USA TODAY International Edition
Wideouts Davis, Williams could jump right in
As the NFL draft nears, USA TODAY Sports is providing rankings for each position group. Today: wide receivers.
1. COREY DAVIS, WESTERN MICHIGAN 6- 3, 209
His peers in the Mid- American Conference had no answer for him. Davis was too big, too strong and too fast, dominating the competition on his way to 97 catches, 1,500 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2016. In fact, he was highly productive for all four of his seasons with the Broncos, averaging nearly 83 grabs while racking up 52 TDs and a Football Bowl Subdivision- record 5,278 receiving yards. He runs a variety of routes and is comfortable working on the outside and over the middle. A smooth player who appears to have all the ability to develop into a No. 1 NFL receiver. Offseason ankle surgery shelved him at the scouting combine.
2. MIKE WILLIAMS, CLEMSON 6- 4, 218
He snatches the ball with big, sure hands in all areas of the field. He’s not a burner — and there are questions about his short- area quickness and route running — but that doesn’t prevent him from doing damage in the seams, on the boundaries and in the end zone. His size makes him effective in the red zone and while shielding defenders on backshoulder throws. His game is reminiscent of Dez Bryant’s and Mike Evans’. Williams caught 98 passes for 1,361 yards and 11 TDs last season for the national champions. A broken neck cost him virtually all of the 2015 season.
3. JOHN ROSS, WASHINGTON 5- 11, 188
His combine- record 4.22- second 40- yard dash is a major indi- cator of his vast talent, which could translate into the kind of impact DeSean Jackson and Brandin Cooks have had as pros. But Ross also brings sure hands, crisp route running and gamebreaking return ability to the table. He could be the ultimate weapon out of the slot. Ross’ 2016 season was easily his best ( 81 receptions, 1,150 yards, 17 TDs). His size could be a concern. He needed shoulder surgery this offseason and missed 2015 because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Regardless, his speed promises to make him an impact rookie on offense and special teams.
4. ZAY JONES, EAST CAROLINA 6- 2, 201
His performance in the Senior Bowl and combine should allay questions about his ability to thrive as a pro. Jones became the all- time FBS leader for receptions ( 399), including a season- record 158 in 2016. He is plenty fast and has excellent hands and body control, allowing him to catch everything in sight. He also doesn’t shy from contact and picks up tough yards after the catch.
5. CURTIS SAMUEL, OHIO STATE 5- 11, 196
Maybe the next Percy Harvin? Whether the Buckeyes lined him up in the backfield, in the slot or split wide, he was a terror with the ball. He rushed for 771 yards and eight TDs in 2016 while catching 74 passes for another 865 yards and seven TDs. He ran a 4.31- second 40- yard dash at the combine, which explains why he often was running away from defenders. Samuel is projected as a receiver and has a significant ceiling, but he will have a lot to learn about the nuances of the position after operating so frequently as a running back in college.
6. COOPER KUPP, EASTERN WASHINGTON 6- 2, 204
Yet another record- setter, Kupp is the standard- bearer for the Football Championship Subdivision level with career marks for catches ( 428), receiving yards ( 6,464) and TDs ( 73). He went out with a bang as a senior in 2016, compiling 117 receptions for 1,700 yards and 17 scores. Kupp makes every catch, from the routine to the circus variety. He has nice size and just enough speed ( 4.62 seconds in the 40) to keep defenses honest. He also can return punts. Kupp obviously must prove that transitioning to the NFL won’t be too big of a hurdle.
7. JUJU SMITH- SCHUSTER, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 6- 1, 215
The ubiquitous comparisons to Anquan Boldin are nice, though in fairness, Smith- Schuster is slightly faster. But he has a lot of work to do to prove worthy of being likened to one of the toughest, most physically imposing receivers in NFL history. Smith- Schuster has sticky hands, catches the ball well in traffic and consistently sheds tackles. He also gladly shrugs off a 500- yard drop in production last year by citing USC’s collective revival and Rose Bowl win. However, the Trojans also have consistently produced highly drafted receivers who have underwhelmed in the NFL.
8. CHRIS GODWIN, PENN STATE 6- 1, 209
He was a solid producer for the Nittany Lions and thrived while battling for the ball and yards in traffic. A strong combine — Godwin shined in the weight room and during on- field drills and posted a 4.42- second 40 time — could bump him up draft boards.
9. AMARA DARBOH, MICHIGAN 6- 2, 214
He doesn’t look particularly gifted in any specific area of the game, nor is he really lacking in any aspect. He is fast if not quick but does a nice job getting behind defenders. Darboh could develop into a steady No. 2 receiver in the NFL.
10. DEDE WESTBROOK, OKLAHOMA 6- 0, 178
There are a lot of mixed opinions on last season’s Biletnikoff Award winner as college football’s top receiver. Westbrook was clocked in the 4.3- second range in the 40 at the Sooners’ pro day after skipping combine workouts. But he’ll have to transition from a spread offense and prove his slight frame can withstand the pounding of the NFL. There also are character concerns after he was accused of domestic violence against the mother of his children.