Matching A Wide Receiver Prospect to Every NFL Team
Leading up to the 2018 NFL Draft, the idea for this article started off as a playful joke. Tasked with writing a mock draft for The Draft Network, one of my co-workers said that it would probably just be full of 32 wide receivers. The light above my head flashed and the idea to match a wide receiver prospect to all 32 teams was born.
The format isn’t just a 1st round mock draft. I’ll be trying to predict the range that each team could be considering drafting a wide receiver, and the style of prospect they could be targeting to fit on their current depth chart.
Here is the 2021 version of Matching a Wide Receiver Prospect to Every NFL Team.
New England Patriots - Dyami Brown, North Carolina
New England needs to invest in the wide receiver position, ideally both in the NFL Draft and free agency. Jakobi Meyers will be a starter and N’Keal Harry will have a role, but there are no guarantees on the roster beyond them. North Carolina’s Dyami Brown would not only make free agent receiver Damiere Byrd expendable, but he can be the field stretcher that the Patriots are missing. His straight-line speed developed vertical stem route running will better serve to open the intermediate level of the field, where Meyers thrives. Brown projects as a natural “Z” receiver and reminds me of former first round pick Lee Evans.
Round: 2-3
Miami Dolphins - DeVonta Smith, Alabama
With Tua Tagovailoa likely settled as their future starting quarterback, Miami is in a position to add his former collegiate teammate at pick #3 in the NFL Draft. The Heisman winner, DeVonta Smith has seen his stock rise steadily over the past year. Miami needs to upgrade their wide receivers if they’re going to get the most out of Tagovailoa. Smith’s three-level route running and elusiveness after the catch fits nicely beside incumbent starting “X” receiver Davante Parker.
Round: 1
Buffalo Bills: Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Iowa
Buffalo doesn’t have a pressing need at wide receiver, which means they’re unlikely to target one early in the NFL Draft. However, Iowa’s Ihmir Smith-Marsette has an intriguing Day 3 skill-set and alignment versatility for the next level. He will bring a vertical presence to an offense, which would mesh well with quarterback Josh Allen. Smith-Marsette is a slippery, fluid route runner who could act as insurance for John Brown when he enters free agency next offseason.
Round: 6
New York Jets - Jaelon Darden, North Texas
The Jets need to make a decision regarding Jamison Crowder and his wealthy contract, as they could save roughly $10 million from releasing him. Additionally, Breshad Perriman will be a free agent after an up and down season during his one year in New York. Jaelon Darden could help solve the departure of both veteran wide receivers, as he’s an explosive vertical threat who predominantly plays out of the slot. Darden is undersized but can be electric with the ball in his hands, making him a dynamic weapon that would fit on the inside next to Denzel Mims.
Round: 3-4
Pittsburgh Steelers - Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma State
Pittsburgh is in a unique spot with their wide receiver corps. JuJu Smith-Schuster is clearly talented, but has been misused and will be entering free agency. Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool have high ceilings, but Johnson is plagued by inconsistencies and Claypool was a week-to-week boom or bust candidate as a rookie. It’s unclear whether or not the Steelers will address wide receiver this offseason, but they could be searching for a prospect to compete with James Washington. Former college teammate Tylan Wallace has similar success on the vertical route tree, while proving at the Senior Bowl that he has a better projection to the slot. That alignment versatility would allow him to fit alongside Claypool and Johnson for the long-term.
Round: 3-4
Baltimore Ravens - Rashod Bateman, Minnesota
Baltimore needs to upgrade their boundary wide receiver options, as their passing offense has become too reliant on their tight end and slot receivers. Quarterback Lamar Jackson has yet to play with a full arsenal of weapons to this point in his career. Rashod Bateman is a technical, three-level route runner with good size at 6-2 and 210 pounds. He has a complete skill-set as he’s fluid through multiple route breaks, will extend towards the catchpoint and break tackles with the ball in his hands. Bateman could quickly become what Corey Davis was for the Tennessee Titans this past season.
