Zay Flowers paces the field in our latest 2023 NFL Draft wide receiver rankings. Where does your favorite pass catcher rank on the list? *Editors Note: Jonathan Mingo was added to the list after going back to his tape (4-5-2023)*
The wide receiver position boasts some of the best players in the entire NFL, and many were draft picks in recent years. While veterans like Davante Adams, Tyreek Hill, and Stefon Diggs continue their stellar careers, the new era of pass catchers led by Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase is making their presence felt.
Chase won Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2021 and improved his play in year two. Jets’ 2022 first-round pick, Garrett Wilson, made it back-to-back receivers, winning rookie of the year even amid tumultuous play at quarterback.
2023 NFL Draft: Zay Flowers, Jaxon Smith-Njigba Earn Day 1 Grades in Latest WR Rankings
Other youngsters like Jaylen Waddle, DeVonta Smith, and Chris Olave are making waves of their own. Who are the best receivers in the 2023 NFL Draft? Can any of them make it a third straight OROY victory for pass catchers?
Our updated top 21 ranking hopes to answer these questions. In a draft class lacking a blue-chip prospect, expect some surprises in this list! Without further ado, the No. 21 wide receiver is…
WR21: Tank Dell (Houston)
Tank Dell is built like the average 9th grader in America — if we only look at his height and weight. At 5-foot-8, 171 pounds, Dell is set to be a slot receiver in the NFL. However, that only paints a fraction of the picture.
As a special teamer, Dell became one of the best in the country for Houston. As a pass catcher, he ran several different routes, giving him a deeper route tree than you might think, and he even lined up in the backfield sometimes. Simply put, Dell can put his fingerprints all over the game, but not without limitations.
Dell will never be a boundary receiver in the league. He is not only too short, but he also lacks the muscle mass to fight off press coverage. Because of this, Dell needs an offensive coordinator that knows how to manufacture space. In the right setting, the Houston superstar will outplay his day-three draft grade.
NFL Draft Grade: Early Day 3
WR20: Puka Nucua (BYU)
Starting out the list is a guy that has slowly crept his way up my rankings. Puka Nucua is a two-year starter for the Cougs, leading the squad in receiving yards each season. He wins by out-competing his assignment. Nucua’s top speed won’t blow anyone away, but he can contort his body and flip directions with the snap of a finger.
Nucua attacks the catch point, and more times than not, he comes down with the pass for a long gain. However, the BYU receiver fails to consistently create separation in short area situations, as he needs more time to operate.
This lackluster release package and only average athleticism hurt his projection. Reliable hands can take him a long way in the NFL, but I fear Nucua will never be more than a rotational piece on the depth chart.
NFL Draft Grade: Early Day 3
WR19: AT Perry (Wake Forest)
AT Perry can flat-out ball. He is the prototypical size for a WR1 and looks the part on tape. Perry loves to fight downfield and thrives in contested catch situations. He can typically out-muscle smaller cornerbacks and highpoint the ball when leaping.
Perry cannot consistently separate, which will cause issues against stickier and stronger defenders in the NFL. He also is prone to a concentration drop from time to time, so this will need cleaned up to avoid riding the bench. The Wake Forest receiver is a day-three grade on my board.
NFL Draft Grade: Early Day 3
WR18: Rakim Jarrett (Maryland)
Rakim Jarrett is one of my favorite watches in the 2023 NFL Draft, but his lack of size will likely keep him from becoming a focal point of an NFL offense. Still, the Maryland star is explosive with the ball in his hands and will stretch the field with his deceptive speed.
Jarrett doesn’t have to be a WR1 to be an impactful player on Sundays. His potential on special teams makes for a safe floor for the former Terrapin.
NFL Draft Grade: Early Day 3
WR17: Parker Washington (Penn State)
Parker Washington is an NFL Draft Twitter darling. I see the excitement with the Penn State alum, but he is only an average athlete. His arms are incredibly short, and it shows up on tape as his catch radius is severely limited working downfield.
