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Grading the top 5 rookie WRs drafted in 2018

By Joel Deering

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays an image of D.J. Moore of Maryland after he was picked #24 overall by the Carolina Panthers during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays an image of D.J. Moore of Maryland after he was picked #24 overall by the Carolina Panthers during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NC – OCTOBER 07: DJ Moore #12 of the Carolina Panthers runs the ball against the New York Giants in the third quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on October 7, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – OCTOBER 07: DJ Moore #12 of the Carolina Panthers runs the ball against the New York Giants in the third quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on October 7, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Which of the top five rookie WRs have had the best performances to start their NFL careers? Here are our grades for the top five WRs drafted in 2018.

In recent years, rookie WRs haven’t been great. Many have been drafted with high expectations, but either haven’t panned out or haven’t produced until later in their NFL careers.

Has this year been any different for rookie WRs? Let’s take a look at the top five rookie WRs drafted in the 2018 NFL Draft, where I’ll give you my analysis and grades.

1. 24th Overall Pick – D.J. Moore – Carolina Panthers

Games Played: 8

Games Started: 2

Receiving Stats: 19 receptions for 297 yards, an average of 15.6 yards per catch and 1 TD.

Analysis: The first rookie WR to be taken in the 2018 NFL Draft currently ranks seventh in receptions, fifth in yards and is tied for 15th in TD catches. I’m not so sure that’s what the Panthers were hoping for when they selected D.J. Moore 24th overall.

Although he makes due with what he’s got, Cam Newton has needed a number one WR for quite some time now. I can only assume that by drafting D.J. Moore in the first-round, the Carolina Panthers were hoping he’d be that guy. That hasn’t exactly worked out for them so far.

I’m not saying D.J. Moore has been a bust to this point. Moore has made some sort of contribution to the offense of the Panthers in every game this season. In seven of his eight games played, Moore has had at least one catch. In four of his eight games, Moore has caught at least three passes. He’s also had three games where he’s reached at least 50 yards receiving.

To this point in the season, Moore has been the typical kind of first-round rookie WR we’ve seen in recent years. He’s got high expectations because he’s a first-round pick, but he doesn’t make that kind of impact in year one. Instead, he comes along slowly, showing the potential he has to be a future number one WR.

I’m not sure if Moore will ever be a true number one WR, but I believe he’s at least shown he can develop into a solid number two.

Grade: C+

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