Round: 1
Cleveland Browns - Cade Johnson, South Dakota State
Cleveland has made it a point to invest in the surroundings of quarterback Baker Mayfield, both on the offensive line and with their passing weapons. They’re likely to turn their focus to the defense during free agency and the early portions of the NFL Draft, but should be searching for complimentary receiving options in the middle rounds. South Dakota State’s Cade Johnson will be entering the NFL from the FCS, but feels pro ready with an advanced route tree and a lot of college production. While undersized, his ability to separate against man coverage really flashed at the Senior Bowl.
Round: 3-4
Cincinnati Bengals - Marquez Stevenson, Houston
With Tyler Boyd and promising second-year wide receiver Tee Higgins, Cincinnati may end up allowing both AJ Green and John Ross to walk in free agency. The Bengals should focus on the offensive line early in the NFL Draft in order to better protect quarterback Joe Burrow, but they could use a speedy field stretcher to continue opening the middle of the field for Boyd. Houston’s Marquez Stevenson has been a dynamic weapon for Houston’s offense because of his acceleration, gaining over 2,400 offensive yards and 24 touchdowns over his past 30 games. His speed continued to flash on downfield throws at the Senior Bowl.
Round: 5-6
Tennessee Titans - Shi Smith, South Carolina
Tennessee’s signing of Adam Humphries hasn’t worked out, which makes him a potential salary cap casualty during an offseason where Kalif Raymond will also be a free agent. Tennessee would be wise to retain free agent wide receiver Corey Davis with the salary cap created by moving on from Humphries. That situation would give the Titans a need for a pure slot receiver, which is where Shi Smith comes in. Undersized but a player who understands how to separate and competes at a high-level, Smith should be a prospect that head coach Mike Vrabel falls in love with.
Round: 4-5
Jacksonville Jaguars - Cornell Powell, Clemson
Jacksonville has quietly built a promising young core of wide receivers in DJ Chark, Laviska Shenault and Collin Johnson. That group will help smooth over the transition for projected #1 overall pick quarterback Trevor Lawrence, but the Jaguars could make him even more comfortable by adding Cornell Powell. Jacksonville has multiple pressing defensive needs, which means wide receiver won’t be a high priority, but Powell should be an option just outside of the top-100 picks. With Chris Conley, Dede Westbrook and Keelan Cole all entering free agency, Powell will complete the Jaguars rebuild at the position.
Round: 4
Houston Texans - Amon-Ra St. Brown, USC
Houston will be drafting in an attempt to either keep franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson satisfied, or they will need to surround their new signal-caller with adequate weapons. In both scenarios the Texans figure to target a wide receiver at some point on Day 2 of the NFL Draft, potentially earlier if they’re unable to re-sign Will Fuller. Amon-Ra St. Brown is an athletic and twitchy playmaker with a strong build, who posted either 100 receiving yards or a touchdown in five of USC’s 6 games this season. He would provide exceptional value at the top of the 3rd round for the Texans.
Round: 3
Indianapolis Colts - Elijah Moore, Ole Miss
With their quarterback situation settled but T.Y. Hilton entering free agency, Indianapolis could be in the wide receiver market on Day 2 of the NFL Draft. The Colts are likely to retain restricted free agent Zach Pascal, and second-year wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. will be a long-term starter. Elijah Moore can act as a security blanket for the newly acquired Carson Wentz, while providing athletic upside out of the slot. Moore is a separation machine with some of the stickiest hands in the wide receiver class, and his quickness and field vision after the catch makes him a weapon in space.
Round: 2
Los Angeles Chargers - Tutu Atwell, Louisville
Los Angeles has found their quarterback of the future in Justin Herbert, and their vertical passing game was one of the strongest in the NFL last season. With one of the best duos of wide receivers in Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, the Chargers can turn their attention to adding developmental pieces at the position behind them. Tutu Atwell is an undersized, speedy and explosive threat with the ball in his hands. Atwell is not only a dynamic vertical threat, he’ll stretch the defense horizontally with the threat of motion. His skill-set would be a natural fit alongside Allen and Williams, and his production could reach its ceiling with Herbert behind center.
