2026 NFL Draft: WR Rankings
1
Jordyn Tyson
School: Arizona State
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 203 lbs
Strengths:
– Good size/athleticism combo.
– Very twitchy player. Much more than his size would suggest.
– Burst is good, but his long strides really allow his speed to build up as he gets down the field.
– Deceptive route runner. Will utilize head fakes and shoulder dips, stutters etc. in order to beat defenders.
– Gets some early wins because of this.
– Can win at any area of the field.
– Good with the ball in his hands after the catch.
– Shows flashes of good back tracking ability.
– Played through injury vs Texas Tech and was still impactful.
Weaknesses:
– Had more drops than I would have liked to see. Is a hands catcher, which is good, but the bobbles and drops need to be cut out or cut down.
– Will stumble in/out of his breaks every so often.
– Routes look a little reckless at times.
– Instances where his motor can be questioned.
– Injury concerns that will have to check out.
– Inconsistent playing through contact.
– For his size, he could improve a little bit as a blocker.
Summary:
Tyson’s ceiling is sky high. He has the size and catch radius, but moves like he is a much smaller player. His twitch is noticeable on a play to play basis, and he often implements different tactics as a route runner that make it tough for CB’s to track. Tyson only gets faster as he makes his way down the field, so he is a threat over the top, and can make contested catches when defenders are tighter in coverage. There were instances where he wasn’t going as hard as he could. And these are separate to the times he played through injuries. But the fact that he did play through injuries shows a level of toughness. An interesting little conundrum there. The biggest issue for me are the focus drops and bobbles. He is generally a good hands catcher when his concentration is there. The mistakes just need to be avoided. I hope it isn’t something that plagues him at the next level, like has happened with some players in the past. Similarly, you’d hope the injuries don’t follow him around. Tyson isn’t a player who comes without risk, and guys like Tate and Lemon probably have a higher floor. But I just love Tyson’s ceiling, and I think it sets him apart as the WR1 in this class.
| Grade: 86.2 | Round Grade: 1st |
2
Carnell Tate
School: Ohio State
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 192 lbs
Strengths:
– Long reach and good catch radius.
– Good, reliable hands.
– Is a hands catcher. Plucks the ball away from his frame and does not need to rely on body catches.
– Outstanding when required to elevate for the ball.
– Can high point, maintain focus, and cleanly come down with the ball.
– Clear advantage in contested situations.
– Does well to adjust to scrambling QB.
– Pretty good stop/start ability for a taller guy.
– Good enough long speed to win over the top.
– Solid agility for his size.
– Good blocker.
Weaknesses:
– Initial burst is average. Makes it tougher to create early separation.
– This, and a lean frame, helps CB’s who are looking to jam him at the line.
– Sometimes has issues with balance, whether running with the ball or at the top of his route.
– Not the biggest threat after the catch.
– Didn’t often match up against the opponent’s top CB.
Summary:
Tate is a long player who primarily stands out for his play through the air. He is dominant in contested situations, showing all the qualities needed to succeed in this area. His long reach is a great starting point, and he also elevates nicely, tracks the ball, adjusts in the air, and cleanly catches it through contact. His speed is decent enough for his size. Tate is capable of separating down the field when it gets the chance to build up. You do see him sometimes win on go routes. That being said, his early speed isn’t anything to write home about, so he certainly isn’t dominating in the underneath areas though yards after the catch. Overall, I wouldn’t really call him a dynamic player, but he threatens down the field, and can still handle underneath stuff, even if he isn’t the biggest YAC threat. I’d like to see him get stronger, and also play with better balance going forward. I’m not sure if he gets to the level of a WR1–maybe he does, maybe he doesn’t. But he should be a starter on the outside early on in his career.
| Grade: 85.9 | Round Grade: 1st |
3
Makai Lemon
School: USC
Ht/Wt: 5’11”, 192 lbs
Strengths:
– Very quick feet.
– Agility to make people miss.
– Can stop/start on a dime.
– Precise route runner.
– Sharp cuts to help him separate.
– Succeeds on in-breaking routes, as a result.
– Hands catcher.
– Good spatial awareness near sideline.
– Solid blocker.
Weaknesses:
– Quicker than fast.
– Speed looks average.
– Quickness and route running allow for some separation, but speedier CB’s still are sometimes able to recover and stay close.
– Step up in coverage may further challenge his ability to separate.
– Average speed combined with average size and catch radius. Capable through the air, but it won’t be his calling card.
– Slot only player.
Summary:
Lemon is a player who stands out for his quickness and precise route running. Based in the slot, his refined technique is able to manipulate defenders, while his high end agility allows him to execute what he needs to. He was productive out of the slot, and should continue to be as a pro. That being said, his speed is average, as is his size and reach. He isn’t a burner, and there are times where defenders can recover, even when he gets an early edge in the route. Lemon isn’t someone who will be able to make a living on the outside, so he is limited in that sense. I wouldn’t say his ceiling is super high, but at the next level, he should be a solid, reliable pro who is productive out of the slot. He’s gotten some round 1 hype, and the high floor may see him end up going there. His lack of certain traits makes him more of a round 2 guy in my eyes, but make no mistake, he is a good prospect.
| Grade: 82.1 | Round Grade: 2nd |
4
KC Concepcion
School: Texas A&M
Ht/Wt: 6’0”, 196 lbs
Strengths:
– Very quick feet.
– Good agility to create early separation in his routes.
– Can dodge CB’s who try to press him at the line. Generally, his stutters and fakes are effective.
– Makes sharp cuts at the top of his breaks to help lose a CB that is playing tight.
– Really smart player. Not only for his technical refinement, but for the way he easily identifies the soft spots in zone coverage. He works nicely into that spot and will sit there, allowing the QB to make the play.
– Effective with the ball in his hands. Can make people miss in the open field, which not only helped after the catch, but also allowed him to have success in the return game.
– Has a springy leap that allows him to elevate beyond what his expected catch radius would be.
Weaknesses:
– Decent speed, but not in that top tier.
– Definitely quicker than he is fast.
– Speedier CB’s matched up against him could provide some challenges.
– Good route runner in terms of stutters, route fakes, and sharp cuts, but he could vary his speed a little more. Would add another element of deception to his toolbox.
– Has a good leap, but overall, I wouldn’t say his catch radius is anything to write home about. Also, his frame is a bit lean, so true contested situations will probably yield inconsistent results.
– Had more drops than I would have liked to see.
– Likely a slot only prospect at the next level.
Summary:
Concepcion projects as a slot receiver at the next level. His speed is okay, but it could pose some challenges on the outside. Besides that, his skill set is much better suited for the slot. His quick feet and good route running will create some mismatches. From the slot, I’d expect decent separation against man coverage, and his ability to find the soft spots in zone could see a lot of targets come his way on chain moving downs. Concepcion can make plays with the ball in his hands, thanks to his ability to make people miss. Ideally, he’d have more straight line speed to go with the other stuff. But there are definitely enough other tools for him to have a successful career. The biggest thing to work on will be eliminating the drops, which seemed to mostly be focus related. If he can limit mistakes, I’d expect him to be starting pretty early on.
| Grade: 81.9 | Round Grade: 2nd |
5
Zachariah Branch
School: Georgia
Ht/Wt: 5’9”, 177 lbs
Strengths:
– Blazing speed.
– Big threat after the catch.
– Can take nothing plays and turn them into big gains.
– Great ability to make people miss in the open field.
– Someone you want to have plays manufactured for. Quick screens, end arounds etc.
– Is a burner and can beat man coverage on deep routes over the top.
– Quickness allows for separation on short routes out of the slot.
– Can contribute as a returner.
– Hangs onto the ball through big hits.
Weaknesses:
– Route running could be a little more precise at times.
– Route tree was pretty simple in college. May face a bit of a learning curve as coaches look to expand on it at the pro level.
– Undersized receiver.
– Small catch radius and not a threat in contested situations.
– Handles contact well, but it is fair to wonder how long he’ll be able to sustain it.
