The NFL Draft takes place next week, so today we continue our final look at the top players by position, moving to wide receiver, along with a comparison to a class of 2020 or 2021 prospect.
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NFL DRAFT: Comparing top QBs with current recruits | RBs
CLASS OF 2021 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
CLASS OF 2022: Top 100
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1. Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
Recruiting: The five-star receiver committed to Alabama over Florida, Florida State, Miami and Tennessee in the summer before his senior season.
College stats: In 36 games over three seasons, Jeudy finished with 159 receptions for 2,742 yards and 26 touchdowns for the Crimson Tide.
Projection: Jeudy could be the first receiver drafted early in the first round.
Comparison: Emeka Egbuka, 2021
Farrell’s take: Jeudy was an elite route runner and had size and speed, so he was an easy five-star evaluation and Egbuka has many of the same attributes. The strength of both is the ability to set up defenders and cut on a dime.
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2. CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma
Recruiting: Lamb committed to Oklahoma only to back off that pledge but then re-commit again. He ended up with the Sooners over Texas A&M and others.
College stats: In 40 games over three seasons with the Sooners, Lamb caught 173 passes for 3,292 yards and 32 touchdowns. He averaged 19 yards per catch.
Projection: There is a possibility Lamb could be the first receiver taken early in the first round.
Comparison: Demond Demas, 2020
Farrell’s take: Lamb was an exceptional athlete who could stretch the field and had great body control and Demas is nearly a clone. We should have had Lamb ranked higher and I knew it, so we are not making the same mistake with Demas, who should also be a star.
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3. Henry Ruggs, Alabama
Recruiting: Ruggs committed to Alabama over Auburn, Florida, Florida State and Penn State on National Signing Day.
College stats: In 40 games over three seasons, Ruggs had 98 catches for 1,716 yards and 24 touchdowns while averaging 17.5 yards per reception.
Projection: Ruggs is expected to be picked somewhere in the middle of the first round, especially after running the 40-yard dash in 4.27 seconds.
Comparison: Mario Williams, 2021
Farrell’s take: Ruggs was a speed receiver with sneaky strength and power after the catch, but his true strength was separation. Williams isn’t quite as fast, but he’s great at separating from defenders and is excellent after the catch.
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4. Justin Jefferson, LSU
Recruiting: Jefferson committed to LSU in the summer after National Signing Day. His only other offer came from Nicholls State.
College stats: In 30 games over three seasons, Jefferson totaled 165 catches for 2,415 yards and 24 touchdowns, including 18 scores this past campaign as he helped lead the Tigers to the national championship.
Projection: The former two-star prospect is considered a late first-round pick or he could possibly go early in the second round.
Comparison: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, 2020
Farrell’s take: Jefferson was an under-recruited two-star out of high school mainly for academic issues, so this comparison is in regards to the Jefferson we see now and Smith-Njigba. Both are smooth and effortless receivers who can make the tough catches.
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5. Tee Higgins, Clemson
Recruiting: Higgins had been committed to Tennessee and he called the Volunteers his leader, but on July 4 the five-star receiver pledged to Clemson. Ole Miss, Florida State and Ohio State were also in the running.
College stats: In 37 games over three seasons, the former five-star had 135 receptions for 2,448 yards and 27 touchdowns while averaging 18.1 yards per catch.
Projection: Higgins is considered a fringe first-round draft pick.
Comparison: Malachi Wideman, 2020
Farrell’s take: Higgins was a big, athletic wide receiver out of high school who had the hops of a basketball player. Wideman is similar and maybe a bit faster.
