NFL Draft Notebook continues its position breakdown this week by taking an in-depth look at the wide receiver position. We start off by taking a look at two wide receivers in Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave who carry first-round grades, and despite Ohio State breaking in a new quarterback this year, give Ohio State one of the best passing attacks in college football.
Along with breaking down these two Ohio State prospects this week’s NFL Draft Notebook also highlights the following
- A Group of Five wide receiver who could hear his name called in the second round
- A highly productive ACC prospect you have likely not heard about
- Why this could be a breakout year for Wan’Dale Robinson
- And much more
Ohio State’s Dynamic Duo
One of the biggest question marks Ohio State has going into the 2021 season is who will take over for Justin Field at quarterback. Whoever wins this job will be stepping into a great situation though as he will inherit a loaded offense that features two of the top receivers in the 2022 NFL Draft in Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave. What makes this receiver combination even more dangerous is how well these players complement each other’s skillset.
On one hand, Ohio State has Garrett Wilson who is ranked as the top wide receiver by several draftniks going into the 2021 season. What makes Wilson such a dangerous weapon is his speed and ability to gain separation. These traits helped Wilson average 16.8 yards per reception which was the fifth-highest average in the Big Ten last season.
Another trait that makes Wilson one of the better slot receivers in the country is his overall agility. He does a great job of adjusting to the ball and made numerous catches last year where he was able to outmaneuver a defender in the air to make the spectacular reception. One more thing working in his favor is his strength as a runner after the catch, which is something you don’t expect to see from a small receiver.
While Wilson does most of his work from the slot position Chris Olave is your more traditional X or Z receiver. The fact Olave is your more typical wide receiver is one of the main reasons why Olave led Ohio State in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns last season. It is also one of the reasons why he was Fields’ go-to receiver in critical situations last season.
As a prospect, Olave has several traits that should make him a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. One of these is his crisp routes which consistently allows him to gain separation on his routes despite lacking great quickness. He also displays the hands to be a consistent possession receiver at the next level and might have the best hands in the 2022 NFL Draft class.
Going into the 2021 season Wilson is the higher regarded Ohio State prospect due to his explosiveness and ability to pick up yards after the catch. It would not be a surprise if he ends up being a middle-of-round-one pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
As for Olave, he might be more of a late first or early second-round pick as he possesses only average measurables. However, it would be a surprise if he didn’t develop into a starting wide receiver in the NFL.
2022 NFL Draft Sleeper of the Week
Being overlooked is nothing new for South Alabama wide receiver Jalen Tolbert, who was rated as a two-star prospect coming out of high school. However, not having high expectations has not prevented Jalen Tolbert from becoming one of the best receivers in the Sun Belt and what will likely become the highest-drafted Group of Five wide receiver in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Tolbert’s first big season at South Alabama was in 2019 when he became a full-time starter for the first time and ended up leading the Jaguars in touchdowns with six while averaging an impressive 19.3 yards per catch on 27 receptions. His best game of the year was the team’s season finale when he caught 5 passes for 144 yards and four touchdowns against Arkansas State.
Tolbert was able to ride the momentum of his impressive season finale in 2019 to a spectacular 2020 year. This past season he led the team in receptions with 64, receiving yards with 1,085, and tied for the team lead with eight touchdown receptions. This was quite an accomplishment considering the receiver he was playing next to was Kawaan Baker who was drafted in the 7th round by the New Orleans Saints.
When evaluating Tolbert as a prospect the first thing that stands out is how athletic he is for someone 6-foot-3. He is able to consistently bring in the tough reception by adjusting his body to the ball. One example of this is when he made a spectacular reception vs. Tulane where he had to stop on his route, turn around and stretch out for the reception. He has also made numerous plays during his career where he goes into a jump ball situation and is able to outmaneuver the defender for the ball.
To go along with Tolbert’s size and athletic ability he also displays terrific hands. He had very few drops this season and also was able to consistently snag the ball in contested situations. Two things led to him having such consistent hands with one of them being how he attacks the ball and doesn’t allow the ball to get to his body. The other thing working in his favor is how big his hands are, and it would not be a surprise if he ended up having some of the larger hands among this year’s wide receiver groups.
One area Tobert has mentioned he wants to improve in this season is his football IQ. This would definitely help him as it would allow him to be able to adjust his releases vs different coverages and also know where to settle in vs. zone coverage. One other area he could improve on is his physicality. Despite being a bigger wide receiver he tends to win more on his athletic ability than his physical style of play.