Summary:
Branch is one of the fastest receivers in the draft, and is a threat every time he has the ball in his hands. He is the kind of guy you want to manufacture touches for, whether they are quick screens, jet sweeps, or something similar. His speed can beat you over the top, but he also has the lateral agility to create quick separation on shorter routes. Branch works all three levels of the field, showing the ability to win against man or zone. Size will be a concern for him at the next level. Although he handles contact well, the risk always remains. Additionally, he presents little threat in contested situations. As far as improvements go, he can be a bit more precise as a route runner. Additionally, it would be good to see his route tree expanded. The simple route tree he ran wasn’t really his fault, as he has the skill set to do more. But with little experience on some of the more complicated routes, he may face a learning curve. At the next level, Branch should end up as a starter–probably in the slot because of his size. He is a dynamic play maker with the ball in his hands, and coaches will be excited about what he can bring. The decoy factor is also at play. Even if he is eased into an offensive role, Branch should be able to contribute early on as a kick returner.
| Grade: 81.7 | Round Grade: 2nd |
6
Denzel Boston
School: Washington
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 212 lbs
Strengths:
– Great size and reach, and plays up to it.
– A beast through the air.
– Good elevation ability. Will box out defenders, go above the rim, and secure the catch, hanging onto it on his way back down.
– Catch radius makes him a threat in the redzone.
– Crafty route runner. Utilizes deception effectively.
– Works with the QB on scramble drills.
– Quickness can be underrated.
– High motor. Always putting in full effort, and plays with an abundance of toughness.
– Good blocker.
Weaknesses:
– Speed leaves a lot to be desired.
– For all the good qualities that help him win, he often does it while creating minimal separation. The good route running is a necessity for him to get by.
– Performances took a dip against better competition, and you have to wonder about his transition to the next level. Will his athletic concerns be too much to overcome?
Summary:
Boston is a big bodied receiver who excels in contested situations thanks to his abundance of size, strength, and ball skills. He has strong hands and the toughness to battle through contact. He is a good route runner, and his quickness is a bit underrated, which helps him create some separation. However, he lacks speed, and even with the aforementioned attributes, he often struggles to separate, and his wins still come with a defender right there. Now, with his ability to make contested catches, the speed issue is somewhat offset. But at the same time, it isn’t something you can totally ignore just because he makes contested catches. Ultimately, I would expect Boston to be a good player at the next level. I think he is a bit too limited to ever be a WR1, even though you do see the odd exception, like Puka Nacua. But still, he brings enough to the table that he could start either on the outside or in the slot, and with some development, could become his team’s second target.
| Grade: 81.5 | Round Grade: 2nd |
7
Skyler Bell
School: Connecticut
Ht/Wt: 6’0”, 192 lbs
Strengths:
– Speed is visible on tape.
– A threat on quick passes.
– Agile player with the ability to make himself small and weave his way through traffic.
– Quick feet and can make people miss in the open field.
– Dangerous after the catch.
– Has the athleticism to win on all three levels.
– Was productive, despite having a lot of bad misses by his QB show up on tape. Stat sheet could have really been filled up if he had better help.
– Good route runner–can beat man or zone.
Weaknesses:
– Lateral movements can sometimes be a little bit segmented, which slows down momentum.
– Frame looks quite lean. Questions about how it can handle contact.
– Press coverage gives him trouble sometimes.
– Not a big contested catch threat.
– Had some issues with drops, and showed instances of body catching.
Summary:
Bell is a dynamic receiving threat with the ability to take the top off, or go all the way after hauling in a quick pass. His speed shows up on the field, and he uses it to blow by people, whether before or after the catch. He is a good route runner and is able to create separation. But his play strength isn’t great, and press coverage is one of those areas where there is a little concern. But more snaps in the slot in the NFL should help with that, somewhat. His size isn’t the most ideal thing, but the issue that is present, but can be ironed out, is to do with his hands. Drops were a bit of an issue, as well as some body catching that showed up on tape. Nothing overly extensive, but enough to mention. At the next level, Bell projects as a starter in the slot. His athleticism and route running should see him end up in positions for the ball to come his way. Additionally, manufactured touches should allow him to make plays with the ball in his hands. Bell’s size will push him down a little, but he seems like a day 2 guy, still.
| Grade: 80.1 | Round Grade: 2nd |
8
Cyrus Allen
School: Cincinnati
Ht/Wt: 5’11”, 180 lbs
Strengths:
– Twitched up receiver.
– Great combination of speed and quickness.
– Savvy route runner with quick feet and deception that allows for early separation.
– A threat on all three levels. Can burn you deep on vertical routes, but also create quick separation for wins at the short and intermediate levels.
– Can run a diverse route tree.
– Dangerous after the catch with the ability to make people miss and win footraces.
– Can be used on gadget plays and quick screens. Any sort of schemed up touch to get the ball in his hands.
Weaknesses:
– Small frame will pose some concerns.
– He doesn’t do particularly well with contact at the catch point.
– A slender frame and smaller catch radius put him at a disadvantage in contested situations.
– Size will likely limit him to the slot at the next level.
– Generally shows to be a good hands catcher, but he does revert to body catching every once in a while when he doesn’t have to.
– Instances of sloppy route running. Not a matter of really having to develop the skill set, more so just eliminating the bad ones and being more consistent.
– Doesn’t offer anything as a blocker.
Summary:
Allen is a small, but athletic, slot receiver who has the ability to make game changing plays. His speed can burn you over the top, while his quickness and burst allow for missed tackles and a lot of yards after the catch. His small frame will turn off some teams, and he doesn’t bring much in contested situations. However, out of the slot, he is able to create consistent separation, which helps to offset some of the issues. While he is a skilled route runner, there are instances of sloppy routes. This is something I’d like to see cleaned up, as well as some of the body catching. He won’t play on the outside, in all likelihood, which hurts his chances of being a focal point. But as a complimentary target in the passing game, his big play ability can help take an offence to the next level. You’ll have to get over the size limitations, but in a modern NFL where dynamic athletes continue to have more of a presence, there shouldn’t be much doubt that Allen will have an impact.
| Grade: 80.0 | Round Grade: 2nd |
9
Omar Cooper
School: Indiana
Ht/Wt: 6’0”, 199 lbs
Strengths:
– Good straight line speed with a powerful stride.
– Can win down the field on vertical routes.
– Solid quickness to win on in-breaking routes.
– Good stop/start ability, and can dodge and side step tackle attempts to keep the play alive.
– Also can break tackles.
– Can take a hit and still hang on to the ball.
Weaknesses:
– Route running can be sloppy at times.
– Motor seems to come and go.
– Skill set is better than the separation he sometimes creates.
– Can make sharp cuts laterally, but his movements can also sometimes be segmented. Momentum is lost when getting in and out of his breaks, making it easier for the CB to blanket.
– Has some inconsistencies in contested situations. He isn’t exactly the tallest player, so I wouldn’t expect this to be his strongest point anyways.
Summary:
Cooper is a powerful runner who stands out with the ball in his hands. He runs with a purpose and the power to match, making him a chore to bring down. He also can make sharp cuts, allowing him to make people miss and reverse direction. Cooper plays primarily out of the slot, and I’d expect the same at the next level. While he has instances of good route running, it gets sloppy at other times. Additionally, segmented lateral movements can sometimes take away from his ability to separate. His ability to stop/start is definitely better than his change of direction. In any event, Cooper generally still does well on in-breaking routes, and the power and speed he brings can help him win vertically. I don’t love every part of his game, but Cooper is someone who can start in the slot, and would benefit from some manufactured touches.
| Grade: 78.9 | Round Grade: 3rd |
10
Germie Bernard
School: Alabama
Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 206 lbs
Strengths:
– Good all around receiver.
– Is a crafty route runner with attention to detail.
– Sharp breaks and good head fakes allow him to gain that extra bit of separation.
– Moves fluidly, which allows him to work the short/intermediate levels on in-breaking routes.
– Enough speed to threaten downfield.
– Has a decent pair of mitts and generally will opt to hands catch.
– Good enough size to handle the rigours.
– Well built frame.
– Versatile to play on outside or in the slot.
Weaknesses:
– Frame is good, but he could handle contact a little better.
– Speed is alright, but he is more of a one speed runner. Definitely not in the elite category.
