2018 NFL Draft: Wide Receivers

WIDE RECEIVERS

Calvin Ridley, Alabama

Game Film Evaluated:

Clemson (2016)

Florida State (2017)

LSU (2017)

Mississippi State (2016)

Analysis: Elite level quickness and gets to max speed immediately. Excellent route runner and does not round off his routes. Solid hands who can pull it in away from his body. Average run blocker, lacks the strength and frame to really push around defenders. Did not observe catches over the middle in traffic that he will be asked to face at the next level. Did not observe any instances he had to go up and fight for the ball and high point it.  He has excellent hands and will bring in any balls near his body.

Summary: Calvin Ridley is a tremendous receiving prospect who has the tools to be a plus receiver in the NFL. He never got the stats in college he should of but that is a direct result of the poor QB play at Alabama. However he was open consistently and will be open a lot in the NFL. He may not be physically imposing but there are not many prospects who are as quick, fluid with as good a hands and more than capable long speed.  He needs to expand his route tree, get comfortable working across the middle and making more difficult catches in traffic. He has no issues creating separation and catches the ball away from his body. The only concerns to his game is holding up physically when he does come across the middle and face the contact from NFL defenders in the box. He did not face hardly any press coverage in college and needs to get comfortable using his hands to get a clean release off the line. First round grade.

Anthony Miller, Memphis

Game Film Evaluated:

UConn (2017)

UCLA (2017)

UCF (2017)

Analysis: Quick. Legit long deep speed. Makes the difficult catches in traffic and passes he has to adjust to. Comfortable using his hands to get a clean release at the line. Exciting player with the ball in his hands. He lines up outside and in the slot, going in motion. Running routes downfield, across the middle and screens. Doesn’t look like a physically imposing receiver but makes all the plays from a top receiver. Excellent hands. He did fumble vs UConn. He loves to make the spectacular catch and sometimes tries to make the one handed grab when he should use both hands. Excels at adjusting to a poorly thrown ball. The kid just makes plays all over the field. UCF played him the most physical getting their hands on him. He responded with ability to consistently get a clean release but also dropped a pass on 3rd down and had another ripped out in the endzone.

Summary: Anthony Miller is a fine receiving prospect who is pro ready and able to contribute right away in a variety of roles in the NFL. He lacks ideal size for a top receiver but he makes up for it with speed, quickness and smooth route running.  He will be able to generate separation consistently and win most contested passes. His ability to adjust to the poorly thrown ball, ability to get open vs press coverage and from the slot means he will quickly earn the trust of his QB. He needs to go an offense that will move him around and allow him to get into favorable match ups to move the chains. He is not a traditional number one receiver but in size metrics only, he crosses off every other box. First round grade who will outplay receivers bigger and faster than him on game day.

D.J. Chark, LSU

Game Film Evaluated:

Tennessee (2017)

BYU (2017)

Auburn (2017)

Mississippi State (2016)

Analysis: Good frame and has very quick feet. Good speed and he can stretch the field. Adjust well to the poorly thrown ball and can make difficult catches. Needs to do a better job securing the ball after the catch. Had a ball striped away after the catch vs Auburn. Good punt returner as well and took one back all the way for a score against Auburn. He is a deep threat but not an elite burner. He can surprise you with his speed and get behind the defense often. He locates the ball well and able to bring it in with both hands. He was used from the slot and on the line of scrimmage. He did not have to face press coverage but has good feel for running routes. He works back to the QB when needed and is able to make the difficult catch.  He was not used on routes across the middle during the games observed.

Summary: DJ Chark is one of the most well rounded receivers available and although may not ever be a number one receiver, he is an excellent secondary option. He has good size, could add some weight to prevent him from being knocked off his route. He has good speed and able to stretch the field at times but I don’t think he is an elite burner who is always a threat to get over the top of the defense. He has excellent hands and able to make contested catches, passes away from his body and adjust to it well in the air.  He projects well to the slot and outside roles and should be able to create separation vs man coverage at the next level. He gets in and out of his breaks quickly without losing much speed.  There is a lot to like with his game and he would upgrade any teams receiving corps in a variety of roles including as a punt returner. Late 1st round grade.