Not to fret, Washington is still very effective after the catch and shows an easy ability to separate from the slot. His hands are elite and should keep him on an NFL roster for the next decade. Washington could rack up receptions as a safety valve.
NFL Draft Grade: Early Day 3
WR16: Jayden Reed (Michigan State)
Jayden Reed is another Big Ten receiver with his fair share of supporters. The Spartan veteran will be a superstar special teamer as a rookie, plus his inside-out versatility and underrated route tree, so Reed is a worthwhile selection early on day three.
The reason Reed is not higher on the list is his limited top-end speed. While he is shifty and routinely creates after the catch, he is not the type to leave a defender in the dust. Additionally, Reed’s lack of ideal size will cut down on his versatility, which is arguably his best trait.
NFL Draft Grade: Early Day 3
WR15: Kayshon Boutte (LSU)
Kayshon Boutte entered the 2022 college football season as one of the contenders for the WR1 mantle. Well, it has been quite the fall from grace for the LSU star. Boutte put together an unimpressive final season in Baton Rouge, oftentimes looking dejected and downright giving up on plays before the whistle.
Still, Boutte’s raw talent is undeniable. He is awe-inspiring after the catch and shows flashes of elite play. Boutte is quick and shifty, and spent time on the boundary and in the slot for the Tigers. Consistency is everything for him; if a coaching staff can get him to buy in, he will be a steal in the 2023 NFL Draft.
NFL Draft Grade: Fringe Day 2
WR14: Rashee Rice (SMU)
Rashee Rice is a tough projection. When he measured nearly two inches shorter at the Combine than SMU listed him, it raised some red flags for me. Rice is a contested catch, 50/50 specialist. His lack of separation and underwhelming release package was easier to look past when he was 6-foot-2, but at nearly 6 feet, I am less inclined to believe in his ability to dominate jump balls in the NFL.
Nonetheless, Rice’s traits are worth a fringe day two selection. He may not be as tall as expected, but his competitive nature helps mask the lack of size. Rice can create after the catch and has shown an extra gear when he gets some space. Teams will want to see improvement off the snap, but he could easily develop into a starter in the league.
NFL Draft Grade: Fringe Day 2
WR13: Jonathan Mingo (Ole Miss)
Jonathan Mingo is everything you want from a receiver physically. He is a smooth athlete who glides down the field and stretches defenses vertically. With a quick first step and amazing long speed, Mingo is a terror for opposing secondary’s.
Mingo is equally as explosive with the ball in his hands. After the catch, the Ole Miss star turns into a running back, oftentimes mirroring the play style of former Rebel, AJ Brown. Mingo possesses ideal size, and even with a thick frame, he remains agile and tough to bring down in space.
The primary cause for concern with Mingo is how he catches the football. Far, far too many times I witnessed Mingo catching the ball with his body rather than snatching it out of the air. This technique resulted in numerous drops during his collegiate career.
It is also likely that the pass catcher spends most of his time as a ‘big slot’ in the NFL, which is becoming more of a standard practice, but still limits some versatility in his projection. Still, with the excitement Mingo brings with the ball in his hands, and the mismatches he creates in coverage, he is worth taking on day two but may slip into day three.
NFL Draft Grade: Fringe Day 2
WR12: Tyler Scott (Cincinnati)
Tyler Scott got lost in the shuffle last season during Cincinnati’s playoff run. With the likes of Desmond Ridder and Alec Pierce taking most of the shine on offense, Scott just showed up, did his job, and went home. In 2021, Scott finished top three on the team in receptions, yards, and touchdowns.
Coming into his final season as a Bearcat, Scott improved his numbers across the board. He is such a smooth separator, and at the same time, Scott explodes for monster gains. It is the controlled chaos that is so intriguing. He also added a slew of new routes to his arsenal in preparation for 2022.
The issues with Scott start with his skinny frame. He is lanky and needs to take snaps from the slot to ensure his release package transfers. Another red flag, Scott dropped seven passes in 88 targets, resulting in a mediocre grade on PFF. The worries don’t erase the good, earning him a late day-two pick on my Big Board.