The 2021 season will have a big impact on where we see Jalen Tolbert go in the 2022 NFL Draft, and fortunately, Tolbert has several things working for him this coming season. One of these is his new quarterback Jake Bently who should be South Alabama’s best quarterback in years. The other thing that should help Tolbert is his new offensive coordinator Major Applewhite who comes over from Alabama. One thing Applewhite learned in Tuscaloosa is how to get good matchups for his receivers which should only help Tolbert have a bigger season this year.
While Tobert carries a late second-round grade going into the 2021 season it would not be a shock if he heard his name called higher than that next April if he has another big season this year, earns an invite to the Senior Bowl, and puts up strong testing numbers.
A look at some of the wide receivers who are seeing their stock rise going into the 2021 season.
John Metchie III, Alabama
There is a valid reason why Alabama wide receiver John Metchie III has only had one year of good production and that reason is that he was stuck behind four first-round receivers in Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs, DeVonta Smith, and Jaylen Waddle. However, when Metchie did get a chance to see the field last year he showed he belongs in the same category as these players. He finished the 2020 season with 55 receptions for 916 yards and six touchdowns. Now that he will be the go-to receiver this year for the Tide look for his production to increase even more.
Ty Fryfogle, Indiana
Indiana’s Ty Fryfogle went from the third-leading receiver for the Hoosiers in 2019 to a third-team All-American in 2020. His best game of the season came against Ohio State when he was able to record 218 receiving yards and three touchdowns on just seven catches. He will likely have another strong season this year since Michael Penix Jr, is back this season and Indiana should have one of the better passing attacks in the Big Ten.
Jahan Dotson, Penn State
Last season, Penn State’s Jahan Dotson proved he is one of the best deep threats in college football. Dotson tied for the nation lead in receptions over 60 yards with four and also led the Big Ten in receiving yards with 884 yards. Along with being a playmaker on offense, Dotson set the Penn State season record for punt return average with a 26.4 average.
Calvin Austin III, Memphis
Last season, Memphis wide receiver Calvin Austin III tripled his season highs in receptions, yards, and touchdown and established himself as one of the top Group of Five wide receivers. To go along with his excellent production Austin has the speed the NFL loves, as he was named all conferences in track in both 2019 and 2018.
Jaquarii Roberson, Wake Forest
The most productive receiver at the end of the 2020 season might have been Jaquarii Roberson of Wake Forest. In the last four games of the season he had at least 130 receiving yards and in five of his last six games, he had over 125 receiving yards. This was quite a stretch for a player who never had a 100-yard receiving game before this stretch and only recorded 156 receiving yards his first two seasons at Wake Forest.
A look at some of the wide receivers who are seeing their stock fall going into the 2021 season.
Justyn Ross, Clemson
The main reason Clemson’s Justyn Ross is seeing his stock down some is due to a spinal injury that caused him to miss the 2020 season and spring ball this past spring. There is no doubt that if Ross can regain his pre-injury form he will be one of the best wide receivers in the ACC, but there is also little doubt teams will be concerned about this injury going into the 2022 NFL Draft even if Ross can stay healthy this year.
Isaiah Weston, UNI
To say last season was a disappointing season for UNI wide receiver Isaiah Weston is an understatement. Weston was one of the best wide receivers in the FCS in 2019 finishing the year with 1,053 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns while averaging an eye-opening 24.5 yards per receptions. However, Weston battled nagging injuries and poor quarterback play last season and was only able to catch seven passes on the year. If Weston can regain his 2019 form the 6-foot-4 210-pound receiver could be a day three pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Charleston Rambo, Miami
Former Oklahoma wide receiver Charleston Rambo had a down season last year. He saw a significant drop in his reception total going from 43 catches in 2019 to just 25 in 2020. He also only averaged 12.5 yards per receptions which was by far the worst average of his career. If that were not enough to make 2020 a disappointing year he also led the Sooners with five drops. Rambo is hoping to turn around things this season with his new team the Miami Hurricanes.
Elijah Cooks, Nevada
Nevada’s Elijah Cooks’s season got off to a rough start as he was suspended for the first half of the season opener against Wyoming, and unfortunately, things did not get better for him as he suffered a season shoulder injury in the second half of that game. Thankfully he should have a chance to have a strong back season as he is playing with Carson Strong who is currently rated as the 10th best quarterback in the 2022 NFL Draft.
