NFL Draft Wide Receiver Rankings

Tony the Wiz: NFL Draft Wide Receiver Rankings from the JetNation forums.

Evaluating and ranking wideouts is probably my favorite position. This year, there were so many. You have wide split ends and slot receivers. I am going to identify what I think they will line up and what round I feel they are worthy. Now, not that they all are going to be in that round. For people who don’t know me, since my injury, I am retired. So, I was able to watch more college football, college basketball, and even college baseball. And I had this hobby of doing this since 1970. Steve Owens of Oklahoma and Johnny Musso of Alabama were my two players I watched a lot back then, whenever they were on TV. I used to get the Joel Buschsbaum college football magazine and the Sporting News. So this is what I enjoy. So here are my evaluations of the wideouts I watched. Now it’s my opinion. That’s all. We all have opinions. If you watch college football and watch these athletes, you should have an opinion. If you don’t watch any of these players and then insult someone of their opinion, that is not acceptable. So here we go.

MY TOP 5 and I feel should be drafted in the First Round.

1. MAKAI LEMON – USC – 5’11’ 192LBS He catches everything. You would think he has glue on his hands. And after the catch he is pretty strong to break a tackle. He runs a 4.50 forty. Only negative he has small hands.
2. CARNELL TATE – OHIO ST. 6′ 2 1/4″ 192LBS – Excellent Hands and Route Runner. He has big hands 10 1/4″. I just would have seen a little more production since he had an all world WR on the other side.
3. OMAR COOPER – INDIANA – 6’0″ 200LBS – He is reliable. He is clutch. He just gets better. And he went to the combine and put up a 4.42 forty with a very good vertical. His hands are above size. And he was coached up.
4. JORDYN TYSON – ARIZONA – 6’1″ 200LBS – Some have him the best in this draft, His problem is staying on the field. He has that injury bug. But on the field he is a game breaker. His 4.55 is a little surprising. On the field he plays faster. He has amazing will to go get that ball in a fight with a CB in the air. He is a tough runner to bring down. His route running is superb. But the problem is his injuries. Yeah more than 1. This year it was the hamstring. Other years it was a collarbone and another the Knee.
5. CHRIS BELL – LOUISVILLE – 6’2″ 225LBS – One of my favorite wideouts this year. Tough as nails. Catches everything with a CB or safety on top of him. A punishing runner after receiving the ball, He played before the injury. with an inconsistent QB that eventually got benched. Imagine what he would have done with a good QB. He will be back by training camp. He has run a 4.40 Forty.

These wideouts has a chance to slip in the 1st round.

6. K.C. CONCEPCION – TEXAS A&M – 5’11” 1/4″ 185LBS – SLOT WR – He slips in the first round because of a double threat. He is an excellent returner. He does have the drops sometimes. But when with the ball, he is shifty and uses his 4.46 speed to out run the defensive backs. RD 1-2

