Draft Central: Position Rankings – Volume Two – Wide Receiver

by Harris Oates

This year’s Wide Receiver class is truly one of a kind. In the NFL Draft Wide Receivers are some of the most sought-after prospects who get selected all over the board. Although some like Julio Jones and AJ Green are sure fire first picks, others like Antonio Brown end up falling through the cracks and are selected by the team who did their homework (unlike Brendan in his Art History class). Through many late nights watching film at the FPF office, like John Gruden at his fake QB Academy, I have graded 14 of the top prospects who I would qualify worthy of pick inside the first three rounds. These are quite possibly 14 of the most electrifying players in college football who boast serious size, speed and athleticism. ***Disclaimer: Sorry Alabama, but none of your Wideouts are draft eligible. Check back next year***

Top Tier

1. N’keal Harry

School: Arizona State Draft Range: Top 10 NFL Comparison: Michael Thomas

Harry is an absolute gamer and is quite possibly the most versatile receiver in the draft. He has near perfect size coming in at 6’4” 215 lbs and is projected to run the 40 in the 4.4-4.5 range. After putting up an impressive 2017 campaign with 1,000 yards and 8 TDs, he has had a slow start to 2018, however has put up nearly 500 yards and 6 TDs through 5 games. He has also had at least 5 catches in 5 games this season. Harry seems to have a tremendous talent pulling in hard to catch balls and has had no trouble boxing out PAC-12 defensive backs. His YAC ability might be his biggest threat, as he seriously possesses the truck stick mentality.

2. AJ Brown

School: Ole Miss  Draft Range: Top 15 NFL Comparison: Julio Jones

AJ Brown is one of the most gifted athletes in this year’s draft class and has a near perfect frame to be an NFL WR. He was a two sport Under Armor All-American coming out of Starkville, Mississippi, playing baseball and football. In 2016, he was drafted by the San Diego Padres, but ultimately decided to focus on football. Brown has become somewhat of a possession receiver for the Rebs, mainly due to teammate DK Metcalfs big play ability. Brown’s numbers down the stretch (especially against Auburn, Texas A&M and Mississippi State) along with his 40-yard dash time will determine his draft stock come May. As of now I have him ranked second because of his athletic potential.

This graph shows AJ Brown’s (blue) vs DK Metcalf’s (red) big play ability.

3. Marquise “Hollywood” Brown

School: Oklahoma  Draft Range: Round 1 NFL Comparison: Antonio Brown

Just as his nickname suggests, Marquise “Hollywood” Brown has turned heads this season with his big play ability. In 2018, he has already registered 675 yards along with 7 touchdowns in just 5 games with longs of 77, 75 and 65 yards in three seperate games. The other outstanding thing about Brown is that he can run much more than the standard fly route most Big 12 Speedsters are accustomed to. He has serious first round potential, but in order to get drafted that high he will need to add weight to his 168 lb frame as well as running near a sub 4.4 forty yard dash.

Hollywood Brown is a major deep ball threat. Image from ESPN.

4. Deebo Samuel

School: South Carolina  Draft Range: Round 1-2  NFL Comparison: Deandre Hopkins

Deebo Samuel is for real and he just might be the best skill position player in this year’s draft class, however he has one glaring weakness: production. As a four-year starter he has struggled, putting up and down numbers each season, which is largely to do with injuries and weak QB play. Don’t let his career statistics fool you, because when he is on, he is on, and I believe with an NFL system and Quarterback he will be on! When he is at his best he really shines, such as his 2016 Birmingham Bowl when he went off for 14 receptions and 190 yards. Look for Deebo to either be a first-round selection or a second-round steal.

Deebo Samuel struggles with producing at times. Image from ESPN.