- One of the best athletes in the 2022 NFL Draft class is Jalen Virgil of Appalachian State. Virgil has been named to The Athletic’s “Freaks List” three times and will likely make the list yet again this season. His top asset as an athlete is his speed having run a 10.29 100-meter dash at the 2018 Sun Belt Outdoor Championships. Some of his impressive testing numbers include a 40.5-inch vertical jump, 405-pound bench press, and 600-pound squat. On the field he has made the most impact on special teams averaging over 32 yards per kickoff return.
- Purdue’s David Bell has been one of the most productive receivers in the Big Ten over the past two seasons. In 2019, Bell was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year after catching 86 passes for 1,035 yards and this past season he caught 53 passes for eight touchdowns in just six games. The trait that makes Bell an intriguing prospect is his ability to catch the ball in traffic. Over the past two seasons, he has made 30 contested catches which is more than any receiver in the Power Five. He is able to make these tough catches due to his strong hands, physical style of play and excellent body control.
- An underrated wide receiver in the Big Ten is Dontay Demus Jr. of Maryland. Demus has the production and measurables to receive a day two grade going into the season. Demus led Maryland in receptions, yards and touchdowns in 2019 and 2020 and has a career average of over 16 yards per reception. In terms of measurables, he comes in at 6-foot-3 and 217 pounds and shows impressive speed for someone his size. One area he does need to work on this season is his hands as he did drop several passes last season.
- A former five-star recruit who has yet to live up to the hype he received coming out of high school is Florida wide receiver Justin Shorter. Shorter spent his first two seasons at Penn State where he caught a total of 15 passes. He then transferred to Florida where he finished sixth on the team in receptions with 25. However, his production should improve now that Florida’s top three receivers from last season Kyle Pitts, Kadarius Toney and Trevon Grimes are playing in the NFL. If he can have a strong season this year, look for a team to take the 6-foot-5 225-pound wide receiver in the 2022 NFL Draft.
- While Treylon Burks of Arkansas moves extremely well for someone 6-foot-3 and 232 pounds he is not as physical as you would like to see from a player his size. He has not shown the strength to consistently go win the jump ball and is a below-average blocker. Even though he is a threat with the ball in his hands he tends to win more with quickness and elusiveness in this area compared to pure power.
- One of the most versatile players in the 2022 NFL Draft is Ainias Smith of Texas A&M. Smith has been used in multiple ways at Texas A&M including as a slot receiver, running back, kick and punt returner and has done well in each role. His best position in the NFL though will likely be as a slot receiver since he lacks the size to play running back at the next level. As a receiver, he displays good speed and consistent hands. He is also a physical runner who can break tackles in the open field.
- A player Nebraska is going to be counting on this year is wide receiver Samori Toure who transferred from Montana this offseason. While at Montana Toure was one of the top receivers in the FCS catching 87 passes for 1,495 yards in 2019 and was named an FCS All-American. This coming season Toure will play slot receiver for the Huskers which is a bit of a surprise considering that he is 6-foot-3.
Most underrated: Elijah Cooks, Nevada
A wide receiver who is definitely being overlooked as we go into the 2021 season is Nevada’s Elijah Cooks. The main reason why people are looking past him is due to the shoulder injury that limited to just two catches last season. However, when you watch his 2019 film you see a big wide receiver who shows impressive athletic ability. If Cooks can stay healthy this year he easily could be a high day three pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Most overrated: Frank Ladson, Clemson
A player who is being extremely overrated by sites such as NFL Draft Scout is Clemson wide receiver, Frank Ladson. Despite having a career total of 27 receptions Ladson is rated as the sixth-best wide receiver in the 2023 NFL Draft by NFL Draft Scout. To go along with lack of production he is far from an elite athlete who has the potential to develop into a day one pick. Some of the issues with him include that he is a stiff athlete, is not very physical and lacks quickness in and out of his breaks.
Wide receiver that should significantly improve his stock: Wan’Dale Robinson, Kentucky
Former Nebraska wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson should have a big season this year, now that he will be focused on playing slot receiver in Kentucky’s offense. He is the perfect match for Kentucky offensive coordinator Liam Coen who comes over from the Los Angeles Rams, and will likely use Robinson in a similar way to how the Rams used Cooper Kupp. It would not be a surprise if Robinson is one of the leading receivers in the SEC this season.