7. DENZELL BOSTON – WASHINGTON – 6’3 3/4″ 212LBS – His biggest attribute is his size. He can out jump the CB and hang on anything that is thrown his way. He will always separate on a deep ball. He fights and he is a tough blocker beside. He has great hands. Now seeing his 4.60 which was reported. Now since his agent told him not to run the 40 is a Red Flag. But he plays fast. Another thing I noticed, that he did not have good games against good teams that had good corners. RD 1-2
8. GERMIE BERNARD – ALABAMA – 6’1″ 206LBS – Watched more tape on him and it was positive. His route running is his forte. Catches it all. Long, short, over the middle and the side line. He looks like those great Alabama Wideouts. He just does not have the explosiveness of those. He does run a 4.48 forty. He also needs to fight more off his CB at the point of attack. He will go in the EARLY 2nd.
9. CHRIS BRAZZELL – TENNESSEE – 6’4″ 200LBS – Initially I had him as a third round. But I had to go back and watch more film since he ran a blazing 4.37 forty. That is impressive with this height. What I seen was how easily he separated on deep balls. He is a home run hitter. And he knows how to get open. He also blocks for his teammates and is tougher then he looks with that frame. Now going forward to the NFL he needs to gain some muscle. He has long speed but not stop and change direction. But that 4’37” may get him in the end of the first. I have him EARLY 2nd.
10. ZACHARIAH BRANCH – GEORGIA – 5’9″ 177LBS – SLOT WR – A Blur is what he is. He will take a five yard short ball and his speed go the distance. But with Georgia he really didn’t run routes, Basically a screen or a dump out pass. Strong runner for his size. But anyone that can run a forty in 4.35, with his hands and athleticism will be taken early. MID 2ND
11. ELIJAH SARRATT – INDIANA – 6’2″ 210LBS – A Clutch receiver. When the game is on the line look for him. He does his best either at the goal line or to get a needed first down. Excellent hands. Runs good routes and is tough fighting for the ball. Now he does not going to out run a CB . He has 4.53 Speed. But he plays like a winner. And he knows the feeling of winning it all. MID 2ND
12. SKYLER BELL – CONNECTICUT – 5’11 5/8″ 192LBS. – SLOT – SPLIT – Can you imagine a Connecticut football player here. Go watch this guys tape!! Wow!! He had 101 receptions and near 1,300 yards. I watched two of his games and I had to watch highlights in other weeks. Than he goes to the combine runs a 4.40, a vertical 0f 41″, a broad jump 0f 133″ both put him over the 95%. 100 is perfect. He does an excellent 3 cone drill and a very good Shuttle. Every drill he was great. And it shows on the field. Even his hands are Big. 10 inches. He had the dropsies in past years. Not this year. He worked on that. His routes are nice and if he gets by you, forget it. He is gone. He dekes his opposing CB’S with dekes and uses his body to get open . he is the real deal. A definite 2nd Round Evaluation. Please Kansas City or The Patriots stay away. MID 2ND
13. ANTONIO WILLIAMS – CLEMSON – 5’11 1/2″ – 187LBS – SLOT – I was going to rank him lower since he has had injury problems. But he is to good over the middle. When you watch tape on him. you cannot cover him when he gets close to that safety or nickelback. He will gyrate his body to find away to keep that back away so he can catch it. He is also great close to the end zone and finds that spot where gets open MID 2ND
14. TED HURST – GEORGIA ST. – 6’3 3/4″ – 205LBS – What a story this player has. Sure he was excellent for the Sun Belt Conference and being first team all conference. But these evaluators hate to look at these small conferences. There are excellent players there like this wideout. He opened eyes at the Senior bowl practices and the game. His big frame and his receiving skills opened eyes. Then he goes to the Combine and runs a 4.42 forty and broad jumps 135” a 99% percentile. He is explosive off the ball and separates from his DB”s. At Georgia St they didn’t run different variety of routes like a big college team. He does drop a few passes. His hands are good size so it must be concentration issue. He just has raw talent. I got him LATE 2ND-EARLY 3RD.
15. ERIC MCCALISTER – TCU – 6’4″ 195LBS – Here is a curveball. No one has this player rated here. I like him. He is a tall wideout who ran a 4.53 forty. I love players that can get you a first down. In 2024 92% 0f his catches went for a first down. This year in the Big 12 Conference, he had 72 receptions and 1,190 Yards and was voted 1st team all conference. Only Skyler Bell had more yardage then he did on my list. And the two year before he had good years. What I like about him is he has no fear going over the middle to catch a ball. And on a fly pattern he runs by that CB with a burst of speed and has a knack or skill too catch it over his shoulder. He plays with fire and toughness. He breaks tackles on simple slants or button route’s for extra yards. He will lay out an opposing player on a running play. He will go after LB if needed. He has good size hands and good size arms. Now he does drop some easy receptions. It has to be a concentration issue. But then he makes up for that and makes a highlight reception. He has a ton of film on Youtube, Go and take a look for yourself. I like him as a Late 2ND- E-3RD
16. JA KOBIE LANE – USC – 6’4 3/8″ 200LBS – Here is a wideout that got over shadowed by his teammate, But like the great Warner Wolf would say “Lets go to the Videotape.” And he had some highlights to show you on Lane. Only 49 receptions but 745 yards. That shows you he is a home run hitter. I want you to go see his one hand catch versus Georgia Southern. Then he goes to the combine and runs a 4.47 Forty and does a vertical of 40 and a broad jump of 129″. Both 93% of Percentile. And get this. His hands are 10 1/2 inches which is a 97% percentile. His long speed and jumping skills especially near the end zone is excellent. He knows how to deke a defender and catches balls over the middle. He does have a few drops but with those hands its just a concentration issue. He also needs to get stronger.. LATE 2ND – EARLY 3RD.
