2020 NFL Draft: Ranking the top 10 wide receivers
By Andrew Kim
5
Laviska Shenault Jr. Wide Receiver
A potential draft target for the Packers?
With a running back type build, Laviska Shenault Jr. led the way offensively for the Colorado Buffaloes. At 6-foot-2, 220 pounds, the 21-year-old junior receiver was used in various ways (screens, jet sweeps, wildcat, etc.) to get into the endzone and often makes the first man miss or breaks the tackle to get there (even returning a punt in 2019).
He also had a better 2018 with over 1,000 yards on 86 catches in 2018. In his career, Shenault had 17 total touchdowns (seven rushing and 10 receiving).
With great physical traits and enough speed, Shenault can be lined up anywhere and his use will depend on the offensive system he goes to. This versatile and physical receiver has the profile of a prototypical outside target but has the quickness of a pass catcher from the slot.
However, Shenault is not the best tracking the ball down the field despite his ability to accelerate by defensive backs. He does need more experience with releases off the line of scrimmage and is inexperienced as a route runner.
Recovering from injuries (torn labrum, turf toe) after 2018, Shenault getting cleared medically is the key for him at the NFL Scouting Combine. His usage was high at Colorado and there are questions of his durability despite his frame since he did miss a few games in 2019 with a core muscle injury. If Shenault is used correctly, he could be a valuable offensive weapon after the catch and be a matchup nightmare in the red zone.
4
Jalen Reagor Wide Receiver
TCU wide receiver Jalen Reagor should be one to watch at the NFL Scouting Combine. As an athletic freak, the 5-foot-11, 195-pound receiver suffered under a terrible offense with mediocre quarterbacks (had three different quarterbacks throwing to him in 2018).
The junior Horned Frog had a much better year in 2018 and eclipsed over 1,000 yards on 72 catches but failed to do so in 2019 (only 611 yards on 72 catches). In his career, he has 24 touchdowns from scrimmage and was an electric returner (returned one punt in 2019).
Reagor was rarely used in the slot but he can be used anywhere on the field and can stretch any defense. The 21-year-old receiver is pretty compact for his height and can highpoint the football at times but does have issues with consistency in catching the easy passes (and holding on to it after contact). Once he gets more experience and expands his route tree, Reagor can be more than just a deep threat and be something opposing defenses will have to worry about.