Biggest risk: George Pickens, Georgia
While there is no doubt George Pickens has the talent to be a first-round pick he does have some issues that could make him a risky pick. The most significant issue is the torn ACL he recently suffered that will force him to miss at least some of the 2021 season. The other issue is he can have some problems staying focused which leads to him drawing penalties for things like getting in a fight and squirting an opponent with a water bottle. These focus issues also have led to him dropping some passes due to taking his eye off the ball.
Top small school wide receiver: Christian Watson, North Dakota State
What makes Christian Watson of North Dakota State the top small school wide receiver in the 2022 NFL Draft is his combination of size and athletic ability. Coming in at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds he is one of the bigger wide receivers in the 2022 NFL Draft, and for someone his size, he moves amazingly well. It would not be a surprise if Warson heard his name called early on day three of next year’s NFL Draft.
Special teams standout: Aron Cruickshank, Rutgers
While Rutgers wide receiver Aron Cruickshank has yet to establish himself as an NFL-level wide receiver, he has proven he is one of the best return men in college football. Last season, he was named the Big Ten return man of the year after taking two kickoffs back for touchdowns and averaging 23 yards per return. Cruickshank was also able to take two kickoffs back for touchdowns in 2019 when he was playing for the Wisconsin Badgers.
Overall Rankings
1. Drake London, USC, (first round)
2. Garrett Wilson, Ohio State, (first round)
3. Chris Olave, Ohio State, (first round)
4. Justyn Ross, Clemson, (first round)
5. George Pickens, Georgia, (first round)
6. John Metchie III, Alabama, (second round)
7.Zay Flowers, Boston College, (second round)
8. Jalen Tolbert, South Alabama, (second round)
9. Dontay Demus Jr., Maryland, (third round)
10. Treylon Burks, Arkansas, (third round)
11. David Bell, Purdue, (third round)
12. Ronnie Bell, Michigan, (fourth round)
13. Ty Fryfogle, Indiana, (fourth round)
14. Jahan Dotson, Penn State, (fourth round)
15. Romeo Doubs, Nevada, (fourth round)
16. Ainias Smith, Texas A&M, (fifth round)
17. Christian Watson, North Dakota State, (fifth round)
18. Reggie Roberson Jr., SMU, (fifth round)
19. Tré Turner, Virginia Tech, (fifth round)
20. Jaivon Heiligh, Coastal Carolina, (fifth round)
21. Jaquarii Roberson, Wake Forest, (fifth round)
22. Winston Wright Jr, West Virginia (sixth round)
23. Wan’Dale Robinson, Kentucky, (sixth round)
24. Travell Harris, Washington State, (sixth round)
25. Dai’Jean Dixon, Nicholls State, (sixth round)
26. Elijah Cooks, Nevada, (sixth round)
27. Justin Shorter, Florida, (sixth round)
28. Xavier Hutchinson, Iowa State, (sixth round)
29. Khalil Shakir, Boise State, (sixth round)
30. Jacob Copeland, Florida, (seventh round)
31. Calvin Austin III, Memphis, (seventh round)
32. Tanner Conner, Idaho State, (seventh round)
33. Josh Ali, Kentucky, (seventh round)
34. Avante Cox, Southern Illinois, (seventh round)
35. Jequez Ezzard, Sam Houston, (seventh round)
36. Taysir Mack, Pittsburgh, (seventh round)
37. Bo Melton, Rutgers, (free agent)
38. Charleston Rambo, Miami, (free agent)
39. Jaylon Robinson, UCF, (free agent)
40. Jalen Virgil, Appalachian State, (free agent)
41. Isaiah Weston, UNI, (free agent)
42. Aron Cruickshank, Rutgers, (free agent)
43. Kaylon Geiger, Texas Tech, (free agent)
44. Corey Sutton, Appalachian State, (free agent)
45. Chris Autman-Bell, Minnesota, (free agent)
46. Samori Toure, Nebraska, (free agent)
47. Erik Ezukanma, Texas Tech, (free agent)
48. Ben Ratzlaff, Western Kentucky, (free agent)
49. Velus Jones Jr., Tennessee, (free agent)
50. Keylon Stokes, Tulsa, (free agent)
51. Dareke Young, Lenoir-Rhyne, (free agent)
52. JuanCarlos Santana, Tulsa, (free agent)
53. Omar Manning, Nebraska, (free agent)
54. Jack Sorenson, Miami of Ohio, (free agent)
55. Andrew Parchment, Florida State, (free agent)
56. R.J. Sneed, Baylor, (free agent)
57. Emeka Emezie, North Carolina State, (free agent)
58. Taj Harris, Syracuse, (free agent)
59. Mike Harley, Miami, (free agent)
60. Savon Scarver, Utah State, (free agent)