NFL Draft Grade: Late Day 2
WR11: Cedric Tillman (Tennessee)
Cedric Tillman passes the eye test when you see his 6-foot-3, 213-pound frame. He also tested like a freak at the NFL Combine by posting a 4.54 40-yard dash and equally impressive vertical and broad jumps. These traits show up on his film.
Tillman has never met a 50/50 ball that he didn’t think he was going to win. The Tennessee veteran is known for boxing out defenders with his strength, using this to get better catching angles downfield. Tillman’s elite body control allows him to work the sideline at a high level, giving his quarterback plenty of time to get through progressions.
Tillman is not a perfect prospect, though. He has dealt with a nagging ankle injury during his time with the Volunteers. Another issue in his projection is how often Tillman takes advantage of smaller college defenders. He will be 23 as a rookie and that learning curve could be a steep one coming out of Josh Heupel’s offense. His potential as a WR1 in the league makes him a target on day two.
NFL Draft Grade: Late Day 2
WR10: Xavier Hutchinson (Iowa State)
Xavier Hutchinson shows an elite change of direction and impressive size as a boundary receiver. He may not excel in many other areas, but he isn’t bad anywhere, either. Hutchinson is a solid route runner with enough routes under his belt to make the transition to the NFL smoothly.
While Hutchinson is not slow, he is fit for a chain-moving role rather than a field-stretching role. He is best suited using his route running and short-area agility to separate from defenders. Hutchinson boasts some of the best hands in the class and might make this ranking look silly by the end of his rookie year.
NFL Draft Grade: Mid-Day 2
WR9: Marvin Mims (Oklahoma)
Marvin Mims is an elite deep threat in the 2023 NFL Draft. After bursting onto the scene as a freshman, the Oklahoma star has eclipsed the 20-yards-per-reception plateau in each of his past two seasons with the Sooners. Mims hauled in 86 passes for 1,787 yards and 11 touchdowns during that span.
Averaging 17 yards per target, Mims was used almost exclusively as a field stretcher. However, in the plays where Mims was allowed to work the middle of the field, he found great success. He learned how to find open areas in the zone and create with the ball already in his hands.
Mims’ game-wrecking ability will keep him in the league for a long time, but improving his route running will make him one of the best pass catchers in the NFL. The Sooner pass catcher was not tasked with a large route tree, so he will need some legitimate NFL coaching to continue adding wrinkles to his game.
On top of his uninspiring route tree, Mims’ size negatively impacts him when pursuing the ball in the air. His arms are short, and his catch radius limits his ability to go up and get the deep ball. The good news? Mims usually ran so far past the defender with his 4.3 speed that he didn’t have to fight for it.
As we know, the jump in competition from Big 12 football to NFL football is night and day. I’m willing to bet on Mims adding more to his route tree, but even if he doesn’t, his ability to stretch the field so effortlessly will be enough to start long-term in this league. A safe floor with an astronomical ceiling on day two.
NFL Draft Grade: Mid-Day 2
WR8: Charlie Jones (Purdue)
Chuck Sizzle checks in at No. 8 on my wide receiver ranking, but it took a lot for me to not place him even higher. I am such a fan of the way he plays the position. Jones is a superb route runner that flourishes in contested catch situations. For a guy as small as he is, Jones uses his magnetized hands to catch any football in his vicinity.
Furthermore, Jones is faster than he looks on tape. Highlighted by a long history of special teams contributions, the Boilermaker senior has loads of experience working with the ball in his hands. Thus, Jones has developed moves after the catch that help him tack on more yards to the play.
Before the catch, Jones boasts an elite release off the line and an underrated change of direction ability. He is always open and is equally capable of moving the chains as he is of taking the top off the defense.
So, what’s wrong with him? Well, he is going to be 25 years old as a rookie. That fact alone will knock him down most NFL Draft boards. He also only has one year of elite production in college, which came in 2022. Jones is stouter than his weight lists, but the frame is a concern nonetheless.
