The 2016 NFL Draft is done and rookies are already making their impressions and signing contracts. But it’s never too early to look ahead to the 2017 NFL Draft. Here is a look at the top five wide receiver prospects.
RELATED: Top 5 QBs for 2017 | Top 5 RBs | Top 32 prospects
Recruiting: Oregon, Notre Dame and UCLA were serious contenders in Smith’s recruitment but there was always a sense USC would be tough to beat, especially as it got closer to his decision on National Signing Day. Smith has starred at receiver for the Trojans, but many argued safety was his long-term better position.
Stats: Smith finished with 52 more catches than any other USC receiver with 89 total for 1,454 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. The former five-star averaged more than 16 yards per catch and about 104 receiving yards per game.
Farrell’s take: Known as simply JuJu Smith out of high school, we projected him as a safety but we always knew he had the ability to be a great wideout. His five-star ranking probably should have been at athlete and he reminds me of a stronger, more physical but not quite as long Keenan Allen, who was also a guy we projected as a safety who became a star wideout. Smith is clearly the No. 1 WR for the 2017 NFL Draft right now.
Recruiting: Weeks before his senior season, Williams committed to Clemson over South Carolina as those two were mainly the finalists. Alabama, Georgia, Notre Dame and Tennessee were others involved.
Stats: In the season-opener, Williams suffered a small fracture in his neck after running into the goalpost on a touchdown reception that sidelined him for the rest of the season.
Farrell’s take: Williams is such an impressive prospect that he’s still this high after missing almost all of last year and having a neck injury to overcome. The former four-star has a lot to prove, but with his length, ability to high point and his body control he’s an ideal target at the NFL level if healthy.
Recruiting: Dupre did not officially visit any schools until his senior season was over, but LSU was always considered a frontrunner. The Tigers outlasted major efforts from Florida State, UCLA, Alabama and others to land Dupre’s signature.
Stats: The second-best receiver in the 2014 class, Dupre led the Tigers with 43 receptions for 698 yards and six touchdowns. LSU averaged just 180.4 passing yards per game and threw only 13 touchdowns all season.
Farrell’s take: Dupre, a former five-star, is a freaky athlete who is playing in an offense that doesn’t showcase his skills. This kid would be a 1,000 yard receiver in many other places and that’s something scouts will need to weigh into consideration. He can out-jump anyone for the ball, is a solid route runner and has downfield speed. We felt he would be a star for sure, but he has been limited by a lack of offensive creativity and some quarterback issues.
Recruiting: Carrington committed to Oregon in the summer before his senior season and stuck with the Ducks throughout his recruitment despite continued interest from Arizona, Arizona State and many others.
Stats: Carrington only played in seven games this past season because of a positive marijuana test from late the previous year led to a five-game suspension (which included being suspended from the national title game the previous year). He also was cited for an open container violation. The former four-star still finished second on the team with 32 catches for 609 yards and six touchdowns.
Farrell’s take: The four-star out of Southern California took his speed to the Oregon offense and it’s been a great fit. He has good size and length, very good hands and he’s a deep ball threat. Like Dupre, he’s a bit of a victim of his offense as the Ducks spread the ball around quite a bit, but he’s a guy who can make catches downfield or take a short pass and make something of it.
Recruiting: Davis committed in January, a few weeks before National Signing Day, to Western Michigan over Illinois State, his only other offer. Numerous Big Ten schools had been showing interest but none offered.
Stats: Davis finished second on the team with 90 receptions for a team-high 1,436 yards with 12 touchdowns last season. He averaged 16 yards per catch and more than 110 yards per game.
Farrell’s take: Western Michigan and Illinois State were the only ones who wanted Davis as many in the Big Ten failed to pull the trigger and are paying the price now. He was a tall, rangy and raw prospect out of high school who might have been more heavily recruited had all his academics been in order.
