NFL Draft – Wide Receiver Rankings
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6.) Jordan Matthews, Vanderbilt (6’3, 205): Big, sure-handed receiver who runs crisp routes and displayed better than expected speed (4.46) and athleticism at the combine. Matthews was very productive in college and finished his career at Vandy as the SEC’s all-time leading receiver. He will give his new team a big target with reliable hands as a possession receiver with upside. Draft Projection: 1st-2nd round
7.) Allen Robinson, Penn St (6’2, 220): Not only has great size, but excellent hands and enough acceleration and quickness to get open consistently. Robinson has good strength and is a load to bring down after the catch. His stock has dropped due to a slow 40 at the combine (4.6), but he made up for it at his pro day and is a steal if he drops to round 2. Robinson should develop into an excellent possession receiver with good YAC potential. Draft Projection: 1st-2nd round
8.) Kelvin Benjamin, Florida St (6’5, 240): He’s 240 pounds with 4% body fat. That’s unreal. Benjamin has an elite size/speed ratio, though there is some concern about his hands and change of direction ability. His route-running needs work, but Benjamin has the physical tools to be unstoppable eventually and should be a dangerous deep threat right away. There have been some rumors about his dedication to football and maturity, but he has too much potential to slip out of the 2nd round. Draft Projection: 1st-2nd round
9.) Davante Adams, Fresno St (6’1, 212): Adams just knows how to get open. In two seasons at Fresno St, Adams caught a ridiculous 233 passes for 3,031 yards and 38 touchdowns. Those are Tecmo Bowl numbers, but somewhat inflated by the Fresno St’s spread offense and weak competition. Even taking those negative factors into account, it’s still pretty darn impressive. Adams has good size, reliable hands, and uses his body well to block out defenders. He runs well after the catch with the ability to make people miss and break tackles if they don’t. His straight-line speed was considered a flaw, but after a 4.56 40 at the combine it’s hard to find anything to complain about. I wouldn’t be surprised if Adams snuck into the first round. Draft Projection: 1st-2nd round
10.) Donte Moncrief, Mississippi (6’2, 221): Moncrief has great size and uses it well to shield defenders. He has great hands, runs good routes, and even run blocks a bit. The only question mark was his straight-line speed, but he answered that and then some at the combine with a 4.40 40-time. This might be way too low for Moncrief, but the receiver class is stacked and it’s going to come down to team’s preferences. Draft Projection: 2nd round
11.) Martavis Bryant, Clemson (6’4, 211): A legit deep who was inconsistent in college, but has great size and deep speed. The 4.42 40 Bryant ran at the combine is pretty ridiculous for a guy that is 6’4 and probably locked up a draft spot no later than the 3rd round. Bryant made enough spectacular catches in college to get excited about his potential, but he also dropped plenty of easy ones and needs to get stronger to beat press coverage at the NFL level. It won’t happen right away, but Bryant could be special in a couple of years. Draft Projection: 2nd-3rd round
12.) Jarvis Landry, LSU (5’11, 205): His 4.7 40-time was the biggest disappointment at the combine. On tape he looks like a 4.5 guy, maybe 4.6 at worst. He’s clearly not a burner, but he’s very strong, knows how to get open, and has great hands. He’s also a willing blocker in the run game. Landry’s bad 40 time and un-impressive pro day will drop him to day 2 of the draft, but whoever drafts him will get a steal. He reminds me of a mini Anquan Boldin. Draft Projection: 2nd-3rd round