– Wasn’t as good after the catch as I was expecting. He’s not bad, but I expected a little more.
– Catch radius is okay, not great. He can make some plays, but tougher matchups might see his catch rate dip in these situations.
Summary:
Bernard is a decently well rounded receiver. I wouldn’t really say he excels in any singular area, but he does well in multiple. Though not a burner, his speed is solid enough for him to still make plays down the field. His crafty route running will help with that, and it should help his game translate early in his career. As well, his catch radius doesn’t stand out as being great, but enough is there to give him a chance. Bernard handles contact well, which helps him break tackles. He also has reliable hands in all situations. Coaches will like his versatility to play in the slot or on the outside. Whichever one he ends up in, he should be starting before long, and become a solid complimentary option in an offence.
| Grade: 78.8 | Round Grade: 3rd |
11
Deion Burks
School: Oklahoma
Ht/Wt: 5’10”, 180 lbs
Strengths:
– Has the speed and quickness to threaten defences.
– Capable of vertical separation.
– Has the quickness to create early separation on shorter routes.
– A playmaker with the ball in his hands. Utilized on a variety of manufactured touches.
– Makes people miss in the open field and will outrun people once he’s got green grass in front of him.
– Looks to help the QB on scramble drills.
– Works well against zone coverage, finding the right spot and making himself an available target.
Weaknesses:
– Injury history.
– A bit of an overager.
– Undersized, both in terms of height and mass.
– Doesn’t offer much in contested situations.
– Can get jammed up at the line when on the outside.
– Has some inconsistencies at the catch point when contact is involved.
– Route running is just okay. Could be more detailed at times.
– Doesn’t always track back to the ball, allowing DB’s an opportunity to get in between.
– Competitive as a blocker but doesn’t have the measurables.
Summary:
Burks is an undersized receiver who’s home will likely be in the slot, as a result. He is a playmaker with the ball in his hands thanks to high end agility and speed. But he can also win deep, creating separation through his speed. Burks is a fine route runner, but could stand to make improvements. This, and other small details will need to be worked on. His size will definitely be a limitation, especially in contested situations, where he is at a disadvantage. This, along with some past injuries, will likely see him slip a little bit. However, teams will still covet the playmaking ability, and he should be able to start in the slot and be impactful, even if he doesn’t profile as a primary target.
| Grade: 77.3 | Round Grade: 3rd |
12
Chris Brazzell
School: Tennessee
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 198 lbs
Strengths:
– Tall, long limbed receiver with good straight line speed.
– Decent burst, but he really can kick it into that next gear as he is a few strides in.
– Can win deep over the top by creating separation.
– Big frame also allows him to come away with a contested catch on deep passes that are underthrown.
– Good elevation ability when contesting the football.
Weaknesses:
– Good speed, but lateral agility is not the same.
– This is pretty typical for long limbed receivers, but still worth noting.
– Not a great route runner.
– Routes are rounded and can be sloppy.
– Combined with lack of agility, he is not much of a threat on in-breaking routes, and isn’t a big threat after the catch.
– Has size, but frame is lean. Could pack on some muscle and improve play strength.
– Can be more consistent in contested situations. The ability is there, but sometimes he mistimes or just gets beaten out.
Summary:
Brazzell is a tall outside receiver who will make his money as a vertical threat. He lacks lateral agility, so he is pretty limited on in-breaking routes, and doesn’t bring a ton after the catch. But his straight line speed is what allows him to win over the top. With his style, he is an outside only player at the next level. I do wonder if the limitations end up making him more of a WR4, or if he can start on the outside still. We’ve seen it with someone like Alec Pierce, though I also believe he was a better prospect. Brazzell’s limitations will make his game more predictable. While his speed and high pointing ability should allow him to have his situations and/or rotational wins, he’ll have to prove that he can still find consistency winning in similar ways. It can be done, but there is some risk here if a high pick is used. The floor here is probably a WR4, but he could be a WR2 if some things go right for him.
| Grade: 75.4 | Round Grade: 3rd |
13
J. Michael Sturdivant
School: Florida
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 207 lbs
Strengths:
– Elite combination of size and athleticism.
– High end vertical speed to win over the top.
– Twitch to win on quick in-breakers.
– Large catch radius with the hands and body control to elevate and win in contested situations.
– Can make plays with the ball in his hands. Speed builds up and he has enough wiggle to dodge tackle attempts. He can also drag defenders with him.
Weaknesses:
– Route running is loosey goosey.
– Lacks refinement as he gets in and out of his breaks, making it easier for the defender to make a play on the ball.
– Production is lacking. Partly due to poor QB play, but you still would like more.
– Good hands generally, but concentration drops do show up once in a while.
– Ran a relatively limited route tree in coverage. Not good to have route running be so unrefined with this being the case.
– Can improve as a blocker.
Summary:
Sturdivant is a risk/reward prospect, but the reward is very high. He has legit WR1 potential, thanks to his elite combination of size and athleticism. This skill set allows him to win on all three levels, through separation and contested catches, while also posing as a threat after the catch. Make no mistake, Sturdivant is not a day 1 starter. His route running needs a lot of work, and focus drops will have to be eliminated. If coaches are able to fine tune the small details to combine his traits with technique, the payoff will be big. Of course, the risk is always that he doesn’t turn out, and there is enough risk that he is largely considered a day 3 guy as of the writing of this. However, I like the upside enough to consider him a round 3 guy on my board.
| Grade: 75.3 | Round Grade: 3rd |
14
Bryce Lance
School: North Dakota State
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 204 lbs
Strengths:
– Lance has a nice blend of size and athletic traits.
– Spring in his step that shows up immediately as he gets into his route.
– Twitched up player with good stop/start ability for comeback routes, and the agility to win on in-breakers.
– Tall frame with a large catch radius.
– Reliable hands to pluck and hang onto passes above the rim.
– Able to get considerable elevation when he leaps for a pass.
– Generates power as a runner and can go for nice gains after the catch.
– Tracks the ball well over his shoulder.
Weaknesses:
– Beat up on lesser competition in college. The NFL will be an adjustment.
– Route running lacks refinement. Ones that require quick breaks are often rounded off. He got away with it in college, but won’t at the pro level.
– Has shown comfortable plucking the ball with his hands, but will still catch passes against his body at times, even when not necessary.
– Opponents faced in college were often below him both athletically and physically. Technical refinement will be necessary to beat NFL coverage.
– Route tree was pretty limited, which adds to the adjustments he’ll have to make.
– Frame is a bit lean, and there are inconsistencies against contact.
Summary:
Lance is a risk/reward prospect who is making the jump from a lower division in college football. He beat up on lesser opponents, as his combination of athleticism and size would be tough for anyone to handle. The straight line speed is there, as is the twitch that is needed to diversify his route tree. It will be a matter of putting it all together. His long frame and catch radius help, as he is also capable of winning in contested situations. If he can refine his technique, Lance could end up as a WR1, just based on the traits. Maybe he doesn’t quite reach that ceiling, but quality starter potential is definitely within reach. With unrefined small school prospects, you always run the risk that they just don’t put it together in the end, in which he would likely bounce around as a depth guy. This will push him down in the draft, but in the right spot, the reward outweighs the risk.
| Grade: 75.2 | Round Grade: 3rd |
15
Malachi Fields
School: Notre Dame
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 218 lbs
Strengths:
– Elite size and strength.
– Boxes out his opponent to make for some easy “contested” catches.
– Outstanding catch radius and ability to high point the football. Can elevate well above DB’s to win those jump balls.
– Will make acrobatic catches and lay out to haul it in.
– Strong, reliable hands. Is a hands catcher.
– A threat in the redzone.
– A little more fluid than you’d expect, given his size.
– Can actually make something happen after the catch. Runs with power and can build up some speed as he goes.
– Great blocker.
– Was impressive at the Senior Bowl.
Weaknesses:
– Speed is below average. His combine testing was especially really poor.
– It builds up as he goes, and fluidity is decent for his size, however, he still lacks that early burst.
– Results in very minimal separation on quick routes.
– Even down the field, when he separates, it might barely be a half step.
– Route running is sloppy.
– Will find himself in a lot of contested situations.
