Football is back and well underway! The top teams and players are beginning to take shape as we are seeing a ton of movement from what we thought were the top prospects and those that were once under the radar. So what better time to drop my current draft rankings for the 2023 NFL Draft? We have hit the QB and RB positions, now it is time to check out the WRs!
To put it simply when looking at this WR group, I love them! There is some elite, top-end talent in this group. But as a whole, there are several players with tremendous upside. This class has a ton of players with very high floors who also have the ability to be high-end receivers at the next level. Much of the success for these receivers may come down to the landing spot, as obvious as that may sound, but there are guys that could absolutely explode at the next level if things shake out the right way. The top 3 receivers were tough to sort out as I think they are all home runs. If you had any of them as your WR1, I wouldn’t argue it. But alas, I had to make the choice, and here is how my rankings hook out:
1. Kayshon Boutte, LSU
Kayshon Boutte was my WR1 heading into the season and it was tough to pivot off that. Boutte has good size at 6’ and 200lbs but is still very quick and shifty. He is a great route runner that can win in a number of different ways. He set DBs up very nicely and has the speed to win over the top. Boutte has great awareness when it comes to beating zone coverages and also has the ability to win against press-man. Because of his overall skill set, he is a tough receiver to defend against and should join a long line of LSU receivers to make a huge impact at the next level.
2. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, aka JSN, burst onto the scene last year despite playing alongside future first-round picks. JSN is extremely explosive and fires off the line of scrimmage. He is very quick and shifty. He does an excellent job of setting up DBs using his speed which allows him to create separation in his routes. He has great awareness of the soft spots in zone coverage. He has the ability to line up all over the field and isn’t limited in his route tree. JSN should be another easy first-round pick coming from Ohio St and will make an impact on whichever team snatches him up.
3. Jordan Addison, USC
Jordan Addison is another receiver I loved in the preseason and is catching a ton of buzz as the WR1 in this class. Addison is a very quick, shifty receiver. He uses excellent footwork in his route running. He is able to use all this to win early in his routes especially when defenders try to press him. He is very fluid in his movements and does a great job dropping his hips when changing direction. Addison can run a complete route tree and has the speed to win over the top. It wouldn’t shock me to see Addison as the top receiver off the board and he is another player that can make a major impact at the next level.
4. Quentin Johnston, TCU
Quentin Johnston is finally starting to get some of the recognition he deserves as being one of the top receivers and is the first “big” receiver to make the list. Johnston is listed at 6’4” 215lbs with a great frame and long arms giving him a huge catch radius. Johnston won’t be the fastest player but his long strides and deceptive speed help him create separation and win over the top often. Johnston is in a similar mold as many of the top WR1 in the NFL and has the upside to reach that point himself. This draft class is pretty talented with depth so it may be tough, but he could easily find his way into the back half of the first round.
5. Josh Downs, UNC
Josh Downs is another receiver that doesn’t always get the pub he deserves. He is on the smaller size at 5’10” and 175lbs but it doesn’t affect his play. He is a versatile receiver that can line up all over the field though he may be the best/most dominant while playing from the slot. He is very quick and explosive. Does a great job in his route running and setting up defenders. Very sure-handed with minimal drops. He may be more of a possession receiver at the next level but he has the talent to win early and often which should allow him to play a huge role in most offenses.
6. Zay Flowers, Boston College
Zay Flowers is an extremely talented receiver whose only real knock will be his size at only 5’10” and 172lbs. Despite his size, Flowers is still very much a do it all type of receiver. He has the ability to line up all over the field and is very explosive off the line of scrimmage. He has excellent quickness and is very sudden in his routes. He has a great feel for space in the defense. flowers can also run a complete route tree and at a very high level. Flowers should get some more hype during the predraft process and I fully expect him to be a round 2 pick at the worst.
7. Jermaine Burton, Alabama
I was very high on Jermaine Burton going into the season and I may be a bit too high still. He has had a very disappointing season thus far but I still have a ton of belief in his overall talent. Burton has good size at 6’ and 200lbs. He has some deceptive burst. He gets off the line of scrimmage and into his route quickly. He has excellent ball-tracking ability and is great in contested catch situations. He runs a full route tree and I think Burton is an overall solid receiver with a ton of elite upside. I am not sure why he isn’t able to maximize at Bama, and maybe it’ll affect his ranking even more, but I am sticking with my gut and leaving him in the top 10.
8. Marvin Mims, Oklahoma
There is no doubt in my mind that if Lincoln Reiley were still around, Marvin Mims’ production would be through the roof right now! Mims has decent size measuring in at 5’11” 184lbs with good strength and a good frame. He is explosive off the line of scrimmage. He does an excellent job of beating press coverage using his quickness. And he has the speed to take the top off of defenses. He has shown some flashes this season with some monster games but needs to consistently bring the production. Regardless, Mims has the talent NFL teams look for in today’s game and can be a game wrecker at the next level.
9. Jalen McMillan, Washington
Jalen McMillan is a receiver I loved coming out of HS and is finally starting to show why as he has already shattered his 2021 production in every major category. McMillan is a solid route runner with a large route tree. He has the speed and athleticism to win in a number of different ways. He also has a very good catch radius and does a great job tracking the ball in the air. He will need to refine a few things in order to take the next step, but he has all the traits you look for and tremendous upside. I expect him to be a late day 2, early day 3 pick that has the upside to be a productive starter at the next level.
10. Tyler Harrell, Alabama
Having a guy that hasn’t played this season in my top 10 is ballsy, I know, but man I love this talent paired with this offense. For a speedster, Harrell has good size at 6′ and 194lbs with a good frame. He is a solid route runner that does a great job beating press and setting up DBs. But his bread and butter is his speed. Harrell can absolutely fly down the field and is perhaps the fastest receiver in football. He also has the quickness to create separation when teams try to play off him. I am hoping Harrell will make his debut this week and bring some life to the Bama offense but regardless, I like his upside too much to keep him off the list completely.
The Next 5:
11. Gary Bryant Jr, USC
12. AT Perry, Wake Forest
13. Cedric Tillman, Tennessee
14. Parker Washington, Penn State
15. Xavier Hutchinson, Iowa State