Round: 3
Las Vegas Raiders - Josh Palmer, Tennessee
Las Vegas recently released veteran wide receiver Tyrell Williams and vertical speed threat Nelson Agholor will be a free agent after one season with the team, likely putting the Raiders in the wide receiver market at some point during the NFL Draft. They want to give Henry Ruggs III an expanded role in the offense and slot receiver Hunter Renfrow will get his share of targets, but the passing offense runs through tight end Darren Waller. The Raiders could stand to bring in competition for second-year wideout Bryan Edwards while adding more young depth at the position. Tennessee’s Josh Palmer is a physical receiver with a full route tree who consistently separates against man coverage. Despite modest production in the Volunteers limited passing offense, Palmer was arguably the best wide receiver during the 1-on-1 drills at the Senior Bowl.
Round: 5
Kansas City Chiefs - Anthony Schwartz, Auburn
Kansas City’s offense is built on speed, and the selection of Anthony Schwartz would only add to that. The Chiefs will be searching for offensive line and cornerback talent, making wide receiver one of their secondary needs to target on draft day. Schwartz was the fastest player in college football last season, but is still developing his skill-set as a wide receiver which could lead to his availability on Day 3 of the NFL Draft. With the elite weapons already in place around quarterback Patrick Mahomes, defenses would struggle even more to keep up with their offense if they added a player with Schwartz’s skill-set.
Round: 5
Denver Broncos - Austin Watkins, UAB
Denver has built a promising group of young wide receivers that includes Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler, which will only be strengthened by the return of Courtland Sutton next season. They will face a decision with restricted free agent Tim Patrick, but he provides value if the Broncos choose to place a draft pick tender on him. This means that Denver likely won’t be in the market for a wide receiver early in the NFL Draft, but could be searching for a value and depth selection on Day 3. Austin Watkins from UAB showed his NFL chops during Senior Bowl week, providing a well-rounded skill-set, impressive body control to adjust to the pass, and an NFL frame at 6-2 207 pounds.
Round: 6-7
Philadelphia Eagles - Ja’Marr Chase, LSU
Philadelphia’s offseason will be defined by the position they decide to target with the #6 overall pick in the NFL Draft. If they decide to move forward with Jalen Hurts as their quarterback, the logical choice would be for them to upgrade their wide receiver depth chart. Ja’Marr Chase, the 2019 Biletnikoff winner, has a broad build and will be one of the strongest wide receiver prospects to enter the NFL in years. His physicality would be a welcome addition to the Eagles offense as a pure boundary threat, and allow 2020 first-round pick Jalen Reagor to settle into the vertical and horizontal stretch role that better fits his skill-set.
Round: 1
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Dallas Cowboys - Trevon Grimes, Florida
Dallas has the best trio of wide receivers in the NFL, and their depth pieces are solid behind them. With desperate needs at defensive back and other positions lacking talent compared to their receiver room, it would be a surprise to see them target one in the early rounds of the NFL Draft. However, Michael Gallup’s name has been floated out there as a potential trade target for other teams and it makes sense considering the Cowboys' other investments at the position. It’s possible that Dallas targets a potential replacement for Gallup to make him expendable, which will need to be a prospect that thrives in isolation on the boundary. Florida’s Trevon Grimes fit well in a similar role on a loaded Gators offense, and he’s a steady possession receiver with size at 6’4 217 pounds.
Round: 6
New York Giants - Jaylen Waddle, Alabama
The Giants have rebuilt their offensive personnel around young quarterback Daniel Jones, and could complete that process with the selection of Jaylen Waddle. With veteran wide receiver Golden Tate a potential cap casualty, the Giants could have a need for an alignment versatile receiver to play alongside of Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton. Pairing Waddle’s acceleration off the line of scrimmage with Slayton’s deep speed would put stress on defenses and open the short-to-intermediate for Shepard and tight end Evan Engram. Waddle’s change of direction, how he beats angles after the catch and his underrated contested catch ability makes Waddle one of the most complete wide receiver prospects in the NFL Draft class.
