GIGANTIC Wide Receiver Breakdown

This photo is 100% lifted from [SB Nation]. My apologies. I don’t have Photoshop skills

Well this got out of hand in a hurry…

The Niners, whose only position coaches at the combine this year were for WR and OL, seem poised to select a wide receiver at some point during this draft. The question is when.

I’ve already gone over the top three wideouts on the board, but there are a handful of signs (to be discussed later) that point to the Niners maybe not going that way at 13. Luckily, if we trade down, pick another position, or wait until 31 or later to go wideout, there are plenty of options on the board.

Here are breakdowns of a few of those options, starting with a rounding out of the (consensus) top 10 wideouts and then a quick look at a variety of guys who could be available later in the draft.

Names are ordered based on the general consensus of their position ranking and draft projection, which is based on the aggregate rankings of The Athletic, NFL.com, CBS Sports, and ESPN.

NOTE: I do NOT like all of these guys, at least when it comes to value vs. draft projection and fit/need within our offense. But there are so many guys clustered around the 1st-2nd round that I’ve included as many of them as I could just for reference. For the Day 3 guys, I’ve just thrown a wide net to highlight some of the more interesting players who could be available and how they differ in position and fit.

Justin Jefferson, LSU

Height: 6-1
Weight: 202 lbs.
Wingspan: 78”

Savvy, competitive slot receiver with the short-area quickness and smarts to forge a long NFL career, even if it’s in a supporting role

A competitive and physical slot receiver, Jefferson has good size and great length (6’6” wingspan) to go along with smooth athleticism, the loose hips and tracking ability to adjust to and secure deep balls, and a knack for getting open with a lot of tools that are hard to teach. That includes pacing in his routes, mixing up tempos, and using hesitation moves, head fakes, and jukes to spring himself at the top of his stems. Add in his great awareness for finding the soft spot in zones and fitting himself into passing windows, and he’s a high floor type of player.

But there are genuine questions about his ceiling. While he gets separation out of breaks, that’s the only time you see him distance himself from receivers. Despite playing in an empty-heavy pass attack that spreads the field and gave him more open space and mismatch advantages than he will ever see in the NFL, defensive backs often stuck to him early and late. Part of that is cause his routes still need cleaning up and he struggles to beat the press. Part of that is because — despite strong sprinting and leaping numbers — he just isn’t that explosive of an athlete. 

Fit the Niners: It’s not great. Jefferson’s most translatable skill set is as an underneath specialist, which we have plenty of on the roster. And it would be a very bad sign for the recovery of Trent Taylor and Jalen Hurd if we were to draft a pure slot receiver in the first round, especially in a class that is deep enough to find a role player / injury assurance later on.

NFL Comp: Jarvis Landry, LSU (Browns)

Position Rank: 4.0
Projection: Top 25

Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State

Height: 5-11.5
Weight: 205 lbs.
Wingspan: 80”

Big-play YAC monster who lacks polish but has the explosive traits to develop into a well-rounded and dangerous outside threat

Explosive athlete who plays faster than he tested and profiles as a big-play threat both as a vertical receiver and with the ball in his hand. Accelerates to top speed in a hurry, doing a ton of damage busting angles on slants and in general thriving in space both on offense and special teams (where he averaged 32 yd/KR and 16 yd/PR last year). Interesting body type gives him the best of both worlds; his below average height (a shade under six foot) lets him move with great fluidity both in his routes and while adjusting to the ball in the air, while his 6’8” wingspan (one of the longest in the class) gives him the length of a much bigger receiver. 

You just wish he’d use that wingspan a bit more, particularly against press coverage, where he has no excuse to let people into his pads but does so anyway. And despite his length and athleticism, he doesn’t stand out as a dominant jump ball guy, showing natural hands to pluck on the run but sometimes letting the ball into his body a bit. As a route runner he has good potential, but didn’t run a full route tree at ASU, rounds his breaks too much, and doesn’t show enough upper body movement (head fakes, shoulder lean, etc.). Overall, he lacks polish, but has the physical traits and skill set to develop into a true No.1 with a penchant for big plays.

Fit with Niners: Aiyuk is definitely an outside receiver and profiles as someone who could potentially play the Z or X position. He needs refinement and better use of his length to become a regular vertical threat in the NFL, but has the athletic profile to get it done, and would immediately be a big play guy in our chunk passing game. The thought of Deebo, Kittle, and Aiyuk on catch-and-runs would be terrifying to opposing coaches. If we miss on CeeDee Lamb, Aiyuk could become someone who gives us similar big-play ability.