All this being said, sometimes we overcomplicate things in the draft process. Jones is among the best route runners in the class, creates separation at a high clip, and displays elite hands. Sure, he is old, but this is the type of talent worth betting on anyway.
Jones is a fringe top-60 player on my Big Board, making him an early-to-mid day two grade. That reads rich right now, but let’s revisit it in 12 months.
NFL Draft Grade: Mid-Day 2
WR7: Josh Downs (North Carolina)
Josh Downs is a blast to watch for the North Carolina Tar Heels. He lacks the ideal frame, but his tape calms several fears surrounding him. Downs is borderline elite as a route runner, consistently separating from defenders from the slot and creating even more yardage after the catch. He is plenty athletic and uses subtle cuts to keep defenders on their toes.
Drops are the No. 1 concern right now, but to his credit, he went from 10 drops in 2021 to only 3 in 2022, showing his ability to improve. Add in the limited catch radius and only average athleticism, and it could keep Downs on the board longer than expected.
I would take him on day two and place him as my starting slot receiver as a rookie. Downs should translate quickly to the league and will be a reliable target for whatever quarterback is throwing him the ball.
NFL Draft Grade: Early-to-Mid Day 2
WR6: Andrei Iosivas (Princeton)
The man, the myth, the legend… Andrei Iosivas out of Princeton. Okay, so maybe he’s not a myth, or a legend (yet), but he is a MAN! It is not often you see a talent like this come out of the Ivy League, so a shout-out to the Tigers is required.
Iosivas was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, on the opposite side of the country. As a high school athlete, he earned letters in football, basketball, and track & field, highlighting his all-around talent.
Iosivas, also a brilliant mind off the field, enrolled at Princeton, becoming a member of the junior varsity football team and the school’s track & field squad. Iosivas took some time to make his presence felt on the gridiron, but he was a star for the track team from the moment he arrived.
Iosivas first saw true varsity playing time in 2021 before blowing up and becoming the best player on the team in 2022. He earned team captain honors and became a first-team All-American for the football and track teams. In 2022, Iosivas dominated the heptathlon, setting an all-time record in the 60m (6.71).
Once Iosivas’ wrapped up his playing career, he earned invites to the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine. There, the Princeton star showcased everything scouts saw on tape. He proved that the jump in competition wasn’t too much for him to handle and steadily improved his stock during one-on-one drills.
Iosivas beat defenders from more prestigious programs regularly, either shaking them off the line of scrimmage or using his long strides and track speed to break free further downfield. His hands also stood out as a positive, as Iosivas did well going up and getting it when called upon. He flexed the athleticism that earned him the No. 15 spot on Bruce Feldman’s Freak List.
The concerns about Iosivas’ lack of tape vs. top-end talent still exist. Although he held his own at the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine, those are different than a true game-setting. Iosivas must continue to prove his talent is the real deal, and I believe a team should give him the chance to do so early on day two.
I tabbed Andrei Iosivas as my “Christian Watson” of the draft back in January. I am not backing off that bold claim now.
NFL Draft Grade: Early-to-Mid Day 2
WR5: Jalin Hyatt (Tennessee)
Jalin Hyatt and I have an interesting history. No, we don’t know each other, but I have had a love-hate relationship as an evaluator. A blind man could see how electrifying Hyatt is on the field. He may have run in the 4.4s at the NFL Combine, but I promise his tape plays 4.2.
Because of the way Tennessee’s offense is set up, Hyatt was gifted separation on virtually every snap. This is where it gets difficult to project. Hyatt’s speed, slippery hips, and impressive footwork show up time and time again, but what happens when an NFL defensive back presses him off the line?
Hyatt’s frame is average, and his lanky arms help with his catch radius downfield but could be a detriment vs. press coverage. On top of this concern, Hyatt also never got to utilize a full route tree for the Volunteers. There were instances where Hyatt didn’t even have to run a route to be open — that is where the “fake offense” narrative for Tennessee comes into play.
So, how do you decide on a grade for such a polarizing prospect? While his shortcomings are noted, and valid, I’m going to bet on the traits of Hyatt. He didn’t run many routes in college, but his fluid movement, exceptional body control, and otherworldly acceleration lead me to believe he can develop this part of his game — and quickly.
