2023 NFL Draft: Wide Receiver Class

[WNY_FOOTBALL_DUDE]

Zay Flowers


Josh Downs

 

[cwalke3408]

Quick thoughts before Combine results gets in:
1. Jordan Addison - Shifty, explosive, deep-threat combability and catches in tight coverage. Idk he as high as some of the #1 WRs from prev. draft classes.
2. Zay Flowers - Slightly smaller than Addison but just as explosives who can get open down field and underneath. Versatile WR in college who lined up on the outside 60% vs in the slot 40%.
3. Jaxon Smith-Njigba - High floor / reliable NFL slot WR for years to come. Easily gets open and quick to find open space in zone coverage. Not exactly a burner or someone I've seen stretch the defense vertically too much which is somewhat limiting .
4. Quentin Johnson - Idk if I'm as high on Johnson as others. Physically gifted but doesn't play as physical as you would think and route-running is solid but I question how much separation he will get in the next level.
5. Jalin Hyatt - High ceiling, explosive down field threat and a type of WR teams like to take a chance on. 40-time will be very important in where he gets drafted.

 

[Clayton]

Boutee's Vert score is kinda embarrassing. There are major red flags adding up with him as a prospect.

 

[SteelersPride]

As a Bears fan of a team whose offense lacks a top go-to WR, suffice to say this year's crop will be closely monitored, especially during the combines and pro days. Right at this moment there is no receiver in the draft to me that screams top 10 pick, altho it's inevitable that one will likely climb up into that level. I do think tho that while there may not be an obvious blue chipper, the group itself is overall fairly deep to the point there should be some serious talent remaining on the boards well into the mid-late rounds.

Easy prediction: the WR in the top 10-20 or so who tests the fastest 40 time will likely rise to at worst the 2nd or 3rd one grabbed in the draft, regardless if he's otherwise worth it or not. Happens all the time. Right now the talk is Hyatt as the fastest wideout in this group. If that holds true in the combine, watch how he flies up the boards.

I'd be shocked if Rice fell to the 3rd-4th rounds simply due to the height differential. I don't think he'll fall that far, but if so, he'd be a steal.

Sleepers/dark horses not listed in the original thread:

Tank Dell, Houston - a bit smurfish in size, but he's posted some incredible numbers during his collegiate career.
Xavier Hutchinson, Iowa St - Good size and strength, runs solid routes, often wins those contested passes. GMs love this type of receiver.
Jayden Reed, Michigan St - No blow-way numbers during his his time at Mich St, but he impressed NFL scouts during Senior Bowl week.

Dude. You got claypool.

 

[SteelersPride]

You "forgot" Tyler Scott.

He will be top 5 WR.....

Not with that 40 time. Hes bot sniffing eary rounds i dont think.

 

[WNY_FOOTBALL_DUDE]

The Boutte Man


The Hyatt Hotel

Jalin Hyatt: A Defense's Worst Nightmare | 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report

 

[Southieinnc]

Not with that 40 time. Hes bot sniffing eary rounds i dont think.

4.44 was certainly slow for him - a track star. Gotta train!

 

[Clayton]

I think JSN and Johnston I like in rd1 and that's it.

For me, JSNs height, 3 cone, production put him above the other slot receivers. Johnston is raw but has great acceleration for a guy his size. I was watching a youtuber called 'Franchise Guy' and he says after watching the all 22 and Johnstons ability to get off the line meant he was almost always open.

After that, the class is so deep that I'd be okay with whoever falls in rd2. I think rd2 is where the WR run should happen

 

[SteelersPride]

4.44 was certainly slow for him - a track star. Gotta train!

Right, and his size production dont scream epic talent

 

[SteelersPride]

@WNY_FOOTBALL_DUDE this was the demise of kordell. “You Know What I Heard About Kordell Stewart???” | By Kordell Stewart


Maybe im higher on him than others. But he was really freaking good. @FaCe-LeE-uS @Superbelt @TheBurgh88 @The Q @thedddd can chime in.