NFL Comp: Greg Jennings, Western Michigan (formerly Packers)

Position Rank: 5.25
Projection: 1st-2nd Round

Tee Higgins, Clemson

Height: 6-3.5”
Weight: 216 lbs.
Wingspan: 81”

Long acrobatic jump ball threat who will need to overcompensate for his lack of short-area-quickness and burst with his 50/50 ball ability

Long, lean, and with one of the best wingspans in this crop of receivers, Higgins has some of the best hands in this class and makes a living off of winning contested balls at the catch point. He does well in traffic, using his big body to shield defenders from the ball and running hard after the catch. He's an improved route runner, with the frame to add muscle, and an accomplished redzone weapon and deceptive deep threat due to his long-striding speed (25 TDs in the last two years).

Like many tall possession receivers before him, you have to ask the question of whether his lack of separation skills will nullify his ball skills in the pros. Despite his long-strider speed, he's far from a burner, and he isn't particularly quick or explosive, with subpar burst out of his breaks. He doesn't get separation in short-to-intermediate routes, and his play strength and bulk aren't enough to muscle defenders away to compensate. Higgins' decent long speed and top-end ball skills make him less likely to fully flop than many tall, non-explosive, wideouts of drafts past, but -- given the poor hit rate of that profile -- this is the type of receiver I typically try to avoid. 

Fit with Niners: If he were more explosive he could project as an X, but Higgins doesn't really fit the profile of wideouts that Shanahan & Co. like to pursue. While his 4.58 forty was less than ideal, his 31" vertical and 10'03" broad jump numbers were likely more damaging, as they reaffirmed his lack of explosive ability found on tape. The one thing that Shanahan receivers NEED to do is separate. Thus Higgins seems unlikely.

NFL Comparison: DeVante Parker, Louisville (Dolphins)

Position Rank: 7.25
Projection: 1st-2nd Round

Michael Pittman Jr., USC

Height: 6-4
Weight: 223 lbs.
Wingspan: 79.25”

Big, strong, possession receiver lacks explosive upside but should settle in as a reliable No.2

Unsurprising given the frame of his former NFL father, Michael Pittman Jr. is a big, well-built dude who uses his size and strength in every facet of his game. He's tough to press, boxes out defenders with his large frame, and runs hard after the catch. He's also got highly reliable hands, securing the catch whether it's tracking the ball deep down the field or snagging catches in traffic. 

But his ceiling's capped as he's nothing special as an athlete. Got open deep more often than expected in college, but lacks the speed to do that in the pros. Isn't particularly sudden or explosive, and may get called for the occasional pass interference for being overly physical on underneath routes. Isn't a dynamic YAC threat, getting extra yards with power but won't break big plays with the ball in his hands. Has a long history of injury issues.

Fit with Niners: While he could theoretically play a "bully" X role similar to the role envisioned for Pierre Garcon when he joined the Niners, Pittman -- much like Tee Higgins -- doesn't really fit the mold of a Shanahan receiver due to his lack of explosiveness and separation skills. Pittman could become a reliable No.2/3, but it likely won't be with the Niners as I would expect them to be looking for a different skillset from the position high in the draft.

NFL Comparison: Bigger Mohamed Sanu, Rutgers (Patriots) with shades of JuJu Smith-Schuster, USC (Steelers)

Position Rank: 7.75
Projection: 2nd Round

Jalen Reagor, TCU

Height: 5-10.5
Weight: 206 lbs.
Wingspan: 74 3/8

Explosive space athlete who excels with the ball in his hands, but there are many questions on how best to get it there in the first place

Raegor is explosive enough that a 4.47 forty time at the combine was deemed legitimately disappointing. However, his speed is far better than that time would indicate and the rest of his explosive testing numbers (42" vertical, 138" broad) better match his tape. His highlights are overflowing with game-breaking home run plays whenever he gets the ball in his hands, whether on jet sweeps, screens, or downfield passes. He is a tremendous natural runner who gets to top speed immediately, is electric in the open field, and can (and has) scored in pretty much every way imaginable throughout college. That includes as a true receiver, where he had over 1,000 yards receiving and nine scores as a wideout in 2018 (in addition to 130 rushing yards and two scores on the ground) and showcased his potential as an NFL wideout.