17. MALACHI FIELDS – NOTRE DAME – 6’3 1/2″ 218LBS – Now I am a Notre Dame fan. And I still have him ranked 17. And I was debated that with my next wide out. Why? Daniel Jeremiah loves him as a top 50 player. I like him but my question is why did you fall off in receptions this year. I get it you had a Freshman QB. But he is more of a thrower than last years QB. He can make any catch, He is dynamic. He looks the part. His vertical is very good, his broad jump is very good. Both 80%. percentile. So why not the production. Its called speed and quickness. His 40 time is 4.61. And it shows on the field. His receptions are from his body to separate from that CB. But he will never out run that corner. He has everything else. He clenches the ball like its a sponge with his power. He breaks tackles, These CB’S are mismatched with his physical nature. I think I did him a favor putting him here over my next two wideouts. You know what. I’m giving a tie out for these 3 players. 3RD ROUND
18. 17. BRYCE LANCE – NORTH DAKOTA ST. – 6’3 3/8″ 204LBS – Only because he played in the FCS that I have him ranked lower. This wideout is a home run hitter. His brother played QB and in the NFL. Just look at that size, and he runs 4.34. YEAH A 4.34!! And he makes it look easy. He outruns angles. It is like a gazelle. His athleticism score is 99%. Yes 99%. That is just 1 of 7 wideouts since 1987 to get that. His vertical and Broad jump is 98% percentile. Now he has soft hands. Catches everything. Only two drops. Stuff he needs to learn is blocking, and getting off of tight coverage. Right now at the FCS no one wants to come up. EARLY 3RD ROUND
19. 17. DEON BURKS – OKLAHOMA – 5’9 3/4″ 180lbs – SLOT WR – Another one of my favorite teams and players. As I write this these last two wideouts are just fast. One a split end who needs some teaching at the next level and this who will come to the league and be an impact. This is the new Blur coming to the NFL. Burks 40 time is 4.30 and looks that fast or faster on the field. His vertical at the combine was ridiculous, A 42.5″ for this size human. a 99% percentile. To top that off he does a broad jump 131″ a 96% percentile. His ten yard split is a 1,49. But this is where my head is spinning. He goes on the bench and lifts 26 reps of 225 pounds. He did more than Offensive Tackles did. WOW!! WOW!! Now on the field imagine as a CB trying to keep up with his speed but also his power to break away. I want him on my team. And he runs routes well and catches with skill. EARLY 3RD
20. DE’ZHAUN STRIBLING – OLE MISS 6’2″ 207LBS – He was a good part of their success this year. A former Washington St. player. He is another big time home run big receiver who has amazing speed. His 40 time is a very fast 4.36. All of these big speedy receivers that catch the ball out of the air like its Spalding. Watch many a ball go over his shoulder and he snatches it easily. That is because he has 10′ hands. And he is not afraid to block. He is special near the end zone. 3RD ROUND
21. BRENAN THOMPSON – MISSISSIPPI ST. – 5’9 3/8″ 164LBS. SLOT WR – OK, I have been talking about speed and this class of wideouts. Well here for me was the fastest player in college. He was disappointed at his time at the combine. He ran a 4.26 and I’m telling you I watched him run for a TD with pads on and it was a blur. Last year Xavier Worthy ran a 4.21 at 165lbs. Thompson is just as fast as he and Ross. You know all his strengths is about his speed. Once he gets the ball he is like a water bug. Can’t catch it. Now like Worthy going to the next level you have to put on some weight and muscle. Worthy was a more polished receiver than Thompson. But you can’t not give that speed a try. LATE 3RD ROUND OR EARLY 4TH
22. CALEB DOUGLAS – TEXAS TECH – 6’3 1/2″ 206LBS – Big receiver who was the main target for Tech. He is a big body wideout that catches with his hands. Quicker than you think. He went to the combine and ran a nice 4.39 forty. And he has big hands, 10 1/8″. His tape he looks fluid with strides. And he seems to find those empty lanes so his QB has a target. Big receiver who can run. He did have 7 drops this year which was 4 more than he had last year. He had near 95 throws that targeted him. But a lot of good tape thrown at him near the end zone. I think he could squeeze in the late 3rd but most likely early 4th.
23. C.J. DANIELS – MIAMI – 6’2″ 205LBS – He was a transfer from Liberty. Every time I looked up and heard C.J. Daniels when I was watching Miami. He played At Liberty in 2024, and 2023. but especially in 2023 when they had an excellent QB, he had 55 receptions with 1,067 yards and 10 TDS. That year Liberty went to a top bowl game. Coming to Miami he had 50 receptions and 577 yards. If it was for their freshman sensation Malachi Toney’s 109 receptions. His stats would have been higher. His strength in his game is his clutch receptions at the most important times. He is the opposite of so many we spoke about with speed. He ran a 4.58 forty. That is not his strength. He is not going to pull away from a CB but he will fight him tooth and nail for those extra yards. And if he smells that end Zone he will make sure he gives him the best effort to score. Coming from those smaller conferences you are hungry to show the world you belong. He did with Miami this year. He is a scrapper and will block to help his fellow wideouts or running backs. I like players like him. I give him a LATE 3RD EARLY 4TH

    So this is my evaluation of wideouts that should go on the first and second day of the draft. A few may drop to the fourth round. In 2025 there were 35 wideouts drafted, with 14 in the first three rounds. In 2024 there were 35 wideouts drafted, with 16 in the first three rounds. I believe 18 or 19 will go in the first three rounds this year and 38 wideouts will be drafted.