The NFL Draft will be a bit different this year without a combine but the scouting must go on, and evaluations are as important as ever with millions on the line. Here’s a look at my top five wide receivers heading into March and a few sleepers to watch.
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NFL DRAFT: Top five QBs heading into March | RBs
CLASS OF 2021 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
CLASS OF 2022 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
COVERAGE: Rivals Transfer Tracker | Rivals Camp Series
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1. Ja'Marr Chase, LSU
Chase is easily top of the charts for me based on his size advantage over Smith and Waddle, and let’s not forget the season he had in 2019 with 84 catches for 1,720 yards and 20 scores. He also averaged over 20 yards per catch that year, so opting out of 2020 means nothing to me.
Possible teams: New York Jets, Miami Dolphins or anyone who trades up to Nos. 2 or 3 to get him. The furthest he slides is No. 6 to the Philadelphia Eagles.
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2. DeVonta Smith, Alabama
Smith has amazing hands and is a great route runner. Concerns about his size are unfounded, as he’s been healthy. His 117 catches for 1,856 yards and 23 scores led to the Heisman and is one of the best seasons on record for a wide receiver.
Possible teams: Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, New York Giants, Washington Football Team.
3. Jaylen Waddle, Alabama
Despite his leg injury last season there has been talk of Waddle going ahead of Smith because of his speed and ability in the return game. He won’t slide far past Smith and could steal his spot.
Possible teams: Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, NY Giants, Washington Football Team, Chicago Bears, New York Jets (second first-rounder).
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4. Rashod Bateman, Minnesota
Bateman is the consensus No. 4 receiver in this draft and could slide a bit toward the back end of the first round or land in the middle. He has good size and adjusts to the ball very well.
Possible teams: Miami Dolphins (second first round pick), Chicago Bears, Washington Football Team, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers.
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5. Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma State
This one is a little controversial because I love Wallace and many see him slipping to as low as the third round. He’s not huge and has been injured, but when he’s healthy he can’t be stopped. He had 86 catches in 2018 and has never had a season where he averaged less than 15 yards a catch.
Possible teams: Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, Cincinnati Bengals, Las Vegas Raiders.
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SLEEPERS
Toney may or may not be a sleeper, depending on who you talk to, as some have him first round and some as low as the third round. His senior season was his big year, so some wonder whether he’s a one-year flash or just peaking now.
Possible teams: Chicago Bears, Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, Cincinnati Bengals, Las Vegas Raiders, Houston Texans, New York Jets.
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Collins has good size and a tremendous ceiling, and he could be a second-round steal for someone. He averaged nearly 20 yards a catch in 2019.
Possible teams: Washington Football Team, NY Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Las Vegas Raiders, Miami Dolphins.
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A sneaky strong receiver who is expected to slide to the third round. He could be the Chris Godwin of this draft.
Possible teams: Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Chargers.