In fact, if he was eligible to declare after his 2018 season he'd almost certainly have been a first-round pick, but in 2019, his production dropped off alongside a poor TCU offense, and he started to show more drops and more uneven effort and temperament. It's possible that was simply a product of frustration given the team's struggles, as Raegor is said to be one of his team's hardest workers, but his lack of clear progress as a junior leads to a number of developmental questions. He has route running ability, but it's far from a finished product, and he struggles with stronger press corners. He catches the ball outside his frame but had major focus drops in 2019 and may never become a contested-catch threat. He's a boom-or-bust prospect, and while he's not as rough around the edges as the dreaded Urban Meyer H prospect (Braxton Miller, Curtis Samuel), his floor seems just a notch above, while his ceiling could be something closer to Stefon Diggs -- a top-flight athlete who suffered from a lackluster supporting cast in college.

Fit with Niners: The hope would clearly be that he becomes the latter of his projections, a true inside-outside threat who could play Z as well as H in our offense. But immediately, he'd likely be used more as a gadget/utility player or broken into the offense over the season like Deebo last year. Expect lots of slants, screens, reverses, and at least the threat of vertical routes as he builds into a more complete receiver.

NFL Comparison: Curtis Samuel, Ohio State (Panthers) <-> Stefon Diggs, Maryland (Vikings)

Position Rank: 8.0
Projection: 2nd round

Laviska Shenault, Colorado

Height: 6-0.5
Weight: 227 lbs.
Wingspan: 76 1/4

All-purpose bulldozer who brings versatility and unmatched physicality to the position, but his durability and developmental concerns will require the proper fit, patience, and injury luck in order to maximize his potential

Shenault is the only player in this class whose highlight reel includes Mossing a DB on a deep ball, ankle-breaking a DB off a curl route, and trucking a defensive lineman in the backfield on a fly sweep. He was a true all-purpose threat for the Buffaloes, lining up everywhere (including Wildcat quarterback) for Colorado, where he was a one-man offense (in his three years at CU, there was only one Colorado offensive player drafted, and that was in the sixth round). A power running back with the ball in his hands, a bruising physicality imbues everything about his game. He trucks would-be tacklers, throws smaller DBs who try to press him, and drags multiple defenders in the open field. As a runner, he's got great natural instincts and makes big plays beyond his athleticism. As a receiver, he has quick, strong hands, excelling over the middle and in dealing with contact (only 7 drops in three years). Down the field, he tracks and adjusts to the deep ball well, winning at the catch point even with contact.

However, Shenault's versatility and workload have taken their toll on his development. He's been asked to do so much, he hasn't had time to develop the nuances of simply playing receiver, a fact that's shown in his rudimentary route-running skills and inconsistent technique. He also plays so physical and takes (and dishes) so much contact that he has major durability concerns, with the past two years including toe, shoulder, and core muscle injuries that have required surgery. Finally, as an athlete he's just not particularly fast or explosive. Even if he cleans up his technique, he's unlikely to get tons of separation on the pro level. All this makes him a major boom-or-bust prospect so landing in the right situation will be particularly important in determining which he becomes.

Fit with Niners: Shenault needs good coaching, some patience, and a creative play-caller to get the most of his ability, and we have all that in spades. But seeing as we already have Deebo Samuel, would drafting Shenault mean the Niners are trying to create a "Warriors-on-grass" lineup of tons of versatile positionless wideouts? Or perhaps they'd be looking at Shenault as more of a receiver/pass-catching running back? Or maybe something in between, like a backfield-leaning Jalen Hurd? We're probably looking for more speed and vertical stretch at the position given what we have, but if Shenault were to slip...

NFL Comparison: Higher variance Deebo Samuel, South Carolina (49ers)

Position Rank: 8.25
Projection: 2nd round

Denzel Mims, Baylor

Height: 6-3
Weight: 207 lbs.
Wingspan: 78.5”

Big-bodied athlete with the elite size-speed ratio and movement skills to become a true No.1... if he becomes much more consistent

A physical freak who proved his rare athleticism at the combine. Despite his 6-3, 207-pound frame, he recorded a 4.38 forty, 38.5" vertical jump, 10'11" broad jump, and 6.66 cone drill -- all top-eight finishes among receivers and the best cone drill mark at the combine by a very large margin. Those movement skills show up on film, where he can run by defenders, flip his hips with ease, and make acrobatic catches look routine. His size, length, and fluidity make him a redzone nightmare (28TDs in three years) and a constant back shoulder threat, and while Baylor's route tree was rudimentary, Mims showed out well at the Senior Bowl with more advanced route running and release techniques. He also flashes plus play strength, showing great physicality at the top of routes, with the ball in his hands, and as a run blocker.

