EVEN MISSING SEASON, CHASE LEADS THE FIELD
Welcome to draft season! This is the second of 11 positional breakdowns leading up to the NFL Draft (April 29-May 1). Here are my top 10 wide receivers:
1. Ja’Marr Chase (Jr., LSU, 6-foot-0, 201 pounds)
Chase had a historic sophomore season (1,783 yards and 20 touchdowns) before opting out last season due to COVID-19. He dominates jump balls, breaks tackles and showcases elite toughness for a receiver. Projected: top 10
2. Devonta Smith (Sr., Alabama, 6-0, 170)
Smith glides across the field like Fred Astaire on wet pavement and took Wite-Out to Chase’s single-season conference records during his Heisman campaign. The only critique is he’s slightly bigger than a Micro Machine. Projected: top 15
3. Jaylen Waddle (Jr., Alabama, 5-9, 180)
Waddle is a special athlete and elite playmaker whose mere presence puts pressure on a defense. He’s capable of being a dynamic return man as well, but that’s how he broke his right ankle last season. Projected: top 15
4. Elijah Moore (Jr., Ole Miss, 5-9, 178)
Moore is a three-year starter who is explosive in the openfield and thrives on slants, screens and jet sweeps. He only had one drop on 101 targets in 2020. Projected: 1st or 2nd round
5. Rashod Bateman (Jr., Minnesota, 6-0, 190)
Bateman is a productive, route-technician with excellent hands. He was a three-year starter on his high school hoops team and received scholarship offers from several Division I programs. Projected: 1st or 2nd round
6. Terrace Marshall Jr. (Jr., LSU, 6-2, 205)
Marshall is a capable deep threat with prototypical size/ speed traits. Almost a quarter of his 94 receptions the past two seasons were touchdowns (23). He has broken his left foot (2019) and fibula (2017). Projected: 2nd round
7. D’Wayne Eskridge (Sr., Western Michigan, 5-8, 190)
There are durability concerns with Eskridge because of his size, and he’s still underdeveloped as a route runner but he was Indiana’s Mr. Track and Field as a senior in high school. He’s a proven playmaker who is tough as nails (he also played cornerback and lined up as a gunner on punt coverage for the Broncos). Projected: 2nd or 3rd round
8. Kadarius Toney (Sr., Florida, 5-11, 193)
This former high school quarterback is a dangerous playmaker outside, in the slot or in the backfield. Multiple off-field incidents and durability concerns could offset immense talent. Projected: 1st or 2nd round
9. Tylan Wallace (Sr., Oklahoma St., 5-11, 194)
Wallace is a dynamic playmaker who has mastered the route tree. He produced a first down or touchdown on almost 74 percent of his 205 collegiate receptions. He suffered a torn ACL in his right knee in 2019. Projected: 2nd or 3rd round
10. Rondale Moore (So., Purdue, 5-7, 181)
Moore is a powerful creator after the catch, almost running back-like, who could thrive in the slot at the next level, but he’s unproven as a downfield threat and has missed 11 of 18 games the past two seasons due to injury. Projected: 1st or 2nd round
BONUS: Amon-Ra St. Brown (Jr., USC, 5-11, 197)
St. Brown doesn’t feature top-end speed, but his balance, route running and physicality remind me of Steve Smith Sr. Projected: 2nd or 3rd round