Summary:
Fields probably lacks the traits to come with a high ceiling, but I think his floor is still pretty high. He won’t wow you with athleticism or separation. However, he is a dominant player through the air. His size and catch radius are extremely tough to defend, and the strong hands and body control he possesses should allow this skill set to translate to the next level, even against better defenders. He won’t be a WR1, but perhaps a possession guy, who you can trust to help move the chains when defences are playing stingy. At the next level, Fields will primarily play on the outside. He is at his best along the sideline, on back shoulders and jump balls. His ball skills and size are round 1 calibre, but the athletic traits will push him down. I still think day 2 is very much in play.
| Grade: 75.0 | Round Grade: 3rd |
16
Antonio Williams
School: Clemson
Ht/Wt: 6’0”, 187 lbs
Strengths:
– Very agile player.
– Can stop/start on a dime.
– Great on comeback routes and other more complex ones, with this skill set in mind.
– Uses stutters/headfakes/jukes etc. in order to get a clean break off the line.
– Generally runs precise routes with sharp cuts that allow for quick separation.
– Can make people miss in the open field and pick up yards after the catch.
– Good hands.
– Ability to elevate and contend for jump balls.
Weaknesses:
– Frame is slight.
– Speed is good in a general sense, but for a smaller guy, he seems to lack that second gear to really separate at the top of deeper routes.
– Questions about his ability to handle contact.
– Can contend for contested passes, but doesn’t have a big catch radius.
– Struggles against press, and likely will be limited to the slot.
– Good route runner when he is on, but he can sometimes let his routes become a little undisciplined.
– Injury history.
Summary:
Williams is a quick, nimble slot receiver, who does his damage at the shorter and intermediate levels. His combine testing looks better than his long speed did on tape, in my opinion. Not to say there isn’t a speed element to his game, but you do generally ask for more when you are sacrificing size. I wouldn’t say he is a downfield burner, but there are glimpses of extremely precise routes at the short level, and his ability to make people miss in the open field will have coaches scheming up touches for him. Williams has reliable hands and can elevate well enough for passes away from his frame. However, he doesn’t necessarily handle contact super well. Jamming at the line can throw him off, which likely will limit him to the inside. Still, he is someone that should be able to carve out a starting role in the slot, and make his contributions in the quick and intermediate game.
| Grade: 74.6 | Round Grade: 4th |
17
Ted Hurst
School: Georgia State
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 206 lbs
Strengths:
– Tall frame and large catch radius.
– Strong hands and is able to make catches away from his frame.
– Able to box out defenders and maximize space for himself as he looks to reel in a target.
– Tracks the ball well over his shoulder.
– Good speed for his size, and he is able to win on some downfield routes.
– Also decently nimble for his size. He can win on slants and other in-breaking routes.
– Experience on the outside and in the slot.
Weaknesses:
– Small school prospect who will face a jump in competition.
– Nimble for his size, but his tall frame can still make it tough to generate that short area quickness.
– Speed takes a second to build up. More of a long strider.
– Frame is a bit lean, and there are some inconsistencies playing through contact at the catch point.
– Needs space after the catch is initially made in order to turn on the burners.
Summary:
Hurst is a tall receiver with better athleticism than you often see from someone of his size. His speed builds up down the field, allowing him to create some separation over the top. He’ll never be mistaken for a gadget guy, but his agility is also alright, again, relative to his size. Hurst is capable on in-breaking routes and is decently quick getting in and out of his breaks. Of course, early speed isn’t super high end, and he doesn’t really have that phone booth quickness to be an instant YAC threat. But if he finds some space, he takes advantage and can turn on the burners. His frame and strong hands naturally allow him to win contested catches. But more play strength could allow for a bit more consistency playing through contact. Overall, he is probably a bit too limited to become a number 1, and the step up in competition will also be something he’ll have to adjust to. But enough is there to potentially be a starter on the outside, while also having the versatility to shift inside to the slot on occasion.
| Grade: 72.1 | Round Grade: 4th |
18
De’Zhaun Stribling
School: Ole Miss
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 207 lbs
Strengths:
– Good size and catch radius.
– Testing speed at the combine was impressive.
– Decent stop/start ability for his size.
– Really good build up speed.
– Sneaky ability over the top.
– Also very sneaky after the catch. If you give him those early strides to get going, he is capable of winning footraces and picking up chunk yardage.
– Good hands catcher.
– Can drag forward tacklers after the catch.
Weaknesses:
– Lacks foot quickness in short areas. Not a super agile player.
– Long speed is really good, but he lacks that instant acceleration.
– Struggles to create early separation, and CB’s can blanket him long enough for the pocket to expire before he gets open down the field.
– For a bigger guy, there were a few too many instances where he had trouble hanging onto the ball through contact.
– Won’t be a big threat on in-breaking routes.
– Low effort blocker, despite having size.
Summary:
Stribling isn’t a complete player, but he has traits that are appealing. In some cases, long speed can almost be sort of a backhanded compliment, but not in this case. While it does take him a while to get there, it can really be worth the wait. He has shown flashes on winning on vertical routes, but the damage done after the catch might be even more impressive. That initial space is needed so he can get up to top speed, but when he does, he has shown that he can win footraces against the fastest of defenders. Now, the lateral limitations and lack of acceleration are issues that you do have to mention. He doesn’t create quick separation, and I don’t think he is someone who will have a diverse route tree. As well, for a bigger guy, I’d like to see him improve at making catches through contact. Stribling is an outside only prospect, and he’ll have to battle for the chance to become a number 2, opposite of the top guy. He’ll have a chance, but if he doesn’t make it that far, he should be able to stick as a WR4 that can give you some chunk plays situationally.
| Grade: 71.8 | Round Grade: 4th |
19
Ja’Kobi Lane
School: USC
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 200 lbs
Strengths:
– Shows some craftiness as a route runner. Is intentional with his early steps in order to create some deception.
– Also sneaky good at the top of his routes.
– Executes the double move well.
– Finds space in zone and will make himself available to the QB.
– Tall frame with a large catch radius. Can elevate for the football.
– Contested situations are tilted in his favour.
– Good body control and ball skills to make tough catches away from his frame.
– Natural hands catcher. Even made a nice one handed catch for a TD.
– Good awareness near the sideline.
– Solid blocker.
Weaknesses:
– Lacks burst off the line.
– Testing speed looks better than play speed.
– Lean frame and can sometimes get thrown off his tracks by jamming CB’s.
– Speed isn’t anything to write home about. He is a good enough route runner to get some early wins, but CB’s are often able to recover. As a result, separation is pretty inconsistent.
– Decently agile for his size, but in an overall sense, it doesn’t really threaten opposing players.
Summary:
Lane is a solid player with the height and catch radius to consistently win contested catches. And it is not just about the measurables. He has the body control and ball skills to go with it. His route running looks pretty refined, but mediocre athletic traits kind of eat into what he is able to do. He does separate at times, and can win down the field, but consistency is harder to find. Smooth CB’s shouldn’t really have an issue blanketing him. Lane does have natural hands and can work zone coverage nicely. While he isn’t a dynamic player, is good in contested situations, and okay in enough other areas to become a possession target that can give you the occasional bigger play. I’m not super bullish on his ceiling, but he should be a solid pro.
| Grade: 71.5 | Round Grade: 4th |
20
Brenen Thompson
School: Mississippi State
Ht/Wt: 5’9”, 164 lbs
Strengths:
– Elite speed.
– Is a true threat to take the top off the defence on any given play.
– He’s got quick feet and can dodge press coverage at the line. This gives him inside/outside versatility.
– Accelerates up to 100 in a near instant, and will win footraces after the catch.
– Can stop/start on a dime, which especially showed on comeback routes and curls/hitches.
– Can serve as a decoy by requiring safety help over the top, opening up opportunities for his teammates.
– Skill set to be dangerous on kick returns.
Weaknesses:
– Frame is extremely slight. He actually handles contact pretty well, all things considered, but this isn’t a position you’ll regularly want to see him in.
– He also is lacking in height and his catch radius is very small. Is a non-threat in contested situations.
– Bigger CB’s beat him above the rim, while come can disrupt him at the catch point using contact.
