NFL Draft: Breaking Down the Top Wide Receiver Prospects

Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Allen Robinson (8). USA TODAY Sports photograph

TIER TWO

7. Allen Robinson, Penn State: 6-3, 220 (4.57)

Robinson is a tough, strong receiver with a large frame that enables him to bring the ball down in tight coverage. Robinson’s size and long arms also make him a good redzone target.

Robinson was dominant at Penn State, recording 97 receptions for 1432 yards and 6 TDs. He’s great at working underneath coverage and out-muscling smaller defensive backs when the ball is in the air.

Robinson has the skillset to be a solid starting receiver in the NFL, but he lacks the elite athleticism and playmaking ability of the potential first-round receivers.

(Draft Projection: Round 2)

Fresno State Bulldogs wide receiver Davante Adams (15) runs past San Jose State Spartans cornerback Bene Benwikere (21). Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

8. Davante Adams, Fresno State: 6-1, 212 (4.53)

Adams is a versatile receiver with strong hands and a knack for making plays after the catch. Adams plays faster than he times, and this in large part has to do with his short-area burst and excellent sense of timing as a route runner.

Adams is also great at high-pointing the ball and making tough catches in coverage.

Adams can struggle with drops on occasion, but his overall skillset makes him one of the better possession receivers in this draft.

He would be a great pick for a team like the Packers, who will look to replace James Jones with another well-built receiver who can make his living on the outside.

(Draft Projection: Round 2)

Vanderbilt Commodores wide receiver Jordan Matthews (87). Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

9. Jordan Matthews, Vanderbilt: 6-3, 212 (4.46)

Matthews was highly productive at Vanderbilt. He’s a natural pass-catcher who has the size and strength to make difficult catches in coverage.

Matthews is one of my favorite receiver prospects who could be available on day two of the draft.

Matthews is tough, savvy, and a fluid route runner. He’s a bit underrated heading into the draft because he’s been labeled as a “one-speed” type of receiver, which has pushed him out of first round consideration.

Matthews may lack the burst to be a dangerous downfield threat in the NFL, but he’s one of the better receivers in this draft at working the middle of the field. He also does a lot of the little things at the position, like run blocking and reading coverages, that help him be successful as a receiver.

(Draft Projection: Round 2)

Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Cody Latimer (3). Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

10. Cody Latimer, Indiana: 6-3, 215 (4.39)

Latimer has gotten a lot of draft coverage as of late. After not participating in the NFL Combine, Latimer lit up his Indiana pro day with a blazing 4.39 forty.

Latimer already possessed tremendous size, so the top-end speed has led many to believe the former Indiana receiver could even sneak into the end of the first round.

It’s difficult to know if the recent excitement over Latimer is just media hype or legitimate analysis. In the very least, Latimer is an early round prospect who made his living in Indiana’s offense as a tough, physical possession receiver.

I’m not sure if Latimer has the skill set to be a “go-to” receiver in the NFL, but he could be a great second or third receiving option and complement an already well-established star receiver.

(Draft Projection: Rounds 2-3)

Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Donte Moncrief (12). Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports

11. Donte Moncrief, Ole Miss: 6-2, 221 (4.40)

Moncrief may be the best receiver prospect in this year’s class that nobody is talking about.

Moncrief has an excellent combination of size and speed that makes him a potential vertical threat in the NFL. The Ole Miss prospect has great hands, can make tough catches in coverage, and has a knack for working the sidelines.

Moncrief does need to polish his route running and quiet concerns about his straight-line speed. However, Moncrief has all of the tools to be an immediate day-one starter for whoever drafts him this spring.

(Draft Projection: Rounds 2-3)

Clemson Tigers wide receiver Martavis Bryant (1) runs with the ball against Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Tyvis Powell (23). Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

12. Martavis Bryant, Clemson: 6-4, 211 (4.42)

Bryant is a raw prospect who has a tall frame, long arms, and elite speed. Bryant is an explosive athlete who hits the entire checklist of what a team looks for in a vertical threat receiver.

The problem with Bryant is that his production on the field hasn’t matched the potential his measurables would suggest. He doesn’t play as fast as he times and isn’t as dominant of a vertical threat as his size and athleticism should enable him to be.

Bryant has tremendous upside, but his game needs work. Bryant is a developmental prospect who will probably be “overdrafted” come May.

(Draft Projection: Round 3)

LSU Tigers wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) catches a pass as Florida Gators defensive back Vernon Hargreaves (1). Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

13. Jarvis Landry, LSU: 6-0, 205 (4.55)

Landry’s draft stock took a big hit after he ran a disappointing 4.77 forty at the NFL Combine. Landry has helped quell speed concerns by posting an improved 4.55 forty at the LSU pro day, but Landry’s lack of explosiveness has been exposed during the pre-draft evaluation process.

Landry may not look all that intriguing on paper. He doesn’t posses great size or top-end speed, but watch any film on the LSU product and the talent is evident.

Landry has some of the best hands of the class and he has an incredible knack for making tough catches in coverage.

Landry is also a fluid route runner and is great at working underneath coverage. Landry is a savvy, fundamentally-sound player who makes the most of his physical ability.

(Draft Projection: Round 3)