2020 NFL Draft: Ranking the top 10 wide receivers
By Andrew Kim
7
Tee Higgins Wide Receiver
Tamaurice “Tee” Higgins is looking to be next in line of great Clemson wide receivers and has the mold for it. The 6-foot-4 215-pound receiver had consistency last two years with 936 receiving yards in 2018 and 1,167 receiving yards in 2019 on the same amount of catches (59). The junior Tiger receiver had 12 touchdowns in 2018 and 14 from scrimmage in 2019 as a big red zone threat.
Tee Higgins, as a potential jump-ball specialist at the next level, is projected to be an outside receiver. He does haul in most contested catches and has some burst for a possession receiver with his catch radius. The 21-year-old receiver did have inconsistencies tracking the ball at times and was not physical as he could be against press coverage.
Higgins does not have the best releases and is not very utilized in the middle of the field. He is limited to the outside at this point when he joins an NFL team but does not have the best deep speed as a big-bodied receiver. However, Higgins should excel in a pass-happy offense with a vertical passing game or to a team that needs another big target on the outside.
6
Justin Jefferson Wide Receiver
Even though teammate Ja’Marr Chase won the Fred Biletnikoff Award for 2019, LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson was the key cog on the historic LSU offense. The junior Tiger receiver broke records in the College Football Playoffs this past year and was second to Chase in yards and touchdowns.
The 6-foot-3 192-pound receiver switched to the slot for the most part and led the nation with 111 catches (while leading the team in receptions, yards, and touchdowns the previous year). Jefferson doubled his catches (54 to 111 in 2019), yards (875 to 1,540 yards in 2019), and tripled his touchdowns (six to 18 in 2019).
The switch to the inside benefited the 21-year-old receiver heading into the pros. He profiles as a big slot receiver with some versatility on the outside. As a smooth route runner, Jefferson can play physical and be quick on his releases (potentially being a mismatch in the slot).
His viable hands (especially in contested catch situations) should give him the chance to be a go-to target as a big slot weapon or on the outside as the number two receiver. Although he may not have great deep speed and is not the most athletic guy on the field, Jefferson has the production and tangible traits to back it up.