– Route tree wasn’t super diverse. Vertical routes like deep posts and go routes, in addition to comebacks and hitches. But not much complicated stuff.
– Given his speed, I find it a bit curious that he wasn’t used more on quick hitters just to get the ball in his hands. He was much more of a downfield option for them. I’d have figured his skill set would allow him to work well in both areas.
– Ball tracking can be a bit inconsistent.
– Routes are also inconsistent. Some are crisp, while others are more rounded off.
Summary:
Thompson is a speed demon who will pose as a constant threat to take the top off the defence. His elite speed will require safety help over the top, and can open up things for the rest of the offence. On vertical routes, he is able to create that separation you like to see, and he can also leave defenders in the dust when he gets into a footrace with the ball in his hands. His frame is extremely slender, which does cause some issues at the catch point. As well, he is a non-factor in contested situations. Given his speed, I was surprised that he wasn’t used more on stuff closer to the line of scrimmage. Perhaps they just didn’t want to expose him to more contact than necessary. His limited route tree is worth acknowledging. As well, there are technical aspects that will need to be cleaned up. It is hard to see him becoming a focal point at his size. However, he can end up as a starter in 3 WR sets, perhaps even getting a number 2 job, if he can further develop. Regardless, his speed will be a welcomed addition to his drafting team. While he isn’t a super diverse player, he’ll be sure to give you some big plays.
| Grade: 70.2 | Round Grade: 4th |
21
Kevin Coleman
School: Missouri
Ht/Wt: 5’10”, 179 lbs
Strengths:
– Good combination of twitch and speed.
– Good burst off the line, and can make sharp cuts to get open.
– Can beat you over the top.
– Suffered from poor QB play, but was getting open.
– Able to make plays after the catch, making people miss in the open field.
– Reliable hands. Is a hands catcher, consistently showing that he likes to pluck it away from his frame.
– Good ability to elevate and he has the body control to adjust and secure off target passes.
– Effective on quick routes and will turn it upfield after the catch.
– Was very impressive at the Senior Bowl.
– Skill set to contribute as a returner.
– Can hang onto the ball through contact.
Weaknesses:
– Frame is slim and press coverage can derail his route.
– Not always an issue, but he sometimes runs routes that are a bit too rounded. Needs to iron this out.
– Speed is good, but falls short of elite, which you would like from an undersized player.
– Good after the catch, but isn’t a threat to break through tackles if he doesn’t make the defender miss.
– Ran a limited route tree, and will face a learning curve.
– Can improve against zone coverage.
– At his size, he isn’t much of a threat in contested situations.
Summary:
Coleman has inside/outside versatility, but his small stature will likely make the slot his primary position. He is athletic, with good speed and excellent twitch. For someone who is undersized, you’d like top-end speed, which he doesn’t have, but Coleman will still win down the field. He has good hands and is tough when being hit as he makes the catch. This bodes well for his chances. Still, he isn’t someone who will threaten opposing DB’s in contested situations. At the next level, Coleman will have to iron out a few inconsistencies in his route running and against zone coverage. As well, he’ll face an adjustment period as he tries to diversify his route tree. Coleman may be a returner early on, but with some development, he has the skill set to eventually be a starter out of the slot.
| Grade: 70.0 | Round Grade: 4th |
22
Chris Bell
School: Louisville
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 222 lbs
Strengths:
– Tough, rugged runner.
– Can fend off physicality early in the route and bring his own physicality as a runner after the catch.
– Can also handle contact at the catch point.
– Smart player who is great at finding those soft spots in zone coverage, and will make himself an available target for the QB.
– Has the power in his legs to really put his head down and build up some speed as he runs with the ball in his hands.
Weaknesses:
– Coming off an ACL tear.
– Has some limitations as a lateral mover.
– Also is lacking early speed, so quick separation can sometimes be hard to come by.
– Route running lacks precision and is often rounded.
– Doesn’t have great hands. Is not a natural catcher.
– Often reverts back to body catching.
– Bobbles and drops show up.
– For his size, he is disappointing in contested situations. But this again comes back to him not being a natural catcher of the football.
Summary:
Bell is a receiver who stands out for his build, strength, toughness, and motor. He is a high effort player who brings a certain ruggedness. When he catches the ball, you can see the speed start to build up, and the power that he is generating through his lower half. If he isn’t brought down early, he can do fairly well for himself in a footrace. The power he runs with and his strong build makes him a chore to bring down, and he will break through tackle attempts. Bell is a smart player when facing zone coverage, which is where he is at his best. While his long speed is solid, Bell lacks early acceleration, and can be stiff when making lateral cuts. This hurts his route running and quick separation ability, as CB’s have an easier time mirroring his routes. His bobbles, drops, and tendency to body catch are also concerns, and have led to some issues when faced with contact at the catch point. Also coming off a torn ACL, there are enough issues to be cautious here. But if he can get back to his previous form, Bell can become a WR4 with a chance to move up if he develops further. His run after the catch ability seems to be his biggest asset, and improving his hands and focus at the catch point can allow him to be more consistent when working the intermediate middle.
| Grade: 67.3 | Round Grade: 5th |
23
Elijah Sarratt
School: Indiana
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 210 lbs
Strengths:
– High compete level.
– Is a craftsman when it comes to his routes. Looks to run them with detail and precision.
– High effort and effective blocker.
– Takes advantage of too much cushion against off man.
– Natural hands catcher.
– Works with the QB on scramble drills.
– Big frame.
– Can box out on back shoulder passes.
– Finds the soft spot against zone coverage.
Weaknesses:
– Athleticism looks below average on tape. Testing was a little better, but still nothing special.
– Route running is precise from a technical standpoint, but lack of twitch slows him down.
– He also lacks speed and burst, which makes it a lot easier for the defender to mirror his route.
– Good in contested situations when he can box out his opponent, but there aren’t too many instances where he actually elevated above the rim, despite having size. Might not have that vertical spring.
Summary:
Sarratt plays with a level of nuance that is easy to appreciate. He runs his routes with attention to detail, catches the ball cleanly away from his frame, and uses his size to box out defenders on back shoulder passes down the field. His intelligence allows him to effectively work zone coverage, and in a similar way, off man. However, he lacks the athletic traits to consistently separate against stickier man corners. As well, given his size, you’d hope to make up for some of that though contested catches. And while his ability to box out does make him effective, he hasn’t shown much above the rim to actually round out that skill set. Sarratt showed up in big moments, and he does some things well that could allow him to become a possession receiver on the outside, or perhaps a big slot. But there are enough question marks to his physical profile that make me skeptical about the ceiling.
| Grade: 66.9 | Round Grade: 5th |
24
Eric Rivers
School: Georgia Tech
Ht/Wt: 5’10”, 176 lbs
Strengths:
– High end speed to win at all levels of the field.
– Quick feet to get an early win against man, but his speed can also eat up the cushion given by off coverage.
– Shows flashes of really good route running.
– Does well on comeback routes, where he is able to create considerable separation.
– Gets off the line with tremendous burst.
– Shows the ability to track the ball over his shoulder.
– Can make people miss in the open field.
Weaknesses:
– Frame is very slender.
– Does not handle contact well at all.
– Loses out at the catch point somewhat often, when contact is involved.
– Doesn’t break through tackles. If he doesn’t make the defender miss, he is going down.
– Small catch radius and limited threat in contested situations.
– Shows good route running in flashes, but is not consistent, and can get sloppy at times.
– Instances where he dealt with drops.
Summary:
Rivers is a speedy receiver who can win at all three levels. He played on the outside in college, but size limitations should push him inside to the slot. His athleticism allows him to create a considerable amount of separation, both on vertical routes and in-breakers. The stop/start ability is also there for comebacks and other similar routes. His route running looks great at times, which makes the sloppy ones more frustrating. Rivers has a slender frame and little play strength to speak of. He doesn’t handle contact well, whether at the catch point or after the catch. When tackle attempts are made, he usually goes down, unless he makes the person miss and avoids the contact. Drops were also an issue at times, so he certainly has some issues to work out. The playmaking ability, however, is quite intriguing. I think a move to the slot will benefit him. The limitations will see him drop, but if used the right way, and if he can make the right improvements, he can be a good player.
| Grade: 65.4 | Round Grade: 5th |
25
Kaden Wetjen
School: Iowa
Ht/Wt: 5’9”, 193 lbs
Strengths:
– Powerful runner with the speed to outrun you in the open field. Runs like a RB.
