2019 NFL Draft: Wide receiver rankings
By Bryan Perez
6.
A.J. Brown WR
Ole Miss was loaded at wide receiver in 2018 and there’s a chance both Brown and Metcalf will go in the first round. I’m not as high on Brown as some in the industry and believe he’s more of a Day-2 pick, but at the end of the day, whoever drafts him (and whenever they do) will get an Alshon Jeffery-type box-out receiver who will win in the intermediate passing game. He’s not a game-changer and I don’t think Brown will ever become an elite NFL receiver, but he’ll definitely have a role along the lines of Mohamed Sanu in Atlanta.
7.
Kelvin Harmon WR
Harmon’s draft stock is beginning to slip as a result of his pedestrian NFL combine performance that solidified the concerns I saw on tape regarding his twitch and acceleration on film. Harmon ran a 4.60 40-yard dash at 6-2, 221 pounds and had an overall uninspiring workout; his vertical jump ranked in the 16th percentile among wide receivers. Still, Harmon is a crafty wideout who uses his size to his advantage and will bring the same kind of physical element to a passing attack as A.J. Brown (No. 6 on this list). He should come off the board in the middle portion of Day 2.
8.
Emanuel Hall WR
Hall has been one of my personal favorites in this draft class because of his effortless field speed. He’s been marred by injury during his time at Vanderbilt and there are some concerning lapses of concentration (drops) on tape, but if you’re looking for a pass-catcher with a great chance to outproduce his draft slot, it’s Hall. His career will probably begin as a third option in a passing attack — a vertical threat — but as time goes on, Hall’s well-rounded game should put him in position to be a critical part of an NFL offense. I don’t think he’ll rank this low when my final rankings are filed.
9.
Andy Isabella WR
I didn’t watch much of Isabella’s film before the NFL combine, but his 4.31 40-yard dash made me excited to check him out. He didn’t disappoint. Isabella is tailormade for today’s NFL passing game and he could end up leapfrogging some of the more well-known prospects in this year’s draft. He’s lightning quick off the line of scrimmage, instantly puts defensive backs on their heels and forces them to open their hips a step too soon. He explodes into his breaks like a seasoned pro. Isabella isn’t big enough to play outside in the NFL (5-9, 188 pounds), so he’ll be limited to slot duties on Sundays. He’s going to be a playmaker.
10.
Riley Ridley WR
Ridley has big shoes to fill after his brother Calvin was drafted in the first round by the Falcons in 2018. Unfortunately, he isn’t quite as talented but he’ll still be an intriguing prospect for teams searching for a polished route-runner with reliable hands. Ridley’s athletic scores at the NFL combine were below average, but as a potential third-round pick, he should be able to carve out a nice role as a top reserve as a pro.