The 2022 NFL Draft will include an interesting group of wide receivers. Here’s where I have the top ten ranked on my big board early in the pre-draft process.
This 2022 NFL Draft class of wide receivers is solid but is a step behind the 2021 NFL Draft. We don’t have Ja`Marr Chase or Jaylen Waddle. However, Jameson Williams and Garrett Wilson are pretty solid, and there is a lot of depth in this class.
I don’t think we will see as many taken in the first round, but look for a lot in the second and third round. Let’s take a look at my 2022 NFL Draft Top-10 WR rankings:
2022 NFL Draft Big Board: Top-10 Wide receivers
1. Jameson Williams- Alabama, 6-foot-2 198lbs
2021 Stats: 79 rec, 1,572 yards, 15 TD, and 19.9 yards per catch
2020 Stats: 9 rec, 154 yards, two TD, and 17.1 yards per catch
Jameson Williams was unable to show up in the title game after tearing his ACL, but I don’t expect it to hurt his draft stock too much. As he could be the best WR to come out of Bama since Julio, he is a well-rounded WR with great size, speed, and catch radius.
I wouldn’t read into his 2020 stats too much as he had Waddle, Smith, and fellow 2022 draftee John Metchie on the same team.
2. Drake London, USC, 6-foot-5 210lbs
2021 Stats: 88 rec, 1,084 yards, seven TD, 12.3 yards per catch
2020 Stats: 33 rec, 502 yards, three TD, 15.2 yards per catch
Drake London could be the surprise in this draft, as I have seen some people have him as high as going in the top-seven to middle-rounds. His size will be one of his biggest advantages as he is all-around the biggest WR of the top-end class.
It is hard to imagine him not blowing up with a consistent QB and offense, something he never had at USC. This is a big Alshon Jeffry-type red-zone threat, who can be a mismatch for any corner.
3. Garrett Wilson, Ohio State, 6-foot-0 192lbs
2021 Stats: 70 rec, 1,058 yards, 12 TD, 15.1 yards per catch
2020 Stats: 43 rec, 723 yards, six TD, 16.8 yards per catch
Garrett Wilson will come into the draft as this year’s Jaylen Waddle. He is fast and can run all the routes with the ability to be placed anywhere on the field. He was given a gift of having Chris Olave on the other side and took advantage of the defense every time he could as evidence of his yards per catch. While he is not as far along as Jaylen Waddle is, their skill set would be similar.
4. George Pickens, Georiga, 6-foot-3 200lbs (ACL injury cut into 2020 and 2021)
2021 Stats: 5 rec, 107 yards, zero TD, 21.4 yards per catch
2020 Stats: 36 rec, 513 yards, six TD, 14.3 yards per catch
It’s hard to make out what George Pickens will be at the next level due to his lack of college production. But, the intangibles are there. He could move up this board as the combine and pro-days come together.
With the lack of time at UGA on the field, we have little film, but what we do have shows he could be a budding star at the next level, pending he can stay healthy.
5. Treylon Burks, Arkansas, 6-foot-2 225lbs
2021 Stats: 66 rec, 1,104 yards, 11 TD, 16.7 yards per catch
2020 Stats: 51 rec, 820 yards, seven TD, 16.1 yards per catch
Burks burst on the scene last year and continued his step forward this year. On a regular basis, he was a problem for some of the best defenses in the country.
With a good mix of size and speed and one of the better contested-catch WR in this draft, Burks could be a second-round player with first-round production. His combined numbers will have a lot to do with his draft stock as far as verticle, 40-yard, and the route tree.
6. Chris Olave, Ohio State, 6-foot-1 189lbs
2021 Stats: 65 rec, 936 yards, 13 TD, 14.4 yards per catch
2020 Stats: 50 rec, 729 yards, seven TD, 14.6 yards per catch
Speed and lots of it, that’s what Olave is. He will make a great deep threat type player or a gadget player. I don’t see him ending up an alpha-type player, but he will be a solid slot player or second WR on a team lacking depth. Though his biggest impacts might be in the return game and on end-arounds.
7. Calvin Austin III, Memphis, 5-foot-9 162lbs
2021 Stats: 74 rec, 1,149 yards, eight TD, 15.5 yards per catch
2020 Stats: 63 rec, 1,053 yards, 11 TD, 16.7 yards per catch
Austin is an interesting one to grade, his stats are more than adequate, but his size is questionable. Being one of the shorter and lighter of the top-end WR in this class could cause him to slip down.
But, Smith and Rondale Moore showed last year’s size, which is not always an issue. He has great hands and solid route running, if he comes in at 162 at the combine though, he could slide.
8. John Metchie III, Alabama, 6-foot-0 195lbs
2021 Stats: 96 rec, 1,142 yards, eight TD, 11.9 yards per catch
2020 Stats: 55 rec, 916 yards, six TD, 16.7 yards per catch
Metchie last year looked to be the top WR for Bama this year until Jameson Williams took it next level. There is a lot to like about Metchie and where he projects in this draft, he was able to put up production in back-to-back years, competing for catches.
A well-rounded wide receiver, look for him to play more as a WR2 than a slot, and be good on the option or quick hit.
9. Wan`Dale Robinson, Kentucky, 5-foot-11 185lbs
2021 Stats: 104 rec, 1,134 yards, seven TD, 12.8 yards per catch
2020 Stats: 51 rec, 461 yards, one TD, 9.0 yards per catch (played at Nebraska)
Wan`Dale is a stud, he’s low on this list, because of the massive disparity in production throughout his career. You are not sure which one he is, a one-time wonder, or a kid who finally grew into his own on a team that could use him.
Hands are zero issues for him as apparent with 104 catches last year, there are questions about his speed and how he can separate at the next level, but he can fight it out with the best of them.
10. David Bell- Purdue, 6-foot-2 205lbs
2021 Stats: 93 rec, 1,286 yards, six TD, 13.8 yards per catch
2020 Stats: 53 rec, 625 yards, eight TD, 11.8 yards per catch
Bell is another big WR who is great with the contested catch, but struggles with separation at times and doesn’t look to have true NFL speed. Will end up being a WR2 or WR4, not working out of the slot much, but his size will make him a good red zone option. Where he should fall in this draft he would be a good pick up for someone like Buffalo, Packers, or Cardinals.
Rember 2020 was the COVID-19 season so some players did not get a full season in. But, this is a strong list of wide receivers, and similar to last year, we have an awesome mix of size, speed, and utility. This list I think more than any has the chance to change the most.