Rating the Receivers: 2022 Wide Receiver Prospects part I

     Rating the Receivers: 

            2022 WR Prospects part I

With the 2021 NFL season in the books, I have more time to relax and binge watch new TV shows. Currently, I am hooked on Downton Abbey in between watching tape of NFL Draft prospects and writing my Scholar’s Study Sheet profiles. 

Over the past two months, I have studied the elite wide receivers in the Class of 2022. Without question, the receivers are the strongest and deepest group of fantasy football prospects in the upcoming Draft. In regard to the top twelve wide outs in this year’s class, there is disparity among the experts and draftniks across the country. Nevertheless, I feel confident in my wide receiver rankings.

Gridiron Scholar's Wide Receiver Model

(Click the link above to see the model and Class of 2022 prospects)

Size, speed and separation often differentiates the All-American from a Pro Bowler and cannot be ignored when evaluating players. Among wide receiver prospects, seven key indicators (Career Receptions, Yards per Reception, Catch Percentage, Team Aerial Dominator, 40-yard dash, 3-cone drill and 20-yard shuttle) provide additional insight into long-term NFL potential and anchor my production model. 

After plugging in the numbers and grading the preeminent playmakers, my top six wide receivers are profiled for readers below….Enjoy my fellow Diehards!

Benchmark Statistics and Measurements for Draft Consideration

Receptions: 150

Yards per Reception: 15.0

Catch Percentage: 65%

Team Aerial Dominator: 30%

Breakaway Ability: 

40-yard Dash: 4.50 seconds (or less)

3-cone Drill: 6.90 seconds (or less)

20-yard Shuttle: 4.20 seconds (or less)

1. Garrett Wilson, Ohio State

Next impactful Buckeyes’ gamebreaker begins professional career. In 2021, Second Team All-Big Ten and Third Team All-America (PFF): 70 catches for 1,058 yards and 12 touchdowns. Finalist for the Campbell Tyler Rose Award (best in Texas). In 2020, First Team All-Big Ten: 43 receptions for 723 yards and six touchdowns. As a true freshman in 2019, made an immediate impact with 30 catches for 432 yards and five touchdowns. In high school, five-star prospect by 247Sports and Top-15 ranked recruit. Earned Div I Basketball scholarship. All-American Bowl Man of the Year for excellence in community service, education and athletic distinction. As a junior, registered 98 catches for 1,774 yards and 19 touchdowns and logged over 200 receptions for 3,359 yards during his career. At 5’11” and 183-pounds, fluid, smooth and explosive athlete. Easily changes directions and stacks opponents downfield. Top shelf short-area burst and explosion. Reaches top speed rapidly. Elite runner after the catch. Quick feet and elusiveness to come open quickly. Technical route runner: Runs precise and perfect routes. The best route runner in the Draft Class. Off-the-charts second-level separation. Employs jab steps to beat man coverage. Home run hitter who gains separation on the sideline or crossing routes. Excellent at the top of his routes. Stupendous body control and footwork with smooth and natural hands. Do not be surprised if Wilson is the first wide receiver off the board in the Draft. 