Hyatt gets comparisons to DeSean Jackson and Will Fuller. I see him as a clear blend of each guy, with the potential to carve out an even bigger role in the NFL than either of them did. Hyatt isn’t a day-one prospect, but he should come off the board early on day two.
NFL Draft Grade: Early Day 2
WR4: Jordan Addison (USC)
I have read rankings with Jordan Addison as the WR1. I don’t agree with this assessment, but if we go strictly off college tape, I see the vision. Addison won the 2021 Biletnikoff Award as the top receiver for Kenny Pickett. He then transferred to the opposite coast, assuming the top spot on the depth chart for USC.
Addison’s season with the Trojans failed to reach the heights of his previous season due to an unfortunate injury, but he still produced a respectable line on the year. He eliminated the drop concerns that haunted him during his Pitt days, going from 21 career drops to only two in 2022.
Although drops have been an issue on and off, Addison’s hands are a calling card for his NFL Draft resume. He boasts strong hands and shows teach-tape form when hauling in passes away from his body and further downfield. Addison’s body control and top-tier footwork help him come down in bounds.
Addison’s route running is far and away his best trait, though. He is polished off the line of scrimmage, which should help considering his lack of size and strength. Furthermore, Addison separates without breaking a sweat, showing crisp, effortless breaks out of his routes.
Not only does Addison get open vs. man coverage, but he also eats up zones like Pac-Man eats ghosts. His football IQ is as good as any in this article, and the on-field experience he brings is another leg up in the 2023 NFL Draft talks.
But there is a reason for Addison being No. 5 on my list instead of No. 1. His size and lack of playing strength. While others on this list lack ideal size, many of them at least play hard and with an edge. Addison gives 100% every game but never makes a physically dominant move.
Against Oregon State, Addison was essentially taken out of the game by press-man coverage. If Addison is to take snaps outside, he must get stronger without jeopardizing his already established release package. Because of this, he profiles as a slot-only receiver for me.
10 years ago, “slot-only” was an insult to receiving prospects. Nowadays, it no longer carries that label. However, when it comes to objective grading, Addison’s lack of versatility *is* a knock. Add in the fact he is such an outlier regarding size, and it makes for a far riskier bet than many lead you to believe.
Still, I trust the tape, and more importantly, I trust the prospect. His route running, ability after the catch, and overall refinement working downfield make him an easy day-two target. Addison will be an impact player in the league if his offensive coordinator plays to his strengths.
NFL Draft Grade: Early Day 2
WR3: Quentin Johnston (TCU)
Quentin Johnston checks the physical threshold that many NFL clubs look for. He is tall, stocky, and uses his long strides to eat up turf and blaze down the field. Johnston helped lead the Horned Frogs to a National Championship appearance in his final year on campus, even if his performance vs. Georgia was less than ideal.
Still, Johnston set the Big 12 ablaze in 2022. He eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for the first time and matched a career-high with six touchdowns. Johnston overwhelmed defensive backs with his blend of size and speed, oftentimes leaving them in his dust or posterizing them downfield if they did keep up.
While it is less likely Johnston can regularly dominate this way in the NFL, these traits show it is possible. Even if not as consistent, Johnston’s big play potential, especially at his size, can be a cheat code for savvy play callers.
Johnston isn’t just an athlete either. His route tree is not as diverse as others in the class, but he shows enough to mix it up and keep defenders on their heels. Johnston could face trouble from strong, press-man cornerbacks in the NFL, as his release package has never been a strong suit.
Furthermore, another concern with Johnston is his drops. Rather than a lack of form, a chunk of Johnston’s drops were a direct result of a lapse in concentration. Nonetheless, for a receiver who breads his butter as a big play threat, these self-inflicted errors can land him in the dog house as a rookie.
Johnston is not without his risks. He must prove that the separation he got in college was because of him, not the scheme. Johnston also must eliminate the easy drops. If he can smooth these rough edges, he has all the traits to be the best wide receiver from the 2023 NFL Draft. In a class full of guys without “ideal” measurables, Johnston aces the test.
