Welcome to week two of the wide receiver report, where we dive into the finer points of the position, traits, and how players are winning in the NFL. In this one, we’ll look at a couple receivers from the 2020 NFL Draft who are making some noise in their sophomore campaigns, how Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett remains underrated and a special player. Also, two receivers who are becoming three-level threats before our eyes, and a big matchup ahead for a 2022 NFL Draft prospect.
2020 NFL Draft WRs On The Rise
The sophomore class of receivers is one to monitor all season long, as it could end up the one of the deepest of all time, from the first rounders to the day three picks. Three guys made some noise in their second season on Sunday, all in their own different ways.
Michael Pittman Jr.
It was a great day for Pittman Jr., who caught eight passes for 123 yards against the Rams on Sunday in a close game for the Colts that was winnable. After a respectable 40 catch season in 2020, Pittman could take the leap in year two as the Colts look for a new WR1 to emerge. Pittman won on two levels Sunday, finding space against zone coverage well in the quick passing game and showing off good burst and contact balance with the ball in his hands. He also made a great adjustment through contact on a 40 yard deep ball from Carson Wentz, using his hands and maintaining good leverage.
K.J. Osborn
A bit of an afterthought after drafting Ihmir Smith-Marsette and signing Dede Westbrook, K.J. Osborn made the most of his opportunity on Sunday, even from the first snap. Osborn ran free on a post/wheel concept and had great straight line speed and stamina to finish for the score. He also caught two key passes on the final drive, one a great catch on a big hit, and another close to the ground. He will be one to watch going forward on a potent Vikings offense as its WR3.
Henry Ruggs III
The first receiver selected in the 2020 NFL Draft, Henry Ruggs hasn’t been utilized very much with the Raiders, and developing and mastering his play speed will be crucial to his development. Ruggs was important in taking down the Steelers in week two, catching five passes for 113 yards and a 61 yard score to seal the win. His buildup speed on a straight line is fantastic, and he raced past the secondary, tracking the ball well while maintaining speed. He looked better through his breaks and transitions, maintaining that speed and showing good burst and flashing some pace variance. The offense is humming, and Ruggs could be a major part of that going forward.
Tyler Lockett’s Special Skill Set
Every NFL Draft class ends up producing a special talent, and the 2015 class has a few of them. Lockett, Amari Cooper, and Stefon Diggs are quite the trio with different games to win in the NFL. Lockett has become one of the best deep threats in the NFL, with a few simple traits that help him do so.
His acceleration is one of those traits. Elite receivers have the ability to deceive with different pacing, and deep threats need the acceleration to quickly stack and gain leverage so their quarterback has more room for error down the field. Lockett has the chemistry and trust with Russell Wilson to make that connection special year after year.
Lockett’s body control is also impressive. He makes the tough catches on the sideline look spectacular, with the graceful balance of a dancer. His awareness and control make the difficult look routine.
Finally, Lockett is an incredible tracker of the football. Tracking the ball over your shoulder is one thing, but having to make slight adjustments at full speed while maintaining leverage isn’t easy, which is why Lockett is still one of the most underrated receivers in the league. He can adjust and still make catches look easy, and turn and relocate if necessary. Lockett also flashes late hands to prevent defensive backs from timing their breakup opportunity.
New Three Level Threats Emerging
Deebo Samuel
A second round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Deebo Samuel was an NFL Draft prospect who thrived on toughness and agility after the catch while also showing toughness through contact in his stems. He was great in the quick passing game and deep down the field when stacking DBs, but lacked the refinement to win in the intermediate area.
Samuel looks to have improved in that area this season, and has the acceleration through his breaks and the creativity to separate at the top of his stem. He’s great at getting deep enough with his routes against sinking zone coverage, and opens up windows behind the second level of the defense. Combine that with great adjustment skills and speed deep, and there’s a reason Samuel is leading the league in yardage.
D.J. Moore
The first receiver taken in the 2018 NFL Draft, D.J. Moore also had the speed to win deep and the release game to win quick. Combine that with the burst to threaten angles, and Moore was a shoo-in to be a top pick.
What stands out with Moore now is how diverse he can be off the line of scrimmage, and how he maintains his speed through slight transitions. He stays very efficient in his breaks and keeps DBs guessing at the line of scrimmage versus press. Moore should be in for a big 2021 season.
Treylon Burks vs. Texas A&M
In the matchup of the week, Arkansas and Texas A&M meet in what should be a great game in Arlington, Texas. Arkansas has Treylon Burks, who is currently one of the top prospects for the 2022 NFL Draft. At his size, Burks has incredible play speed to threaten angles and win deep, along with the ball skills and body control to win in contested spots and the red zone. His versatility shines as well, as he gets reps in the slot, touches on jet motion plays, and some reps on the perimeter.
He faces a very good Aggies secondary that features safeties Leon O’Neal and Demani Richardson, and an experienced corner room. The biggest question surrounding Burks is whether or not he can be on an island and separate against press and man coverage. He’s still raw as a route runner, and if he wants to be drafted as a WR1, more reps on the perimeter will be huge for Burks. On a national stage in an incredible venue, Burks can elevate his NFL Draft stock and seriously get into the WR1 conversation. He’s had a good year so far, but producing in this one and in SEC play will be huge.