Deon Cain, Clemson

Game Film Evaluated:
Alabama (2017)

Auburn (2017)

Syracuse (2017)

Alabama (2016)

Analysis: Ideal size, good speed. Good quickness and gets up to speed quickly. Excellent agility and able to side step tacklers and a weapon in space. Drops are a problem for him, he gets focused on after the catch and will drop easy passes. He is an emotional player and he will get after it with the corner. He is capable of going up and high pointing the ball. Good leaping ability. He has got to keep his emotions in check on the field. He needs to improve his hands in traffic. A complainer to the officials whenever he feels he gets interfered with. Able to handle press coverage, get a clean release using good technique. He can set up defenders with an outside move just to create inside leverage and cross the face of the corner on inside routes.

Summary: Deon Cain is a very talented receiver prospect who has all the tools to be a complete receiver but he leaves a bit to be desired in games. His on field attitude and the drops are the biggest things he needs to work on. A player that is seen arguing with officials or getting into the face of the opponent only to then drop an easy pass is one of the most frustrating things a receiver can do. This happens too often with Deon Cain during the games observed. At the same time, there is a lot to his game that warrants legit excitement. He has good size, speed and flashes hands capable of making some difficult passes. He has the leaping ability to go up and win contested passes away from the defender. He can stretch a defense, has the quickness and agility to turn a short pass into a big play and comfortable handling press coverage. There is no doubt he has first round talent but the attitude and drops are a big concern to me that I don’t see going away at the next level. If anything, it might get worse. 2nd round grade.

D.J. Moore, Maryland

Game Film Evaluated:

Michigan State (2017)

Wisconsin (2017)

Michigan (2017)

Analysis: Extremely quick and moves smoothly in space. Undersized but compact frame and has impressive leaping ability. Very strong hands and able to make the difficult catch, even jumping over bigger defenders than him. He is comfortable lining up on the outside and beating press coverage. He is able to make tough catches across the middle and in traffic. He will not be out muscled by a defender and will make contested catches despite his size.

Summary: D.J. Moore is a undersized but extremely competitive receiver who can carve out a role in the NFL. Although many undersized quick receivers are destined for the slot, I think Moore has a chance to be a more complete receiver able to get off press coverage and not be out muscled by NFL defenders. He can set up defenders with his route running, make difficult catches in traffic and out jump defenders to make tough receptions. He is more quick than fast but also smooth in his change of directions which project well to beating man coverage. I would not doubt Moore makes a strong case to be a regular starter at receiver and not just limited to the slot receiver role when the team goes to 3 wide receivers. Reminds me of Steve Smith Jr. Late 2nd round grade.

Courtland Sutton, SMU

Game Film Evaluated:

North Texas (2017)

TCU (2016)

Houston (2016)

Houston (2017)

Analysis: Excellent size and good long speed but not great speed to be a deep threat. He can high point the ball and fight for it with the defender and win it. Competes and will fight for extra yards. He will allow his emotions to get the better of him and can get him penalized as a result. He will have the occassional drop when he’s focused more on after the catch than just bringing it in. Struggles to get off press coverage. Very strong hands and able to make the catch away from his body. Tremendous body control who can make the spectacular catch. Average route runner who rounds off the corners and loses speed when he changes direction.

Summary: Courtland Sutton is a virtual Dez Bryant clone prospect in both good and bad ways. He brings identical size and speed combination. His ability to go up and high point the ball and win contested passes with defenders is most impressive. He brings emotion and high level competitiveness to not back down to anyone on the field. He has excellent hands and will make the difficult catch. However he needs to become a better route runner and creating separation will be an issue, keep his emotions in check to not hurt his team and improve his technique to get off press coverage. He is not fast enough to consistently run away from a corner on go routes but he has some burst when given a clean release. 2nd round grade with considerable risk.

Antonio Callaway, Florida

Game Film Evaluated:

Iowa (2016)

Vanderbilt (2016)

Kentucky (2016)

Analysis: Good height but skinny frame especially in upper body. Tremendous quickness and he has an extra gear in the open field. He can stretch the field vertically and run away from defenders. Suspect hands, he will drop some easy passes. Extremely limited route tree, he ran about 3 routes during the games observed. Good option as a kick and punt returner. No experience playing against press coverage.

