2021 NFL Draft Profiles Wide Receivers part II

  Rating the Receivers

       2021 Wide Receiver Prospects part II

7. Amon-Ra St. Brown, USC

After three seasons in Los Angeles, Trojans’ gifted wide receiver pursues professional career. In 2020, First Team All-PAC-12 after logging 41 receptions for 478 yards and seven touchdowns. In 2019, All-PAC-12 honorable mention and USC’s Trojan Way Leadership Award. Exceed 100-yards receiving four times and snagged 77 passes for 1,042 yards and six touchdowns. As a true freshman in 2018, started five games and appeared in all 12. Paced team with 60 receptions for 750 yards and three touchdowns. Named PAC-12 Freshman Player of the Year and USC’s John McKay Award. In high school, five-star recruit, 2017 USA Today All-USA First Team and PrepStar Dream Team. Son of John Brown, who won two Mr. Universe and three Mr. World titles in the Eighties. At 5’11” and 197-pounds, a smooth athlete with stupendous body control, agility and burst. Inside-outside versatility: Slippery route-runner who was employed on the outside and in the slot. Excels in traffic and fights for the football with strong hands. Underrated toughness. Advanced route runner: Employs fiery footwork, bursts out of breaks and cuts on a dime. Sinks hips and changes direction rapidly. Creates separation with head fakes and body jukes. Effective on routes at all levels of the defense. Outstanding hand-eye coordination. Excellent and determined blocker. Lacks prototypical size and catch radius. Does not have elite speed and needs to use hands better to beat press coverage. A pleasant second-round selection in the NFL Draft and Dynasty leagues.

Key Career Stats

Receptions: 178

Yards per Reception: 12.8

2020 Season

Catch Percentage: 69%

Team Aerial Dominator: 25%

Breakaway Ability (Pro Day Results)

40-yard Dash: 4.51

3-cone Drill: 6.88

20-yard Shuttle: 4.17

Draft Grade: Second Round

8. Kadarius Toney, Florida

Gators’ dangerous playmaker took flight in 2020: All-SEC First Team All-Purpose and Second Team Wide Receiver. Led Florida in catches (70), receiving yards (984) and all-purpose yards (1,439). Established career bests in receptions and yards. In 2019, missed six games due to injury. In 2018, lined up at receiver and as the team’s wildcat quarterback. Career: rushed for 460 yards and logged 28 returns (kick and punt) at Florida. At Senior Bowl, voted top receiver on the America Team. In high school, excelled as a dual-threat quarterback: As a senior, passed for 2,894 yards, rushed for 894 yards and accounted for 47 touchdowns. Also, ran track and field. Solid and sturdy build at 5’11” and 193-pounds. Versatile athlete. Rapidly blasts off line of scrimmage. Easily separates from defenders with acceleration, quickness and speed. Employed all over the formation and effortlessly escapes tacklers. Explosive with ball in hands. Innately changes direction: Gets in and out of breaks in the blink of an eye. Electric YAC playmaker. Uber contact balance. Excellent long speed. Only became a full-time starter last season on campus. Must improve against press coverage and hone his craft as a pass-catcher. Limited experience running routes. A creative and patient offensive coordinator could unlock gamebreaking potential in NFL.

Key Career Stats

Receptions: 120

Yards per Reception: 13.3

2020 Season

Catch Percentage: 83%

Team Aerial Dominator: 23%

Breakaway Ability (Pro Day Results)

40-yard Dash: 4.39

3-cone Drill: 6.88

20-yard Shuttle: 4.25

Draft Grade: Second Round

9. Rondale Moore, Purdue

Brilliant Boilermaker subjugated opponents as a true freshman in 2018: First Team All-America (AP, FWAA, ESPN and Sports Illustrated), Big Ten Wide Receiver of the Year and Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Established school records for all-purpose yards (2,215) and all-purpose yards in a game (313). Tied school record for most 100-yard receiving games (7). In 2019, Academic All-Big Ten. Only started four games and recorded 29 receptions for 387 yards and two touchdowns. As a high school prospect, a four-start recruit. 2017 U.S. Army All-American Bowl and Gatorade Kentucky Player of the Year. At 5’7” and 180-pounds, unconventional playmaker and versatile competitor. Powerful receiver who looks like a running back. Devastating combination of slipperiness, agility, quickness and strength. Stupendous short-area burst and starts and stops on a dime. Eye-popping change of direction ability. Employs quick-jab steps and show-stopping cuts. Dynamic in the slot. Earned a Masters in short pass routes. Elusive chain mover and excels in space. Excelled on jet sweeps, screens and quick passes. Rarely ran deep routes: Limited route tree and often targeted within five yards of line of scrimmage. Below average hands and limited catch radius. Drops ball too often. Will not make a living high-pointing football or winning contested catches. Recorded a 4.29 40-yard dash at Purdue Pro Day. A second-round pick in Dynasty football leagues.