Round: 1
Washington Football Team - Kadarius Toney, Florida
Terry McLaurin is one of the best “X” receivers in the NFL, meaning Washington has their #1 wide receiver in place but currently lack complimentary pieces. Florida’s Kadarius Toney has a diverse skill-set that gives him a unique ceiling. Getting the most out of Toney will involve a team finding multiple ways to quickly get the ball in his hands, changing his alignment and motions to stretch defenses, and isolating him in the slot to take advantage of mismatches. That makes him a natural fit beside McLaurin, and Toney’s YAC potential will help their next quarterback.
Round: 1
Chicago Bears - Seth Williams, Auburn
Chicago figures to lose one of the best wide receivers in football with Allen Robinson entering free agency, meaning they’ll have a glaring need at the “X” receiver position. The Bears have promising complimentary pieces in Darnell Mooney and Anthony Miller, but will function better beside a pure boundary threat with size. Auburn’s Seth Williams is a burly, physical presence who can win above the rim and in contested situations. He welcomes the challenge of aggressive cornerback, and has #1 wide receiver upside with the proper development.
Round: 3
Green Bay Packers - Amari Rodgers, Clemson
Green Bay has all of the size in the world on their wide receiver depth chart, but their passing game almost exclusively runs through Davante Adams. They’re missing a steady intermediate threat who can play on the inside, which is where Clemson’s Amari Rodgers will fit in the NFL. Rodgers is advanced through the entire route tree, while having a strong build to handle contact. He has a high floor due to his consistent hands and tackle breaking, and would fit well in head coach Matt LaFluer’s offensive system.
Round: 3-4
Minnesota Vikings - Dazz Newsome, North Carolina
Minnesota has a dynamic #1 and #2 wide receiver duo already in place, and both Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen offer alignment versatility. The Vikings have struggled to get much production from their WR3 over the years, so they could be in the market for another weapon during the middle rounds of the NFL Draft. Dazz Newsome projects as a complementary piece in the NFL, as he’s a developed route runner with production over multiple seasons in the air raid offensive system. Doing his best work from the slot and projecting into a full route tree, Newsome could be dangerous as defenses focus on stopping Jefferson and Thielen.
Round: 4-5
Detroit Lions - Nico Collins, Michigan
With Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones both entering free agency, Detroit will be searching for at least one starting outside wide receiver in the NFL Draft. With more pressing needs on the defensive side of the ball, the Lions are unlikely to be able to address the position until the middle rounds of the NFL Draft. After opting out of the 2020 season, Nico Collins flashed as a downfield and boundary threat at the Senior Bowl. Collins is a tough, physical player at the position that fits the culture that Dan Campbell will be trying to build, and comes from the nearby University of Michigan.
Round: 4
Seattle Seahawks - Tamorrion Terry, Florida State
Seattle has one of the best wide receiver duos in the NFL in DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, and it’s clear that quarterback Russell Wilson wants the franchise to invest in the offensive line. This makes the wide receiver position one that the Seahawks are unlikely to target early in the NFL Draft, but they could be looking for better complimentary options. Tamorrion Terry is a size and speed freak, who has found success on vertical routes throughout his collegiate career. He would cause matchup problems for defenses opposite of Metcalf, and would fit well with Wilson and his “Moon Ball” style throws down the field.
Round: 5-6
Los Angeles Rams - Sage Surratt, Wake Forest
The Rams have the least amount of draft capital in the NFL, but they could have a need at wide receiver if they’re unable to retain Josh Reynolds in free agency. Reynolds has developed into a strong complementary option as a boundary receiver, and is an above average athlete for the position. Wake Forest’s Sage Surratt is a broad, physical presence on the outside who thrives when crowded. The Senior Bowl reinforced the idea that Surratt fails to create much separation, but those concerns are diminished in a Sean McVay system that thrives at scheming open targets. With his natural receiving chops, he would fit as a Reynolds replacement or usable depth piece moving forward.