61. Reggie Todd, Troy, (free agent)
62. Jakob Herres, VMI, , (free agent)
63. Keke Chism, Missouri, (free agent)
64. Frank Ladson, Clemson, (free agent)
65. Jarrin Pierce, Middle Tennessee, (free agent)
66. Jaylon Redd, Oregon, (free agent)
- Dallas Cowboys cornerback Nahshon Wright is looking like he might be worth the third-round pick Dallas spent on him after all. He has impressed so far with his ability to make plays on the ball, his overall competitiveness and his ability to pick up the team’s defense. While head coach Mike McCarthy has mentioned there are some technique things Wright needs to clean up he has the size and overall athletic ability to be a good developmental corner in Dan Quinn’s defense.
- An undrafted free agent who has looked good so far is Miami Dolphins defensive back Trill Williams. Williams’s highlight of camp is when he was able to pick off Tua Tagovailoa, and overall he has looked good enough to be named a surprise player you should know about by ESPN. Coming out of college Williams was graded as a fifth-round pick by NFL Mocks but injury concerns caused him to go undrafted. However, if he continues to play like he has so far there is a good chance he will make an NFL team this fall.
- Another player that was drafted later than the grade he received and is standing out is Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Tommy Togiai. Togiai who came out of Ohio State with a third-round grade and was rated as the sixth-best defensive tackle but fell to the end of the fourth round. He has impressed people with his combination of his power and speed and will likely see significant playing time next season.
- Arizona Cardinals first-round pick Zaven Collins was arrested last weekend for excessive speed and reckless driving. He was picked up last Sunday for going 76 mph in a 35 mph zone. While this is not the type of impression you want to make on your new team, it is very unlikely this will cause Collins to miss any time this coming season.
- Last week, National Football Scouting which is one of two scouting services the NFL uses came out with it’s draft grades. The highest-rated player according to this list was Georgia linebacker Adam Anderson while UNI offensive tackle Trevor Penning was rated as the best small school prospect.
- Miami tight end Will Mallory looks to be back at full health. Mallory missed spring ball due to a shoulder injury he suffered during the 2020 season. He should enter the season rated as one of the better tight ends in the 2022 NFL Draft.
- While Michigan’s Ronnie Bell has led the Wolverines in receptions and yards the past two seasons he has only had four career touchdown receptions. His lack of production in the red zone could be a concern for scouts if he doesn’t improve in this area next year.
- Former Troy wide receiver Kaylon Geiger has transferred to Texas Tech. Geiger caught 64 passes in 2020 and was named the Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year in 2019. He should be one of the Red Raiders leading receivers this year, and his shiftiness makes him an interesting prospect in the NFL especially when it comes to returning punts.
- Unfortunately, Texas Tech did suffer some bad news when it came to the wide receiver position this spring. That news was that Erik Ezukanma severely broke his arm which will keep him out to at least August. Last season, Ezukanma became the first Red Raider to lead the team in receiving yards in back-to-back years since Jakeem Grant in 2014-15
- Pittsburgh wide receiver Taysir Mack had to undergo two surgeries during the 2020 season, yet was still able to play in 8 of the team’s 11 games. This toughness and desire to be on the field can only be viewed as a positive by scouts.
- Former Eastern Michigan wide receiver Quian Williams has transferred to Buffalo. Over the last two seasons, Williams has caught 76 passes for 983 yards and eight touchdowns. He should be an immediate contributor to Buffalo’s passing game.
- Idaho State WR Tanner Conner placed seventh in the 100m (10.83), fourth in the 110m hurdles (14.03), and fourth in the 4x100m at the Big Sky Outdoor track and field championships. Conner also has a 40-inch vertical which combined with his speed makes him one of the best athletes in the FCS.