How does the wide receiver position look right now for the 2022 NFL Draft? Here are some fresh rankings based on tiers.
The college football season is starting to wind down, as there are only three full weeks left. These last few weeks will give us the last live viewings until the seniors participate in All-Star games and the coaches film comes rolling in. It’s going to be an important time for many 2022 NFL Draft prospects to continue to show their improvements, right the ship, or ultimately decide that returning to school might be necessary.
The wide receiver position in the 2022 NFL Draft is one that might not see the top tier talent of the previous two seasons, but it’s good in its own right. There will be a few that are consistently at the top of rankings, and several others who could challenge for a top five spot.
2022 NFL Draft Tiered WR Rankings 1.0
These preliminary rankings will be a little different. Rather than numbered rankings, we’ll put the prospects into tiers and talk about their games. It should give readers an idea of where these guys are at with so much of the draft process to go. Let’s dive in and look at some updated receiver rankings!
**Note: Ainias Smith is an offensive unicorn and won’t appear here. Also, more names will be added down the line.
Tier 1
Garrett Wilson
Drake London
Treylon Burks
Chris Olave
It’s the Ohio State guys leading the way like many believed they would and a couple more studs in the top tier right now.
Garrett Wilson might not be producing at the clip that many expected heading into the season, but he’s as advanced as anyone in college football when it comes to generating separation and route running. His route tempo is impressive, as he can switch gears and accelerate quickly out of breaks and while in his stem. Wilson attacks the ball in the air and has great ball skills, including the ability to adjust late. After the catch, he’s flexible with impressive agility to make defenders miss.
Drake London was enjoying a special season with USC before his ankle fracture. He wins a ton at the catch point, which of courses scares those who want to see more separation rather than hanging your hat on that trait. London has proved he can do more, as his impressive movement skills for 6’5″ and 210 pounds. He’s showed off some impressive double moves and has incredible toughness, balance, and field vision after the catch. London is growing into a complete player.
Treylon Burks is the size and speed guy who NFL teams will love. He’s got incredible balance and fleet feet for someone of his build, as he has impressive ball skills and is very good in the red zone. His play speed through the catch point is very good, and he can erase angles after the catch. Working on his route tree is the one thing that brings about some worry, but it’s something that can be honed in the NFL.
Chris Olave might be best in his own tier, as he’s such a technically advanced route runner, manipulating defensive backs with his eyes and shoulders, along with attacking blind spots against off coverage. He’s as well-rounded as anyone in the class and can be a deep threat with his 4.4 speed. Olave has great body control as well. Is he a WR1 at the next level? Probably not, but the floor is very high.
Tier 2
Jahan Dotson
David Bell
Jameson Williams
John Metchie III
The second tier might be this writer’s favorite group because it’s oozing with potential.
Jahan Dotson has taken a big step this season, as he’s looked more dynamic and twitchy off the line of scrimmage with a clear plan of how to gain leverage quickly in his stem. He’s still a dynamic deep threat with impressive speed to take a short gain and turn it into a score. Despite being listed at 184 pounds, Dotson plays bigger than his size and has no fear to go up and get the ball in a 50/50 situation.
David Bell has one of the more intriguing profiles in the 2022 NFL Draft. He doesn’t possess elite twitch or speed, but he’s so well-rounded in that he can win at every level of the field. Bell uses his hands very well to separate at the top of his routes and to stack defenders to win vertically. His buildup speed is also enough to be a vertical threat. Bell’s ball skills are impressive, as he can track the ball well in the air and make adjustments when necessary. His body control and balance are well-versed after the catch.
Jameson Williams transferred to Alabama from Ohio State, and whew has it paid off. He’s a true deep threat with his top-tier speed, and is a threat to score from everywhere on the field. What really stands out is his separation quickness. Williams is dynamic at the line and quick to get off press with impressive footwork and quickness. He has the catch radius to thrive at the catch point as well.
John Metchie III isn’t for everyone, as he doesn’t have elite quickness, agility, and burst. But, Metchie is a technician as a route runner with a good release package, space manipulation, and route deception. He thrives in the intermediate area of the field and can stack defender to win on a vertical plane. Metchie still needs to work on attacking and securing at the catch point down the stretch.