 

[Southieinnc]

Right, and his size production dont scream epic talent

I don't see him as a 1st rounder nor a #1.
I do see him as a valuable receiver that can improve

 

[PDay8810]

Flowers and Mims helped themselves yesterday.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Yeah, he was on my radar for late rd2 Chiefs picks. The knock on him (and Flowers) is that they have some really bad drops and you'll need an accurate QB to get these guys the ball. That said...yeah...day 2. Maybe rd2.

Daniel Jeremiah compares Zay Flowers to TY Hilton.

Sam Monson on Addison 'Lots of people are saying there isnt a Jamarr Chase in this class and thats fine but if you're sitting at pick 12 and Addison is on the board then that shouldnt stop you from taking a guy who does everything right'.

Kiper has JSN as WR #1 right now and going to New England at 14. Addison, Flowers, Johnston also rd1 in that order.

JSN could become a star early and I wouldn’t be surprised. His route running and change of direction is elite.

Addison seems to have all the tools, no Chase, but a nice prize in the teens.

Scott ended up running a 4.44. I think his game speed is better than a guy like Mims, who ran a 4.38.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Yeah if you were asking to rank the Ohio State WR's exactly 1 year ago today, everyone would have said JSN. Hell part of the reason that I was down on Olave and Wilson coming into the draft last season is that they werent the best WR on their own college team (and no college team other than Alabama ever has 3 legit NFL studs at a single position).

It really does tell you how mercurial draft rankings can be. Good reminder when looking at the draft that we are projecting NFL futures and not trying to point out who had the best fantasy season last year in college.

If Ohio St has a healthy JSN they win it all, no doubt. His change of direction is freakish and 1 percentile crazy but combine that with his ball skills and hands….if he played this last year maybe he is considered a Chase type of prospect or close. Top 7 in cone since 2007.

 

[Shanemansj13]

I think JSN and Johnston I like in rd1 and that's it.

For me, JSNs height, 3 cone, production put him above the other slot receivers. Johnston is raw but has great acceleration for a guy his size. I was watching a youtuber called 'Franchise Guy' and he says after watching the all 22 and Johnstons ability to get off the line meant he was almost always open.

After that, the class is so deep that I'd be okay with whoever falls in rd2. I think rd2 is where the WR run should happen

I watch Franchise Guy sometimes, I used to watch more of his stuff in the past. I like his breakdowns. You should check out his Stroud breakdown

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

None of the receivers did anything that blew me out of the water, yet as has been stated on numerous occasions, it's nonetheless a deep class in terms of overall talent. There should be some decent pickings in Days 2 & 3 of the draft.

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

I would love to snag Flower for Seattle, but the entire front 7 needs so much help... and center is a glaring need as Blythe is perhaps the worst center in the NFL.

 

[Mebert]

I watch Franchise Guy sometimes, I used to watch more of his stuff in the past. I like his breakdowns. You should check out his Stroud breakdown

Whitman is excellent, he is who I watch on draft day. He is boring as hell, but he gives great breakdowns on players.

 

[cwalke3408]

If Ohio St has a healthy JSN they win it all, no doubt. His change of direction is freakish and 1 percentile crazy but combine that with his ball skills and hands….if he played this last year maybe he is considered a Chase type of prospect or close. Top 7 in cone since 2007.

Chase didn't play his last season (covid-year) either. The difference is Chase is a true #1 WR and offers more of a deep-threat present vs JSN who is a pure slot guy. I see JSN as a Jerry Juedy type

 

[Clayton]

I watch Franchise Guy sometimes, I used to watch more of his stuff in the past. I like his breakdowns. You should check out his Stroud breakdown

His two year rankings of Instant Impact and Upside:

Tank Dell 69/78
Parker Washington 70/80
Jayden Reed 70/81
Michael Wilson 70/81
Skyy Moore 71/81
Jalin Hyatt 69/84
Christian Watson 69/86
John Metchie III 70/85
George Pickens 70/85
Josh Downs 72/83
Jahan Dotson 73/83
Zay Flowers 73/84
JSN 74/83
Drake London 75/86
Chris Olave 77/84
Treylon Burks 74/88
Jordan Addison 75/86
Jameson Williams 75/86
Garrett Wilson 76/88
Quenton Johnston 73/92