For the third installment of the 2018 NFL draft rankings, comes the wide receiver group which features a couple of jewels up top and plenty of depth.
1 Calvin Ridley, Alabama
Ridley is an electric receiver with smooth route running abilities, top-end speed, and reliable hands. Ridley has a knack for creating separation and is a real threat after the catch. He has fluid hips and can make up for a bad throw by his quarterback. The Alabama product possesses a small frame and is soft when on man coverage. He has had quite a few concentration drops that will not fly in the NFL. He is the top WR in the 2018 NFL draft.
2 James Washington, Oklahoma State
Washington catches everything you throw at him, something he reassured at the senior bowl. Possessing a pair of the best hands in the draft, he consistently bailed out Mason Rudolph during the season. The reigning Biletnikoff Award winner, which honors the nation’s top wide receiver each season is an amazing deep threat having averaged over 20 yards per catch and has solid route running abilities. Like many other receivers coming from spread offenses, Washington hasn’t been able to work the full route tree, which means he won’t be able to handle WR1 duties from day 1.
3 Courtland Sutton, SMU
Sutton is a big bodied receiver with downfield physicality and strong reliable hands who is great at winning the 50/50 ball. Sutton is a matchup nightmare in the red zone. He easily boxes out defenders, times his jump and catches the ball at the highest point. The SMU star has the potential to be a great possession receiver. Sutton lacks elite speed, hasn’t played a lot of elite competition and was shut down by TCU. An underrated part of a wide receiver is his ability to block and he does that very well. When asked to block, he does a great job at driving smaller defenders backward.
4 Equanimeous St. Brown, Notre Dame
St Brown’s decline in production this year has him falling all the way to number 4. He showcased his 6’5 205lb frame last year with explosive speed and solid route running that will outweigh his lack of production from this year. The Notre Dame product is not only a redzone target but also a very effective deep threat. He still needs to use his body better to high point the ball and win those 50/50 balls that he should win given his size and athleticism.
5 Christian Kirk, Texas A&M
Kirk brings value not only as a receiver but also as a returner. He played a lot in the slot this year, but he has potential to play outside too. Kirk is a crisp route runner and electric after the catch. The Texas A&M speedster lacked elite production this year due to shaky play at the QB position.
6 ) Deon Cain, Clemson
7) Auden Tate, FSU
8) Simmie Cobbs Jr, Indiana
9) Dante Pettis, Washington
10) Anthony Miller, Memphis
Honorable mention: D.J. Charke, LSU
Here is also my top 5 quarterback rankings: https://www.couchriderreport.net/2018-nfl-draft-quarterback-rankings-scouting-reports-top-prospects/
Eric Kirschenbaum is a Writer for Couch Rider Report. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.