WRU: Schools That Produce the Best Wide Receivers in the NFL

Have you ever wondered, “which college produces the best talent at each respective position in the NFL?” If so, I have you covered. This is the first piece of a five article series, and what better position to start things off with than wide receiver? Check out the contenders for WRU below.

High-end talent at the wide receiver position is becoming much more sought-after as the league continues its transition into prioritizing the pass game. Star wide receivers can be found anywhere. This point is further supported by the fact that all-time greats like Randy Moss (Marshall University) and Jerry Rice (Mississippi Valley State) attended schools that rarely, if ever, garner a national audience. Even current studs like Cooper Kupp (Eastern Washington) and Davante Adams (Fresno State) come from non-traditional football factories.

However, the trend of top wide receivers coming from elite programs is starting to really take over the narrative, and rightfully so. There are a handful of schools that seemingly pump out NFL caliber players at wide receiver, year in and year out. This is my attempt at determining which school lays claim to the WRU mantle. I’ve looked over every wide receiver currently in the NFL, and will also be using this years’ crop of rookies, but they will obviously not hold the same amount of weight as others that already have 1+ seasons under their belt. I’ll get things started here with my list of honorable mentions.

HM: Texas A&M Aggies

•Mike Evans (Buccaneers)

•Christian Kirk (Jaguars)

•Josh Reynolds (Lions)

Mike Evans has a serious argument as the most underrated wide receiver currently in the league. To be honest, his entire career has been underrated. Evans hauled in at least 67 receptions in each of his eight professional seasons in Tampa Bay, never once failing to eclipse the 1000 yard plateau. Christian Kirk signed a monster deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars this past offseason, and will finally get a chance to be the main option in the wide receiver room. Josh Reynolds still holds the record for most receiving touchdowns in a single-season for an Aggie, but has never started more than eight games in any season since entering the NFL. Mike Evans will be 29 when week one begins, so he still has tread left on the tires. However, with Kirk not yet realizing his true potential, I can’t go any farther than honorable mention for this group.

WRU: Which School Should Be No. 1 in the WRU Rankings?

HM: Oklahoma Sooners

•CeeDee Lamb (Cowboys)

•Hollywood Brown (Cardinals)

•Sterling Shepard (Giants)

Not that these honorable mentions are in a strict order, but both CeeDee Lamb and Marquise “Hollywood” Brown recorded over 1000 receiving yards in 2021. Sterling Shepard has proven to be a more reliable option (when healthy) than Josh Reynolds at this stage, so there’s the logic behind the placement. Hollywood will be learning an entirely new system next season, but the opportunity to hit another level in his game with the strong-armed Kyler Murray is something that’s hard to ignore. CeeDee also has a lot to prove in 2022 now that he is the unquestioned WR1 on the roster. Ultimately, Lamb and Brown are both 25 or younger, so I am still banking on them getting to the next level of their development as early as this season. If Shepard can stay on the field, there’s a real chance he leads the New York Giants in targets this year, as well.