Summary: Antonio Callaway has legit long speed to worry defenses when he is on the field. He is the type of receiver that coordinators will look to create match ups for him to take advantage. He has adequate size for the position and will not have trouble creating separation assuming he can get a clean release off the line of scrimmage. He will need time before he can contribute in the NFL due to the limited route tree and no experience dealing with press coverage consistently. You cannot talk about Callaway and not bring up the off the field concerns. He was suspended for an entire season, faced felony charges regarding goods sold that he claimed was stolen, had a sexual assault allegation and suspensions for marijuana use.  The player has the ability to be a adequate second WR who can add a speed element to an offense that has a plus possession option that can draw attention from the defense to open up space for his teammates. He also adds value as both a kickoff and punt returner. However, it remains to be seen whether Callaway has learned his lesson and will be able to stay out of trouble as a professional. He is a 2nd round grade based on the field but I do not believe this young man has learned his lesson and therefore does not earn a grade worthy of a draft pick.

Jordan Lasley, UCLA

Game Film Evaluated:

USC (2017)

Stanford (2017)

Kansas State (2017)

Analysis: Solid frame for the position, not short but not thin either. He moves extremely well, fluid and able to change directions without losing any speed. Plus burst and gets to top speed immediately. He has over the top type long speed. He tracks the ball well in the air. Plucks the ball with his hands, not a body catcher. Significant upside when running routes, sets up defenders well and should not have a problem creating separation. Good hands but he will drop catchable passes perhaps due to lapse in concentration. Struggles to get off press coverage when a defender plays up on him at the line. Questionable behavior on the field, gets flagged for unsportmanslike penalties than anyone should. Poor run blocker, does not give much effort in that area of his game. He can be dangerous in the open field, he can shake loose from a tackle and turn it into a big play. Needs to work back to the QB and create a window for the QB to find him when the play breaks down.

Summary: Jordan Lasley has excellent talent to be a starting option in the NFL but his off the field concerns are a serious red flag.  He was suspended multiple times during his time at UCLA ranging from violation of team rules, fighting with a teammate, missing the team bus and his two arrest in 2016.  There are serious concerns he has not learned his lesson and will continue to get into trouble in the NFL.  On the field, Lasley presents legit speed, quickness and shifty style of play to get open vs man coverage and stretch the field vertically. Excellent second WR option that wants to add speed to their receiving corps. He needs to continue working on his route running, learn how to beat press coverage, get a clean release and keep his emotions in check on the field. He projects as an excellent slot receiving option and able to start in base personnel once he uses his hands better vs press to compete for a starting job on the outside. He is a 2nd round talent but the character concerns cause him to not earn a grade worthy of a draft pick.

James Washington, Oklahoma State

Game Film Evaluated:

Texas (2017)

Oklahoma (2017)

TCU (2017)

Senior Bowl (2018)

Analysis: Excellent hands and able to bring in passes away from his body. Average run blocker who gives inconsistent effort downfield. Not comfortable when defenders get their hands on him. He is able to make quick cuts and projects well to win vs man coverage. Not someone who can work back to the QB and find the soft spots in zones. He is very quick and has fluid hips to change directions quickly and smoothly. There is upside for him as a plus route runner and a weapon from the slot. He did not make any contested catches or in traffic in the games observed.  He has legit long speed, gets up to full speed quickly and can get over the top of a defense.

Summary: James Washington is a good receiving prospect who looks like a WR in a RB body. He isn’t small nor play an undersized style of game. He can get open on the outside, projects well to be a weapon from the slot especially against man coverage and then the speed to make defenses pay attention. He may not be a complete receiver who is able to handle press coverage, make contested catches over the middle which can keep him ever being a top target in the NFL. He needs to get better becoming an option for his QB when the play breaks down and finding soft spots in the zone. As a rookie, he has the look of a No. 2 receiver who can get open from the outside and slot. Second round grade.

Dante Pettis, Washington

Game Film Evaluated:

Washington State (2017)

Utah (2017)

Stanford (2017)

Analysis: Good size and good speed to go along with it. Strong hands and able to adjust to the ball in the air. Good body control and comfortable making catches on the sideline dragging his feet. Able to get off press coverage and lined up in the slot in college. Very smooth athlete who loses no speed when changing directions allowing him to create separation with ease. Struggled to make catches in traffic across the middle nor is he someone who can stretch the field vertically.

