2021 NFL Draft: Underrated wide receivers who could rise through process
By Jonah Hovis
The 2021 NFL Draft class is loaded with impact players at wide receiver and is undoubtedly one of the best classes at the position in some time. This year in college football we saw a wide receiver win the Heisman Trophy in DeVonta Smith, the first time since Desmond Howard did it at Michigan. There is also Ja’Marr Chase, who did not play this season but was a really intriguing prospect his sophomore year at LSU.
The names go one with the explosive Jaylen Waddle, who some have compared to Tyreek Hill, and highly rated guys like Rashod Bateman. In this post, we are going to look at a group of guys who aren’t as highly rated as the players mentioned above but could be great selections in the 2021 NFL Draft and be seen as major steals down the road.
Amon-Ra St. Brown, USC
Most of the guys mentioned in the open will go in the first round and Amon-Ra St. Brown may not be far behind. Not only does St. Brown have one of the coolest names of the draft, but he is a fantastic football player who could be a steal late in the first round. St. Brown stands at 6-foot-1, 195 pounds and was a dynamic weapon in the USC offense this season.
At USC this season, St. Brown racked up 41 catches for 478 yards and visited the endzone seven times. Amon-Ra St. Brown showed solid route running and made a lot of big plays for the Trojans last season. St. Brown shows a lot of similarity to the USC pass-catcher who was drafted last season by the Colts, Michael Pittman Jr. St. Brown showed out in several games this season and really came onto the scene against UCLA with 10 catches, 73 yards and two touchdowns.
St. Brown has great body control which really shows well in his play. To control his body to get to the point of action of when the ball comes into his vicinity. Was a threat in the deep ball game and has not the flashiest speed, but can create separation and get space on his routes. Solid route running, great hands and body control can lead to St. Brown landing his way in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.