’11 181, Jr, Toledo

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