– Also very quick. Makes people miss consistently, and is always a threat to turn nothing plays into chunk yardage.
– Excels as a returner. Probably the best in college football. The stat sheet looks good with several return TD’s, but the tape backs it up. He usually makes the first person miss, and then it is a matter of how many yards he can pile on.
– Was an effective gadget option on offense. Jet sweeps served as an extension of the return game, where all the same traits applied.
– He has the speed and twitch to win as a receiver at all levels of the field.
– Showed in flashes that he can be a precise route runner.
Weaknesses:
– Very little experience actually playing the receiver position. Was used far more as a returner and on gadget plays.
– Flashes good route running, but consistency isn’t there. Further showed this at the East-West Shrine Bowl. He had a generally positive week there, but this is one area where he clearly looked raw, which is somewhat expected, given his lack of experience.
– Looks like a body catcher. Could cause some issues if he sees more time as a receiver at the next level.
– Frame is well built but he doesn’t have a big catch radius. Contested catches won’t likely be in his repertoire.
Summary:
Wetjen should enter the NFL and provide immediate value as a kick returner and gadget guy. His traits also offer developmental upside as a receiver, but he is quite raw at the moment, lacking experience and refinement. If he ever gets to that point of being a starter on offence, it will take time. But the upside is certainly worth a late round flyer. The question is, will teams value the special teams impact enough to elevate his status to early day 3. It is tough because teams with needs will be hesitant to spend, say, a 4th round pick on this kind of player. But for a contending team where a returner could really make a difference (see Shaheed on the Seahawks this past season), it is plausible to see one reach a little bit to make sure they land their guy.
| Grade: 65.1 | Round Grade: 5th |
26
Reggie Virgil
School: Texas Tech
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 187 lbs
Strengths:
– Tall frame and a large catch radius.
– Strong hands. Plucks the ball out of the air and can hang on through contact.
– Effective in contested situations. Uses his size to box out opponents, and can also elevate above the rim.
– Body control to adjust in the air is very good.
– Decent enough quickness to contribute on short in-breakers and other quick routes.
– Has enough play speed to occasionally gain a step vertically on a deep route.
Weaknesses:
– Athleticism is good for his size, but I don’t see the kind of speed that will consistently threaten down the field. He’ll find himself in more contested situations.
– Quick enough to get open on things like slant routes, but he isn’t the kind of guy who will make people miss after the catch. He can take what is in front of him and eat up some open space, but usually gets brought down when a defender squares him up.
– Frame looks a little lean, which opens the opportunity for scrappier CB’s to disrupt his route at the line.
– Route running lacks precision. They are often rounded off, making them easier to defend.
Summary:
Virgil is solid in a variety of areas, and probably above average in contested situations. I thought his play speed looked better than his combine testing suggested, but he still isn’t really a speed threat. He does have enough juice to at least make defenders work for it, when going deep, and he has enough quickness to contribute underneath. While his athletic traits won’t blow you away, they are solid enough, when paired with his contested ability, for him to potentially carve out some kind of role. He is solid enough all around that he feels like a relatively safe WR4 projection. With technical refinement, perhaps he can fight for a more prominent role. But that will likely take some time, if it comes to fruition.
| Grade: 65.0 | Round Grade: 5th |
27
Josh Cameron
School: Baylor
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 220 lbs
Strengths:
– Big frame with a good build.
– Underrated twitch for his size.
– Can win on quick routes.
– A bulldozer of a runner. Doesn’t get jammed easily, and is a chore to tackle after the catch.
– Tall frame with a good catch radius.
– Can win in contested situations.
– High motor player.
– Makes an effort to be deceptive early in his route.
Weaknesses:
– Straight line speed is lacking.
– Struggles to create vertical separation, putting himself in more contested situations.
– Pad level sometimes gets a little bit high.
– Route tree is limited in terms of where you can project success.
– Needs to improve at the top of his routes.
Summary:
Cameron is a big receiver with the ability to win in contested situations. His sure hands help in this area. His twitch is better than I expected going in, and he actually fared quite well on quick in-breaking routes. Slants and the like. However, his speed is far below standard, which prevents him from threatening down the field vertically. While he is capable of winning on quicker routes, the predictability of the limited route tree will make those easier for pro players to defend, even if his catch radius does pose a challenge. Ultimately, it is hard to project him as a regular in the lineup, but Cameron does have enough in the bag to secure a depth role for himself. His best chance of growing beyond that will be to prove that he can be a chain mover, and continue having success over the middle of the field and in contested situations.
| Grade: 63.8 | Round Grade: 6th |
28
Colbie Young
School: Georgia
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 218 lbs
Strengths:
– Large frame, both in terms of height and build.
– Athleticism is quietly quite good for his size.
– Generates enough speed to uncover vertically.
– Decent enough lateral movement skills for in-breakers.
– Big frame makes him a pest to bring down after the catch, especially as he gets going.
– Has the reach to win above the rim.
– Strong build also makes it tough for defenders to jam or to get positioning further down the field.
– Good hands and ball skills.
– Has special teams experience.
Weaknesses:
– Off the field concerns.
– Injury concerns.
– Athleticism is good for his size, but high end athletes at CB should still be able to match up.
– Route running looks rounded and unrefined a lot of the time.
– Can power forward for yards after the catch, but won’t really make people miss in the open field.
– Route tree was pretty limited.
– Limited college production.
– Instances where he doesn’t play to his size. Needs to find consistency.
Summary:
Young is a prospect that stands out for his size and athleticism relative to that size. He won’t necessarily run by defenders on a consistent basis, but he is more than just a slug of an athlete that can win jump balls. He does get open, and is also decently quick for his size. You see flashes where he really is able to take advantage, either boxing out opponents or going above the rim for the ball. However, he will need to consistently play to these advantages. His route running lacks precision and he ran a limited route tree, so he is very much still a work in progress. But his special teams experience could help him make a roster. Young has some off the field and injury concerns that teams will be looking into. These may also impact his draft stock. On the football side of things, he is still a raw player with very limited production to go by, so the likelihood is that he slips pretty far in the draft. That being said, his traits are definitely enough to see him one day earn a starting spot, if he can put it all together.
| Grade: 63.3 | Round Grade: 6th |
29
Malik Benson
School: Oregon
Ht/Wt: 6’0”, 189 lbs
Strengths:
– Elite straight line speed.
– Will stack defenders on vertical routes if not defended with caution.
– Can take a quick slant to the house if given a little gap to turn into.
– Shows the ability to adjust his body to off target throws down the field.
– Has made some catches through contact.
– A true deep threat that can take the top off.
– Also a threat in the return game.
Weaknesses:
– His route tree was extremely basic. A ton of go routes with some quick in-breakers mixed in.
– When he did have something different, he didn’t create much separation.
– Route running lacks precision. Is rounded and predictable.
– For a speed guy, his twitch is just okay.
– Hands don’t look super natural. Instances of bobbles and body catching.
– This goes for both downfield passes and quick hitters.
– Often got only one foot down along the sideline. While this counts in college, it would not in the NFL.
– Doesn’t have a long reach and isn’t consistent in contested situations.
Summary:
Benson is a speed demon with the threat to take the top off on any play. He can burn by his opponent on a go route before leaving the safety behind too. A quick slant can also turn into a house call when too much space is given. While the highlights are nice, the tape shows a player who is still raw in many ways. His route tree was extremely basic, and even still, his routes very much lack precision. Also, his hands, while not necessarily bad, don’t look super natural. Apart from the technical improvements, Benson could also improve his awareness along the sideline, given that going forward, he’ll need two feet in bounds. There is some starter upside, given the traits, in either the slot or on the outside. But at this point, a situational deep threat seems like a safe projection.
| Grade: 62.6 | Round Grade: 6th |
30
Jeff Caldwell
School: Cincinnati
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 216 lbs
Strengths:
– Blew people away with his performance at the combine.