Scholar's Key Career Stats

Receptions: 143

Yards per Reception: 15.5

2021 Season

Catch Percentage: 68%

Team Aerial Dominator: 34%

Draft Grade: First Round

2. Treylon Burks, Arkansas

Remarkable Razorbacks’ antagonist terrorized opponents in Fayetteville. In 2021, First Team All-SEC, Second Team All-America (PFF) and Maxwell Award Watch List. Logged 66 catches for 1,104 yards and 11 touchdowns and six games over 100 receiving yards. Against Alabama snatched eight passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns. In 2020, Second Team All-SEC and Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll. As a freshman in 2019, Second Team All-SEC (PR/KR) and All-Freshman Team. Concluded career sixth in school history with 2,399 receiving yards. In high school, graded as a four-star prospect and lettered in three sports: football, baseball and basketball. Top receiver in the state of Arkansas and No. 11 wide receiver in the nation. Suffered an ACL injury senior season. At 6’2” and 225-pounds, stupendous size, speed and athletic combination. Physically imposes will on opponents. Multidimensional playmaker who was employed all over the formation: Motion, slot, out wide and in the backfield. Sure-handed and easily corrals passes with huge hands (5XL gloves). Regularly beats press coverage. Deceptive speed: Dangerous vertical threat who wins one-on-one. Devours cushions and attacks defensive backs. Stupendous second-level vision and run-after-the-catch ability. Explosive burst. Difficult to tackle one-on-one. Uses long arms to gain separation on deep patterns. Did not run an extensive route tree. Must improve short and intermediate route running. Does not gain immediate separation at line of scrimmage. At Combine, posted a disapointing 40-yard dash. A Top 24 player in the Draft and possibly first receiver off the board.

Scholar's Key Career Stats

Receptions: 147

Yards per Reception: 16.4

2021 Season

Catch Percentage: 72%

Team Aerial Dominator: 41% 

Draft Grade: First Round

3. Drake London, USC

USC pipeline pumps out another top-shelf prospect. During career in Pasadena, the wide receiver depth chart was stacked with Michael Pittman, Amon-Ra St. Brown and London. In 2021, PAC-12 Offensive Player of the Year, First Team All-PAC-12, First Team All-America (PFF) and Third Team All-American (AP) after earning 119 targets, and recording 88 receptions in only eight games. Also, registered double-digit receptions in five games and over 125 yards six times. Ended season with a fractured right ankle. In 2020, Second Team All-PAC 12. In 2019, Third Team Freshman All-American (PFF). Played on Trojans’ Basketball Team and played in three games. In high school, 2018 PrepStar All-American from California. A four-star recruit, No. 35 ranked WR and No. 247 overall player. At 6’4” and 219-pounds, a former basketball player who excels in jump ball matchups and easily high points pass in the air. Tracks the ball well and secures it with great body control. Dropped eight passes but does corral off target throws. Underrated quickness and smooth athlete. Good release off line of scrimmage and gets into routes rapidly. Very good quickness and burst. Identifies holes in zone coverage and stacks on vertical routes. Ventures into the middle of the field. Versatile competitor: Employed in the slot (2020) and on the outside (2021). Does not create immediate separation. Lack of elite long speed. Will London be the first receiver drafted? Very possible. Some draft experts rank London at the top of their boards.

Scholar's Key Career Stats

Receptions: 160

Yards per Reception: 13.5

2021 Season

Catch Percentage: 71%

Team Aerial Dominator: 30% 

Draft Grade: First Round

4. Jameson Williams, Alabama

After transferring from Ohio State, Crimson Tide's home run hitter skyrocketed up draft rankings. In 2021, First Team All-American, First Team All-SEC and SEC Co-Special Teams Player of the Year (Returned 10 kicks and scored twice). Registered 15 touchdowns on 79 receptions (19%) and eclipsed 100-yards receiving in a game seven times. Established a school record with four touchdowns beyond 70 yards and logged seven scores from 30-plus yards. Thirteenth player in school history to surpass 1,000 yards receiving in a season. Finished third on Alabama's single-season receiving yardage list with 1,572 yards, trailing only DeVonta Smith (1,856) and Amari Cooper (1,727). From 2019-2020, a Buckeyes’ receiver behind Wilson and Chris Olave on the depth chart. Totaled 15 catches for 266 yards and three touchdowns in Columbus, OH in two seasons. In high school, four-star recruit and No. 2 ranked prospect in Missouri by 247Sports. Selected for the Under Armour All-American game. At 6’1” and 189-pounds, quick-twitch speedster who tracks the deep ball extremely well. Smooth and effortless route runner. Rapid acceleration: Attacks defensive backs, eats cushions and stacks opponents. Great body control. Secures the ball out of the air with natural hands. Snatches ball in traffic. Makes tacklers whiff in the open field. Stops on a dime and twists defenders in knots. Prolific yards after catch (YAC) runner. Suffered a torn ACL in the National Championship Game on January 11. Medical reports will determine the final draft value. Williams is likely the fifth Alabama receiver to be drafted in the First Round over the past three years.

