Analysis
6/9/22
3 min read
2023 NFL Draft Watch List: Tiering the Best College Wide Receivers
The conclusion of the 2022 NFL Draft means that teams and fans alike can start looking forward to next year's crop of players. While it is far too early to have conclusive opinions on where each player will rank due to a full season of games and the player development ahead of us, this tier ranking previews how these players go into the season ranked against their position group. These tiers are subject to change but give a quick outlook on the expectations of these players.
Read our 2023 NFL Draft Running Back Tier List Here
Read our 2023 NFL Draft Quarterback Tier List Here
Tier 1: The Top Talents
Jaxon Smith-Njigba | Ohio State
Kayshon Boutte | LSU
Jordan Addison | USC
Josh Downs | North Carolina
Tier 1 of this position is a collective list of prospects who have the physical traits and skills to perform very well at the next level. Most of them can play both inside and outside in a pro offense. They have a combination of high-end explosiveness, twitch, hands, play-making ability, and route running. They have also found success when playing in some of the toughest conferences in the country. These players are considered some of the best in the draft class and should look to propel themselves higher this season.
Tier 2: Elite Traits
Marvin Mims | Oklahoma
Jacob Copeland l Maryland
A.T. Perry | Wake Forest
Cedric Tillman | Tennessee
Tier 2 of this group is a collection of receivers who have good physical traits but need to show improvement in some areas of their game to be considered the best of the best. These players show a lot of potential to develop into key role players at the professional level. They have proven production in tough conferences and are looking to improve this year. The work they put in this offseason could very well push them over the top and into the conversation for the best receiver prospect in this draft.
Tier 3: Potential Draft Picks
Quentin Johnston | TCU
Dontay Demus Jr. | Maryland
Zay Flowers | Boston College
Jalen Cropper | Fresno State
Jacob Cowing | Arizona
Jayden Reed | Michigan State
Tier 3 players are classified as the group who have a variety of good physical traits but overall are limited in certain categories. These limitations will reduce the number of roles they can play in the NFL. They tend to be missing some explosiveness or high-end physical attributes to stand above the rest. Players of this caliber bring a unique skill set that will allow them to win at the next level. This tier can be described as players who have draftable receiver traits but still need to show more on a consistent basis to be considered towards the top of the class.
Tier 4: Next Year's Sleepers
Rakim Jarrett | Maryland
Jalen McMillan | Washington
Ainias Smith | Texas A&M
EJ Williams | Clemson
Isaiah Neyor | Texas
Frank Ladson Jr. | Miami (FL)
Jaden Walley | Mississippi State
Ronnie Bell | Michigan
Tier 4 is a group of players who are now stepping into larger roles and will have the opportunity to showcase their talent. Some of these players are transfers or coming back from injury where they will need to prove they can be productive in new circumstances. Every year there is a group of players who make a name for themselves that no one was talking about before the start of the season. These players are now stepping into more active roles that will hopefully help them reach their sleeper potential.