But you wish those flashes were more of a regular occurrence, as lack of consistency is clearly Mims' greatest drawback. He doesn't blow by defenders as often as he should given his speed, he drops too many passes, particularly when he's contacted at the catch point, and in general, his sense of urgency seems to wane from down-to-down. Yes, he has work to do in the route running department, but it's this lack of consistency that is Mims' greatest question mark and what will determine if he rises to his significant ceiling or drops to his equally drastic floor.

Fit with Niners: Mims is an X receiver through and through. And while Kendrick Bourne does a lot of good things for us, he's not a deep threat or a back shoulder threat, and adding a vertical stretch and outside the hashes option would give our offense a substantial boost. If he can develop and maximize his tremendous potential of course.

NFL Comparison: Courtland Sutton, SMU (Broncos)

Position Rank: 8.75
Projection: 1st - 2nd Round

Day 2 (Rounds 2-3) Wideouts

As stated before, this is a VERY deep receiver class. Here are a handful of other intriguing wideouts who could go in the 2nd and 3rd rounds.

KJ Hamler, Penn State

Diminutive but explosive space player can score from anywhere on the field but may lack the hands to become a full-time contributor out of the slot

Hamler is lightning in a bottle, showing as good of burst, start-stop ability, acceleration to top speed, and open field ankle breaks as anyone in a draft class full of satellite players. In two years of play he averaged nearly 17 yards/catch and scored 13 touchdowns, showing the growth and potential as a route runner that makes you think he could become a full-time slot. That being said, he is 5-8.5, 178 pounds and thus vastly undersized for the position; while he competes hard, he doesn't show more strength than you'd expect given his size. Ultimately, he's never going to be a winner on contested catches, as he is a small target who doesn't wall off defenders and he has some of the shakiest hands in the class (FBS-leading 12 drops in 2019). But speed and playmaking in space are at an all-time high and someone will take the risk believing they can develop him. Whoever does should have a specific plan and creative play-caller to employ him, otherwise, he could be Tavon Austin 2.0.

Projection: 2nd Round

Chase Claypool, Notre Dame

Physical specimen with incredible size-speed ratio who excels at 50/50 balls but lacks route-running polish and instincts

A future X receiver through and through, Claypool combines a 6-4 238 pound frame with a 4.42 forty and 40.5" vertical. And while he doesn't play that fast on tape, he certainly plays that big and explosive. He thrives on contested catches, shifting the odds in his favor on 50/50 balls and excelling in the redzone and on vertical routes. But he's very raw as a route runner and on his release and lacks the hip fluidity and explosive burst out of cuts to project as a surefire separation getter on short-to-intermediate routes. Perhaps that won't matter due to his size and physicality, but to become a true three-level threat he'll have to improve a lot of the more nuanced, instinctual part of playing the position, and that's always the hardest thing to project.

Projection: 2nd - 3rd Round

Bryan Edwards, South Carolina

Big, strong, athletic, and flashes total package wideout skills... if only he were more consistent and polished

There's another world (and perhaps another class) where Edwards would be valued closer to the top of the second round. But after multiple injuries kept him out of the Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine and then COVID-19 prevented him from holding a pro day, working out with teams, or getting a medical check, his stock has taken a hit. That could certainly benefit whoever picks him, as he has a tantalizing size-speed combination, plays tough and strong all over the field, flashes the acrobatic and incredible catch (like the first two in his highlight reel), and has started a whopping 47 games (with a catch in 48 consecutive) throughout college. But oftentimes his game doesn't resemble a player with that much experience. His route running is lacking, as is his positioning and body usage on down the field throws, and drops have plagued his tape. And unlike someone like Jeudy or Raegor whose drops have surfaced in a single season and could be an outlier, four years of proof practically assures Edwards will have some issues with his hands in the pros. That being said, there's a lot to like in what he offers, and if a coaching staff can get him to more consistently focus and hone his technique, he could be a savvy buy-low candidate who greatly outperforms his draft slot.