– Elite straight line speed for his size.
– Can win deep over the top on a go route, or even a deep slant.
– Has a big frame that is well built, and a long reach.
– Some nice contested catches show up on his highlight reel where he was able to ultimately box out his opponent.
– Decent after the catch if he is able to build up his speed.
– Good burst off the line at the snap.
Weaknesses:
– Route tree was extremely basic. It felt like I was watching go routes and slants the entire time. Maybe something else mixed in the odd time, but there was next to no variety.
– Routes were often very sloppy, even as he mostly got the simple ones.
– Decent enough twitch for his size, but not to the point where I’m as excited about him as others are after his elite 40 yard dash time. Of course, the straight line speed does show up on tape, but alone, it is not always enough.
– Has a big frame and showed flashes in contested situations. However, he also had some disappointing losses. Would hope that he finds more consistency in this area so his size can be taken advantage of.
Summary:
The combination of size and speed stands out, and should give him a half decent floor at the NFL level. However, Caldwell isn’t twitchy to the point where he can run every route. But even with that in mind, his route tree was painfully bland. As mentioned above, almost exclusively go routes and slants. Some screen passes mixed in too, I guess I should mention. But the point remains. Even with a simple tree, his route running was very sloppy, and it will take a lot of work to refine. And while I don’t think he has enough twitch to suddenly open up everything to him, he should have enough to diversify things, though this will take some time. With the straight line speed, he should be able to make a roster and contribute as a situational deep threat. Perhaps similar to what Alec Pierce was earlier in his career before he took on an expanded role. If he can develop as a route runner and become more consistent in contested situations, a starting spot is not out of the question at some point down the line.
| Grade: 61.8 | Round Grade: 6th |
31
Kendrick Law
School: Kentucky
Ht/Wt: 5’11”, 203 lbs
Strengths:
– Good straight line speed.
– Ability to take advantage of open space and win footraces in the open field.
– Can take a quick pass to the house.
– Decent enough quickness and agility.
– Had touches schemed up to take advantage of his playmaking ability.
– Useful on jet sweeps and screen passes.
– Generates enough power as a runner to break tackles.
– Has enough talent to potentially see an expanded role.
– Offers kick return value.
Weaknesses:
– Route tree was extremely limited. I like his athletic talent, but I wish he was used on more downfield stuff. His body of work mostly consisted of manufactured quick hitters.
– As a result, his downfield routes, when he got the chance, looked rounded at times. He is unrefined.
– Offensive production throughout his college career is extremely limited.
– Smaller frame and catch radius. Won’t be a contested catch guy at the next level.
– Not much to offer as a blocker, despite decent effort.
Summary:
Law has good speed and decent quickness, and showed off some legit YAC ability by taking passes behind the line of scrimmage for big gains. His speed and power as a runner makes him tough to bring down in space, and these traits also show up in the return game. He is a bit of a frustrating evaluation because I feel like perhaps there is more to offer. But he was used very sparingly, and even more rarely on downfield passes. Potentially, if he develops his route running and expands his route tree, he could be a good receiver out of the slot. But given his body of work, that is a projection and far from a guarantee. He is a raw player with a small catch radius, but his ability to make plays as a gadget player and a returner should see him stick to a back-end receiver position.
| Grade: 60.3 | Round Grade: 6th |
32
Barion Brown
School: LSU
Ht/Wt: 5’11”, 177 lbs
Strengths:
– Speed to threaten with the ball in his hands.
– Ability to leap extends his catch radius beyond what his size would suggest.
– Dangerous kick returner with several TD’s to his name.
– No nonsense runner. Turns it upfield and will let the speed pick up. Same mentality as a returner.
– An asset on gadget plays.
– Deep speed can also keep defences on their toes.
Weaknesses:
– Burst off the line is disappointing, considering his speed.
– Also more of a linear runner than a twitched up athlete. His movements are somewhat segmented.
– Routes lack precision and crispness. Often were rounded off.
– Hands look good at times, but then will body catch or commit a bad drop. Inconsistent in this area.
– A lot of his targets fell incomplete.
– Lanky frame that can get rerouted by press coverage.
– Ran a limited route tree.
Summary:
Brown is a speedy receiver who, at this point, is still considerably raw. I like the flashes, not just that he shows with his speed, but also other skills. There are times where his ability to elevate is on display, and he finishes the play with a nice hands catch that he plucked away from his frame. But mixed in is a lot of body catching and drops. His route running lacks precision, and aggressive CB’s will reroute him. His technique will need a lot of development, but he enters the NFL with the potential to see gadget touches. As well, he has proven to be dangerous as a kick returner and could provide early value there. Looking at the offensive side, beyond the gadget stuff, he currently profiles as backend depth, but has enough tools that he can carve out a role down the line, if he can develop them.
| Grade: 59.7 | Round Grade: 7th |
33
Zavion Thomas
School: LSU
Ht/Wt: 5’10”, 190 lbs
Strengths:
– Dynamic speed.
– A play maker with the ball in his hands.
– LSU schemed up touches for him to get him into space, and had some success.
– He has the speed to blow by you, good enough quickness to make you miss, and a bit of a power element as well.
– Carries the ball like a RB.
– Brings value as a kick returner.
Weaknesses:
– Production was limited.
– Caught some downfield passes, but would probably be best described as a gadget guy.
– Route running lacks consistency.
– Not a natural catcher of the football. Has bobbles and sometimes drops.
– Isn’t always able to hang onto the ball through contact.
– Has some trouble with in-breaking routes.
– Doesn’t have a big catch radius to challenge in contested situations.
Summary:
Thomas stands out for his speed. He is someone you want to get the ball to, and his RB-like way of carrying the ball led to some nice plays that started behind the line of scrimmage. His speed led to some big plays down the field as well, but he is an inconsistent route runner with iffy hands. He was used more so as a gadget guy, and will likely continue as such in the NFL, unless he can make significant technical refinement. Thomas can also contribute in the return game, so he definitely brings some value. But as a true receiver outside of the gimmick stuff, he is a project.
| Grade: 58.0 | Round Grade: 7th |
34
Emmanuel Henderson
School: Kansas
Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 185 lbs
Strengths:
– Good speed.
– Runs with a sense of urgency and power when the ball is in his hands.
– Can take a quick pass to the house.
– Dynamic on kick returns.
– Speed to win deep on vertical routes.
– Comes with a good build and can handle contact.
Weaknesses:
– Former RB with limited experience at WR.
– Is not a natural hands catcher.
– A lot of body catches and committed some drops, as well.
– Ran a limited route tree, and for someone who still lacks experience at the position as a whole, further diversifying it will add to the learning curve that still exists.
– Route running is sloppy and in need of further development.
Summary:
Henderson is a raw WR prospect who is still new to the position. The physical traits stand out on tape, as he is able to separate on vertical routes and make plays with his legs after the catch. His success returning kickoffs exemplifies this further. However, all the technical aspects of the position are unrefined. Route running, his technique catching the ball etc. Drops are an issue, and his route tree is limited and predictable. He will need a lot of work if he is to become more than a depth player, offensively. He can probably contribute situationally as a deep threat, but his biggest contributions early on might come as a kick returner.
| Grade: 57.8 | Round Grade: 7th |
35
Lewis Bond
School: Boston College
Ht/Wt: 5’11”, 197 lbs
Strengths:
– Technician as a route runner.
– Has some twitchiness which, combined with his crisp routes, allow for early separation on quicker routes.
– Natural hands catcher. Plucks the ball away from his frame, and keeps it secured through contact.
– Good spatial awareness to make catches near the sideline.
– Reads the field well when up against zone coverage. Finds the soft spot and becomes a reliable target.
– Was one of the most impressive players at the Senior Bowl.
Weaknesses:
– Lacks straight line speed to be a true threat.
– Also lacks burst.
– Twitch allows him to win on quick routes, but CB’s mirror his routes as they progress down the field.
– Not much of a threat after the catch.
– Small frame and catch radius. Won’t be consistently going up for 50/50 balls.
– Can be thrown off by press coverage.