5. Jalen Hurd

School: Baylor Draft Range: Round 1-2 NFL Comparison: Mike Evans

No, no, no. Not the Alabama Quarterback, but you are right SEC fans, you have heard this name before. Hurd was previously a 50/1 odd to win Heisman when he was the Running Back of the Tennessee Vols. Yes, Hurd changed from Running Back (which he started over Alvin Kamara) to Wide Receiver when he transferred to Baylor, which has worked out very well. Hurd leads the team with 622 yards receiving and 6 Touchdowns, along with 112 yards rushing. He has size (6’4”, 220 lbs) and is projected to run a 4.3-4.5 forty-yard dash. He, like Kamara, is going to be a combine beast and could very well go in the top 32 of the 2019 NFL Draft.

Jalen Hurd went from RB at Tennessee to WR at Baylor. Image from USA Today.

Middle Tier

6. DK Metcalf

School: Ole Miss  Draft Range: Round 2-3  NFL Comparison: Josh Gordon

Metcalf might be the most talented receiver in the SEC, but has been plagued with injuries. Due to an injured neck that requires surgery, Metcalf will be out for the remainder of the season. He has first round potential and was my top rated WR before getting injured, but has now slid to 6th. I think he is a bit too much of a gamble to spend a first rounder on, however if he decides to come back for another season he will be at the top of the entire draft class.

The “Nasty WideOuts” lost DK Metcalf for the rest of the season. Image from Ole Miss Athletics.

7. Anthony Johnson

School: Buffalo  Draft Range: Round 2-3 NFL Comparison: AJ Green

Johnson runs silky smooth routes and has the softest hands in the draft, however because coming from Buffalo, he has not been tested by the competition that others might have seen. Johnson had a huge 2017 campaign with over 1,300 yards and 14 touchdowns, but has started off slow while missing two games already. Some team will take a gamble on Johnson in the second round.

8. Lil’Jordan Humphrey

School: Texas  Draft Range: Round 2-3  NFL Comparison: Juju Smith-Schuster

Quite possibly the best name in the draft class, but also offers a great size to speed ratio and playmaking ability. He has taking 6 of his 28 receptions over 20 yards and has registered 15 first downs. It is rare that Humphrey is ever taken down by a single tackler, as it usually takes a full defense. Humphrey has split receptions with fellow top prospect Collin Johnson, which has limited his production. Look for Humphrey to go early and fit well in a systematic offense such as Green Bay or New England.

Humphrey is a big target that quarterbacks love throwing to. Image from Texas Athletics.

9. JJ Arcega-Whiteside

School: Stanford  Draft Range: Round 2-3 NFL Comparison: Doug Baldwin

Arcega-Whiteside has been a key piece in Stanford’s offense and has stepped in to becoming the leading receiver with 541 yards and 8 touchdowns. He is among the top of this class when it comes to route running, but has had struggles with volume as he has only has never finished a season with 50 receptions.

Everyone Else

10. Juwan Johnson

School: Penn State 

Johnson has shown flashes of NFL athleticism, but has had no consistency this season. Somebody will take a chance on him after the second round.

11. Paris Campbell

School: Ohio State 

Campbell has started to turn heads as he has become the top target for the Buckeyes. Don’t be surprised to see his go in the first round if his stock continues to fly up.

Paris Campbell continues to increase draft stock as the season progresses. Image from USA Today.

12. Collin Johnson

School: Texas 

Johnson could be this year’s Kelvin Benjamin and we all saw how that went. I love his size, but his lack of red zone production scares me. His bust potential is through the roof.

13. David Sills V

School: West Virginia

A great story from West Virginia, but is that all this is? We will have to keep watching to determine if Sills is a great story or a true NFL Talent.

14. Andy Isabella

School: UMASS

Isabella has put up too good of numbers to not be considered in the top three rounds. At 5’10” Isabella might be a reach, but he deserves a draft pick.

Andy Isabella could become a great slot receiver for the Patriots. Image from Daily Hampshire Gazette.

Harris is a recent graduate of Birmingham-Southern College. He now works in Birmingham as well as coaches lacrosse for Mountain Brook High School. When he is not working or coaching Harris loves following SEC football, and covering fantasy football and the NFL Draft. He is also a lifelong Carolina Panthers fan.