Key Career Stats

Receptions: 178

Yards per Reception: 10.8

2018 Season

Catch Percentage: 71%

Team Aerial Dominator: 31%

Breakaway Ability (Pro Day Results)

40-yard Dash: 4.29

Draft Grade: Second Round

10. Nico Collins, Michigan

Pro Day results illuminate a top-level athlete who was underutilized in a poor Wolverines’ aerial assault. Impressive Senior Bowl week and blipped on scouts’ radar again. In high school, four-star prospect by 247Sports, ESPN and Scout. PrepStar Magazine Dream Team. Over last two seasons as a high schooler, snatched 103 passes for 1,968 yards and 25 touchdowns. As a sophomore at Ann Arbor, stated 11 of 13 games in 2018. All-Big Ten honorable mention and Team Most Improved Player with 38 receptions for 632 yards and six touchdowns. As a junior in 2019, Wolverines’ Offensive Player of the Year and All-Big Ten honorable mention. Logged 37 catches for 729 yards and seven touchdowns. Paced Conference with 19.7 ypc. Three-time letter winner at Michigan. In 2020, opted out and decided to train for Combine/Pro Day. Stupendous size at 6’4” and 215-pounds. A fluid, quick, explosive and physical athlete. Underrated footwork and craftsmanship. Vertical big-play threat and splendid ball-tracking skills. Good initial burst off line of scrimmage and escapes press coverage. Employs double moves. Master of contested balls and wins at catch point. Very good body control and natural hands. Long strider with impressive vertical speed. Excels on the boundary. Does not gain massive separation downfield. Limited route tree and hampered in a poorly orchestrated passing game. One of the top values in early Dynasty drafts.

Key Career Stats

Receptions: 78

Yards per Reception: 17.8

2019 Season

Catch Percentage: 54%

Team Aerial Dominator: 22%

Breakaway Ability (Pro Day Results)

40-yard Dash: 4.43

3-cone Drill: 6.78

20-yard Shuttle: 4.29

Draft Grade: Second Round

11. Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma State

Ranks among the elite Oklahoma State wide receivers—Dez Bryant, Justin Blackmon and James Washington—over the past decade. In 2020, First Team All-Big 12 and Biletnikoff Award finalist. Secured 59 passes for 922 yards and scored six touchdowns in 10 games. In 2019, Second Team All-Big 12 despite missing half of the season after tearing ACL. Thurman Thomas Award winner. Averaged 112.9 yards per game and totaled 903 yards and eight touchdowns. In 2018, First Team All-America, First Team All-Big 12, Second Team Academic All-Big 12 and Biletnikoff Award finalist. Logged 25 receptions of 20-plus yards and averaged 17.3 yards per catch. In high school, four-star prospect who played baseball and ran track and field. Under Armour All-America Game and First Team all-state selection. Concluded career among the top Texas players in receiving yards with 3,760 and scored 48 touchdowns. At 5’11” and 194-pounds, stupendous speed and athleticism. Rapidly ejects off the line of scrimmage. Smooth release and great short-area burst. Determined pass catcher. Separates vertically. Elite ball skills: Easily snatches pass at the high-point. Natural hands catcher who frequently wins one-on-one matchups. Radar-like ball tracker. Physical in run game. Lined up at the “Z” position at Oklahoma State. Asked to run a limited route tree in the Cowboys’ Air Raid. Can he beat press coverage in the NFL? Injury concerns. Wide range of career outcomes in the NFL.

Key Career Stats

Receptions: 205

Yards per Reception: 16.8

2020 Season

Catch Percentage: 63%

Team Aerial Dominator: 35%

Breakaway Ability (Pro Day Results)

40-yard Dash: 4.48

3-cone Drill: 6.97

20-yard Shuttle: 4.25

Draft Grade: Third Round

12. Amari Rogers, Clemson

Senior receiver decisively earned the spotlight in the Tigers' aerial assualt and rose up prospect rankings. Earned opportunity to excel after Tee Higgins moved onto the NFL, and Justyn Ross suffered a season-ending injury. In 2020, First Team All-ACC, Biletnikoff Award semifinalist and Team Captain. Established career highs in catches (77), yards (1,020) and touchdowns (seven). In 2019, honorable mention All-ACC and Brandon Streeter Award (Clemson student-athlete). In spring, suffered torn ACL; yet, in the fall, returned to field. In 2018, honorable mention All-ACC all-purpose, All-ACC Academic and ACC Honor Roll. Since 2000, only fifth Clemson player to score a touchdown by rush, reception and return. Career: 68 punt returns for 529 yards and a touchdown. In high school, named Mr. Football in Tennessee in back-to-back seasons. Top 100 prospect by ESPN. Son of former University of Tennessee quarterback Tee Martin. Eye-opening Senior Bowl week. Impressed scouts at Clemson Pro Day after performing in running back drills. At 5’9” and 212-pounds, natural slot receiver with stocky frame and natural hands. Physical competitor. Stoutly built and fierce running style. Lethal combo of short-area burst and contact balance. Crisp route runner. Rapidly creates space and easily gains yards after catch. Makes tough catches in traffic. Easily accumulated YAC numbers. Wins contested situations. Shallow route tree on resume. Can he win in the intermediate level of the field? Projects as a slot receiver in the NFL.

Key Career Stats

Receptions: 181

Yards per Reception: 11.8

2020 Season

Catch Percentage: 75%

Team Aerial Dominator: 24%

Breakaway Ability (Pro Day Results)

40-yard Dash: 4.51

3-cone Drill: 7.12

20-yard Shuttle: 4.36

Draft Grade: Third Round