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Wide receivers are in good supply in the top part of next week’s NFL draft, with anywhere between three and six expected to be selected in the first round, and as many as a dozen being drafted in the first three rounds.
Among the first-round prospects are Ohio State’s Carnell Tate, USC’s Makai Lemon, Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson, Washington’s Denzel Boston, Indiana’s Omar Cooper and Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion.
Overall, it’s a high-quality collection of wide receivers from top to bottom. The class offers speed, size, good hands, good route-running and high upside guys. It’s hard to guarantee that any will be an impact player as a rookie, but this is a complete class of receivers.
And, consequently, it’s a good year for the Miami Dolphins to need a wide receiver, which is the case. It’ll be interesting to see whether general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley think it’s worthwhile to select a wide receiver in the first round.
As a reminder, the draft is April 23-25.
The Dolphins have 11 picks, including two in the first round (Nos. 11 and 30), and seven among the first 94 selections.
Miami has one selection in the second round (No. 43), four in the third (Nos. 75, 87, 90 and 94), one in the fourth (No. 130), one in the fifth (No. 151), and two in the seventh (Nos. 227 and 238).
Here are the top wide receivers in the draft, in order:
Tate (6 foot 2, 192 pounds) earned academic All America honors while totaling 51 receptions for 875 yards and 9 TDs. He’s got good size, good hands and good route-running ability but so-so speed (4.53-second 40-yard dash). Only knock on Tate is he isn’t physical enough but he’s a quality WR and the clear No. 1 prospect.
Lemon (5-11, 192) is a slot WR who displayed productivity in many ways while amassing 79 receptions for 1,156 yards and 11 TDs. He’s not strong, but he’s smart, runs good routes, and is a willing blocker. Lemon’s the prototypical “high upside” guy.
Tyson (6-2, 203) is an credibly talented prospect who combines good size with versatility and intelligence which explains why he had 61 receptions for 711 yards and 8 TDs. He’s certainly a first-round pick but he comes with injury concerns, most recently hamstring injuries last season. He also had knee issues (torn ACL, PCL and MCL) dating back to his freshman season at Colorado.
Boston (6-4, 212) is a big WR whose best trait is that he can go up and get the ball, which puts extra value on his 62 receptions for 881 yards and 11 TDs. He’s not necessarily physical but he knows how to use his size and body positioning. Boston could go as high as the middle of the first round or as low as the top of the second round.
Concepcion (6-0, 196) is a quick, speedy WR/punt returner who can win at the line of scrimmage and in short spaces. He had 61 receptions for 919 yards and 9 TDs to go along with 2 PR TDs. Concepcion’s a big-play threat on short routes and deep routes.
Indiana’s Omar Cooper (69 receptions, 937 yards, 13 TDs) is a first-round candidate who plays with strength and aggression. … Alabama’s Germie Bernard (64 receptions, 862 yards, 7 TDs) is skilled and polished but doesn’t have a standout characteristic. … Clemson’s Antonio Williams (5-11, 187), a Day 2 candidate, is elusive, athletic and versatile, traits he used to record 55 receptions, 13 carries and four PRs . … Louisville’s Chris Bell (6-2, 222) sustained a torn ACL in November but he’s a big-bodied possession WR who totaled 72 receptions for 917 yards and 6 TDs in 11 games. … Notre Dame’s Malachi Fields (6-4, 218) is big and strong, traits he used for 36 receptions, 630 yards and 5 TDs. … Tennessee’s Chris Brazzell II (6-4, 198) is an angular speedster who ran a 4.37-second 40-yard dash and totaled 62 receptions for 1,017 yards and 9 TDs.
This isn’t a flashy class but it checks all the boxes. Well, all the boxes except for an instant impact player. Still, with Tate, Lemon and Tyson at the top, and Brazzell and Fields in the third round, this is a strong class that fills many needs.
Washington could always use more talent alongside QB Jayden Daniels and WR Terry McLaurin.
Kansas City probably wants its offense to regain the game-breaking element it had in the early years of QB Patrick Mahomes.
Miami needs to replenish after parting ways with WRs Tyreek Hill (release) and Jaylen Waddle (trade).
The L.A. Rams have a bit of uncertainty involving WR Puka Nacua, and are in “go-for-it” mode.
The N.Y. Jets have across-the-board needs, but QB Geno Smith could use top-notch WR help.
Philadelphia seems to be on shaky ground with A.J. Brown, so a WR need is understandable.
Cleveland needs help in many areas but whoever starts at QB (Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders or Dillon Gabriel) needs improvement at No. 1 WR.
Buffalo is dealing with a closing Super Bowl window for a variety of reasons, and getting QB Josh Allen a quality No. 1 is a priority.
Miami acquired Jalen Tolbert and Tutu Atwell and returns promising youngster Malik Washington, and together they form the top WRs. But they are all, at best, probably No. 3 WRs. The Dolphins need a No. 1 and No. 2 WR, at least.
