Cole’s Corner: 2021 Wide Receiver Prospect Rankings

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This wide receiver class is loaded with talent. Not just talent, but a wide range of skillsets. Whatever a team needs, they can easily find it with this group.

Here are my top Wide Receiver prospects:

1. DeVonta Smith – Alabama

The Heisman winner lit up the college football world this past season. His sticky hands, blazing speed and smooth route running equated to a guaranteed big play waiting to happen. He absolutely has the best pure ability of this class. The criticism for Smith is a question of his durability due to his slender frame. Despite being a question, I am not nearly as concerned. In this era, all of the best athletes appear to play WR, so there is room for replacement down the road. Even if Smith has a shorter career, I am fairly certain it will be an electric one.

Pick Range: Top 15

2. Ja’Marr Chase – LSU     

Chase does everything well. He is an all-around wide receiver with star potential at the next level. The only issue is that he did not play this last season. Perhaps that could lead to a slow start while getting adjusted to game action once again. He will be a nightmare for defensive backs.

Pick Range: Top 15

3. Jaylen Waddle – Alabama

Waddle is another speedy Alabama receiver with excellent returner ability. His small size but burst reminds me of Tyreke Hill and Mecole Hardman. Waddle can play outside or in the slot. If he happens to drop at all, it would only be because of his injury last season.

Pick Range: Top 15

4. Rashod Bateman – Minnesota

Bateman is one of the most fluid route runners in this class. Not only does he run smooth routes, but he also is extremely shifty after the catch. Bateman could become a star WR in the NFL sooner rather than later. My bold prediction is that he will lead his new team in catches during his rookie season.

Pick Range: Top 20

5. Rondale Moore – Purdue

Moore is my personal favorite receiver in this draft class. The game plan with Moore is simple – get the ball in his hands, whether that be reverses, jet sweeps, screens or hitting him downfield. He will take care of the rest. Moore is shifty, fast and his short stout frame allows him to bounce off would-be tacklers. Moore is a not so hidden gem in this draft. Hopefully he has not lost a step after opting out this past season.

Pick Range: 1^st Round

6. Kadarius Toney – Florida

Toney is a human joystick. He is the video game WR in this class. Not only is he so shifty but he is extremely versatile as well. In some ways he reminds me of former Florida star Percy Harvin. The only knock could be the lack of size. Toney will be best utilized in the slot.

Pick Range: 1^st Round

7. Terrace Marshall Jr. – LSU

Marshall was a consistent receiver for the Tigers with nice size and ball skills. He had some drop issues in 2020 and does not wow me with athletic ability. He will likely be a good receiver but not a great one. Could be a fantastic redzone receiver though.

Pick Range: 2^nd – 3^rd Round

8. Amon-Ra St. Brown – USC

St. Brown is a receiver that does everything well but does not have any one attribute that pops off the screen. His toughness and ability to be a threat on all three levels (short, intermediate and deep passing game) makes him the prototypical day two talent.

Pick Range: 2^nd – 3^rd Round

9. Nico Collins – Michigan

Collins is the most physical receiver in this 2021 class. He is a vertical threat and the best redzone target. He reminds me of a tight end playing receiver. Unfortunately for Collins, he was surrounded by weak QB play at Michigan. It actually held him back because he could easily be a late first rounder based on intangibles. Once he is paired with a quality quarterback, he could produce more.

Pick Range: 2^nd – 3^rd Round

10. Tylan Wallace – Oklahoma State

Watching the film on Wallace shows that he plays bigger than advertised at 6’0”.  He is outstanding at pulling in contested catches. 50-50 balls become more like 70-30 in Wallace’s favor. Any offense which is pass heavy will fit what Wallace experienced at Oklahoma State.

Pick Range: 2^nd – 3^rd Round

11. Amari Rodgers – Clemson

Rodgers at 5’9” is a slot receiver. He was a top target for Trevor Lawrence and will likely become one in the NFL. His vision for open space and burst gives him the potential to become a star slot receiver. He is built like a running back so he can take some hits coming across the middle and still fight through the traffic. His catch radius is obviously limited.

Pick Range: 2^nd – 4^th Round

12. Whop Philyor – Indiana

Philyor impressed me with his explosive first step and lateral burst of speed. He is a slot receiver with some impressive ball skills. He is underrated on most boards and does not get the credit he deserves. NFL teams need to pay attention to the potential here.

Pick Range: 3^rd – 5^th Round

13. Dyami Brown – North Carolina

Brown was a playmaker in college. He is a wide receiver that you hit on several short routes, then when the corners press, send Brown deep. He is also not afraid to get physical and block. Most analyst are a little too high on Brown. He is a nice player, but I see some bust potential. I feel like he is looked at as this year’s DK Metcalf, yet he lacks the strength. He also has a lot of learning to do with route trees.

Pick Range: 3^rd – 5^th Round

14. D’wayne Eskridge – Western Michigan

The best way to describe Eskridge is a track star with ball skills. The former defensive back is a project but there is still room for improvement. If he never produces on offense, he will at least be a quality special teamer.

Pick Range: 3^rd – 6^th Round

15. Seth Williams – Auburn

Williams is an extremely long receiver with body control. He is not explosive enough to get big separation from defensive backs but if the ball is thrown in his direction then there is a chance for a completion. He is also effective on quick slants.

Pick Range: 3^rd – 6^th Round

16. Elijah Moore – Ole Miss

Moore possesses an ability to fake defenders out with quick head and shoulder movements. He will add some good depth at slot or on the outside.

Pick Range: 3^rd – 6^th Round

17. Josh Imatorbhebhe – Illinois

Imatorbhebhe has strong hands and is sturdy. He has plenty of room for development and coupled with his size, he could become a mid-late round steal.

Pick Range: 4^th – 6^th Round

18. Dazz Newsome – North Carolina

Newsome is a threat down the field. He is excellent at making separation and can also produce as a punt returner. Like his UNC teammate Dyami Brown, he needs work on the route tree.

Pick Range: 4^th – 6^th Round

19. Ihmir Smith-Marsette – Iowa

Smith-Marsette is a long strider and just glides on the run. The best aspect of his game is as a returner. An off the field issue and an ankle injury are the two things causing some concerns. He could be quite productive at the next level.

Pick Range: 4^th – 6^th Round

20. Cornell Powell – Clemson

Powell is a veteran of this class and he is tough. Powell terrorized Shaun Wade of Ohio State in the College Football Semifinal and lifted his stock. He simply needs more reps.

Pick Range: 5^th – 7^th Round

21. Marlon Williams – UCF

Williams has the body size of a short tight end. He could become a large slot receiver. He would be a borderline roster spot in the later rounds.

Pick Range: 5^th – 7^th Round

22. Sage Surratt – Wake Forest

As a football player, Sage Surratt is Cody Lattimer 2.0. Both are 6’2” and 215 pounds. Both have modest athletic ability but do well with positioning and leverage. Lattimer has had a minimal amount of production in the league and I would expect the same out of Surratt.

Pick Range: 5^th – 7^th Round