Summary:
Bond is a twitchy receiver with polished route running. However, his ceiling is capped due to average at best straight line speed, a lack of burst, and a small catch radius. He doesn’t pose as a downfield threat. Despite the strong Senior Bowl week, the larger sample size on tape shows too many limitations to project him into a starting role. However, oftentimes, you do see technicians who can win on quick routes carve out a long career in a depth role. He is reliable on things like slant routes, and he also works well against zone coverage. If he can prove to be a safe, reliable underneath option that can fill in when needed, he should be able to stick around on a roster.
| Grade: 57.7 | Round Grade: 7th |
36
Caleb Douglas
School: Texas Tech
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 206 lbs
Strengths:
– Douglas comes with a big frame and decent athleticism for his size.
– While I don’t necessarily see his testing speed on tape, he is capable of getting behind coverages from time to time.
– Shows flashes in contested situations, and his large catch radius is a trait worth developing.
– Can track the ball well on deep routes.
Weaknesses:
– Dealt with drops far too often.
– Tall frame and large catch radius, but didn’t win in contested situations as much as he should have.
– Can’t always hang on through contact.
– Route running falls flat a lot of the time. It lacks detail and defenders are able to blanket.
– Speed is okay for his size, but doesn’t look truly threatening for DB’s. I don’t see the testing speed on tape.
Summary:
Douglas has a decent combination of size and athleticism, and these are traits that can be built around. However, he is a project. While you see flashes in contested situations, he is more inconsistent in this area than he should be, given his size. There are also too many drops on tape. His speed is decent enough to win vertically, but he’ll have to improve as a route runner in order to separate on a more consistent basis. There are traits worth developing here, but Douglas will likely take some time, and will have to work his way up from a depth role.
| Grade: 56.1 | Round Grade: 7th |
37
Eric McAlister
School: TCU
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 194 lbs
Strengths:
– Tall frame with a large catch radius.
– Decent speed for his size.
– Capable of winning vertically, and has quick enough feet to generate some deception on his double moves.
– Solid runner with the ball in his hands after the catch.
– Flashes of ability in contested situations. Has the frame to box out defenders.
Weaknesses:
– Traits are alright, but he lacks refinement.
– For every crisp route, you have a few more that are rounded and sloppy.
– Wished he would show more elevation ability in contested situations. While there were flashes, I was disappointed with the overall output in this area.
– Should have been more effective in the redzone than he was.
– He is not a consistent catcher of the football. Too many instances where he reverts to body catching instead of trapping it with his hands.
Summary:
McAlister has good size and athleticism to make it in the NFL. But at this point, he is a developmental project. Inconsistencies show up in most areas. Route running is a big one, where you see the ability, but then have it washed out by lazy routes and poor technique. As well, he is not a natural catcher of the football and does not always play to his size. The size/speed combo, and ability after the catch, will land him an opportunity. Until he can develop the traits, he’ll be a depth guy.
| Grade: 54.9 | Round Grade: UDFA |
38
Devin Voisin
School: South Alabama
Ht/Wt: 5’9”, 182 lbs
Strengths:
– Technician as a route runner. Very precise and crisp movements while also implementing stutters and head fakes in order to create some deception.
– Agility and quickness are pretty decent.
– Good stop/start ability.
– Can make the catch facing the line of scrimmage and then quickly turn, using the momentum of a defender coming downhill against him. Leads to some yards after the catch.
– Reliable hands and is able to earn the trust of his QB.
– Able to find the soft spots against zone coverage and become a checkdown option underneath.
– Handles contact over the deep middle pretty well for his size.
Weaknesses:
– Overager as a 7th year senior.
– Injury history.
– Faced lesser competition in college. Held his own at the Senior Bow, but the NFL will still be a tough transition.
– Speed is below average. Can have trouble creating downfield separation, and this is against lower competition.
– Undersized player. While he plays a tough brand, contested catches will still be hard to come by.
Summary:
Voisin is a 7th year senior who is lacking both size and speed. This recipe likely means that he is going either late in the draft or undrafted. That being said, his attention to detail as a route runner and tough, high IQ brand of football will see him get a chance. You often see these sort of lunch pail receivers take advantage of minimal opportunities in the preseason, parlaying them into a roster spot and then a role that expands little by little. Voisin feels like he could be one of those cases. He’s got safe hands, and is quick enough to work the underneath routes, while also displaying an ability to find that soft spot against zone. He is reliable and can earn the trust of the QB, serving as a safehaven, of sorts. The lack of traits, age, and injury history all work against him. But Voisin has a chance to stick around as a depth guy in the slot.
| Grade: 53.7 | Round Grade: UDFA |
39
Dillon Bell
School: Georgia
Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 209 lbs
Strengths:
– Comes with a solid build and can be a chore for defenders to bring down.
– Is at his best with the ball in his hands. Builds up power and can drag tacklers with him.
– Decent acceleration and agility to make these plays.
– Enough speed and quickness to create some separation down the field.
– Can contribute in the return game.
Weaknesses:
– Route running is far below NFL standards.
– Routes are quite rounded and rarely have the detail needed to consistently separate at the next level.
– Is not a natural catcher of the football.
– Will often revert to body catching. Also had his fair share of drops.
– Low production in college.
Summary:
As a receiver prospect, Bell is extremely raw. His route running needs a ton of work. That on its own will drop him down. Factor in the body catching and drops, it is hard to project him as being a consistent contributor. His ability to run after the catch leaves the door open. I wouldn’t call him a speedster, but he builds it up, while also generating power. He is a pain to tackle in the open field. He can contribute in the return game, but he has so much technical stuff to work on as a receiver that I’m skeptical about the upside. Perhaps his best chance is being used in a similar role as Cordarrell Patterson was later in his career. Sort of a RB/WR hybrid.
| Grade: 52.9 | Round Grade: UDFA |
2026 WR Rankings:
1. Jordyn Tyson (86.2, Rd 1)
2. Carnell Tate (85.9, Rd 1)
3. Makai Lemon (82.1, Rd 2)
4. KC Concepcion (81.9, Rd 2)
5. Zachariah Branch (81.7, Rd 2)
6. Denzel Boston (81.5, Rd 2)
7. Skyler Bell (80.1, Rd 2)
8. Cyrus Allen (80.0, Rd 2)
9. Omar Cooper (78.9, Rd 3)
10. Germie Bernard (78.8, Rd 3)
11. Deion Burks (77.3, Rd 3)
12. Chris Brazzell (75.4, Rd 4)
13. J. Michael Sturdivant (75.3, Rd 3)
14. Bryce Lance (75.2, Rd 3)
15. Malachi Fields (75.0, Rd 3)
16. Antonio Williams (74.6, Rd 4)
17. Ted Hurst (72.1, Rd 4)
18. De’Zhaun Stribling (71.8, Rd 4)
19. Ja’Kobi Lane (71.5, Rd 4)
20. Brenen Thompson (70.2, Rd 4)
21. Kevin Coleman (70.0, Rd 4)
22. Chris Bell (67.3, Rd 5)
23. Elijah Sarratt (66.9, Rd 5)
24. Eric Rivers (65.4, Rd 5)
25. Kaden Wetjen (65.1, Rd 5)
26. Reggie Virgil (65.0, Rd 5)
27. Josh Cameron (63.8, Rd 6)
28. Colbie Young (63.3, Rd 6)
29. Malik Benson (62.6, Rd 6)
30. Jeff Caldwell (61.8, Rd 6)
31. Kendrick Law (60.3, Rd 6)
32. Barion Brown (59.7, Rd 7)
33. Zavion Thomas (58.0, Rd 7)
34. Emmanuel Henderson (57.8, Rd 7)
35. Lewis Bond (57.7, Rd 7)
36. Caleb Douglas (56.1, Rd 7)
37. Eric McAlister (54.9, UDFA)
38. Devin Voisin (53.7, UDFA)
39. Dillon Bell (52.9, UDFA)
Notables Not Graded:
– Harrison Wallace
– CJ Daniels
– Jalen Walthall
– DT Sheffield
– Daniel Sobkowicz
– Camden Brown
– Chase Roberts
– Vinny Anthony
– Brady Boyd
