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.

1 Saquon Barkley, Penn State

Barkley has it all; he has great speed, outstanding vision. The Nittany Lion is very elusive; he has a lot of power and good reliable hands. He could use some work in the pass blocking department. The Penn State product is the best running back prospect to come out within the last couple of years, edging Leonard Fournette, Ezekiel Elliott, and Todd Gurley as a prospect. This rock-toter just might be the best player in this entire draft.

2 Sony Michel, Georgia

Michel is very similar to last year’s Alvin Kamara in the way he runs, but Michel is even more explosive. This Bulldog has excellent vision and he is a huge home-run threat every time he touches the ball. Michel has solid pass-blocking ability and is very reliable as a pass catcher. Michel doesn’t shy away from contact and can be an effective inside and outside-runner.

3 Derrius Guice, LSU

Guice wasn’t at 100% for most of the season, still, he made an impact. Guice is a decisive runner who can carry a heavy workload. He has a great combination of speed, power, and balance. The Tiger runs with aggressiveness and explosiveness but can also make a defender miss with cuts and spins. Impressive lateral quickness and vision. He needs to get better as a pass catcher and as a pass blocker.

4 Kerryon Johnson, Auburn

Johnson is not only fast but his ability to shift gears on the same play is uncanny. One second the star is practicing patience following blocks and in the blink of an eye accelerates to hit a hole or run through someone. He shows great vision and patience. The prospect is a tough runner who is always willing to go for the extra yard. Johnson understands protections and blocks well. The Huntsville Native is a factor in the passing game as well; his style of play combined with his frame could lead to durability issues. Sometimes the SEC Player of the Year waits too long for a block and the play gets stuffed by the defense.

5 Ronald Jones II, USC

Jones has exceptional speed and makes the most ridiculous cuts while maintaining top speed. The track star also has great vision and runs through defenders even with his relatively small frame. Jones can bend the corner easily and runs better with outside runs. He was somewhat underused as a pass catcher. He can hit home-run from anywhere on the field and he rarely gets tackled from behind. Underrated power when running.

6 Nick Chubb, Georgia

7 Royce Freeman, Oregon

8 Rashaad Penny, San Diego State

9 Josh Adams, Notre Dame

10 Bo Scarbrough, Alabama

Honorable mention: Jaylen Samuels, NC State

To see my top 5 quarterback rankings CLICK HERE

Couch Rider Report~Home of Original Sports Perspective

eric Kirschenbaum

2018 NFL Draft: Eric’s top 5 WR rankings

1 Calvin Ridley, Alabama

2 James Washington, Oklahoma State

3 Courtland Sutton, SMU

4 Equanimeous St. Brown, Notre Dame

5 Christian Kirk, Texas A&M

2018 NFL Draft: Eric’s top 5 RB rankings

1 Saquon Barkley, Penn State

2 Sony Michel, Georgia

3 Derrius Guice, LSU

4 Kerryon Johnson, Auburn

5 Ronald Jones II, USC