Round: 4 (LAR is projected to receive a 4th round compensatory pick)
San Francisco 49ers - Simi Fehoko, Stanford
San Francisco has invested in the wide receiver position over the past few seasons, but could be searching for another answer with Kendrick Bourne entering free agency and unproven depth pieces. They’re missing size at the position, preferring to value players who get busy after the catch. Stanford’s Simi Fehoko, a local product, could be undervalued in the NFL Draft because he’s entering at an advanced age without much experience (due to a two-year long mission trip in Seoul, South Korea). Fehoko has impressive size, strength and athleticism, while flashing the power after the catch necessary to entice the 49ers.
Round: 5-6
Arizona Cardinals - Rondale Moore, Purdue
Arizona will continue to upgrade the surroundings of young quarterback Kyler Murray, and that could mean finding a successor to Larry Fitzgerald as well as an upgrade over Christian Kirk and Andy Isabella. The Cardinals will be searching for a #2 wide receiver to compliment Deandre Hopkins, and Purdue’s Rondale Moore has the upside of a typical top-15 pick. Moore was arguably the best wide receiver in the country as a freshman; showing off explosiveness, contact balance, elusiveness, and speed in space. He’s struggled to stay on the field since then, but will provide value for an NFL team on Day 2 of the NFL Draft if he’s able to remain healthy as a pro.
Round: 2
Atlanta Falcons - D’Wayne Eskridge, Western Michigan
Atlanta doesn’t have a huge need for a wide receiver with the emergence of Calvin Ridley as one of the top players at the position and Julio Jones still playing at a high-level. With that said, Atlanta could be targeting their quarterback of the future with the #4 overall pick, and may look to invest in a young weapon for them to grow alongside. Additionally, Atlanta doesn’t have great depth behind #3 wide receiver Russell Gage, who is entering a contract year. With the emergence and athleticism of D’Wayne Eskridge, and his performance at the Senior Bowl, he could provide realistic value near the top of the 3rd round for the Falcons.
Round: 3
New Orleans Saints - Terrace Marshall Jr., LSU
With Emmanuel Sanders turning 34 years-old next month, New Orleans will be searching for a replacement with #2 wide receiver upside. Competing with Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson for targets, Terrace Marshall Jr. posted 13 touchdowns in 2019 on LSU’s national championship team. Standing 6’3 and just over 200 pounds, Marshall showed a unique ability to get open in condensed spaces or win with body control. The former 5-star recruit will be an option during the second wave of wide receivers in the NFL Draft after producing over 700 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in just seven games last season.
Round: 2
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Josh Imatorbhebhe, Illinois
After adding pieces throughout the season to properly surround quarterback Tom Brady, Tampa Bay doesn’t have much room on their wide receiver depth chart. The Buccaneers have diverse talent and depth already in place, but could be searching for a Day 3 pick with a high ceiling. Illinois’ Josh Imatorbhebhe offers that type of upside as a developmental piece, with length and unmatched explosiveness in the class. He could pay off in a big way in the NFL with proper seasoning as the position.
Round: 6-7
Carolina Panthers - Demetric Felton, UCLA
Carolina had one of the best trios of wide receivers in the NFL last season in DJ Moore, Curtis Samuel and Robby Anderson. Samuel provided running back and receiver versatility, producing over 850 receiving yards and 200 rushing. He’ll be a free agent and may have priced himself out of Carolina, but luckily for the Panthers there is a natural replacement in the NFL Draft. UCLA’s Demetric Felton transitioned to running back this past season, but showed off impressive route running at the Senior Bowl. He projects into a similar role as Curtis Samuel and could be had in the middle rounds of the draft, allowing the Panthers to secure other positions with their earlier selections.
Round: 4
Honorable Mention WR’s: Jonathan Adams (Arkansas State), Dax Milne (BYU), Frank Darby (Arizona State), Whop Philyor (Indiana), Warren Jackson (Colorado State), Marlon Williams (UCF)