Tier 3
Zay Flowers, Boston College
Khalil Shakir, Boise State
Romeo Doubs, Nevada
Justyn Ross, Clemson
Alec Pierce, Cincinnati
Wan’Dale Robinson, Kentucky
There are plenty of potential 2022 NFL Draft risers in this tier.
It starts with Zay Flowers, who is wicked quick with his release game, possesses good speed to be a vertical threat, and has wicked change of direction skills after the catch. His size hinders him, and he’s a body catcher, but his ability to track and dynamism make him intriguing.
Khalil Shakir is another receiver who could potentially jump a tier. He’s been making highlight reel plays all season long in contested spots, and has incredible balance, field vision, and quickness to run after the catch.
Romeo Doubs is thriving out west for Nevada, and should cross the 1,000 yard mark for the second straight season. He’s another who possesses short area burst to win at every level. He’s improving as a contested catch guy this season, which is important for someone of his size and build.
Alec Pierce might not be as well-known, but there will be a role for him in the NFL. He’s a true vertical threat with a big catch radius and incredible leaping skills. His in-air athleticism helps him thrive at the catch point, and he’s one of the better high-pointers in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Justyn Ross might rise when tape study dives deeper, but the Clemson offense is sputtering and he hasn’t found his pre-injury form. He’s still got wicked body control and a massive catch radius, but his route tree leaves a bit to be desired.
Wan’Dale Robinson will likely be labeled a gadget player in the 2022 NFL Draft, but there’s plenty to like outside of that usage. He can be a deep threat and has displayed manipulation to win on double moves down the field.
Tier 4
Reggie Roberson Jr., SMU
Dontay Demus Jr., Maryland
Christian Watson, North Dakota State
Jalen Tolbert, South Alabama
Reggie Roberson Jr. has dealt with injuries in his career at SMU, and the production has wavered because of it. He’ still an intriguing deep threat with impressive hands and ball tracking skills. A strong finish and all-star circuit could help him.
It’ll be interesting to see if Dontay Demus Jr. declares, as he suffered a major injury several weeks ago. Before that, he was averaging just over 18 yards per reception. Demus is another deep threat with a big catch radius and the size to be an “X” and a red zone type.
He’s a small school stud, and it won’t be long before Christian Watson bursts onto the scene. A serious size/speed threat, he’s got a lot of similar traits to Demus, and he gets opportunities in the quick game and jet sweeps to capitalize on his speed and be a threat from anywhere on the field.
Jalen Tolbert has a ton of hype in some circles, as he’s a loose, fluid athlete who makes great plays at the catch point. However, he’s still working on his route tree and isn’t overly creative to separate horizontally. He’s still one to watch for the 2022 NFL Draft.
Tier 5
Erik Ezukanma, Texas Tech
Jaquarii Roberson, Wake Forest
Jordan Whittington, Texas
Jayden Reed, Michigan State
Bo Melton, Rutgers
Dontario Drummond, Ole Miss
Calvin Austin III, Memphis
This tier is a group with very different skill sets in the 2022 NFL Draft. Erik Ezukanma is a threat at the catch point with great grip strength and high pointing skills, and has great field vision and change of direction skills after the catch for someone of his stature.
Jayden Reed, Bo Melton, and Calvin Austin III are all smaller guys who bring speed to the table. Austin is a bit of a gadget guy who can thrive on special teams early on, while Melton is a bit more of a technician in the vein of the aforementioned Flowers. Reed has made stellar plays for the Spartans all year long.
Jordan Whittington is a premier slot receiver for the Longhorns, who takes advantage of soft zone coverage. He finds holes in zones and is a productive possession receiver. He’s only in his third season so there’s a chance he doesn’t declare for the 2022 NFL Draft. Dontario Drummond does some similar things, but he will be 25 when the draft rolls around.
Jaquarii Roberson has been huge for the Demon Deacons this season, and he’s gelled so well with quarterback Sam Hartman. He’s been a steady playmaker in the intermediate and deep areas of the field with good size and a good frame to handle contact.