Projection: 2nd - 3rd Round

Van Jefferson, Florida

Master route runner with consistent hands won't wow anyone but could carve out a long career as an underneath possession receiver

Formerly a member of the same Ole Miss class that included DK Metcalf and AJ Brown, Jefferson was always the most polished of the three. As the son of a long-time NFL player and receivers coach, that shouldn't be surprising. In terms of pure technical skill, his routes rival Jerry Jeudy's, showing all the footwork, hips, and burst out of his breaks to get open while moving all across the formation. He does all the little things well and has consistent hands to boot (only 4 drops in past two years), but his physical traits are average or below it across the board. He's not particularly strong, has speed that is average at best, and -- while his foot speed is quick -- he just isn't very explosive. He's never going to be a 50/50 threat or a playmaker after the catch. At 6-0 200 pounds and with a slender frame, he could be relegated to a slot role in the NFL, but while his highlight may not impress many people, he is a high floor prospect who should at least be a reliable No.3 out of the slot. Perhaps more given his high polish and pedigree.

Projection: 3rd Round

Day 3 (Rounds 4-7) Wideouts

A smattering of other intriguing late day options. Given their later draft slots, some of these guys lean more towards backup/role player positions while others are boom-bust projects. I’ve clustered them into their player-types and/or potential roles in the NFL.

Slot Receiver Specialists

Future H receivers who range from underneath possession guys to discount space players.

KJ Hill, Ohio State: The least explosive of the three, but the most polished. Hill has great hands but very average athleticism will limit him to an underneath role as a possession slot. At OSU he was like the one junior who shoots the three ball at Kentucky, never a top performer but always an important role player to balance out the better, higher variance athletes. (3rd - 4th Round)

James Proche, SMU: Also with great hands, Proche has had a massively productive college career, racking up nearly 4,000 yards and 39 scores over four years at SMU. Competitive and with decent upside and natural receiver skills, he'll need polish to match the big up in competition, but has some nice potential. (4th Round)

Devin Duvernay, Texas: The most athletic of the three but clearly the least consistent, Duvernay burst onto the scene this year as an explosive slot receiver. And while not nearly the all-around athlete and space player as a Raegor or Hamler, his speed (4.39 forty) and running ability make him strong after the catch. (4th Round)

Big Boys Who Go Get It

X receivers through and through, with an emphasis on 50/50 jump-ball ability, red zone targets, and vertical routes.

Collin Johnson, Texas: Was the top senior receiver on many draft boards entering the season, but a hamstring injury caused him to miss half the year and an ensuing hip flexor injury had him miss the combine. At 6-5.5 and 222 pounds, he uses every inch of his body to box out defenders and win at the catch point. A little stiff-hipped and won't ever be a threat after the catch, but has decent nuance as a route runner and should become a zone beater with the potential for more. (3rd - 4th Round)

Gabriel Davis, UCF: The smallest of the three, Davis made his living off of deep routes, where his long strider speed and tracking ability made him impossible to cover in the AAC. That being said, he's a build-up runner, meaning he isn't going to really burn by people in the pros and he may never become a short-to-intermediate option. The Terrance Williams comps seem reasonable: a deep-ball specialist who flashes the potential for more but should be paired with multiple underneath options. (3rd - 4th Round)

Isaiah Hodgins, Oregon State: Long and slender, Hodgins compensates for a lack of bulk with great hip fluidity and a giant catch radius due to his ability to get full extension on an 80.5" wingspan. He wasn't a big-play threat in college and lacks the athletic traits to become one in the pros, but could find a niche as a red zone target (20 TDs in college) and reliable possession receiver underneath. (4th - 5th Round)

Swiss Army Knives

Positionless/versatile dudes who will require a usage plan and a creative play-caller to develop, but who could prove steals in the right position

Lynn Bowden Jr., Kentucky: After leading Kentucky in receiving in 2018, Bowden stepped in halfway through the 2019 season for their injured signal-caller and went 6-2 as their starting QB while rushing for nearly 1,500 yards and 13 scores. Naturally, this has greatly stunted his growth as a receiver but shows his ability as a playmaker with the ball in his hands. He's not a true burner but he's got great quickness, vision, and open-field elusiveness. His well-built frame makes him tough to tackle, and he's dangerous as a runner, receiver, or returner, where he averaged 22.1 yards per punt return and scored twice despite only being kicked to nine times in his college career. As a receiver, he lacks ideal height (5-10.5) or length (74" wingspan), his choppy short-strides may prevent him from ever being a deep threat, and he is hugely unpolished in nearly every facet of the job, with raw routes, inconsistent hands, and a bad penchant for fumbling. He's also run with the wrong crowd in the past and will require character evals via interviews and background checks. Lots of potential, but will require a development and deployment plan to have a chance at maximizing it (3rd - 4th Round)