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Among the first-round prospects are Ohio State’s Carnell Tate, USC’s Makai Lemon, Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson, Washington’s Denzel Boston, Indiana’s Omar Cooper and Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion.
Overall, it’s a high-quality collection of wide receivers from top to bottom. The class offers speed, size, good hands, good route-running and high upside guys. It’s hard to guarantee that any will be an impact player as a rookie, but this is a complete class of receivers.
And, consequently, it’s a good year for the Miami Dolphins to need a wide receiver, which is the case. It’ll be interesting to see whether general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley think it’s worthwhile to select a wide receiver in the first round.
As a reminder, the draft is April 23-25.
The Dolphins have 11 picks, including two in the first round (Nos. 11 and 30), and seven among the first 94 selections.
Miami has one selection in the second round (No. 43), four in the third (Nos. 75, 87, 90 and 94), one in the fourth (No. 130), one in the fifth (No. 151), and two in the seventh (Nos. 227 and 238).
Here are the top wide receivers in the draft, in order:
Carnell Tate, Ohio State
Tate (6 foot 2, 192 pounds) earned academic All America honors while totaling 51 receptions for 875 yards and 9 TDs. He’s got good size, good hands and good route-running ability but so-so speed (4.53-second 40-yard dash). Only knock on Tate is he isn’t physical enough but he’s a quality WR and the clear No. 1 prospect.
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Makai Lemon, USC
Lemon (5-11, 192) is a slot WR who displayed productivity in many ways while amassing 79 receptions for 1,156 yards and 11 TDs. He’s not strong, but he’s smart, runs good routes, and is a willing blocker. Lemon’s the prototypical “high upside” guy.
Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
Tyson (6-2, 203) is an credibly talented prospect who combines good size with versatility and intelligence which explains why he had 61 receptions for 711 yards and 8 TDs. He’s certainly a first-round pick but he comes with injury concerns, most recently hamstring injuries last season. He also had knee issues (torn ACL, PCL and MCL) dating back to his freshman season at Colorado.
Denzel Boston, Washington
Boston (6-4, 212) is a big WR whose best trait is that he can go up and get the ball, which puts extra value on his 62 receptions for 881 yards and 11 TDs. He’s not necessarily physical but he knows how to use his size and body positioning. Boston could go as high as the middle of the first round or as low as the top of the second round.
KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
Concepcion (6-0, 196) is a quick, speedy WR/punt returner who can win at the line of scrimmage and in short spaces. He had 61 receptions for 919 yards and 9 TDs to go along with 2 PR TDs. Concepcion’s a big-play threat on short routes and deep routes.
Best of the rest
Indiana’s Omar Cooper (69 receptions, 937 yards, 13 TDs) is a first-round candidate who plays with strength and aggression. … Alabama’s Germie Bernard (64 receptions, 862 yards, 7 TDs) is skilled and polished but doesn’t have a standout characteristic. … Clemson’s Antonio Williams (5-11, 187), a Day 2 candidate, is elusive, athletic and versatile, traits he used to record 55 receptions, 13 carries and four PRs . … Louisville’s Chris Bell (6-2, 222) sustained a torn ACL in November but he’s a big-bodied possession WR who totaled 72 receptions for 917 yards and 6 TDs in 11 games. … Notre Dame’s Malachi Fields (6-4, 218) is big and strong, traits he used for 36 receptions, 630 yards and 5 TDs. … Tennessee’s Chris Brazzell II (6-4, 198) is an angular speedster who ran a 4.37-second 40-yard dash and totaled 62 receptions for 1,017 yards and 9 TDs.
Class grade: A
This isn’t a flashy class but it checks all the boxes. Well, all the boxes except for an instant impact player. Still, with Tate, Lemon and Tyson at the top, and Brazzell and Fields in the third round, this is a strong class that fills many needs.
Teams in need
Washington could always use more talent alongside QB Jayden Daniels and WR Terry McLaurin.
Kansas City probably wants its offense to regain the game-breaking element it had in the early years of QB Patrick Mahomes.
Miami needs to replenish after parting ways with WRs Tyreek Hill (release) and Jaylen Waddle (trade).
The L.A. Rams have a bit of uncertainty involving WR Puka Nacua, and are in “go-for-it” mode.
The N.Y. Jets have across-the-board needs, but QB Geno Smith could use top-notch WR help.
Philadelphia seems to be on shaky ground with A.J. Brown, so a WR need is understandable.
Cleveland needs help in many areas but whoever starts at QB (Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders or Dillon Gabriel) needs improvement at No. 1 WR.
Buffalo is dealing with a closing Super Bowl window for a variety of reasons, and getting QB Josh Allen a quality No. 1 is a priority.
Dolphins’ focus
Miami acquired Jalen Tolbert and Tutu Atwell and returns promising youngster Malik Washington, and together they form the top WRs. But they are all, at best, probably No. 3 WRs. The Dolphins need a No. 1 and No. 2 WR, at least.
Continue reading...