Summary: Dante Pettis is an excellent number 2 receiving prospect who can compliment a top speed threat to work the underneath and intermediate routes. He needs to improve his hands to make those tough catches across the middle and in traffic which will increase his value as a 3rd down target. He runs smooth crisp routes and should not have any issues creating separation in man coverage. He lacks the home run gear to get over the top of a defense but he will do fine working the intermediate routes. Good but not great prospect who will definitely find a home as a regular contributor able to get the job done from the slot or lining up on the outside assuming he is paired with a home run speed threat next to him. Late 2nd round grade.

Cedrick Wilson, Boise State

Game Film Evaluated:

Oregon (2017)

Washington State (2017)

Virginia (2017)

Analysis: Taller receiver with good frame and moves well. Not the fastest or the quickest but there is no wasted movement. He can side step tacklers with ease and runs very good routes. He sets up defenders well and creates separation with his advanced feel for running routes. Lacks the extra gear in the open field and is not a consistent threat to stretch the field vertically. Type of player that doesn’t look fast but finds himself consistently out running angles. Very good hands and can adjust to the poorly thrown ball. Did not display ability to go up and take the ball from the defender and win those 50/50 passes. Had a few drops when thrown into the middle of the field. Needs to do better using his frame shielding the defender away from the ball and make more catches in traffic consistently. Not someone who can make the difficult catch.

Summary: Cedrick Wilson is one of the most solid receivers in the draft. However he lacks a special trait, something to distinguish himself from the other receivers in the class or on his pro team. He lacks the top physical skills to win contested passes and bring in catches in traffic consistently. He doesn’t have the break away speed to threaten the defense vertically enough for a defensive coach to stay up late worrying about how to defend him. He understands how to run routes and create separation vs man coverage. He would be an average #2 receiver but would be a fine #3 receiver that could get open on the outside as well as the slot position. May never be a starter in the league in base personnel but will get lots of looks in passing situations especially when paired with an elite speed threat to create space for him to work the underneath and intermediate areas. 3rd round grade.

Equanimeous St. Brown, Notre Dame

Game Film Evaluated:

Stanford (2017)

LSU (2017)

Miami (2016)

Virginia Tech (2016)

Analysis: Tremendous frame, tall with long legs. Excellent athlete who has good long speed. He is comfortable using his hands to get a clean release off the line and knows how to set up defenders in running routes. He is a good blocker using his length and frame to seal off defenders. Not physically dominating in his style, doesn’t look to overpower defenders. He should be able to use his frame to box out defenders, create space and make difficult catches. He did not flash that ability during the games observed or someone that went up to high point the ball. He is able to get to full speed quickly and works back to the QB well. He catches the ball with his hands.

Summary: Equanimeous St. Brown brings a tremendous amount of talent to the WR class. He has incredible size, length and good speed to the position. He has good hands and able to set up defenders when running routes. However he needs to learn how to get off press coverage at the next level, add more physicality to his game and use that frame to his advantage more. He needs to box out defenders and become a safety blanket for his QB even when the window is tight. He is not pro ready and NFL corners are going to make it a struggle for him initially in his career. However once he learns how to maximize his size and speed combination, he should become a solid receiver in the league. He projects best as someone who should match up on the outside and own corners who are smaller than him especially when going downfield. He also should become a force as a slot receiver who can dominate the underneath area. The question will be whether the player he is ever meets the player with that size and speed is capable of. There is a lot of projection to his game and will need patience once he gets to the league. Late 3rd round grade.

Michael Gallup, Colorado State

Game Film Evaluated:

Wyoming (2017)

Alabama (2017)

Oregon State (2017)

Analysis: Long stride. Impressive long speed and legit deep threat. He has good size and long arms. Average route runner. Struggles to get off press coverage and no understanding for getting a clean release. Runs a variety of routes and lined up in slot, on the line and moving around the formation. Struggles to make the difficult catch in traffic especially over the middle. Good leaping ability and he can high point the ball. 

Summary: Michael Gallup is an above average receiving prospect with good speed to become a deep threat but he is not a polished route runner to consistently generate separation, strong enough to make physical catches or quick enough to be an underneath option.  He needs to improve his route running and has got to improve his hands for the money catches over the middle. Until then, he is only a secondary receiver who will draw downfield attention from the defense but an NFL corner will be handle the rest of his game. Late 3rd round grade.