Antonio Gibson, Memphis: While he played running back at the Senior Bowl he split time between RB and WR during his brief stint in college, totaling an absurd stat line of 77 touches and 14 scores (plus one KR TD) over the past two years. On the ground, he averaged 11.2(!) yards/carry while through the air he netted 19.0 yards/catch. And with his 6-0 228-pound frame and 4.39 forty yard dash, the big-play ability is intriguing, especially as a gadget player and a receiver out of the backfield. But you have to be worried about the fact that he only started nine games in his college career for an AAC squad. If he had better vision and patience wouldn't he have gotten more than the fifth-most carries on his team? Or if he was a more polished and capable receiver wouldn't he have gotten more than the fourth-most catches? Anyone who drafts him likely sees him as Austin Ekeler with a power mushroom, but they should at least be prepared for the chance that he's Cordarrelle Patterson instead. (3rd - 4th Round)

Physical Tools Projects

When tremendous physical ability hasn't shaped into great on-field production. Far from immediate contributors, these are guys who are inherently riskier and will need plenty of time to develop.

Donovan Peoples-Jones, Michigan: While hard to believe now, DPJ was the consensus top-rated wideout in this junior class coming out of high school. He's got an NFL body and is a top tier athlete, running a 4.48 at 6-1.5 and 212 pounds and besting all combine participants with a 44.5" vertical and 11'07" broad jump. Clearly he has springs for legs and the explosiveness to get behind defenses, and he’s actually showed plus ball skills to go along with his impressive wingspan (79 1/4”). But his start-stop burst is lacking, and despite starting 26 games in college, he simply never picked up many of the nuances of playing wideout. Too much wasted motion, too much wasted time, and too many quiet games (zero 100-yard games in college). That being said, he is known as an NFL-ready worker and a smart guy (plans to be an orthopedic surgeon after NFL), and someone will take a risk on one of the bigger boom-bust projects in this draft. (4th - 5th Round)

John Hightower, Boise State: Perhaps less of a project and more of a one-trick pony, Hightower has the acceleration, straight-line speed, and smooth tracking skills to develop into an outside vertical threat in the NFL. There are just a number of physicality and frame concerns that question whether or not he can do anything between the hashes. While not as polished as Will Fuller, as explosive as Mike Wallace or John Brown, or as dynamic as Martavis Bryant, the hope is he can be molded into a similar deep ball role. (5th Round)

Joe Reed, Virginia: At 6-0.5 224 pounds, Reed is built more like a running back than a wideout, and it's when the ball is in his hands that he shines. An excellent open-field runner who combines great vision, balance, the ability to break tackles, and a 4.47 forty with a 38" vertical, his open-field running is best on display as a kick returner, where he averaged an FBS-leading 33.2 per return in 2019 and has housed 5(!) kickoff returns in the past three years. But how do you get him the ball in the first place? Because as a route runner and receiver, he is pretty much an unformed lump of clay, running sloppy routes and often catching the ball within five yards of the LOS. But this late in the draft, the special teams impact will be enough for someone to take the risk. (5th Round)

Small School Sleepers

FCS-level or lower. Almost always projects to some extent. Often require an adjustment period before they can contribute on the NFL level.

Antonio Gandy-Golden, Liberty: A competitive gymnast until his teenage years, when -- I assume -- he grew too big (6-4 223 pounds), Gandy-Golden shows the fluidity, flexibility, and body control of his former sport of choice. He shows a tremendous ability to win at the catch point, and the slippery athleticism to get yardage after the catch even in contested situations. While he put up three straight 1,000+ yard and 10 TD seasons to finish his college career, his average speed and long strides could limit his ability to separate in the pros, and -- while he's improved over the years -- he requires polish in his route running. But the size and ball skills make for a very intriguing potential three-level threat at X receiver. (3rd - 4th Round)

Isaiah Coulter, Rhode Island: Smooth, athletic, and playing his best against some of his best competition (152 yards against Va Tech in 2019), Coulter is actually a more advanced route runner than most prospects coming from the FCS level (although still a bit raw). He's got good athleticism and speed and consistent hands on both routine and acrobatic catches. The physical nature of the NFL could be where his transition is the most difficult, as he is a long, lanky type who doesn't play with much strength and often tries for more fadeaway contested grabs rather than attacking the ball at its highest point. But if he can get more aggressive against stronger and faster NFL competition, he has intriguing pre- and post-catch ability. (4th Round)

Are there other draft able wideouts in this class? Absolutely.

Will I be writing about them? Not unless we draft them first.

Next up, I’ll be looking at other offensive prospects, namely linemen and tight ends.