Scholar's Key Career Stats

Receptions: 94

Yards per Reception: 19.6

2021 Season

Catch Percentage: 67%

Team Aerial Dominator: 31% 

Draft Grade: First Round

5. Chris Olave, Ohio State

Two Buckeyes’ playmakers among the WR aristocracy. Returned for a final season on campus in 2021. Unfortunately, failed to retain the No. 1 ranking among receivers in the Class of 2022. Last year, Preseason First Team All-American by Walter Camp Football Foundation. After snatching 65 passes for 936 yards and 13 touchdowns, earned First Team All-Big Ten. In 2020, First Team All-Big Ten and led the Buckeyes in receptions (50), receiving yards (729) and touchdowns (7). In 2019 as a true sophomore, paced the team in yards (849), yards per catch (17.3) and touchdowns (12). Concluded OSU career third in receptions, fifth in yards and first in touchdowns (35). In high school, four-star prospect from San Diego and three-sport athlete: basketball and track and field. At 6’0” and 187-pounds, explosive home run hitter who is a savvy-and-fluid feld stretcher. Ran an advanced route tree and excelled at all three levels of the field. Stupendous spatial awareness: Uncovers holes in zone coverage. Versatility: Employed on the inside and outside. Excellent body control and lateral quickness. High football IQ: Technical route runner who leverages opponents. Strong and innate hands. Easily separates with short-area acceleration. Ascends to top speed immediately. Outpaces opponents with the ball in his hands for YAC. Occasionally, allows football into the body. Not a physically imposing competitor. A second-round grade and potential value if he falls in the Draft.

Scholar's Key Career Stats

Receptions: 175

Yards per Reception: 15.4

2021 Season

Catch Percentage: 63%

Team Aerial Dominator: 34%

Draft Grade: First Round

6. Jahan Dotson, Penn State

Nittany Lions’ dynamic route runner subjugated opponents in the Big Ten over the past two campaigns. In 2021, Second Team All-Big Ten and Third Team All-America (PFF): 91 catches for 1,182 and 12 touchdowns. Set school-record against Maryland with 242 receiving yards on 11 catches. In 2020, set Penn State punt return average record (24.6). Against Ohio State, registered eight catches for 144 yards and three touchdowns. In 2019, started all 13 games at wide receiver: 27 catches for 488 yards and five touchdowns. Finished campus tenure among all-time leaders in receptions, yards and touchdowns. One of 10 Nittany Lions to exceed 2,000 yards receiving. Logged 10 games with over 100 yards receiving (2nd all-time at school). In high school, four-star prospect by ESPN and Rivals and No. 13 player in Pennsylvania. Won Penn. Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) state championships in 4x 100 relay and long jump in 2016. Won the Eastern Penn. Conference crown in the 100- and 200-meters in 2018. At 5’11” and 178-pounds, slippery speedster with long strides. Crafty route runner who tracks the deep ball well. Uber change of direction skills and loose lips to create separation. Employs double moves to thwart defenders. Uses head-and-shoulder fakes. Very good ball skills and sticky mitts at catch point. Hands catcher who rarely allows the ball into chest. Long strider and excellent separation vertically. Easts cushions and stacks opponents. Finds holes in zone coverage. A likely first-round selection who is plucked between picks 20 and 40 in April.

Scholar's Key Career Stats

Receptions: 183

Yards per Reception: 15.1

2021 Season

Catch Percentage: 62%

Team Aerial Dominator: 34% 

Draft Grade: First Round