Last updated 21 February 2021
Name | College | |
---|---|---|
1 | DeVonta Smith | Alabama |
2 | Ja'Marr Chase | LSU |
3 | Jaylen Waddle | Alabama |
4 | Rashod Bateman | Minnesota |
5 | Kadarius Toney | Florida |
6 | Terrace Marshall | LSU |
7 | Rondale Moore | Purdue |
8 | Elijah Moore | Mississippi |
9 | Amon-Ra St. Brown | USC |
10 | Tutu Atwell | Louisville |
11 | D'Wayne Eskridge | Western Michigan |
12 | Marquez Stevenson | Houston |
13 | Tylan Wallace | Oklahoma State |
14 | Tamorrion Terry | Florida State |
15 | Sage Surratt | Wake Forest |
16 | Jaelon Darden | North Texas |
17 | Dazz Newsome | North Carolina |
18 | Nico Collins | Michigan |
19 | Amari Rodgers | Clemson |
20 | Seth Williams | Auburn |
21 | Dyami Brown | North Carolina |
22 | Cornell Powell | Clemson |
23 | Dez Fitzpatrick | Louisville |
24 | Austin Watkins | UAB |
25 | Trevon Grimes | Florida |
Let’s get right to it shall we – I’ve gone with the Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith as my number one ahead of Ja’Marr Chase at receiver. And I’m going to put out it out there right now, I’m not changing my mind.
Smith has been the most dominant receiver and had the most productive season in college football ever so, quite frankly, I don’t care about his size. He’s got the ability to get separation and get himself open and once the ball’s in his hands he’s electric. Create mismatches and get him the ball. If you’re the first team picking a receiver in this draft and the Heisman winner isn’t your man, then you’re wrong.
(Climbs down from soapbox)
Both Chase and Jaylen Waddle have shown that they’re ready to be leading NFL receivers this season in college and both have top 15 grades from me. Kadarius Toney, Terrace Marshall and Rashod Bateman also all have the potential to be highly effective receivers on NFL teams and should get 1st round consideration as well.
Beyond that top group however, there’s plenty of depth to be found among this wide receiver class – everyone on this list absolutely should be drafted and there’s probably another 10-15 that quite easily could hear their names called too.
I’ve got high second round grades on both Rondale and Elijah Moore, and then a whole cluster with mid-second – early third round grades. D’Wayne Eskridge of Western Michigan has moved up to WR11 in this latest update after his performance at the Senior Bowl demonstrated that he can hang with the best of them at this level.
Jaelon Darden of North Texas is another small school prospect on this list but boy does he belong. He’s lightning quick, catches every ball thrown his way and will cause matchup nightmares for defenses in a system that regularly uses 3 wideouts.
Nico Collins has made his way onto this list as, having watched more of him, he’s an intriguing prospect with all the physical tools to succeed in the NFL but has suffered from poor quarterback play at Michigan and might be a better pro than he was college player.
Speaking of players who might be better pros, add Louisville’s Dez Fitzpatrick to that list. If you didn’t see my tweet during the Senior Bowl then you really should go and check out that catch. I absolutely guarantee that one play made Fitzpatrick a bit more money.
The other small school guy on this list is UAB’s Austin Watkins. He’s almost the opposite of Darden – he’s a tall possession receiver who’s incredibly strong and competitive. If you didn’t read our ‘One to Watch’ piece on him then I’d really recommend it.
In conclusion, there’s a lot to like about the depth in this wide receiver class and plenty of reasons to think that they’ll all be able to contribute to NFL teams over the coming few years.