DaeSean Hamilton, Penn State

Game Film Evaluated:

Ohio State (2017)

Michigan State (2017)

Wisconsin (2016)

Pittsburgh (2016)

Analysis: Good frame for the position. Lines up mostly as a slot receiver and runs in routes across the middle or down the seam of a defense. Strong hands and makes the catch with his hands and not with his body. He can make the contested catch, hold onto it when he gets hit across the middle. He runs crisp routes but slows down when he changes directions. Lacks the elite get off at the line and no home run gear to get over the top of a defense. He can get out muscled off his route by a defender. He works back to the QB and makes himself an option when the play breaks down.

Summary: DaeSean Hamilton is a puzzling prospect with the physical traits of a possession secondary receiving prospect but was used as a slot receiver who uses quickness to win vs man coverage on underneath routes. He was not used properly in college and he may have a larger learning curve in the NFL as a result. He has no experience handling press coverage and having to get a clean release at the next level. He was able to get knocked off his route during limited snaps in college when defenders got physical with him. He is able to run solid routes in the intermediate and underneath areas effectively. However he is not a fluid route runner and slows down when changing direction which could affect him getting separation vs NFL corners. He doesn’t project well to the slot position since he can’t change directions at the level necessary to beat man coverage and needs to learn proper technique to getting off press coverage when playing outside. He is a fine secondary option capable of making tough catches and would be a good compliment to a speed receiver next to him to work the intermediate areas of the defense. Late 3rd round grade.

Christian Kirk, Texas A&M

Game Film Evaluated:

UCLA (2017)

Alabama (2016)

Tennessee (2016)

Analysis: Excellent quickness and good speed. Lined up exclusively as a slot receiving option only and kick returner. Used in a variety of roles on speed options, screens, end arounds and underneath routes to take advantage of his speed. He makes more catches in traffic and contested catches than most slot receiver prospects. Does not run crisp routes consistently. Good vision on returns and is a legit threat to make a big play with the ball in his hands. He is at his best going north/south and rarely makes it happen when he tries to juke the defender or turn east/west.

Summary: Christian Kirk is a slot receiving prospect and kickoff return specialist projecting to the NFL. He needs to improve his route running and find soft spots in zones or work back to the QB when the play breaks down to make him a consistent option at the next level. He is not an elite game breaker in the mold of Tyreek Hill but is more of a solid versatile player instead. If he can round out his game, he should become a regular contributor and 3rd down weapon to win matchups vs the nickel cornerback. It would be wise for him to add punt returner to increase his value to the team on game day. 4th round grade.

Tre’Quan Smith, Central Florida

Game Film Evaluated:

Auburn (2017)

Maryland (2017)

Memphis (2017)

Analysis: Bigger and plays a physical style game. He has good, not elite long speed. Someone who has a long stride and takes a while to get to full speed. Struggles to get off press coverage. He can go up and take that ball away from the defender. He has the my ball mentality, he can win the 50/50 ball and high point it. Good run blocker and uses his frame effectively. Physical after the catch. He can make the catch in traffic as well as the spectacular ones. However he can drop some passes would expect a physical possession receiver in the pros to be able to get. Creating separation will be an issue for him at the next level.

Summary: Tre’Quan Smith is a solid physical possession type receiver with excellent size and good speed combination. However his speed takes a while to show up and is below average off the line. He will struggle creating separation vs physical corners that aren’t intimidated by his size. He is a secondary option who is going to struggle to make an immediate impact until he cleans up his release and is paired with a speed receiver to give him space underneath to work. He may never be a starter but could be a solid #3 receiver as a physical receiver working the middle taking advantage of LBs and safeties when defenses stay in their base. 4th round grade.

J’Mon Moore, Missouri

Game Film Evaluated:

Auburn (2017)

Kentucky (2017)

Tennessee (2017)

Analysis: Good frame with some long speed. He has a long stride and takes a while to get up to full speed. He has average burst and really slows down when he changes directions. Not a fluid route runner and does not make difficult catches in traffic. Separation will be an issue for him. His motor runs hot and cold, he will disappear from games and effort lacks when he doesn’t get the ball. He has no traits that separate him from the rest of the pack.

Summary: J’Mon Moore has a lot of work to do if he wants to make an impact in the NFL. He has good size and some long speed to make plays in the intermediate area. Although he lacks the quickness, fluid hips to be able to change directions quickly or run crisp routes. He will struggle to create separation and is not a physical receiver who can make the difficult catch in traffic consistently. At this point he is a backup outside receiver who needs to work on his craft before he can looked at to make a regular impact in the pros. 5th round pick.