NFL Draft Grade: Early Day 2
WR2: Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Ohio State)
Jaxon Smith-Njigba outproduced first-round picks Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave as the trio dominated the Big Ten in 2021. With the latter two names departing for the league, JSN was expected to step into the WR1 role and lead the offense.
Unfortunately, a nagging injury kept Smith-Njigba from seeing the field much in 2022. After suffering a setback during recovery, the star receiver made a business decision to withdraw from returning to the Buckeyes, with his priority becoming getting healthy for the 2023 NFL Draft.
Marvin Harrison Jr. burst onto the scene in his first year as a starter, causing some folks to forget all about JSN. His draft stock took a major hit during the season, but thanks to a clean bill of health and stellar offseason workouts, Smith-Njigba is back where he belongs — near the top of the wide receiver rankings.
Smith-Njigba simply moves differently on the football field. His three-cone drill at the NFL Combine put some numbers behind it, as JSN posted one of the best scores of any receiver in recent years. The drill tests burst, change of direction, and overall agility… which is the engine that makes his car go.
Additionally, JSN is also fast enough to stretch the field vertically. While he is at his best using picturesque route running to find the creases in zone defense, Smith-Njigba has the body control and reliable hands to make big gains downfield.
The core concern with Smith-Njigba, aside from the lingering hamstring issue, is his lack of experience as the top option on offense. Sure, he led the Buckeyes in production in 2021, but we are lying to ourselves if we say Olave and Wilson didn’t contribute to that.
With the size and athleticism red flags out of the way and his injury seemingly in the background, JSN grades out as a top 20 player overall on my Big Board. He is a difference-maker for any group lucky enough to add him. Day one material, lock it in.
NFL Draft Grade: Mid-to-Late Day 1
WR1: Zay Flowers (Boston College)
I stuck my flag in the ground months and months ago, and it remains planted. Zay Flowers is the best receiver in the 2023 NFL Draft and is worth a day-one selection 100 out of 100 times.
He is a route-running savant, possesses otherworldly body control, and tracks deep passes better than anyone else in the class. Additionally, Flowers boasts incredibly strong hands, as he regularly plucks the ball from the air and never allows it to travel to his chest.
In terms of physical profile, Flowers reads as a short and slender “slot-only” pass catcher. However, one look at him on the gridiron, and these concerns quickly wilt away. Flowers is not the ideal size in any area, but with the explosiveness he brings on a snap-to-snap basis, and his hunger to win every snap, it really doesn’t matter how tall he is or isn’t.
Flowers runs routes from the boundary and the slot, effectively separating regardless of his alignment. He uses fluid hips, impeccable footwork, and his high football IQ to tear up zones and always give his quarterback a target when plays break down. Flowers is just as dangerous after the catch as he is before it.
He possesses breakaway speed and put defenders on skates any time they pursue a tackle. Once he beats his assignment, look for Flowers’ hand to go up immediately, relaying to his quarterback to take a shot. Almost every time this happened, Flowers ended up with the ball by the time the whistle blew.
Flowers should make waves on the special teams unit as well, just like his most appropriate comparison — Antonio Brown. Player comps never make their way into my rankings, but sometimes we just have to call a spade a spade.
Flowers is the closest to a sure thing in the 2023 NFL Draft. Take him in round one and start scheming up plays for the gifted pass catcher. He should be a heavy favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2023.
NFL Draft Grade: Mid-Day 1
Honorable Mentions:
HM: Michael Wilson (Stanford)
HM: Trey Palmer (Nebraska)
HM: Ronnie Bell (Michigan)
HM: Jadakis Bonds (Hampton)
HM: Dontayvion Wicks (Virginia)
HM: Bryce Ford-Wheaton (West Virginia)
HM: Jonathan Mingo (Ole Miss)
HM: Dontay Demus (Maryland)
HM: Mitchell Tinsley (Penn State)
HM: Matt Landers (Arkansas)